Plymouth Uncovered – Keeping You Informed
by Karen Sisolak
I started this blog after noticing city decisions that deserved a closer look. As I dug deeper, I found that many of my neighbors shared the same concerns, which motivated me to share what I was learning.
Through attending countless city meetings and serving eight years on the Planning Commission, I saw how often decisions were made with only minimal public input. With encouragement from fellow residents, I chose to run for a City Commission seat to help bring more transparency and community voices into the process.
If you’d like to learn more about me, please visit my campaign page. Below you’ll find my latest blog posts, and at the bottom of the page are links to archived posts for those interested in earlier topics.
Blog Posts
Budget Part 1 – Generally Speaking
After the Candidate Forum at the Plymouth District Library on September 23, I received an email asking for specifics about how I would approach budget decisions if elected. Because the budget is something many citizens care deeply about, I decided to respond here on my blog, which has turned into a three-part series. This Part 1 post offers my... Read More
Budget Part 2 – Giving Citizens a Voice
One of my top priorities is ensuring that the City makes spending decisions in a fiscally responsible way, guided by meaningful community input on how we set priorities for investments. At the January 6, 2025 City Commission meeting, I raised concerns about the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) section of the budget. That section described the statutory framework for capital... Read More
Budget Part 3 – Balancing Maintenance and Future Needs
In Parts 1 and 2, I shared my general thoughts on the City’s budget and the importance of giving residents a stronger voice in setting priorities. In this final part, I want to look at how we can take a more comprehensive approach to planning that maintains existing infrastructure while supporting growth and preparing for future needs. A good... Read More
FLOOD SOLUTIONS: Where We Stand and What’s Next
We all remember the major flooding in August 2023 and again this past April 2025. Families and businesses were hit hard, and many of us are still worried about what happens the next time we get heavy rain. May 5th City Commission Meeting At the May 5 City Commission meeting, a number of business owners and residents spoke about... Read More
GOOD STEPS FORWARD: But Plymouth Still Needs an Advisory Board
I’ve advocated for a Parks & Recreation Advisory Board for almost two years. In my January post, I outlined initiatives the City could pursue to improve our parks and recreation programs even if the idea of creating an Advisory Board continues to be dismissed. These included engaging residents, establishing formal volunteer and sponsorship programs, building a long-term financial plan,... Read More
PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD – Why it Merits Consideration
Back in July 2024, I shared two posts on the idea of creating a Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. You can still find those original posts in the archive if you’d like a deeper dive. Below is the brief six-minute presentation I created at the time that explains the concept in more detail: I continue to believe this board... Read More
OLD VILLAGE AND THE MASTER PLAN – What you should know
The Planning Commission is finalizing the 2025 Master Plan, which could be approved at their next meeting on Wednesday, September 10th. A lot of good work has gone into this document, but I want to share one concern that directly affects Old Village. The plan proposes allowing 3-story buildings in the Mixed Use area of Old Village. Adding another... Read More
THE MASTER PLAN IS PROPOSING HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT
The Planning Commission is finalizing the 2025 Master Plan. In the most recent revision (August), the Future Land Use for Smith Elementary School and East Middle School was changed to a higher-density category. If the school district ever sells these properties, this designation would allow 18–27 homes per acre and buildings up to 4 stories high. This change was... Read More