It is an honor to introduce myself. I grew up in a small town outside of Chicago calling the cornfields my playground and long-time friends that I can still call upon today.

I am lucky to have been raised by both parents. A mother who was an avid writer teaching me the value of communication and grounding of a feminist, guiding me to stand for empowering justice.

As an inventor and entrepreneur, my father further developed my skills toward taking leadership to believe in myself and believe in the courage that bold ideas really can change the world.

I’ve extended this foundation into the drive of educational pursuit. I have a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University, master’s degree from University of Chicago, private pilot’s licensure from JF Aviation and currently earning a doctorate in transformative economics from California Institute of Integral Studies.

Leaving San Francisco with school being online, I set out on a journey to go find my bliss. And Sedona is that bliss.

It is also the reason why I’m running for council. I care about the longevity of a true community, not some corporatized machine. I intend to raise a family here, so I’m deeply invested. I’m also an empath who cares about people and land.

You can darn well assure I’ll defend all the above. I am non-partisan, an independent. I take an academic approach to problem-solving. Always research first, if it’s not fact-checked, it’s not flying.

My background is in writing and reporter for a newspaper informing readers on town hall meetings, letting them know why they should care, how they can get involved, while conveying the complexus of politics in an easy-to-digest format.

I was known as the bridge that brought people together. I’m proud of that.

With that said, these are my policies and why I stand by them:

■ Short-term rentals from corporate ownership have destroyed the community fabric. Putting in covenants, conditions and restrictions prevents future sell-off to conglomerates.

Continue working state-level to regain city control. Allow locals permits to build extra on-site rental structure. Share the narrative consciousness economics works. Many locals only rent their rooms or homes to other locals, not short-term rentals. They still earn money and everyone’s happy.

■ Short-term rentals have destroyed affordable housing. Refurnish housing supply by building cob homes. Take funds from city’s program that gives first-time homeowners $25,000 for a loan most wouldn’t qualify for and instead utilize same monies to build a whole home. Change the building code so Sedona has homes in six weeks, not years like traditional construction.

■ ATVs have destroyed the land. Dead, petrified trees upend the landscape to look like planet Mars. Currently, to curb volume, I’m approaching Arizona Game & Fish Department with policy to implement a three-hour educational video: How to ride, health risks involved, repercussions to land loss if not adhered. Parachute recreation implements such practice, we can too. Also, I’ll pursue banning via dust hazard.

■ Traffic has destroyed quality of life. Currently, neighboring national parks limit visitors per day to pass through. Implementing policy on volume is one way to recharge balance. Also, provide residents city stickers to park free and in reserved spots, including trailheads. Residents want their mountains back. Charge tourists.

■ Stabilize tourism by working with U.S. Forest Service to limit number of tourists passes. The issue is volume: Hikers and ATV.

■ Turn Brewer Road and historic building into a park. Residents would enjoy a hydroponic system growing vegetables for the residents, our children and even tourists. Not making the gemstone property a transit hub would be a huge plus for community building, food sovereignty and preservation.

■ Remove 0.5% sales tax.

■ Home rule has destroyed resident voice. Only people to benefit are those on current council and affiliates.

Conversely, I believe in participatory voting. This August vote “no” alternative expenditure limitation. Get our community back in harmony. Thereafter, we can work toward permanent base adjustment, which provides in-real time decisions.

In the end, the choice to vote for me is because I bring fresh perspective to problem-solving within a beautiful city that feels stuck. I listen. I bring people together. I think outside the box. I take collaboration to a higher bureaucratic level. I research. I embody participatory practices. I care.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. I look forward to connecting more. Always feel free to reach out. I subscribe to open-door policy.

Jennifer Strait is one of six candidates for three seats on the Sedona City Council. Election day is Tuesday, Aug. 2.