I am MIA - sorry

For some reason I haven't been motivated or creative these last few weeks. I think every ounce of energy is directed at the campaign and my City council FB page or blog. I do have these few fun Iphone pics during recent much needed runs. Better pics coming soon I promise.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Seeking Four More Years on Council

 

The last four years have flown by! I will be the first to say it has been a lot of very very hard work and some stressful tough decisions but overall I've loved every minute of my time on council. Because of this I'm running for a second term - official papers were turned in yesterday. This brings a mix of excitement and nerves! Let the games begin.

Perfect Campaign Car

I have been dreaming about finding a vintage pink convertible for parades and campaigning. I have also always loved the vintage VW Bugs for some crazy reason. Imagine my surprise and excitement when I stumbled upon this beauty during a recent road trip.

It drives amazing and is in excellent condition. I really really want it just trying to decide how badly I need it….

VOTE VOTE VOTE TODAY!!

Please take a few minutes out of your very busy day to vote. Every vote counts – let your voice be heard. I voted first thing this morning and am proudly donning my “I Voted” sticker.
Good luck to all the candidates – I know how nerve racking this day can be! I can’t believe how fast this year has flown by! Last year’s election I was biting my nails to the quick full of nervousness. I wanted the day to be over so the results would come in, and then suddenly I didn’t want it to end as was afraid the results would not equal a city council seat for me. I cannot begin to express what a wonderful year it has been and how lucky and honored I feel to serve the citizens of Council Bluffs! But I am SOOOOO very happy to be sitting on the sidelines this election just enjoying the excitement and buzz surrounding an election. Looking forward to stopping by the courthouse this evening with the candidates to watch the results roll in. So please go VOTE and help shape your future.
*Photo from last November's Election

Celebrate CB Parade

I am sure all of you that live in a small or semi-small town have a yearly parade. One you remember walking in as a child on behalf of your school, sport team, dance school, etc…I remember participating as a cheerleader and as a Westfair Queen contestant (I ended up with miss Citizenship?). As children if we weren’t in the parade we definitely went to watch the parade. In those days it was Pride Week Parade and held downtown Council Bluffs mostly on Broadway. This year I had the opportunity and good fortune to be in the parade again. Said parade is now called “Celebrate CB Parade”, but I still kept messing up and calling it Pride Week – old habits die hard. The parade is part of a weeks worth of festivities and cool events. It is still held downtown CB. I was amazed at how many people participated in the parade (over a 100 entries) and even better how many spectators there were.

Super fun to see members of the community from all walks of life come out to Celebrate in joys of living in Council Bluffs and support their friends and neighbors. I was crazy nervous to ride on behalf of the Mayor and City Council as you can see from my face here:

I also spent countless hours analyzing what to wear and after several trips to the store (two outfits were purchased) I finally found this dress that felt perfect for the parade.

I really enjoyed myself once we started moving and my nerves calmed – I would just look for friendly faces in the crowd and work my pageant wave.

Thanks a million to my mom, Aunt, and cousins that came out to watch and be the photogs.

Also thanks to my friend Scott for sticking around and entertaining me! (really he was waiting for his daughter on the YMCA float but I’ll pretend he was entertaining me).



Speaking of the YMCA float – my little brother Justin and a few of his friends built the entire float! Nice work boys!


Wish I had more photos of it. Great great parade due to all the hard work and dedication of the Celebrate CB committee. For more photos check out my City Council Blog.

Shooting Range

I am participating in Citizens Police Academy through the Council Bluffs Police Department, as part of my City Council stint. It has been an amazing experience finding out more about the police department, how they operate, why they use certain tactics, along with meeting many of our local heroes. Tonight’s topic is Firearms. Not only will we learn about the various firearms used by the department, we are also going to be shooting them…

How is that for scary!?! Me with a weapon is questionable (I think the soldier kept all his kevlar on as protection against me?). My last few tries at shooting were in Iraq and I was a horrible shot. I have been gathering pointers from the sharp shooters in my life all week but have a feeling if grades are assigned I will probably get a failing one :( Lets hope I am wrong and I can pull off a miracle this evening. Most importantly I am hoping for a safe evening with little to no embarrassment. Must admit I am a wee bit nervous.

First Council Meeting

Was last night. I was nervous, excited, jittery, anxious, among a million other emotions. Once the meeting was underway and I relaxed a little it was an amazing experience. I am very excited for the next four years and this wonderful opportunity.

Staff photo/Tim Rohwer (Daily Nonpareil) - Melissa Head, right, prepares for her first meeting as a member of Council Bluffs City Council Monday evening as fellow Councilwoman Lynne Branigan looks on.
I have posted several articles from today’s papers on my Head4CB blog. I know it is cheesy and quite superficial, but I can’t help it. I get excited when I see my name or photo in the paper. Makes me feel famous!! Also means I must put additional thought into wardrobe and hair/makeup, especially on council days since the meetings are broadcasted. Too bad we don’t get a stylist and stipend for wardrobe along with our council salary!!

Councilwoman Melissa Head

Sounds strange yet official, I like it! Almost makes me feel important. Let’s hope I continue to like it for the next four years!! Kidding, as I know it will be an amazing experience and I am very excited for my first meeting January 11th. Last night was the official swearing in ceremony. Thanks Aunt Debbie for the photos. The mayor, myself, and Scott (the other councilmember elected this term) taking our oath of office.

Congratulating each other afterwards.

Receiving my official certificate. I have been informed it needs a fancier frame before it is worthy to be hung on the “I love me wall” (thanks to a co-worker for that term) in my office.

A short speech prompted by our Mayor.

Sadly no more photos – for some reason we didn’t take many. Kicking myself now that I didn’t get a few family photos at least. An evening I will remember for quite some time even if it was more causal than I expected.

Council Bluffs City Council Election Night

I finally have photos from election night – thanks Aunt Debbie! Looking at photos today brought back a mixture of memories. I remember how fast I wanted the day to go. All day I was antsy for 8 so we could get results. As 8 drew near I got more and more nervous. Justin and I went to vote late afternoon and hit the Y to relieve stress.

Then a big group of awesome supporters stopped over for lasagna to pass the time.





It was great being surrounded by friends and family to help ease the election stress.







Around 830 we headed to the courthouse for the results. It’s funny as once 8 actually rolled around I suddenly wanted to turn back time. I wasn’t ready for the results as was extremely worried about the outcome. So much time had been vested (mine and many others) and I was very excited about the possibility of a city council position that losing would have been very hard. I tried to prepare myself and remind myself that it wouldn’t matter and it was a wonderful experience either way. It didn’t work. The courthouse was packed.






It took a little over an hour for the results to come in. They rolled in precinct by precinct, slowly at first.









Then all a sudden in a matter of minutes the final six precincts came in and it was over. Results were posted.

I WON!! I was so excited, surprised, and overwhelmed. I never expected to come in first and especially not by so many votes. A great feeling for sure and a chance to finally relax, breathe, and enjoy all the congrats I was receiving (along with advice).













A great evening full of anticipation, stress, excitement, and joy. Now the hard work begins!! Thanks again to everyone that supported me and will hopefully continue to support me throughout my term.