For the first time in recent history, we have six candidates for mayor. Lynne and I will be voting for Ken Tracy and I would like to encourage you to do the same.
I am confident Ken will do a tremendous job as our city's leader. He is a dedicated, hardworking, intelligent, approachable and congenial man. Ken is a well-rounded individual whose best trait is his listening skills.
Ken was elected to serve as City Council president for three years. He was the president during my first two years on the Council. This is where I witnessed Ken's outstanding leadership qualities. There were four new councilmen the year I started. He was very helpful and patient while educating us about city government and took the time to listen.
He is a team player.
During his years as council president, he was responsible for chairing the Finance Committee, whose most important duty is developing the budget. Again, his leadership skills came through as he directed a conservative budget while delivering quality service to our citizens. We need a mayor who fully understands and has extensive experience with this difficult process.
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He has devoted many years to our great city. He is currently on the City's Finance Committee, Public Works Committee, Public Health & Safety Committee, Traffic Commission, Public Properties Committee, and Planning & Zoning Commission. He is also the city's liaison to the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce and Dakota Counseling & Drug Center. Recently, Mayor Lou Sebert appointed Ken chairman of the City Hall Relocation Committee. Ken has served on the Council for nine years. Ken has also served on the Corn Palace Committee, RSVP Committee, and Sidewalk Committee. I am not aware of any other candidate who currently serves on a city committee, yet they feel qualified to lead Mitchell.
Ken has great rapport with city department heads and can hit the ground running. I believe in putting in your time and paying your dues in the community before you ask to be mayor. Ken has earned the people's respect through hard work and dedication.
Ken also understands economic development and actively promotes Mitchell. An example: In spring 2006, Ken voted in favor of the issuance of $1.5 million in water revenue bonds to build a pipeline for the ethanol plant in Loomis. The pipeline was pivotal in securing the ethanol plant in Davison County. Today that company employs around 43 people.
The bonds to build the pipeline have already paid off. Now, approximately $200,000 is pouring into the city's water fund each year as their water usage continues. Ken had tremendous foresight in supporting this project. Surprisingly, the vote at City Council was not unanimous, with Jerry Toomey casting the only vote against the project. Other important projects Ken has supported over the years are the BY Water Pipeline, the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex and Cabela's. This is an impressive list.
Mitchell will be making important decisions in the upcoming years. These projects include the Corn Palace, an indoor pool, Recreation Center, ice arena second sheet, I-90 visitor center, City Hall relocation, library renovation, wastewater plant, Burr Street water tower, Lake Mitchell and bike paths. We need a tested, proven leader to help us work through these large projects. Ken Tracy is the person for the job.
He is the most qualified and logical choice to be our next mayor. He has been a resident for over 40 years and a councilman for nine.
Ken does not have a conflict of interest nor is he running on one issue. Please vote for Ken Tracy on June 5.
