Seligman mayoral race heats up as April 7 election approaches
April 1, 2015
Charlea Mills
With the April 7 election rapidly approaching, one race in particular is heating up. The three candidates for the position of Seligman mayor have been campaigning and stating their positions, including what they hope to bring to the city if they win the election.
Current Seligman Mayor Jerry Montgomery, serving his second term, is facing two challengers in this election, Belva Stepp and Joe Foster.
When asked why she was running for mayor, Stepp said, “I thought I could do my town some good. Mainly, it’s probably what it’ll take to keep our local library open. I’d like to clean up our town and get some businesses in here and make it more inviting to people. I think once we get the town looking presentable, maybe we could start encouraging people to bring businesses in.” Stepp is currently the volunteer librarian for the city and has lived in Seligman for 11 years.
When asked the same question, Foster said, “Somebody has to do it and I think I can make a difference here in town. I talked to a lot of people, I used to run a bar, I closed it about six months ago, and I’ve heard what the people have to say and someone has to speak for them.”
Montgomery was the last to put his hat in the ring for the election. When asked why he decided to run, he said, “I decided to run because I don’t want to turn the city over to just anybody. I really didn’t think my opposition would be good for the city.”
The next question was what they felt was the most pressing issue for the city of Seligman currently. Foster said, “We need to get our water and sewer system straightened out. We’ve got problems there. Pretty much, what I want to do is get the people and government back together as one. A lot of people think there are some crooked things going on. I personally don’t believe that, but we need more transparent government. The City Council and City Hall don’t like it when you question anything, and a lot of people are convinced if you question too much, you’ll be harassed. I don’t believe that’s true, but that’s the general consensus of what I’ve been told.”
Foster said that to make a more transparent government, he hopes to make some policy changes regarding the way city employees are expected to conduct themselves, and that, in turn, will get the people of Seligman more involved. He said, “First of all, a few policy changes to city hall need to happen where there are better people skills, for lack of a better term, and also getting people more involved in the city council meetings. A big part of the problem is that people won’t go to the city council meetings for fear that they’ll be harassed in some way, but I don’t believe that is true. Citizens just don’t show up.”
In response to Foster’s comments, Montgomery said, “I don’t think there are any issues with harassment. People in Seligman don’t show up for meetings because they don’t feel like they can make any changes. I believe they can. If they come to the meetings and express their thoughts, we are going to listen.”
When asked about the biggest issue in his opinion, Montgomery shared, “Getting new water lines in the ground is very important, and we’ve been working on that awhile. That’s the main concern right now.”
Stepp had a different opinion about the biggest issue for the city. She said that park improvements have been dramatic, but other areas need attention. She stated, “The only thing I can tell from when I go to the meetings is there are budget problems. I don’t know why, but I know a lot has to do with grants coming in, but I’m not sure how all of that works. I’m sure I’m going to learn.”
Stepp also mentioned that she has been looking into how to encourage an Urgent Care facility to come to the city and issues with the state of the streets in town. “We have roads that need to be fixed, but it’s not within the budget to get them fixed.”
Stepp currently serves on the Parks and Recreation Board for the city. She also ran for alderman last year. She said, “My biggest gripe is, ‘Who is our mayor?’ I guarantee I will be seen. I want people to know who the mayor is. I’ll also keep up with the library as one of my main priorities in the community.”
Foster currently serves on the Planning and Zoning Board for the City. He feels that his experience in the private sector will help him if elected. Foster said, “I worked for civil engineering for five years, and I understand the water and sewer system a little better than some might.”
Montgomery has lived in Seligman for over 20 years. When asked about his time as mayor, he said, “Since I’ve been mayor, the best part was seeing the city grow, like bringing in Walmart. It was a big plus to have Walmart come in. Now, I’d like to see a fast food restaurant move in, like Sonic. I think that would be a real good step for the city.”
Charlea Mills
With the April 7 election rapidly approaching, one race in particular is heating up. The three candidates for the position of Seligman mayor have been campaigning and stating their positions, including what they hope to bring to the city if they win the election.
Current Seligman Mayor Jerry Montgomery, serving his second term, is facing two challengers in this election, Belva Stepp and Joe Foster.
When asked why she was running for mayor, Stepp said, “I thought I could do my town some good. Mainly, it’s probably what it’ll take to keep our local library open. I’d like to clean up our town and get some businesses in here and make it more inviting to people. I think once we get the town looking presentable, maybe we could start encouraging people to bring businesses in.” Stepp is currently the volunteer librarian for the city and has lived in Seligman for 11 years.
When asked the same question, Foster said, “Somebody has to do it and I think I can make a difference here in town. I talked to a lot of people, I used to run a bar, I closed it about six months ago, and I’ve heard what the people have to say and someone has to speak for them.”
Montgomery was the last to put his hat in the ring for the election. When asked why he decided to run, he said, “I decided to run because I don’t want to turn the city over to just anybody. I really didn’t think my opposition would be good for the city.”
The next question was what they felt was the most pressing issue for the city of Seligman currently. Foster said, “We need to get our water and sewer system straightened out. We’ve got problems there. Pretty much, what I want to do is get the people and government back together as one. A lot of people think there are some crooked things going on. I personally don’t believe that, but we need more transparent government. The City Council and City Hall don’t like it when you question anything, and a lot of people are convinced if you question too much, you’ll be harassed. I don’t believe that’s true, but that’s the general consensus of what I’ve been told.”
Foster said that to make a more transparent government, he hopes to make some policy changes regarding the way city employees are expected to conduct themselves, and that, in turn, will get the people of Seligman more involved. He said, “First of all, a few policy changes to city hall need to happen where there are better people skills, for lack of a better term, and also getting people more involved in the city council meetings. A big part of the problem is that people won’t go to the city council meetings for fear that they’ll be harassed in some way, but I don’t believe that is true. Citizens just don’t show up.”
In response to Foster’s comments, Montgomery said, “I don’t think there are any issues with harassment. People in Seligman don’t show up for meetings because they don’t feel like they can make any changes. I believe they can. If they come to the meetings and express their thoughts, we are going to listen.”
When asked about the biggest issue in his opinion, Montgomery shared, “Getting new water lines in the ground is very important, and we’ve been working on that awhile. That’s the main concern right now.”
Stepp had a different opinion about the biggest issue for the city. She said that park improvements have been dramatic, but other areas need attention. She stated, “The only thing I can tell from when I go to the meetings is there are budget problems. I don’t know why, but I know a lot has to do with grants coming in, but I’m not sure how all of that works. I’m sure I’m going to learn.”
Stepp also mentioned that she has been looking into how to encourage an Urgent Care facility to come to the city and issues with the state of the streets in town. “We have roads that need to be fixed, but it’s not within the budget to get them fixed.”
Stepp currently serves on the Parks and Recreation Board for the city. She also ran for alderman last year. She said, “My biggest gripe is, ‘Who is our mayor?’ I guarantee I will be seen. I want people to know who the mayor is. I’ll also keep up with the library as one of my main priorities in the community.”
Foster currently serves on the Planning and Zoning Board for the City. He feels that his experience in the private sector will help him if elected. Foster said, “I worked for civil engineering for five years, and I understand the water and sewer system a little better than some might.”
Montgomery has lived in Seligman for over 20 years. When asked about his time as mayor, he said, “Since I’ve been mayor, the best part was seeing the city grow, like bringing in Walmart. It was a big plus to have Walmart come in. Now, I’d like to see a fast food restaurant move in, like Sonic. I think that would be a real good step for the city.”