The following is the response to a Northern Star questionnaire sent to local candidates for the 2021 consolidated election. Answers have been lightly edited for clarity and consistency.

Name: Barb Larson
Occupation: Payroll and bookkeeper for Larson Farms cattle operation
Education: BA in Speech Communication from NIU ’77
Related experience: Past board chair at Family Service Agency, volunteer at Egyptian Theatre, chair of Sycamore United Methodist Church Admin Council

Why are you running the position:

I am running because I believe that DeKalb has great potential. I can see and feel this momentum moving our community forward and I want to help ensure that this happens.

Goals you want to accomplish if elected:

If elected, I hope that when I look back at my four years of service, I see that inclusion is more of a norm rather than an exception. We have a wonderfully diverse community and I hope to see that reflected more in our leadership, commissions, staffing, etc.
Why students/residents should vote for you:

I hope students and residents vote for me because as a proud NIU alumnus and proud 20 year DeKalb resident, I plan to continue the trend of ‘communiversity.’ I want our community to look at each other, whether we agree or disagree, to know that we all want DeKalb to prosper. We may have different ideas on what that means, but if we can recognize that we are all on the same team and can talk about our differences and work together, I think the goals that we can accomplish as a community can be tremendous. I plan to work hard, listen to my constituents and keep moving DeKalb forward. Forward together forward.

The Northern Star is publishing the candidates’ responses to our questions as they are given to us. The Northern Star is not endorsing local candidates. To have your profile published email [email protected].