First-Time Candidate Seeks Post As Write-In

Apr 3, 2003 | Headline News

Steve Hammond, a resident of 4022 Lake Trenton Dr., is seeking office for the first time. He was born and raised on a farm in Mercer County, graduating from Princeton High school. He attended college for two years and served four years in the U.S. Air Force. He and his wife, Linda, are the parents of three children and four grandchildren. A resident of Trenton for the past 31 years, he has been involved in sales and auto body repair as a career. He is a former 4-H leader and served on the University of Missouri Extension Council as a member and chairman and has served several years on the Trenton Lake board, currently serving as its president.

1. Why are you running for this position?

“After living in Trenton the past 31years, I feel it is time for me to give back to the community. I would like to have the opportunity, as your councilman, to try to make this community a better place to live and work for our children and grandchildren.”

2. What do you feel are the concerns facing the city of Trenton that you would like to see addressed as related to the position for which you area candidate and how would you deal with them, if elected?

?I feel the biggest concern facing our community is the lack of employment. I would like for more industry to move into our town, along with more new small business, employing two to 50 people. We have a need to make Trenton more attractive to the larger industries seeking expansion of their companies. I also feel we have a need to assist small businesses getting started with tax breaks and/or other advantages. It would be great if some of these new businesses had something to offer as wholesome family entertainment. I also feel one of the concerns facing our city is the lack of entertainment for our children and grandchildren. It saddens me to hear of our youth having to leave our city to see a movie or rollerskating or even bowling. As councilman, I would like to have the opportunity to pursue the avenue of growth for our community.?

3. The city of Trenton, like all governmental entities, is facing budget concerns and is looking at ways to continue offering services while staying within its projected revenue sources. Please discuss the budget issue and how you would address it in relation to the city of trenton (including what cuts, if any, you might suggest be made)?

?I?m really not in favor of budget cuts. I feel that most of the time it means job cutbacks or even loss of jobs. At times it also means our citizens having to relocate due to employment. I would rather work with the mayor and other councilmen to develop the growth of Trenton and thus, in turn ,would mean more revenues for all governmental entities.?

r. A one-half cent sales tax issue is on the April ballot that, if approved, would help pay for operations of the pay system, including construction of a new aquatic center among other planned improvements. What are your feelings about this issue and, should it pass, would you support the park board?s request to roll back the property tax currently assessed for parks?

?I am very much in support of the one-half cent sales tax to help pay for operation of our parks and construction of the new aquatic center. I would also support the property tax rollback assessed for parks. Not only would the new aquatic center benefit all citizens of Trenton, it would also be a benefit to our surrounding communities. I realize that people from this community drive 25 miles south to Chillicothe in the summer to enjoy the aquatic center there. I am sure while they are there they dine at local restaurants, shop at their grocery and discount stores. Why not provide the same services in our town and generate our revenue instead of generating revenue for another town??

4. Any other comments?

“I would like to have the opportunity to serve the people of the Fourth Ward as your councilman. I am willing to listen to new ideas and suggestions with an open mind. “