Biography
Elected Experience
This is my first run for elected office, though I serve in leadership for the nonprofit Friends of the Sumas Library (FOSL).
Other Professional Experience
I taught high school mathematics in Utah from 2012-2020, serving as math department chair and on the district-wide math steering committee. Currently, I work as an instructional designer for higher education, specializing in math and information technology.
Education
Master's in Mathematics Education, Bachelor's in Data Analytics
Community Service
Web administrator for FOSL and math tutor at Sumas Library. My wife and I volunteer for flood cleanup, annual Sumas Community cleanup, and host FOSL community events such as Movie in the Park.
Statement
My priority is enhanced community communication. During the 2020 flood, finding reliable city information was challenging as we had to rely on Facebook updates and community groups. While our new alert system helps, we need easy-to-use information resources that the city controls directly. I want to create a simple way for residents to find important information about emergency updates, local business promotions, community events, and connect with neighbors without navigating social media.
Quality of life improvements matter. We should encourage new businesses that build community connections and create gathering spaces. Cherry Street's south side lacks crosswalks near homes and businesses like our drug store. Pedestrian safety deserves attention, especially with families walking to local businesses.
Walking our dog around town with my wife, I've grown to love this community deeply. Community connection drives my candidacy. Our differences as neighbors give us a complete picture of community needs, and everyone deserves a voice in shaping Sumas. The city should facilitate discussing what's working and concerns us, while taking advantage of established community knowledge of families who have called this area home for generations. The platforms to make our voices heard matter in making Sumas an even better place to call home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
It's hard to fit everything I want to say into the few hundred word limit of the voter pamphlet. Here's where I provide answers to questions I receive. Feel free to message me if you want a question added to this list!
- Who Is Brett?
- Why is Brett running for City Council?
- What are Brett's priorities for City Council?
- What leadership positions has Brett held?
- How can I contact Brett if I have a question?
Who is Brett?
I am an instructional designer and former high school math teacher. I am a tech enthusiast and aspiring web developer (I hand coded this website from scratch!). I am a book lover and lifelong video gamer. More than any of that, I am a member of this community.
For the past few years I have been heavily involved in the Friends of the Sumas Library (FOSL), a small non-profit that supports our local library branch and celebrates our town. You may have seen me jumping on the microphone every chance I get at Movie in the Park, or selling baked goods during a December downpoor to those wishing to meet Santa. If you attended the Sumas Days parade last year, you likely saw me wrangling a dinosaur down the street while handing out handmade bookmarks.
Growing up my family moved every few years. Having lived in 8 different states, it is surprisingly difficult to answer the question "Where are you from?" Is it where I was born? Where I lived the longest? Where I graduated high school? After moving to Sumas in the summer of 2020, that question got significantly easier to answer. Despite a rough first year involving a heat dome and the historic worst flooding to ever hit the area, I have never felt a sense of "home" like I do living in this small town.
Why is Brett running for City Council?
My involvement in FOSL has caused me to overlap with many members of the Sumas City Council. While my first attendance at city council was to seek city approval for FOSL's first adult-centric event Valentine & Wine, my real onboarding was convincing the mayor to let children throw pies at his face during the Sumas Fall Carnival.
After attending several city council meetings for FOSL purposes, I found that I liked being more involved. I set a recurring alarm and started attending just to know what was happening in my home and how I could help. I love this town, I love its people, and I want to be of service.
What are Brett's priorities for City Council?
I would love to unify our communication and push for a central hub that allows us to better connect with each other. External services, such as Facebook, are at the whims of businesses who do not know us, riddled with ads and a revolving door of external priorities. I want us to connect with each other because of the information we seek and are willing to share, not because an algorithm placed it in our feed.
While the Voyent Alert system now in place addresses some of the issues I faced as a new resident seeking crucial city information during a flood, I believe we can do better. I seek to implement a communication platform that supports us in times of leisure as well as times of distress.
What leadership positions has Brett held?
I helped shape my prior community through education. Within the Alpine School District of American Fork, UT I served on the Steering Committee, tasked with shaping the mathematics curriculum for the 30+ middle and high schools within that school district. As a high school teacher, I served as mathematics department chair, overseeing a team of 16 math teachers to create educational content that was relevant, applicable, and accessible to ensure a coherent student journey year to year. I was also a shift lead at Blockbuster back in the day!
How can I contact Brett if I have a question?
Have a question or just want to chat? Send me an email at brett@brettegbert.com