April 7th. April 7th is the deadline I gave myself to make a decision.
I recently saw a quote by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg that I felt an immediate kinship to and it said, “If you want to be a true professional, you will do something outside yourself. Something to repair tears in your community. Something to make life a little better for people less fortunate than you. That’s what I think a meaningful life is - Living not for oneself, but for one’s community.”
Eight years ago today, April 7, 2015, you elected me Mayor of Shawnee - and four years after, you did it again. In these past two terms, I have learned so much. I’ve never aspired to be in politics nor driven to pander or comply to be accepted. Like you, I’m a hard-working and devoted mother, employee, friend, and citizen who loves our Shawnee more than any other place. I stood on stage a few weeks ago, delivering my State of the City address to my Shawnee neighbors, and was struck by just how incredible the work is that we have accomplished. I am immensely proud of how far we have come in the last eight years.
These advances could not have happened without the herculean efforts and egoless contributions of so many who serve our Hometown with Heart. Many dedicated and trustworthy people raise their hands to be chosen to do hard things so Shawnee can continue to be the best place to live. They show up every day and put in the sweat and tears it takes to do what is right. I am proud of them. They are a big part of why I have consistently put in over a thousand hours a year over the last eight years to stand up for Shawnee and work for Shawnee’s prosperity.
This dedication to our great Shawnee community drove me to run for a second term, even as the city government became more and more politically polarized. I knew that the role of Shawnee’s Mayor needed to remain nonpartisan. I feared the factions that were attacking me personally would be able to complete the goal of making Shawnee less welcoming for others - other thoughts, other beliefs, other lives, other family structures, all the ‘others’ that don’t fit in their tiny box. With a heavy heart, we have watched so many dedicated people leave our city in recent years.
To quote Leslie Knope, “I care. I care a lot. It’s kind of my thing.”
Many have asked me about running for a third term as Mayor, which has weighed heavy on me these past ten months. I am blessed and grateful for your support and I have spent many hours praying for clarity and strength to continue the excellent work we have accomplished, often despite the efforts to stop us.
While my heart remains focused on service to this city, it cannot bear another four years of the divisive politics I see happening. As such, I will continue my life of service, working amongst others for the betterment of my beloved Shawnee, but I will not be running for a third term, ending my 17 years of faithful elected service to my hometown.
Reflecting on the decision to run for Mayor in 2015, I was naive about the political forces that pressure and attempt to bully the position. As we worked to broaden the business opportunities in Shawnee, the ability to remain neutral politically was made very difficult by individuals focused on exclusion rather than inclusion; on the negative rather than the positive. They focused on issues that do not have a place in local government and on a stubborn adherence to the status quo instead of the possibilities of Shawnee’s future.
I have strived to give a voice to the people, all the people, in every decision I faced as Mayor. This position must be about service to one’s local community, focusing on resident and business engagement, public safety, infrastructure, recreation, transparency, and fiscal responsibility.
My leadership was about not thinking alike but thinking together. Unfortunately for others, it has become a political “me” movement, not a Shawnee “us” movement of growth and acceptance.
Just as our police officers, firefighters, public work professionals, parks and recreation folks, and all other city department employees serve the entire community, so should we as elected officials.
Some wish I had been more vocal against the attacks on my good name, integrity, and life. Citizens who know my servant heart, my deep dedication, and my honesty have counseled me to fight back against those who have worked hard to break me. My refusal to do so lies in my unwavering belief that the office of the Mayor is about the work needing to be done for which the people of Shawnee chose the person.
I lie down every night, knowing I have always led with integrity. Any mistakes I have made have been just that, honest mistakes for which I have always taken responsibility. No amount of shaming or fabrication of the facts can change my knowing that my integrity is intact.
Being the Mayor of Shawnee has been a great honor, and I am proud of all we have accomplished. Sadly, the regressive politics at play are beyond my ability to stay the course of running for a third term. Truth be told, I can no longer bite my tongue, a skill required of a good Mayor who needs to be a peacekeeper and an equitable servant voice.
Our city faces real challenges in the coming years. Continued responsible economic growth, a focus on public safety and infrastructure, and moving forward as a community for everyone are vital to the future of our city. The work needed to continue the successes we have seen in the last eight years will be immense. It requires a focus on what the vast majority of the community wants, forward-thinking and accepting leadership who can do the roll-up-your-sleeves work needed to take Shawnee into the future.
I do hope someone will raise their hand to serve who is willing to bridge the divides that have been created. Someone who will continue to serve our ‘one’ Shawnee in a nonpartisan way. Someone who puts every current and future Shawnee resident before their own limited belief systems, political aspirations, or party. That person is out there. And I can’t wait for them to raise their hand to lead.
I have served my God, my family, my Shawnee, and all of you with all of my heart.
Thank you for your support and love over the years.
MayorD23
I recently saw a quote by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg that I felt an immediate kinship to and it said, “If you want to be a true professional, you will do something outside yourself. Something to repair tears in your community. Something to make life a little better for people less fortunate than you. That’s what I think a meaningful life is - Living not for oneself, but for one’s community.”
Eight years ago today, April 7, 2015, you elected me Mayor of Shawnee - and four years after, you did it again. In these past two terms, I have learned so much. I’ve never aspired to be in politics nor driven to pander or comply to be accepted. Like you, I’m a hard-working and devoted mother, employee, friend, and citizen who loves our Shawnee more than any other place. I stood on stage a few weeks ago, delivering my State of the City address to my Shawnee neighbors, and was struck by just how incredible the work is that we have accomplished. I am immensely proud of how far we have come in the last eight years.
These advances could not have happened without the herculean efforts and egoless contributions of so many who serve our Hometown with Heart. Many dedicated and trustworthy people raise their hands to be chosen to do hard things so Shawnee can continue to be the best place to live. They show up every day and put in the sweat and tears it takes to do what is right. I am proud of them. They are a big part of why I have consistently put in over a thousand hours a year over the last eight years to stand up for Shawnee and work for Shawnee’s prosperity.
This dedication to our great Shawnee community drove me to run for a second term, even as the city government became more and more politically polarized. I knew that the role of Shawnee’s Mayor needed to remain nonpartisan. I feared the factions that were attacking me personally would be able to complete the goal of making Shawnee less welcoming for others - other thoughts, other beliefs, other lives, other family structures, all the ‘others’ that don’t fit in their tiny box. With a heavy heart, we have watched so many dedicated people leave our city in recent years.
To quote Leslie Knope, “I care. I care a lot. It’s kind of my thing.”
Many have asked me about running for a third term as Mayor, which has weighed heavy on me these past ten months. I am blessed and grateful for your support and I have spent many hours praying for clarity and strength to continue the excellent work we have accomplished, often despite the efforts to stop us.
While my heart remains focused on service to this city, it cannot bear another four years of the divisive politics I see happening. As such, I will continue my life of service, working amongst others for the betterment of my beloved Shawnee, but I will not be running for a third term, ending my 17 years of faithful elected service to my hometown.
Reflecting on the decision to run for Mayor in 2015, I was naive about the political forces that pressure and attempt to bully the position. As we worked to broaden the business opportunities in Shawnee, the ability to remain neutral politically was made very difficult by individuals focused on exclusion rather than inclusion; on the negative rather than the positive. They focused on issues that do not have a place in local government and on a stubborn adherence to the status quo instead of the possibilities of Shawnee’s future.
I have strived to give a voice to the people, all the people, in every decision I faced as Mayor. This position must be about service to one’s local community, focusing on resident and business engagement, public safety, infrastructure, recreation, transparency, and fiscal responsibility.
My leadership was about not thinking alike but thinking together. Unfortunately for others, it has become a political “me” movement, not a Shawnee “us” movement of growth and acceptance.
Just as our police officers, firefighters, public work professionals, parks and recreation folks, and all other city department employees serve the entire community, so should we as elected officials.
Some wish I had been more vocal against the attacks on my good name, integrity, and life. Citizens who know my servant heart, my deep dedication, and my honesty have counseled me to fight back against those who have worked hard to break me. My refusal to do so lies in my unwavering belief that the office of the Mayor is about the work needing to be done for which the people of Shawnee chose the person.
I lie down every night, knowing I have always led with integrity. Any mistakes I have made have been just that, honest mistakes for which I have always taken responsibility. No amount of shaming or fabrication of the facts can change my knowing that my integrity is intact.
Being the Mayor of Shawnee has been a great honor, and I am proud of all we have accomplished. Sadly, the regressive politics at play are beyond my ability to stay the course of running for a third term. Truth be told, I can no longer bite my tongue, a skill required of a good Mayor who needs to be a peacekeeper and an equitable servant voice.
Our city faces real challenges in the coming years. Continued responsible economic growth, a focus on public safety and infrastructure, and moving forward as a community for everyone are vital to the future of our city. The work needed to continue the successes we have seen in the last eight years will be immense. It requires a focus on what the vast majority of the community wants, forward-thinking and accepting leadership who can do the roll-up-your-sleeves work needed to take Shawnee into the future.
I do hope someone will raise their hand to serve who is willing to bridge the divides that have been created. Someone who will continue to serve our ‘one’ Shawnee in a nonpartisan way. Someone who puts every current and future Shawnee resident before their own limited belief systems, political aspirations, or party. That person is out there. And I can’t wait for them to raise their hand to lead.
I have served my God, my family, my Shawnee, and all of you with all of my heart.
Thank you for your support and love over the years.
MayorD23
Paid for by Elect Michelle Distler
Michelle Distler, Treasurer |
The City of Shawnee is a growing, vibrant community. With growth, comes many challenges. As a lifelong resident of Shawnee, with a family business that was established in the heart of downtown Shawnee for 29 years, the welfare and happiness of our community, as well as the economic health of Shawnee are things I take seriously. Service as a city councilperson and mayor has prepared me to deal effectively, openly, and responsibly with the challenges we will face as we move into the future.
Through public service, I have learned municipal government works best when citizens, like you, are involved, informed, and participate. I firmly believe, when we work together, through an open exchange of ideas, much can be accomplished. Listening to residents, gathering perspectives, and considering directions my fellow citizens wish to go is what I am here to do! My vision as mayor is to have a positive effect on the people and businesses of the City of Shawnee working collaboratively with you with visibility and accountability. Great things are on the horizon for this community and we are in this together to make it happen! In my view, public service is not a stepping stone. Shawnee is my home and where I wish to serve. I am committed to our community. There is no other place I will call home and no other city I love more than Shawnee. I am excited about its future! It has been my distinct pleasure to have worked with and gotten to know so many of you over the years. Your involvement and views on important matters addressed by the City Council has been extremely valuable to me as well as an integral part of our community's development. I thank you for your participation and civic commitment. Sincerely, Michelle Distler My devotion to Shawnee drives my desire to represent and serve. It is a natural continuation of not only my City Council service, but of all my other service in the community. Because of my deep association and familiarity with Shawnee's past, I feel I have a unique perspective on issues that have shaped our city. We have accomplished a lot over the last few years but there is more to be done to continue that momentum! It is a blessing and honor to serve you. 2023 State of the City 2022 State of the City 2021 State of the City 2020 State of the City The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. —Max DePree 
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