Since our very first dog, Scout, I’ve loved dog training. Scout made it easy—bright, enthusiastic, and always up for agility courses (his favorite!). Then came Schatze, a rescue German Shepherd with a very different outlook—she preferred sprinting through Meadowbrook Farm and joyfully rolling in elk droppings. Let’s just say I had to level up quickly.
That learning curve shaped me not just as a trainer, but as a person. In early 2020, after losing our last beloved pup, we welcomed Joren into our lives. He’s full of energy, loves tricks and nose work, and keeps me constantly learning. Focused, curious, and always game for more—he’s a challenge, but a blast to train.
This lifelong passion has taught me the value of clear communication, patience, and meeting others where they are—skills I bring to my work in public service every day. Success, whether with dogs or in city leadership, comes from consistency, adaptability, and a whole lot of encouragement… and sometimes treats.
Enjoy this clip of Joren in action! It may look effortless, but it’s the result of years of steady effort. Just like progress in our city, what you see on the surface is only part of the story.
I’m reflecting on a post I wrote while first campaigning in 2017 for my Council Seat—Position #3. It was titled “Civility.”
Citizens expect a certain level of civility from their government. In meetings, people want to see courtesy and respect—it promotes efficient dialogue and real results. When civility breaks down, emotions can create roadblocks. And when it spills into emails or social media, the damage grows.
I shared that I would bring strong listening, de-escalation, and collaboration skills—tools I’d learned as a board president. Listening not just to reply, but to understand. Focusing on issues, not personalities. Valuing diverse priorities and working together.
If elected, I promised to lead with respect and keep the focus on what matters: our community.
Now, 8 years later—and after serving three years as Mayor Pro Tem—I still believe every word I wrote. But I’ve also learned some things you only understand by doing the work day in and day out.
Here’s what time and experience have taught me:
🔹 Civility doesn’t mean silence. It’s not about avoiding hard conversations—it’s about having them in a way that keeps the door open instead of slamming it shut.
🔹 Disagreement isn’t dysfunction. In fact, respectful disagreement is a sign of a healthy government. The challenge is building enough trust that differences of opinion don’t derail the work.
🔹 Strong relationships behind the scenes matter just as much as what happens on the dais. A quick phone call, a check-in after a tough meeting—those moments are where mutual respect is built.
🔹 Tone starts at the top. Whether you’re in the minority or leading the room, how you carry yourself sets the tone. As Mayor Pro Tem, I’ve taken that responsibility seriously.
My commitment to civility, collaboration, and constructive dialogue hasn’t changed. But my toolkit has grown. And I’m ready to bring those lessons forward into serving as your next mayor.
Civility by Amy McHenry (original post from 2017)
Citizens expect a certain level of civility from their government, on all levels. In meetings, people want to see courtesy and respect among all the members of a government body because those mindsets promote efficient dialogue. When we witness civility on the decline in public meetings, it hints at emotions stepping into play and forming roadblocks to effective dialogue and results for the community. Worse yet is when this behavior leaks into city emails and social media.
Some of my skills I will put to work if elected as your councilmember are good listening, de-escalation and collaboration. I am a good listener because I don’t just care about other people’s perspectives, I want to understand why they think what they do. Only when we stop listening to simply reply can we hear thoughts in their entirety. There often comes a time when emotions are running high and I have experienced this in my role as a board president. De-escalation starts with everyone taking a break, a leader checking on individuals and giving them a chance to express themselves unopposed before coming back to the table. Collaboration requires a willingness to debate issues, not personalities.
Every councilmember has issues they feel strongly about, an agenda. On a council, each member will have some overlapping, but mostly different issues of importance to themselves. This is valuable to the community in that it allows for a large range of issues to be actively addressed in meetings. Good relationships between councilmembers lead to better collaboration and results for our community.
As we plan for Duvall’s future, strong financial stewardship will continue to matter more than ever.
Over the years, our city has navigated tight budgets, rising costs, and growing demands on local services. City staff and leaders have worked hard to keep things running smoothly — and that effort deserves real recognition. I’m committed to honoring what’s been done — but also to taking a hard look at what’s not working, and driving the changes our community expects and deserves.
Fiscal responsibility isn’t just about spending less — it’s about being thoughtful with every dollar, communicating clearly, and investing in long-term solutions that serve the whole city.
If elected Mayor, I will:
• Prioritize sustainable, transparent budgeting
• Focus on long-term planning over short-term fixes
• Communicate clearly about where funds are going and why
• Make room for the things that matter most to Duvall — from infrastructure to public safety to parks and recreation
I look forward to working closely with our City Council, dedicated staff, and engaged community to keep Duvall moving forward with a shared commitment to transparency, sustainability, and fiscal responsibility.
We don’t need to wait for a crisis to make improvements. Real progress comes from thoughtful, intentional changes — grounded in listening, planning, and a shared belief that we can always do better for the people we serve.
This photo is from a Main Street building that recently got a makeover—and I love when businesses, while customizing for their needs, choose to preserve historic elements for everyone to enjoy. It keeps our community’s character alive!
This is the top question I’ve been getting recently, and I want to share the answer here too in case we haven’t had a chance to speak yet: Why am I Running for Mayor?
This community means everything to me. Duvall is where I’m raising my family, where I’ve built friendships, and where I’ve spent the last 8 years listening, learning, and working hard on City Council to make thoughtful decisions for our future.
I’m running for mayor because I care deeply about the people who live here—and I believe our city needs steady, experienced, and compassionate leadership as we navigate what’s next.
I want to protect what we love most about Duvall, while making sure we’re planning wisely and responsibly. That means keeping our city safe and financially sound, improving how we serve residents, and working in partnership with our community every step of the way.
This isn’t about politics for me—it’s about service. And I’m ready to keep showing up, doing the work, and leading with heart.
Throwback Thursday to the Veterans Day Assembly at Cherry Valley Elementary last year.
I was honored to speak with students about the importance of Veterans Day—and the deep gratitude we owe to those who have served. It was a beautiful reminder that even the youngest members of our community can understand and appreciate the values of sacrifice, service, and citizenship.
I also shared a bit about my own Dad, a proud veteran whose example inspired my own commitment to public service. His integrity, humility, and dedication to country shaped how I show up—not just in leadership, but in life.
It’s also important to recognize the families of those who have served. They sacrifice so much—living with uncertainty, frequent moves, and long absences from loved ones. Their support and resilience are a quiet but powerful part of every veteran’s service.
Thank you to the staff at CVE for creating space each year to honor veterans and teach our kids what service really means.
Enjoy this clip of Joren in action! It may look effortless, but it’s the result of years of steady effort. Just like progress in our city, what you see on the surface is only part of the story.
Amy McHenry for Duvall Mayor 