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Candidate Path

Submitted by john wertz on 2017-04-18 02:36:04

PROS

Heart's in the right place; "residents first" - says residents really don't have a voice.
Concerned with major issues and transparency with the city.
Sees safety as top priority and because of leadership failure in this area, city hasn't kept up with growth-understaffed.
Frustrated w/police acting as HOA-type enforcement, rather than policing.
Feels City Aministrator is over-compensated, compared to other communities.
Concerned w/huge increase in traffic, that "could be handled better" in planning.
Feels meeting minutes of the council sometimes "white-washed", to give inaccurate representation of activities discussed.
Concerned there's a lack of communication between employees and council, as well as the city administator and all of the council.
Says all major projects should go before the community for a vote.
Would vote against any city ordinance promoting same-sex marriage(15:00 min mark of video).

CONS

Doesn't seem completely serious about running for the position
Did not complete questionnaire on time - was a day late
Is not up on the city details required and even got some of the information wrong
Said new water well hadn't been drilled (it has) - said that, along w/accompanying Water Treatment facility would cost $4.5M(facility reportedly will cost ` $2.5M).
Didn't know City Council was compensated with insurance.
Wasn't really concerned w/council getting paid ($10.5K/yr).
Wasn't sure of number of Shenandoah employees.
Didn't know what City Bond Rating was.
Didn't know City Managers severance was 24 mos. (he said 12 mos, at the 1:10:00 time frame of Forum)
Says incumbent not stern enough, but he's fairly quiet himself.
Seemed to take a long time to get to an answer during video interview.
Says City Council should be totally focused to benefit of residents, but businesses pay 2/3rds of property taxes.
Not sure he has a clear understanding of the "Separation of Church and State".
Wants city to consider paying for city services to seniors, vets, etc. (donations, rather that taxpayer-funded, would be more appropriate here).