Candidates for board of aldermen

Becky “Baker” Ness

Becky “Baker” Ness, 38, graduated from Gallatin R-5 High School with the class of 1981. She has been a resident of Daviess County since 1977. She attended Vatterott School of Cosmetology and Real Estate School. She holds a brokers licence and an insurance license. She was the administrator of the Daviess County Senior Center. Presently she is employed at Hillcrest Manor and Rehab in Hamilton as fiscal service office manager. Ms. Ness is the past president of the Gallatin Booster Club. She’s been a member of Music Boosters and is on the “Teen Beat” committee. Her daughter, Jamie Burnett, attends MU in Columbia.

What are your reasons for running for the position of alderman?

I live in Gallatin and I want this city to progress and grow. We have a lot of problems and our citizens have lost a lot of confidence in our city government. I would like to work with all the citizens of Gallatin. I feel that I have the common sense to tackle almost any problem that may come up. I work well with the public and feel like I can generate this ‘people friendly’ attitude to city government. I am a hard worker and an understanding person and I think that is what it takes working with the public.

What are your qualifications?

I have never run for public office before. I will bring a fresh new approach to city government. I’m willing to listen and learn. I believe in working with every citizen and everyone in the city and county government. I have always been active in our school and committees related with the school. I’ve held different jobs of an administrative nature. I feel just as qualified as anyone to be a city alderman.

What do you consider to be the major issues currently facing the city of Gallatin?

There are several issues that I’m concerned about. The main issue that has been facing us for the last few yeas is our financial condition. I understand that we are gradually getting financially stronger. I would like to see us continue to tighten our belt and make every effort to weed out any waste that is evident. Money needs to be found so that we can work on other needy issues. Another issue in the city is the city streets. Somehow we are going to need to address the issue on our city streets. We are going to have to set our priorities and seek areas in the budget to come up with enough money to do some of the necessary repairs. Another issue I would like to be a part of is the Gallatin sewer additions and extensions to the areas that have never been on the sewers. I think that the natural gas is another issue we really need to look at, maybe trying to refinance or restructure this debt is imperative. I think I have pointed out several issues for the most part that we as citizens of Gallatin are aware of and that if we work together as a council, and have your input in all of the issues, we will get them accomplished. We have a lot of good people living in our city and I would like to see it continue and grow in the future. With everyone’s help – it can be done.

Timothy (Tim) Andrew

Timothy (Tim) Andrew, 38, has lived in Gallatin for 17 years. He graduated from Auburn, Neb., and has extended his education in Wyoming, along with several schools the city has sent him to in order to serve you better as a police officer in the past. He is married to Nancy Andrew. She has been a teacher at the Gallatin Elementary School for 18 years. They were married in 1985, and have one son, Kyle, 14. He attends Gallatin High School. He is an honor student and very active in sports and is employed part time at Seasons on the Square.

What are your reasons for running for the position of alderman?

I have worked for the City of Gallatin and citizens of this city in the past as a police officer for eight years. When I left the police department I was at the rank of sergeant. As sergeant I was also acting chief of police until one was hired. I worked closely with the city board on several issues. I enjoyed helping the people of Gallatin and only left to help start the Daviess County 911 system. I was the first supervisor for 911 and helped get it started for the whole county. I am now fully employed at Bridgeman’s Wrecker Service, (part time and full time for the past eight years.) I do anything from bookkeeping to wrecker driving. In my thoughts I am still serving the people of this county and the people of Gallatin.

What are your qualifications?

As a candidate for west ward alderman, I feel that my back ground as a former employee for the city of Gallatin can help me to find the reason for the bad roads, high electric bills, and over spending of money where it is not needed. On March 11, I went before the city board to help keep the added five percent increase off our electric bills. I don’t believe that this would have been good business for the city or for the people of this community.

What do you consider to be the major issues currently facing the city of Gallatin?

If elected I will do all I can to keep the cost of living in Gallatin to a minimum and explore the reasons for the money shortages that we all hear about. I am open minded to all complaints and will take your arguments to the board for you. I do believe that the only way to cut the cost of living in Gallatin is to fill the Industrial Park with large companies that will employ local people. I am willing to go above and beyond to seek out these companies and bring them to our town.

Norma Griffin

Norma Griffin, 67, has been a lifelong resident of Daviess County. She served as deputy city clerk for 20 years and has been deputy county assessor for 19 years. She is a member of the Church of Christ. She was the mayor of Gallatin for four years and is presently a city council member. Mrs. Griffin is a member of the Daviess County Business Women and served as its past president; the Daviess County Historical Society; and a past member of the Daviess County Senior Citizens Board. She has two sons, Joe and James. James, and his wife, Sharon, have one daughter, Jessi, 18, and one son Jarrod, 4.

What are your reasons for running for the position of alderman?

My concern for the town and the people who live here.

What are your qualifications?

My past experience.

What do you consider to be the major issues currently facing the city of Gallatin?

Building of the new sewer system; repair of the water tower; and the streets.

Donald M. Smith

Donald M. Smith, 40, has been a resident of Daviess County for 29 years. His parents, Frank T. and Shirley Smith were born in Gallatin. He is a graduate of Gallatin High School Class of 1980; and attended Missouri Western State College in St. Joe for two years. Mr. Smith was employed as a senior computer controlled machinist. Mr. Smith is president of the Access II board; treasurer of the Gallatin Park Board. He is a member of the Jameson Baptist Church. He and his wife, Karyn, have two sons, Joe and Jacob.

What are your reasons for running for the position of alderman?

As a resident of the county for 29 years, I see problems that need discussion and wish to become a part of that discussion. I have followed the city’s financial crisis from the sidelines, and feel that the current direction could need further examination. Perhaps we cannot do things much differently with city finances, but more examination and discussion of policies will help not hurt the financial health of the city.

Many citizens are concerned that the constant financial streets of the city hinders our ability to fully deliver services to deserving taxpayers. I would like to address those concerns.

What are your qualifications?

I have resided at the same address since 1986 and as a long-time taxpayer have observed the city’s progress and misfortunes with interest. As president of the Access II board and as treasurer of the Park Board, I am familiar with committee work and the budget spending process. Since I have been placed on full disability, I have the time and desire to devote to the community as a whole and the city in particular.

What do you consider to be the major issues currently facing the city of Gallatin?

Our streets have never regained the quality they had before the gas system construction. Where has the street budget been spent? Why have we been driving through holes and trenches so long? I would like to address this, as a community is often judged by the condition of its streets.

The new sewer extension plan is a much needed (and overdue) project. Can we be sure the construction leaves streets and property in an “acceptable” condition when the project is complete? (Unlike the streets were after the gas project!) The proposal to increase the penalty on late utility payments seems to be a revenue plan that most affects those who can least afford it. I would support looking elsewhere for increased revenue. The natural gas system is a great convenience and potential asset, yet the budgetary stress caused by major revenue deficits has caused our other service problems to be much more severe. More examination and discussion of the financial arrangements, and where these will lead us in the long term, are desirable.