For some, giving back to the community is a to-do list. For others, it’s a way of life. Karyl Machek-Feikes is a woman of all trades who somehow still finds time to travel and have fun with her family when she’s not busy being a positive voice in the La Porte community. As the Office Manager for Mitch Feikes Builders, Inc., City Council representative for the 2nd ward, Chairperson of the Traffic Commission, member of the Storm Water Committee, Liaison to the Park Board, member of the Finance Committee and NewPorte Landing Redevelopment Corporation, she has the time management skills of a superhero.
As a La Porte native, Machek-Feikes said she couldn’t imagine being part of any other community. She credits her husband, Mitch, her good friend Brett Binversie, and the late Clerk-Treasurer Teresa Ludlow for giving her the push she needed to run for office.
“I got where I am today by stepping WAY outside of my comfort zone, and I found out that’s not a bad thing,” Machek-Feikes said. “I have always been a behind the scenes kind of person, so running for Council was a huge step for me.”
Machek-Feikes said that because her husband, Binversie, and Ludlow believed in her with such ferocity, she had no reason not to believe in herself.
“Being on the City Council has really opened up a new world for me, and for that I will be forever grateful,” Machek-Feikes said. “I have learned a lot about myself and have, even at this stage of my life, evolved. I am doing things that I would never have imagined five years ago.”
Being on the City Council is more than attending meetings and giving speeches, and that’s why Machek-Feikes does all that she does. Because in some small way, Machek-Feikes believes that being a Council member helps her improve the quality of life in La Porte.
“I get calls, texts, emails, etc., from those living in my ward needing assistance on various situations and in every instance I do my very best to work toward a resolution,” Machek-Feikes said. “Sometimes the answers are simple, sometimes they are more complex, but the challenges keep me going. It feels good to help.”
Machek-Feikes has been on the City Council for five years and was just re-elected to serve another four years. She would like to thank her parents for showing her love and compassion, which has continued into her adult life.
“To this day, I love to help wherever and whenever I can,” Machek-Feikes said. “But most importantly, my parents taught me to smile. Life is easier to navigate with a smile on your face.”
To put things simply, Machek-Feikes wants folks to love La Porte just as much as she does. Between the lakes and parks that make La Porte stand out from other communities, the leadership is what makes the county different.
“We have people in leadership roles who really care about the direction of this city. I feel this is an exciting time to live in La Porte because we are on the move and the direction is a positive one,” Machek-Feikes said. “The city has been doing a great job reaching out for public input on various projects and the response is overwhelming. We have a tremendous amount of caring individuals in this community who have great ideas that need to be heard.”