LIND - At a recent Lind City Council meeting, Calah Kulm's mind was racing with questions and ideas to better the community. Kulm is running for a city council position in the Aug. 6 primary against incumbent Priscilla Jacobsen and Kathy White.

"I have only lived in Lind for almost four years but I honestly feel like I've been here longer," Kulm, 37, said. "The people have been so welcoming and it feels like home to me. I enjoy doing things to better our nice little town."

Kulm, originally from Warden, is an English teacher at Warden High School, a waitress at the Ritz Roadhouse and a caterer for Cathy Jo's Catering. She is also a full-time mother to three children. If that's not enough, Kulm is also involved in the community.

"Most recently, I have helped local Lind families that just needed a bit of financial support," she said. "I am involved in my church here in Lind. I sponsor a "needy" family every here at Christmas, providing them the things that they simply cannot afford."

Kulm also said she worked with a Tri-Cities group, supplying more than 75 low-income children in Warden with new bikes last Christmas. Her goal is to provide more bikes this year and hopefully bringing some to Lind families.

She is also the head of Lind's Fun Fair.

"I think I could definitely bring fresh ideas to the city council," Kulm said. "Being a mother, I understand what it's like to want to live in a safe and successful environment. I have found that here in Lind. That being said, there is always room for improvement. I simply want the opportunity to join in on the betterment of this place."

If elected, Kulm would like to see Lind be more welcoming to travelers.

"Often people drive through town and stop me to ask where the gas station is, or food, etc.," she said. "I would like to see safe sidewalks, streets, more community involvement and a greater sense of pride in our town."

Being involved in so many activities, Kulm said she feels like a "local" after four years living in Lind.

"It is always challenging to come into such a tight-knit community as an 'outsider'," she said. Everybody knows one another and consider each other family, in a sense. That being said, I feel that I have really been welcomed and accepted. This position will simply be one more step in putting down my roots."