City council is an important position wherever you go. Those who hold a seat on the city council are required to become a liaison of sorts between different departments and the rest of the council. In addition, the city council must work diligently with the mayor in order to get the budget together for the entire city for the upcoming year.
The council is also responsible for aiding in the day-to-day operations of many different departments throughout the city. This can include work with infrastructure as well as working directly with the city schools, the fire department, police department, and many other local, state and federal entities.
This and the many other duties a city council member is responsible for make it very important to vote in local elections. No matter your political views, if anything is to get done in government then it takes voting at federal, state and local levels. Local politicians can help to shape the areas in which we live into something to truly be proud of.
That is why the election for City Council in District 1 of Russellville is just as important as the presidential elections this November. Candidates for District 1 this election are the incumbent, David Palmer, and his challenger, John Thorn.
Palmer has held the office of city councilman for four years now, and during his term he has played a vital role in accomplishing historical growth and progress for the Russellville community by working with the other members of the council and with key people at the state and federal level.
Palmer led the charge in securing grants that led to more than $7 million of improvements to our infrastructure. Those improvements included not only around 30 miles of new paving but also vitally important improvements to storm water systems, drainage systems, sidewalks and industrial access for new industry in Russellville.
Palmer also worked hard with mayor David Grissom and other members of the council to secure more than 900 new jobs, to provide vital funding of more than $4.4 million to Russellville City Schools, to construct six additional storm shelters, and to upgrade equipment in the fire department and police department.
Palmer believes his experience and connections have really benefited the community, not only as a member of the city council but also as county engineer, a position that brings his total amount of experience in public service to over 30 years.
“It has been a true honor and pleasure serving the great people in District 1 and the entire city of Russellville the past four years,” Palmer said. “I guess the highlight, for me, was writing the grants and developing the plans that ended up securing over $14.5 million of ATRIP and other infrastructure grants for our city and county. The best part is that out of all that money, it only cost our local taxpayers 26 percent, and the rest was state and federal funds.
“I certainly didn’t do it alone. I had the support and trust of the mayor and city council, the county commission, the city and county school boards, and all the people of Russellville and Franklin County. It takes everyone to accomplish such an enormous program.”
To the voters not on his side yet, Palmer said that he would “appreciate your vote and support. We have accomplished a great deal, but there are, as always, many challenges ahead. I would love the opportunity to serve you for another four years and to use my many years of experience to continue our progress in improving the quality of life for all the citizens of Russellville. I am confident that I can provide the type of leadership and experience to continue to do that.”
On the other side of the ballot is the challenger, John Thorn. Thorn has run businesses since his first one in 1953 until he was drafted into the army in 1954. Afterwards he went to work at TVA, where he handled business involving leasing property and making local purchases. Once he retired from TVA, he made his way into the excavating business.
In his run for city council, Thorn has a clear vision for the district should he win. According to Thorn, his vision has a few key elements.
The first is that since Russellville only has one electrical feed coming into the city, he plans to work to get a backup feed that will power the city in the case of an emergency. The second is the formation of a special-needs park in Russellville, which he said was already being talked about and will receive his full support. The third is that he believes the city should treat all people and businesses equally, as he believes that is not being done.
Thorn believes he has a few things that he could bring to the table if he were to be elected as a member of the city council.
“I will be the type of person who will work to get things done,” he said. “It won’t be my agenda, but it will be what the people of Russellville need. I have many years of experience in business, as well as an education in business. I think that since I make decisions daily in my business, I am able to make important decisions that can do what needs to be done for our city.”
To the voters not on his side, Thorn asked for them to join him in his plans for the district. “Come with me and let’s get some things done,” Thorn said.
The city council election for District 1 will be held on August 23.
