After numerous uncontested City Council races in Joshua it is nice to have the democratic process back in play. Place 6 is being vacated by long-time council member, Bob Neely, who is term limited this year and we have three candidates lining up for a shot at that seat. I found myself in a similar challenge in 2009. Because a winner will need 50% +1 vote it is generally unlikely that a three-way race will not go to a run-off in June unless everyone gets out and votes for the best candidate, Matthew Small.
Matt has a very clear grasp on how to build on what is already going well in Joshua and the commitment to not lose sight of the prize, making Joshua the best place to live and raise a family. Recent interest and action by businesses in our city have begun to change the landscape that myself and many others have worked towards for a long time. We're seeing existing businesses re-investing in their place here to attract customers through beautification projects and improved storefronts. New businesses are choosing to locate here providing residents with more local options and getting passersby to stop and spend their dollars here. The focus needs to remain on improving the sales tax revenue to the city to lessen the burden on property tax paying residents. That benefit comes in conjunction with more options closer to home improving quality of life and lowering travel expenses. These are the goals that Matthew Small is interested in obtaining.
Scott Kimble has had a couple rather confusing stances in the paper recently regarding increasing the industrial businesses in the city. I'm going to go way out on a limb and give him the benefit of the doubt in assuming his bottom line is in decreasing the burden on residential property tax payers. That's what I want and I know the rest of the current Joshua City Council wants that too. Who wouldn't want to have other revenue sources to keep citizen taxes lower? The real take away between the candidates is that Matthew Small has the experience and the understanding of the direction the city is headed in now in increasing sales tax revenue through economic development. He knows that with so much going on right now that shifting focus would be a grave mistake. We don't have unlimited staff time and we don't have unlimited economic development dollars. The right candidate is the one who can help get the ball over the goal line, not forfeit and start a new game.
Matt is well aware of the current opportunities the City of Joshua has in commercial development. He's been a member of our Type A Economic Development Board for the last year learning and participating in the processes of enhancing sales tax revenue and quality of life in Joshua. Matt's wife, Dayna, serves with me on our Library Board. They have three wonderful children which provide ample motivation to be involved in our city in very active ways.
The choice on May 12th is really very easy. Matthew Small is the conservative candidate with the experience and desire to help all of Joshua succeed. I'm proud to endorse Matthew Small for Joshua City Council Place 6 and hope you'll join me in voting for him on May 12th.
A.J.
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