Hamilton City Council
1. What is your primary reason for running for this position?
I would like to continue in the efforts of the Hamilton city council’s current goal, which is sustaining Hamilton’s vitality for future citizens and council members. It has been made very clear in my last two years on the council that the city tip toes on financial stability and complete insecurity.
2. What is your vision for your city/board of education and how would you help achieve it?
My vision is to help the city maintain a strict budget while also improving the city infrastructurally, aesthetically and with modernizations.
3. What three issues do you consider to be your “top priorities?” Number one is to continue maintaining our budget, but to also bring the city to a more comfortable position to withstand unforeseen emergencies and maintenance needs. It is beyond difficult to manage a budget with little utility/tax income while maintaining an entire town’s infrastructure. The city is and has been running on a shoestring budget, and it is literally impossible to continue that budget while providing uncompromised services to its citizens. Number two is closely behind, and that is to improve the city in a more aesthetically pleasing manner. Hamilton has so much potential to be a vibrant small town where our citizens are proud to reside. I believe it is important to sustain our beautiful locales while facelifting those which need attention. Number three is to repair infrastructure. This ties closely with number one, but our bank accounts need to be increased before any major infrastructure repair begins. Our recent water tower overhaul is a prime example of why we need a healthy budget. Without the recent grant we secured for our water project, the city would have never been in a position to accomplish these necessary repairs on its own budget. That must change for our longevity.
4. What background do you have that will help you in this role, if elected?
Being on Hamilton’s city council for the past two years has given me more experiences than I could ever imagine. From crunching utility rate numbers to drafting up a grant for the city’s water project along with jumping on a mower or skidsteer to keep the city running smoothly, these experiences have more than provided the necessary skills to represent Hamilton’s citizens in a holistic manner. Outside of the city, I run my own business partnership, which gives me the knowledge on how to use common sense logic when managing a budget or when performing hands-on work.
5. How do you feel the current board/council is doing in their service?
The current council is a body that is passionate about its small town. Each representative around our table has spent countless hours helping around town and in difficult discussions during late-night meetings. In just the last two years during my tenure on the council, I’ve watched our council put their heads together to keep trash rates low, repair city streets, promote clean-up efforts, bring modernizations and most importantly, secure a $467,000 grant for the restoration of our water tower and water pump improvements. All that in two years for the little town of Hamilton, I believe is monumental. We have our hiccups like any council does, but we work tirelessly to improve our town to the best of our abilities.
6. Please list personal information or other information you feel is important.
I’ve grown up and lived in Hamilton all my life. It would be great to watch our little town improve and ultimately grow. Growth will not only secure our livelihood but provide tax relief to everyone in the city. It’s a win win. Sustaining and building a city for our people to be proud of is a fulfilling task.
