About the Author

My name is Karin Parham. I’m a U.S. Army veteran with a background in business and public service. I’ve been involved for many years through various volunteer roles, from education and family support programs, to local advocacy and civic engagement. I hold a degree in Business Administration from Drake University and an MBA from Cameron University.

I began attending local school board meetings simply to understand what was happening in our community. I take detailed notes (always factual, never editorialized) and started sharing them so others could stay informed. When the posts became too long and cumbersome for Facebook, a friend suggested Substack, and The Columbia County Observer was born in August 2024.

This space now includes meeting notes, deep dives into county issues, and clearly marked opinion pieces that reflect my own perspective as an engaged community member.

Transparency note: I serve as Treasurer of the Columbia County Democratic Committee and CEO of the Freedom to Read Coalition of Columbia County. The views shared here are entirely my own and not reflective of these organizations.

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