New Tama City Council member Elaina Rivera Martinez, left, was recently sworn in to her seat. She is pictured with Mayor Danny Robinson. NEWS CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO

She’s young, she’s passionate, she’s the newest member of the Tama City council. Elaina Rivera Martinez, at just 28 years old, has been sworn in as the City of Tama’s newest representative.

Elaina’s name may be familiar to you, as she was the runner-up for the open council member position last November. With her drive to serve her community still holding strong, Elaina threw her hat back in the ring when another position on the council came open a month back. As for why she would want to be a council member or run in the first place, Elaina shared her thoughts.

“I truly care about Tama and the people who live here. This is home, and I want to do my part to help it grow and thrive. I’ve seen so much potential in our community, and I believe that with the right ideas and teamwork, we can make Tama a place where more families and businesses want to stay, invest, and build their future,” she said.

A graduate of South Tama County, Elaina grew up in Tama with her family.

“I come from a big, close family. My parents and siblings all reside in the Tama-Toledo area. We often try to get together to share a meal at least once a week,” Elaina said.

Ms. Martinez also spoke about how she spends her downtime.

“If I’m not spending time with my family, I’m probably hanging out with friends or trying to find the next concert to attend. I like to keep up on new horror movies and go for walks around the neighborhood. I also make charcuterie boards. Something about a good meat and cheese tray just makes everything in the world alright,” she said.

Elaina wants to breathe new life into the council and make sure that everyone in Tama is represented.

“I think I can bring a fresh perspective and new energy to the council. I also want to make sure every voice in our community is heard, especially those who may not always feel represented,” she said. “As a Latina and native community member, I hope to bring more diversity and understanding to local decision-making and help bring stronger connections among all parts of our community.”

One of the community’s most prominent problems is the empty buildings around town, in Elaina’s eyes.

“One of Tama’s biggest challenges is the number of deteriorating and vacant buildings in our community. When properties sit empty or fall into disrepair, it hurts our town’s appearance and makes it harder to attract new businesses. I want to work with property owners and local leaders to encourage restoration, attract investment, and bring new life to these spaces so Tama can continue to grow and thrive,” she said. “One of my main goals is to support small businesses and make Tama a great place to live and work. I want to focus on ways the city can encourage local entrepreneurship. At the same time, keep Tama welcoming, safe and full of opportunities for everyone who calls it home.”

With only one full meeting under her belt so far, Elaina has hit the ground running. So, the next time you go to a Tama Council meeting, know that the smiley, young face on the right end of the table is your newest representative, and she’s eager to get started.