Clay municipal candidates comment on city issues
By Crystal McGough
This is the second installment in a three-part questionnaire series offering local municipal candidates the opportunity to address questions about their cities. This series will cover Pinson, Clay and Trussville. Each city will receive a separate set of questions and each candidate within a city will receive the same questions. Candidates’ answers were limited to 50 words.
QUESTION: Parks and Recreation has been significant in the growth of Clay as a city. Projects such as Cosby Lake Park, Clay Recreational Ball Park, and the children’s playground and splashpad behind the library have helped Clay’s vision of becoming a family-oriented community. Potential projects that have been brought up, such as a BMX track and dog park, are also of interest to citizens.
What is your vision for the continuation of developing Clay into a family-oriented community through Parks and Recreation? Also, please name one specific project that would be a priority to you and why.
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
Ed McGuffie: “It’s my vision to return our ballparks to the participation we experienced before it was moved from the Jefferson County Board of Education property. We will hire a full-time park superintendent within the next week or so. This person will work to enhance our parks and add stability to our ballparks.”
Charles Webster: “As a founder of Clay Recreation Association and councilman over parks and recreation, I am proud of our community development. My primary vision is to ensure Clay has the monies and budget for any project. A specific project would be expansion of our trail system through adjoining neighborhoods and our parks.”
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 1
Becky Johnson: “Parks and Recreation are important to the life of a city. I want to see the parks finished and work to keep them used by the families of Clay. Cosby Lake is not complete yet and I would like to see an amphitheater there for the families and schools to use.”
Albert Neny: “I would like to see a playground-area and community pool for the residents of Clay. All areas around the city of Clay have such facilities as this and Clay, with these facilities, would attract future growth.”
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 2
Kevin Small: Running Unopposed; No Response.
.
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 3
Carol Foster: “Before we continued to develop the parks, we need to look at the best use of the Ball Park and how this park should sustain itself. First, please understand the mayor makes these appointments of the city council members to serve/perform certain duties/responsibilities.”
Ben Thackerson: “As Chairman of the Park and Recreation Board and having been on the board since it began, I have been heavily involved in the development of the parks. Our board has worked hard…to bring us varied and first class facilities. I think a dog park would benefit most citizens of Clay.”
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 4
Mark Halstead: Running Unopposed; No Response.
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 5
Ricky Baker: “Clay would benefit from walking and biking trails built connecting the parks. The plan for this was put in place over four years ago by the last administration, but the current administration did nothing towards this project.”
Cindy Godwin: “The city has done an excellent job with recreational parks. In the future, I would like to see a city pool on the list. This would be a major expense, so funding preparations should be started now. For the immediate future, hiking trails should be added to the parks’ progress.”
Jackie Hambrick: “My vision for the continuation of enhancing parks and recreation…is the creation of the Cosby Lake Nature Center. This unique Nature Center would serve as an educational resource center for all ages. The Nature Center programs, speakers and exhibits would teach all of us to be good stewards of our environment.”
QUESTION: When Clay was hit by a tornado on Jan. 23, the city had no financial reserve to fall back on. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, city officials and employees worked hard to coordinate the cleanup and recovery from the disaster.
As a citizen of Clay and candidate for municipal office, what have you learned from this experience and how can you apply what you have learned to Clay’s future?
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
Ed McGuffie: “We learned the tremendous resolve of the citizens of Clay. With good management, coordination and communications, we accomplished the steps necessary to recover from a devastating disaster. These steps have been documented so that we will be able to share our knowledge and resources with others as the need arise.”
Charles Webster: “First, I would like to thank the members of our community and city who contributed to the clean up. The key lesson is to establish a budget each year with reserves appropriated for disaster clean up. If you create financial stability, you will not have to only rely on others.”
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 1
Becky Johnson: “After the tornado, I was able to work at City Hall, answering calls. I know we need to have money in reserve for emergencies such as this. The city of Clay handled the cleanup with the help of our neighbors from all over the state. We were thankful for the assistance.”
Albert Neny: “If elected, I would work to become familiar with the city finances and make efforts to build the reserve funds. The needs and wants of the city of Clay must be compared to available funds and the need for savings.”
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 2
Kevin Small: Running Unopposed; No Response.
.
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 3
Carol Foster: “If enlisted to help in overseeing this matter, I would organize and mobilize all first responders in the area. That morning, there were hundreds of people at city hall waiting to help each other. I would suggest: Set up a Disaster/Emergency Board to coordinate with different agencies and other groups.”
Ben Thackerson: “I think the present administration did an excellent job with the cleanup effort with the resources available. Volunteers were a major part of the cleanup. I think small cities learned to have a fund for emergencies since FEMA funding may not be available.”
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 4
Mark Halstead: Running Unopposed; No Response.
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 5
Ricky Baker: “The tornado that hit Clay showed a real need for the city to have an experienced person in place to handle such an emergency. The one person in charge should not be a councilman with little to no training in disaster response.”
Cindy Godwin: “Our citizens need the opportunity for educational training in handling dangerous situations…in addition to natural disasters such as the tornado. Our city needs to begin to develop a funding plan for these disasters and be prepared to offer assistance to neighboring municipalities similar to the help we received from them.”
Jackie Hambrick: “I have learned that you can never be ‘too prepared’ for a disaster. Planning is paramount; therefore, an official disaster plan would be implemented and rehearsed in municipal departments and communities. I would recommend that a Crisis Leadership Team be created by the city government. Public storm shelters should be provided.”
QUESTION: What is your vision for economic growth in Clay? Please give one idea you have for Clay’s economic growth and development in the future.
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
Ed McGuffie: “My vision is to work with some members of the Clay-Pinson Chamber of Commerce in identifying needed business with existing empty buildings and working with commercial property owner’s to ask reasonable prices for properties. I am planning to meet again with professional retail specialist to help with our planning strategies.”
Charles Webster: “To establish a budget for Clay and working relationship with our Chamber of Commerce, area businessmen and elected officials, to assure them that Clay is friendly to business and open for growth. By establishing a friendly environment for business, I’ll seek to recruit industry to provide jobs for our community.”
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 1
Becky Johnson: “Clay has space for office buildings and light industry, as well as retail and restaurants. We all want to see the restaurants and retail, but need people here to support them.”
Albert Neny: “I would be challenged to bring new business to the city of Clay and annexed-areas where we could attain the land for such development.”
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 2
Kevin Small: Running Unopposed; No Response.
.
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 3
Carol Foster: “My vision for economic growth for Clay is: Set up several forums…and listen to our current businesses…to see their ideas and suggestions on improving city businesses; Visit businesses and thank them for continued business; and network with the State and other cities relative to where and how they obtained businesses.”
Ben Thackerson: “We must impress upon people to shop Clay first. We should have controlled growth and try to have a varied business climate.”
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 4
Mark Halstead: Running Unopposed; No Response.
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 5
Ricky Baker: “Clay would benefit from forming a partnership with surrounding cities to bring jobs to the area other than fast food or low paying jobs. Examples would be a call center or clean manufacturing.”
Cindy Godwin: “The growth of business should be a top priority for our city. Packages designed that favor business should be developed. Businesses want a safe environment in which to operate, along with a landscape that is clean and litter free. Most importantly, they want to feel welcome by the citizens.”
Jackie Hambrick: “One of the best incentives for economic growth is creating a city that attracts families. My vision is to maintain a…community that will usher in families. My idea for economic growth is to reexamine the cost of licenses that businesses are required to pay and to keep this cost within reason.”
QUESTION: What is your plan or vision for the future of Clay if you are elected into office?
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
Ed McGuffie: “I am public service driven. It is very important to continue to expand city services as we can afford. Making Clay a great place to live, shop, play, relax, socialize, learn and worship regardless of your age is my vision looking forward.”
Charles Webster: “Sound fiscal policy is needed to develop education, parks, business and security. Education and security are pillars of any community. I intend to establish trade school programs for job training with our high school and increase our police. We must create a business friendly environment and recruit industry for job creation.”
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 1
Becky Johnson: “Concerning success at Clay’s schools, parks and Senior Center, I want to see the cooperation continue. Also, adding more police protection for our citizens and keeping communication open with the sub-divisions in Clay. I feel there are problems we are not addressing and would work harder to see them handled.”
Albert Neny: “My vision for the city of Clay is to bring our city to a higher level, as well as to attract new businesses and to offer a community where future residents will want to locate.”
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 2
Kevin Small: Running Unopposed; No Response.
.
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 3
Carol Foster: My plan is as follows: Continue with the tornado cleanup and research grants to help complete this cleanup. Attend business forums on economic and business development. Support the schools for developing the minds of our children. Stress the need for a continuing budget and the need for spending control.”
Ben Thackerson: “My plan is to keep improving. As a long time employee of State government, I understand that some projects take time and money. Finding grant money will be important to keep improving our parks. Our seniors are very important. A Veterans’ Memorial should also be a part of our plan.”
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 4
Mark Halstead: Running Unopposed; No Response.
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 5
Ricky Baker: “My plan is to provide increased support for the schools in Clay so that the children can receive the best education in a clean, safe environment. Create a Clay Police force to increase security. I would make sure Clay followed the law when hiring employees and has a budget every year.”
Cindy Godwin: “My priority…is safety. Neighborhoods should be encouraged and assisted to develop neighborhood watch programs. We must work to prevent crime rather than having to deal with its effects later. Our city should continue to push the Jeffco Board of Education for safety in our schools, which includes discipline and parent involvement.”
Jackie Hambrick: “My vision is to strive for excellence in…our community: to improve security; to support our schools; to attract businesses; to enhance Clay’s quality of life (through) superior parks, trails and educational choices; to provide…programs for our seniors; and to create a reserve fund from a percentage of sales tax revenue.”
