Like many Floridians, I moved from the cold north, Michigan for me, to Florida, finally settling in Hillsborough County in 1998. While pursuing degrees in chemistry and math at USF, I tutored and worked at the Columbia Restaurant. My studies at USF helped spark my environmental awareness, leading to my involvement with the Sierra Club Tampa Bay and attendance at Hillsborough County meetings like HART, MPO, BOCC, Zoning, Planning Commission, ELAPP and various community events. I chose to reside in Temple Terrace for our elevation, trees and city living, and in 2021, I finally found my home with beautiful terrazzo floors on a tree-lined street! Temple Terrace is a beautiful city because of our dedicated city employees! My scientific problem-solving style and these experiences with policy and collaboration make me a great candidate for Temple Terrace City Council.
My frugal college days have developed me into a fiscally responsible person, and with your vote I will apply these same principles to our city’s finances. As an environmental advocate for the last 2 decades, I know the value of our natural resources (parks, tree canopy, golf course, and riverfront) and will promote our Arbor Foundation Tree City designation and our golf course’s national registry of historical places. As a Support Chemist providing consultation on PFAS, EPA, ASTM, USP, and FDA testing, I am uniquely qualified for collaborating with City Council on our Water plan improvements. Please vote for me, Karen Michalski, a prepared and qualified candidate for City Council.