Barbara Buffaloe

"It really helped me put in perspective that we’re part of a larger global community. And we need to be thinking about the decisions we are making because they impact Columbia, but they also have a role to play with our neighbors across state lines and oceans."

"“I’m really thankful that I have professional city staff who run the day-to-day, whether I’m in town or not"

"It’s kind of nice to be with your peers and find out that you’re all dealing with a lot of the same issues,It doesn’t matter what city or state you’re in — blue, red ... whatever. They’re all just trying to think about community safety and housing and just people’s mental health."

"I was able to help put Columbia on the map. ... People talk about Missouri being a flyover state. So when they think about climate research reactors, they think about Boston, and Minnesota and the California coast And yet ... we have this amazing resource here."

"“Seeing the success that they’ve had “I can bring it back and be like, ‘We’re on the right track. We’re doing the right things. Let’s just not let it slide.’”"

"I’m out there in the community I’m out there in the state. I’m out there in the country. I’m out there in the world, talking about our amazing community and how it’s a fantastic place to live."