Velazquez

“Our town, our people” is a weekly Q&A with a local resident who is active in the community. Have a suggestion for someone we should talk to? Email T-R news editor Emily Barske at ebarske@timesrepublican.com. 

Cindy Velazquez has lived in Marshalltown for 25 years and works at YSS as an Administrative Resource Officer.

Q: What are you passionate about?

“I like to learn a lot of new things. I like to try different things, anything that expands my knowledge. I like art a lot; I was pursuing photography.”

Q: What community activities do you participate in?

“If there is an opportunity to volunteer, and I hear something from where I work, I will sign up for that. Whatever allows me the time because I have four kids, and three of them do sports, so I’m pretty busy.”

Q: What do you enjoy about this community?

“I think it’s a great place to raise a family. For example, the Orpheum offers free movies and (we) have a lot of parks — anything that is budget-friendly. I’ve lived here all my life, so I really don’t know any other place.”

Q: What changes do you feel need to be made in the community?

“I actually don’t know how to answer that. I’m pretty content.”

Q: What advice would you pass on to young people?

“You’re still young, so there are certain things you may be worrying about — if you can’t decide on a major or something — it will come to you eventually.”

Q: What is your favorite Marshalltown activity?

“Probably Oktemberfest.”

Q: What social activity or event would you like to see come to Marshalltown and why?

“Probably an expansion of different places to eat. I like different restaurants of different cultures — stuff we don’t already have here.”