Tallahassee, for some, the word is just the name of a city, located in the Big Bend region of Florida. For me, Tallahassee, echoes in my heart, much like the name of my wife, a dear friend, or a beloved memory. I have always believed that words have meaning. Tallahassee is the place where I have decided to call home, for nearly 25 years. The relationships that I have built while here, have been some of the most important relationships in my life. The interactions, the people, and the places that Tallahassee has taken me, whether it be professional, personal, social, or educational, have left lasting positive imprints on my life. Tallahassee has value to me. When I think of Tallahassee, I think of stadiums filled with supportive fans, families, alumni, and visitors, all screaming excitedly for their favorite teams, whether wearing colors of vibrant green and bold orange, or the timeless garnet and unforgettable gold.

Tallahassee is where I created and sustained a loving home, where my amazing wife feels most comfortable pursuing her role has been my supportive and caring partner for just over a decade and where I build life-long bonds with neighbors, who have become more like friends. Tallahassee is where I pursue my version of happiness, each day, working towards becoming a better professional in areas of higher education, enhancing programming, and expanding opportunities for students who are on their way, much like I once was, to create better futures and achievements for their individual pathways. Tallahassee is where some of my fondest memories of wonderful experiences with small business owners, whether it’s contacting a landscaper to keep my lawn from turning into a jungle or picking up a savory hot and quick breakfast for years from a place near South Adams, I have come to appreciate the variety of options that larger cities may provide, but love what Tallahassee offers and the small town feel.

All these experiences have allowed me to understand how connected I feel to Tallahassee. It is these connections that allow me to value and understand the need to Reconnect Tallahassee. Keeping what works, and acknowledging, addressing, and improving what doesn’t. Tallahassee is worthy of our collective best efforts to keep it a city where all of us here, continue to feel at home, continue to feel connected, and continue to progress in the direction that allows for the pursuit of happiness for us all. This may take time, but I believe, that through honest, realistic, transparent, strategic, and data-driven leadership, where values are highlighted, principles are prioritized, and kindness is felt at the center of every agenda, goal, and promise, WE as a City, can reconnect and prevail against what seems to be insurmountable odds.

Allow me, Louis Dilbert, loving and dedicated husband of Felicia Dilbert, son of two of the most caring and hard-working parents a person can ask for, graduate of the Florida State University and soon-to-be FAMU alumnus, mentor and friend to many and supporter of most, to transform my love for Tallahassee, into servant leadership of Tallahassee, as I pursue an opportunity to learn, listen and leverage Tallahassee for opportunities that place our city in a position to reconnect, and become a better place for all of us to call, home. I humbly ask for your support for Tallahassee City Commission Seat 1.

Sincerely,

Louis Dilbert

R.U.N. With Lou

Reconnecting Us Now