Leah Groves for Council - City of Lowell

11/03/2023

“Who are you voting for?” I’ve been asked a few dozen times the past couple weeks. Everytime the answer has been the same, “DeVore, Salzwedel and Bartkus!”

Serving our city council isn’t easy but it is something I’m prideful about. I have another Two years of my term to serve and I plan to do so whatever happens on Tuesday. However, I ask that you consider the growth the current council has had. We’ve come a long way since I was appointed in 2019 and the momentum is here. The city is growing and we are working together. This type of unity does not come from lazy, uninformed council. It comes from having the hard conversations, it comes from creative solution after disagreement, it comes from compromise and perhaps, most importantly, it comes from understanding that we do not represent ourselves and our beliefs but we represent The City of Lowell, it’s residents and their integrity.

I ask you to join me in upholding the integrity and honor we all hold so close to our hearts. We serve because the need was available and our intentions were clear. We serve because you voted for us, you trusted us. Make Lowell ‘The Place To Be.’

Vote Mike DeVore, Jim Salzwedel and Eric Bartkus. Watch our City progress while still honoring our Traditions and Beginnings.

We are Lowell and we are Proud.

11/23/2021

I can not recommend GLPA-LEAD enough. I took their two day campaign training course back in April. Everything I know about running a ethical campaign, I learned at that training.

Interested in running for local politics? This is for you!

GLPA is now accepting applications for our 2022 Spring General Program! In this 12 week course, fellows get a dive into the following campaign areas: field, finance, communications, and data & analytics. You won't want to miss this opportunity to learn from experts across the state! www.glpa-lead.com/apply.

11/09/2021

At this mornings Chamber of Commerce meeting, I was reminded that ‘Treasures for Troops’ is collecting essentials, goods and treats for our troops. With Veteran’s day this week, I think donating to aid in the comfort & needs of our service men and women is a powerful, yet simple way to say “we see you.” Treasures for Troops is hosted by Blue Star Mothers. They also accept cash/check donations. A $25 donation packs a whole box of essentials.

Don’t forget to Thank a veteran on Thursday!

11/05/2021

Happy Friday, Friends!

Tomorrow I will be attending Coffee with Council at the Lowell Chambers of Commerce from 8 to 10am. I know it’s Saturday morning but there’s coffee and you can stay for a minute or the full two hours. Plus, we get to chat election, future plans and ways to love on Lowell!

Hope to see some of your faces there!

Full transparency, Not everyone will be wearing a mask, I will be though. I will confirm with a rapid test this evening that I am covid negative.

Love & Light!

11/03/2021

The numbers are in and with them confirmed, I can officially say I have been voted by the people to serve a four year term on the City of Lowell’s council. I am rather speechless and bewildered in how to thank everyone adequately. In an attempt to do so, I’d like to share a story.

In June of 2019, only months before I moved to Lowell I attended a conference as a Parent Leader to represent a non profit I was working with called Great Start Collaborative. It was at that organization that I met a group of outstanding women who challenged me, engaged with my ideas and welcomed my insight. I gained some confidence and started re learn the simple task of talking to people without doubting myself.

While at the conference I was seated by an extraordinary woman who thanked me for sharing my truth during my introduction to the class. I was taken back by her appreciation for my vulnerability. She stood next and introduced herself. Single mother of 3, facing separation and hostile parenting situations, working a few jobs and she served on her city’s council. I cried. “How is she doing all that?” I wondered.

Fast forward to November of last year, where I saw a small Facebook post pop up. Open seat on council! Apply! I laughed at my thought that I could do it too. I was sure I wasn’t qualified. I was sure that I was not as capable as the inspiring woman I had met the year prior. Though, a few days later my brain was still nagging me to just look into it. So, I did. I was qualified. I applied. I interviewed. I was appointed.

Since that moment I have had many obstacles stand in my way, but the two jobs I hold are not one of them. Now, I am the person people ask about “How is she doing it all?”

I would like to answer that question for wondering minds. The answer is simple. I am not doing it all. I do what I can, when I can. The rest waits. I’m honest about my time, transparent about my intentions and confident in my ability to trust what the universe has in store.

My gratitude is far and wide, it is years deep and decades in the making. I am energized by the people who come to me, seeking solutions and willing to work with me to find them. I am honored to be trusted and delighted to be voted for.

With that, I hope you know that when I say thank you. It is not only to be polite. It is soul deep and heart wide.

Thank you for supporting me, cheering me on, reminding me to breathe, showing up at events, sharing my words with your neighbors, seeing me and becoming more involved in your community. You matter to me.

11/02/2021

Tomorrow we vote. Tomorrow we show up, fill in a square (or three), slip our voting card in the counting machine and walk out of City hall. Heads held high, knowing we are playing a pivotal role in our City’s future. Tomorrow we vote for up to three candidates for Lowell’s City Council.

The four candidates on the ballot are …

Marty Chambers
Jim Salzwedel
Jake Davenport
And myself, Leah M Groves

I am humbled and honored to have had the opportunity to serve on Lowell’s City Council the past year. Elected tomorrow or not, I’m still the same old Leah. Ready to aid anyone in trouble, whenever they need it. It’s what I do, it’s who I am.

Serving council has been a learning opportunity for me. I have expanded my knowledge, my heart and my mind. It has not expanded my ego. My first priority has been and will always be my neighbors. Lowell swept me off my feet and changed my life for the better. I am hell bent on keeping Lowell that way while continuing to watch our city grow.

You’ll see me on the ballot.
Tomorrow come final vote, I’ll most likely be home, tucking my babies into bed. Being a Momma. My boys always come first. It’s just the way it is.

If celebrations are in order, we will plan for this weekend.

All my light & love. Let’s vote.

10/16/2021

It’s a beautiful morning at Stoney Lakeside Park. Come join me for donuts, cookies, cider from 11-12:15. Let’s chat city of Lowell happenings, desires and goals!

10/07/2021

Lowell’s First Look is covering Lowell’s City Council Election. Today they’ve shared the first of a few questions they asked each candidate. Know who your candidates are! Know who you’re voting for! And shameless plug, Vote for me if you’d like to keep a female perspective on council!

Online news for Lowell, Michigan

08/11/2021

I’ll make this short and sweet. Share it if you feel compelled.

Hate has no place here. Stick up for people who deserve it. Smearing someone’s name or twisting their words to fit your agenda is cruel and manipulative. Differences are healthy. Division is not. Stirring the pot isn’t leadership. My work to create more love in Lowell is heavy and more apparent than ever. I need help, I need voices and I need us to do so with respect and honor.

Enjoy this summer day. Send a supportive text to someone who may need it. Smile. Love always wins. It just does.

08/03/2021

One of my favorite ways to become inspired is through reading poetry. Todays poem comes from a book entitled 'Heart Talk' by Cleo Wade.

The poem is entitled 'Tired'

I was tired of worrying
so I gave myself peace back
I was tired of feeling intimidated by what I should
do
so I pulled up my sleeves
and got to work on what I could do
I was tired of not knowing so I found out - about myself, my family, my ancestors, my government, and the struggles of others
I was tired of seeing evil everywhere
so I found the heavenly spots and showed my
neighbors where they
were
I was tired
of looking at the world as one big mess
so I decided to
start cleaning it up
and when people ask me if I am exhausted
I tell them no
because
more than anything
what I got the most tired of
was being tired

I am hoping this poem allows you to take a deep breath, unlock your jaw, let your shoulders lower and your heart to settle. There is work to do, there always will be. May we be energized by this work, not drained.

Happy Tuesday Lowell, Enjoy the sunshine, feel the light.

07/21/2021

Whether it’s social media or not, Lowell or not. Hate won’t be tolerated. You hear hate, you call it out. We’re all humans, we owe it to each other. Not only to be kind but to be productive with our kindness. Converse. Connect. Build your community.

I’ll die on that hill.

Thank you Lowell's First Look for the quote, thank you to the humans who do the work to end the hate. You’re seen, valued and inspire me to highlight the boundary. Hate has no place here.

07/08/2021

"Leah, what do you do?"

Well, first, I am a Mom. What I am best at is providing a safe, loving environment for my kiddos to spread their magic and fill the world with their wonder.

Second, I am a writer. The past year I have started ... and restarted the book I hope to publish one day about 10 times. At first, my book was planned to be about my life. What its turned in to is something far more interesting and thrilling. Whether it ever leaves my desk or not, writing is what I feel called to do, so I comply.

Third, I am a lover of public service, I always have been. Working for the world around me fills my soul with an unmatched fulfillment. I took many years off as early motherhood took precedence but I am back. Now serving on Council, Chambers of Commerce, Parks and Rec., and the Arbor board. The amount of learning these experiences have provided me are far superior than any class I've ever received. This is real life, real people, real problems. I'm honored to help create solutions. My next goal is to create a "Land Love 4 Lowell" initiative where I can hopefully influence people to pick up trash!

Fourth and final, I am a Parent Mentor for Michigan Alliance for Families or MAF. I currently serve the Central-Western Kent County area. MAF is a non profit, state funded program serving Michigan special needs families who need assistance getting the services they or their child (ages 0-26) needs. We assist with providing support, resources, advocates, workshops and more! I am so impressed by everything MAF provides and I am eager to share the word. I have added the link to our page if you'd like to follow along. Michigan Alliance for Families

Now, you know how I fill my time, I'd love to know what you do. Do you work for a Union? Do you own a business? Are you an artist? Are you a stay at home parent? Maybe you work three jobs? Are you in school? I'd love to know not just what you do but why you do it. Every job may not have a paycheck but it does have a purpose. That purpose is important to me!