Jenna Kemper shares support for Florence Mayor Julie Metzger Aubuchon
Five years ago, I helped organize parents and residents fighting to save the Florence Aquatic Center from demolition. We raised our voices, but we needed someone on City Council willing to listen and act.
That person was Dr. Julie Metzger Aubuchon.
Julie stood up to the previous administration, made the motion to abandon the demolition timeline and later supported funding to reopen the pool. As Mayor, she has continued improving the Aquatic Center based on resident input.
Five years later, I find it impossible to ignore the irony. The former mayor who supported demolishing our Aquatic Center is now endorsing Julie’s opponent.
From my perspective, that endorsement brings into question whether this is about Florence’s future or settling old political differences.
I was there. Florence families fought to save our pool. Julie listened and delivered results when we needed her.
I later served alongside Julie as Vice Mayor in her first two years as mayor. I witnessed her leadership abilities firsthand—she listens, remains calm under pressure and delivers results.
Florence has moved forward under Julie. As someone who fought to save the Aquatic Center once, I worry that without Julie as mayor, our pool could once again be at stake. I don’t want us going backward to the “good ol’ boys” way of doing business, where residents’ voices take a back seat to those in power.
Five years ago, Julie stood with us. Today, I proudly stand with Dr. Julie Metzger Aubuchon for re-election as Mayor of Florence.
Jenna Kemper is former vice mayor and Florence City Council member