Amy Kirkpatrick
GREENFIELD – If Amy Kirkpatrick is elected to Greenfield City Council this year, it will be her first time serving in public office.
She said it wouldn’t be too different from how she started working in fundraising for the Hancock Health Foundation, where she’s been for about seven years.
“I came into this job not really knowing anything about philanthropy, but you learn,” Kirkpatrick said. “That’s the thing – I don’t know everything, but I’m willing to learn. I’m willing to ask questions. … I’m not afraid to get information and use it. It’s important to me. It’s important for me representing the people I’m going to represent.”
The Republican is running to represent the council’s District 2 in the east-central part of the city. Republican Jessica Fisk-Abraham, also a political newcomer, seeks the position as well. John Jester currently represents District 2, and is running for one of the council’s two at-large seats.
Kirkpatrick hopes to bring her passion for public safety and experience connecting with the community through her job in fundraising to the government role.
She said she was motivated to run for office after others reached out to her and encouraged her to do so.
“I love my community,” she said. “At the hospital, we do tons for our community, and I see our community pulling together so much that I want to be a part of that, and this is a different element, different way I can do this, so I’m ready to give it a shot to see what I can do. … I’m not changing the world. I just want to see where I fit in and what I can do to help this community.”
Her father served in law enforcement in the community for decades, which she said helped instill in her an understanding of the importance of public safety.
“You want that presence,” she said. “As we grow we always have to think about our public safety. … Life’s different than when my dad was out there by himself making a traffic stop. They need to be well equipped and things like that.”
Kirkpatrick described the growth the city is going through as positive, particularly for young adults like her children.
“You want that growth, you just want good things to happen for your community,” she said. “You hate to think that they’re always going to Fishers.”
She added that growth needs to be responsible as well.
“You want it not to overwhelm us,” she said. “It’s a balance.”
Kirkpatrick has been attending city council meetings lately and said she has been learning much from council members.
“I’m not voting just on my opinions (if elected),” she said she has learned. “I’m voting on what my district would like. That was a quick eye-opener for me. It made sense.”
The primary election is May 2, and early voting begins in early April.
