Juanita Vero, Part 2 - A Deep Desire to Serve
Mountain & Prairie with Ed Roberson
Mountain & Prairie Media
4.9 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 16 October 2020
⏱️ 64 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
If you're a long-time listener, then surely you remember Juanita Vero. Juanita is a fourth-generation Montana rancher, conservationist, community leader, and all-around inspiring woman. She's also a devoted public servant, serving as a Missoula County Commissioner, where she gets her hands dirty with the critical and often not-so-glamorous work of county government. Juanita's name will be on the ballot in Missoula County this November, where she is hoping to win a six-year term to continue her service as a Commissioner.
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Juanita joined me on the podcast back in 2018, then again on stage at last year's live podcast in Bozeman, so her personal story is probably familiar. I wanted to have her back on the show as we approach the election because her story serves as an inspiring example of how citizens can push outside of their comfort zones to lead the communities they love. As you'll hear, Juanita had never considered assuming a public office—but when the opportunity presented itself, and she was encouraged to pursue it by fellow community leaders, she jumped at the chance. Since then, she has gone all-in and has thrived in her role as County Commissioner.
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If you're like me, you are probably overwhelmed with the negative, inflammatory news regarding politics and the upcoming election. But Juanita's campaign and her desire to serve stands in stark contrast to much of our national discourse—she's driven by a love of place, humility, a sense of duty, genuine curiosity, and a desire to find common ground. I think it's important to remember that there are committed public servants in every county and city—good people who are driven not by the desire to accumulate power but by a desire to leave their communities better than they found them. Wherever you live, I hope that Juanita's example will encourage you to engage with your local elected leaders, truly understand the candidates running for local offices, or maybe even run for office yourself. But at the least, I know you'll enjoy listening to Juanita's story, which will hopefully make you feel better about the world during these crazy times!
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- Juanita Vero for Missoula County Commissioner
- Juanita's first M&P podcast episode
- Full Episide Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/juanita-vero-2/
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TOPICS DISCUSSED:
- 3:30 - Why and how Juanita decided to enter politics
- 9:30 - Specific experiences that let Juanita know she was ready to be a commissioner
- 13:30 - Importance of talking to her Grandfather
- 19:15 - What exactly is a county commissioner?
- 22:15 - Example of how commissioners can influence development
- 25:30 - Why she's running for office
- 28:30 - Commissioners as true public servants
- 32:30 - COVID's impact on Missoula County
- 34:30 - Positive effects of the "new normal" of COVID
- 36:00 - Transition from working on the land to an office job
- 39:20 - Advice for citizens who want to work productively with local government
- 42:30 - Greatest challenges and opportunities in Missoula County
- 46:15 - Smaller issues worth considering
- 48:00 - Climate change & Missoula County solutions
- 52:00 - Importance of community leadership
- 53:30 - Favorite books
- 57:15 - Favorite films
- 58:30 - Funny and surprising activities
- 59:30 - Parting words of wisdom
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hey I said before we get started I've got some new Patreon supporters I want to thank |
| 0:04.8 | Katie Sebullsky Norman Reader Jessica Kelly and the adventure journal all signed up to support the podcast via Patreon. |
| 0:14.8 | I really appreciate this support. |
| 0:17.0 | It has allowed me to expand the podcast in a lot of ways. |
| 0:20.2 | I'm actually going to be hiring an editor for the podcast very soon which is going to |
| 0:24.9 | allow me to make more episodes and not spend all my time editing. |
| 0:29.0 | And so I really appreciate it. |
| 0:30.9 | It means a lot. |
| 0:31.6 | If you want to learn more about those options go to |
| 0:34.5 | mountain prey.com slash support. Thank you very much. Hey, this is Ed Roberson, and this is the Mountain and Prairie Podcast, where I introduce you to some of the innovative individuals who are shaping the future of the American West. |
| 0:58.0 | I meet most of these people through my work in land conservation or through my hobbies and interests that revolve around spending time up high in the mountains. |
| 1:05.2 | My guests include ranchers, writers, entrepreneurs, conservationists, athletes, artists, |
| 1:10.0 | adventurers, pretty much anyone who's doing important work has an interesting story and |
| 1:15.2 | loves the American West. |
| 1:17.4 | My guest today is Juanita Vero. |
| 1:19.4 | If you're a long time listener of the podcast, then surely you remember Juanita. |
| 1:23.0 | She's a fourth generation Montana rancher, conservationist, community leader, and all around inspiring woman. |
| 1:30.0 | She's also a devoted public servant, serving as a Missoula County Commissioner, where she gets her hands dirty with a critical and often not so glamorous work of county government. |
| 1:41.0 | Juanita's name will be on the ballot in Missoula County this |
| 1:44.0 | November where she's hoping to win a six-year term to continue her service as a |
| 1:48.6 | commissioner. Juanita join me on the podcast back in 2018, then again on stage at last year's live |
| 1:54.5 | podcast in Bozeman so her personal story is probably familiar I wanted to have her |
... |
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