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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Veterans, others say VA, including local facility, is 'broken' ... Man dies after shooting near Grants Pass ... Emma Stanek, 12, takes second in statewide contest ... Veterans, others say VA, including local facility, is 'broken' ... Man dies after shooting near Grants Pass ... Emma Stanek, 12, takes second in statewide contest ... IF SHE WERE MAYOR Emma Stanek, 12, takes second in statewide contest Comment By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News EAGLE POINT — Seventh-grader Emma Stanek impressed the Oregon Mayor's Association with the notion that she could one day govern a small town with kindness, creativity and fiscal responsibility. The 12-year-old won second place in the association's annual essay contest, "If I Were Mayor, I Would," out of 43 participants from 25 cities. Emma wrote her essay last spring and was presented with an Amazon Fire HD8 tablet by Eagle Point Mayor Bob Russell. She cites her family's civic involvement, including father Michael Stanek's run for City Council, as giving her insight. "My dad is trying out for City Hall in the election and he's already on the parks and budget committees, so our family is really involved," she said. "I wanted to write the essay because I think it's really important to have city government because, if we didn't have them here, then no one would keep the city going or do good things for the people." Born in eastern Germany and raised between her mother's homeland (during summer vacation) and the Rogue Valley, Emma details the importance of a leader making responsible choices. If she were ever in charge, she said, she would spend money wisely, ensure her citizens had "things to be happy about" and lead "with a strong voice and creative ideas." Emma's mom, Anja Rink, said her daughter developed a love for community at a young age, helping with cleanup after the Butte Creek Mill fire and participating in student leadership at school. Russell said Emma's essay was "head and shoulders above any of the other stuff that people submitted and she was one of the youngest contributors." "I thought her essay was just terrific and from the heart," Russell said. "When you've had a day where everything doesn't go fabulously and you read about bad things in the world, when you run into somebody like that, it just reminds you that there's still a lot of hope." Reach freelance writer Buffy Pollock at [email protected]. By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501