Bergherm recently joined the Peace Corps and spent a year in Lesotho, where she served as a primary resource teacher, working with 35 teachers in seven schools. "It was such a wonderful experience,” she said. “I helped adapt our teaching methods into their educational system.” The different language and different customs of a different country presented some challenges for Bergherm, but she said she happily worked her way through.
Lesotho RPCV Martha Bergherm in race for Cañon City, Colorado Council at-large seat
Martha Bergherm
Debbie Bell
The Daily Record
Education and safety are key issues for Martha “M.J.” Bergherm as she takes a second run at a Cañon City Council at-large seat.
“I have such an analytical, educational mind,” Bergherm said. “I believe I can help the city. I’m really interested in safety, education and the library.”
Bergherm enthusiastically supports the library ballot issue.
“It’s going to be such a great thing for this town,” she said. “Everyone should vote yes. The kids in this community are going to grow up knowing so much more than we do.”
Bergherm said part of the reason she backs the library initiative is because of current and predicted future growth in Cañon City.
“Growth is the big, big issue here,” she said. “There is a plan in 2035 to have a bypass go around the city.” Bergherm said she would like to be involved in such development because she believes the city needs further direction in planning and zoning.
“There has not been any real smooth planning here,” she said. “I’m really happy to see some professionals come in.”
Bergherm voices strong support for current city departments and said each office is doing a fine job.
“Every department here is so good,” she said. “Parks, roads — growth has taken its toll on that — but they’re doing new roads,” as well as fixing existing roadways.
Bergherm is concerned with safety inside the city limits and advocates getting rid of weapons.
“A bow and arrow is just as deadly as a gun and bullet,” Bergherm said. “There should be absolutely no hunting of any kind within the city limits. I would get rid of all the weapons in town. That’s such a big safety issue for me.”
Bergherm recently joined the Peace Corps and spent a year in Lesotho, where she served as a primary resource teacher, working with 35 teachers in seven schools.
“It was such a wonderful experience,” she said. “I helped adapt our teaching methods into their educational system.”
The different language and different customs of a different country presented some challenges for Bergherm, but she said she happily worked her way through.
In addition to her experience as an educator, Bergherm has organized bicycle safety round-ups at Washington Elementary School and at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind in Colorado Springs.
She is not a newcomer to the political arena. Bergherm ran for an at-large seat two years ago and said she actually was happy to be defeated by current Councilman Keith Hovland.
“I listened to Mr. Hovland on the radio,” Bergherm said. “I told him, ‘If I wasn’t running, I would vote for you.’”
She now hopes to work with Hovland, and the other elected officials, on city council.
