H’wick candidates face questions

Eight of nine candidates for office in Howardwick participated in forum last Tuesday, April 2, to answer questions submitted by citizens.

Candidate for alderman Tammy Jordan was the lone absence from the forum and told the Enterprise this week she was not notified of the meeting.

Mayoral candidates Coy Cooper, Alderman Brice Hawley, Tony Clemisher, and J.D. Kindle were up first to address citizen concerns, covering a wide range of topics, as presented by City Secretary Sandy Childress.

Hawley and Clemisher both agreed to try to not let meetings go on for three hours or more if elected.

Cooper was asked about “dividing the city,” to which he replied that he merely wants the city to follow the law.

Kindle said he wanted Howardwick to be a good place to raise kids, and Clemishire said that get the fire department situation “straightened out” is critical.

All the candidates at one time or another mentioned roads as being a priority.

Hawley would like to see the city council have more time to review documents before voting on them and also would like citizens to have more time to review ordinances and regulations.

Cooper received a question about his driver’s license.

“I’m not going to show my driver’s license,” he said. “I had to show it to get my voter registration card, and that’s all that’s required.”

Kindle received a question about ways of uniting the city and he said he felt the Hoedown set for this June is a good start and that he also wants to see a place for kids and other citizens can gather. He also wants to bring more business to Howardwick.

Clemishire was asked about his leadership history. He talked about his experience the construction industry and facing adversity against odds.

“I worked my way up as a vice president of a large electrical contracting company,” he said.

Hawley pointed to his past experience as a trustee in the Clear Lake community as an example of his leadership and said spending money on infrastructure and the fire department is important to city growth.

Kindle said his experience as a consultant to other businesses helped qualify him to be mayor and said he imitates leaders in fields of business, particularly oil, wind, and gas.

For their goals, Cooper said he wants people treated equally and the city to follow state laws; Hawley wants a more robust fire department, beautification with walking trails and other amenities, and transparency in government; Clemishire would like to see park and city entrance improvements, and people working together; and Kindle wants more community events, finding common ground with neighbors, and attracting more population to improve quality of life.

Later four candidates for alderman were featured: Beverly McCaskill, Jerry Mullanax, Ericka Mills, and incumbent Johnny Floyd. A recurring them among the alderman candidates was improved communication. Mullanax also focused on enforcing ordinances and resolving the ongoing conflict between the city and volunteer fire department.