Mom, Dedicated Volunteer, Leader

Proud Verona Resident

My husband Jess and I moved to Verona in 2010. We wanted to settle down and raise a family in a community that was safe, had great schools and a walkable downtown area. Verona was our perfect fit.

This has been an ideal community to raise our two sons who attend Verona High School and HBW Middle School. What we love most is Verona's orientation around families. The fact that multiple generations are proud to live and raise their families here is what sets our community apart from others.

Christine McGrath and her husband and two sons.

Volunteer Leader and Community Advocate

Soon after I moved here, I started a mother’s playgroup and joined the Junior Woman’s Club of Verona so that I could meet other moms in Verona. What started as a desire for community connection quickly grew to a passion of giving back to Verona to help keep the fabric of our community strong.

During these last 11 years, I have spearheaded projects and taken on leadership roles in several Verona organizations to do just that. Prior to joining Town Council, I led the advocacy effort to renovate our library and bring it to modern standards, making it a centerpiece of our community that everyone can enjoy. I also co-founded Verona Fights Hunger Week, an annual tradition of giving back to those that are food-insecure in our community.

Christine McGrath with the Junior Woman's Club of Verona at the 2021 Verona Fights Hunger Week

Pushing for Increased Engagement

Since July 1, 2019, I have been serving as a councilmember on the five-member Verona Town Council. I have delivered on my promises to residents to communicate on Council matters before and after every meeting, which I have done through my Facebook account: Christine McGrath Councilwoman.

During my time on Council, I have pushed for more inclusive and transparent government processes. These initiatives include:

Launch of a monthly town-wide e-newsletter to keep residents informed.
Use of resident surveys to improve our Recreation activities, such as the Verona Community Pool.
New and innovative methods of collecting community feedback on proposals before the Council (e.g., Planet Civic).
Addition of a public comment period before the Council Consent Agenda to ensure resident input is received prior to voting.
Consistent use of the "New Business" process to discuss, in public, issues and proposed ordinances before the Council to maximize community input.

Christine McGrath at the first regular meeting after being sworn in as Deputy Mayor on July 1, 2021