Meet John Slagboom

(pronounced: Slag-BOOM)

I started this project when I saw an opportunity to give back to this gem of a city that my family calls home. Family is incredibly important to me, and many remarkable members of my family have shaped me into who I am today. So, to get to know me, you'll have to get to know a little bit about them. To keep things succinct, I've limited this to just a few:

One grandfather, a survivor of the Dutch Famine of 1944-45, a Gaucho (cowboy), and an entrepreneur, taught me to never, ever give up. My other grandfather, an orphan and fruit picker from Texas, enlisted in the military and rose to the rank of Warrant Officer. He showed me the value of civil service, and taught me that familia, family, is not just blood; it's your community, your neighbors. He volunteered heavily in the Cub and Boy Scout troops I was in, and encouraged me to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, which I did.

My mother, a strong and proud cancer survivor, taught me empathy, perseverance, and strength. My father taught me how to use my mind analytically to solve problems and develop strategies. And my uncle taught me many lessons about the value of hard, hands-on work in industrial construction.

Most of all, London, my wife, and children have transformed my life with the foundation of support they have built and the love they bring.

That brings this all back to Moscow. This is an independent, self-funded civic project, free from outside interests. I read the city's budget line by line, request the records the City does not post, and publish all of it in plain language, so your voice comes to the table informed. The goal is to preserve and build on Moscow's beauty, charm, and safety as an ideal place to live, learn, and raise a family.

We can build a strong future for our community, together.

If you have a question or concern you would like me to address, if you're interested in helping this project, or if you just want to chat, send me an email. I read every one.

Best regards,
John Slagboom
Slagboom.for.Moscow@proton.me