NationStates Jolt Archive

I tried to post this earlier, but my net went FUBAR, so i might have somehow actually already posted this. If so..sorry....So i want to run for mayor or maybe councilmen at the least. My city has long been plagued by pussy politicians that refuse to take risks and let the city spiral downhill into slums. Now even though I am in another city at the moment for school, if i did run, and win, im sure I'd be able to go back every weekend to take care of business. Let me give you a run down of my city.

Mt. Vernon, Illinois is a town of 16,000 people. It lies in southern illinois, which has been hit hard economically with closings of many of the mines in the area. Undoubtedly, this has affected my town as well. The main emplyer of the city is CTNA General Tire factory, the only one left in the country. The next biggest employer is the Walgreens Dist. Center. Most of the other jobs are in Banks, retail, hotels, and food, not much in the way of providing a decent living. We are at the crossroads of two highly traveled interstates(64 and 57) and have great potential for growth and prosperity.Every Mayor we have had in recent history has always refused to expand for industrial or new commercial businesses. On top of that they tend to be very conservative here and thus aren't open to places like hooters, which is inconceivable to me. Anywho, we have one of the highest tax rates, the highest crime(per capita) in illinois, and one of the lowest property values. What I hope to do with my term, if i do so win the election would be:

-Allow the zoning permits for new industrial and commercial businesses.
- Rid the police department of the current Cheif and look to the near big cities for someone who has experience with high crime rates, especially in controlling production and distribution of drugs(meth in particular) and illegal weapon. In addition, i would seek state funding to help with the building of a new state of the art police station, and also the retraining of officers in critical fields, such as drugs, weapons, and so on.
-Fire the current City Manager. He is the cause of MANY problems.
- Seek some sort of recreational park, musuem, or ballteam.
- Lower taxes on businesses as to encourage growth
- keep residential taxes at a moderate level as to help pay for various infrastructial programs.
- make long term contracts with CTNA and Walgreens to keep their factories here to ensure job security in the future.
-Above all I would take RISKS. Only those that take risks will reap the benefits of success.


With that, I begin my political career. I beleive I know enough now, being a second year Poli Sci major, to help the city begin a turn around.

The question is, do I have a ice cube's chance in hell of winning?

I tried to post this earlier, but my net went FUBAR, so i might have somehow actually already posted this. If so..sorry....So i want to run for mayor or maybe councilmen at the least. My city has long been plagued by pussy politicians that refuse to take risks and let the city spiral downhill into slums. Now even though I am in another city at the moment for school, if i did run, and win, im sure I'd be able to go back every weekend to take care of business. Let me give you a run down of my city.

Mt. Vernon, Illinois is a town of 16,000 people. It lies in southern illinois, which has been hit hard economically with closings of many of the mines in the area. Undoubtedly, this has affected my town as well. The main emplyer of the city is CTNA General Tire factory, the only one left in the country. The next biggest employer is the Walgreens Dist. Center. Most of the other jobs are in Banks, retail, hotels, and food, not much in the way of providing a decent living. We are at the crossroads of two highly traveled interstates(64 and 57) and have great potential for growth and prosperity.Every Mayor we have had in recent history has always refused to expand for industrial or new commercial businesses. On top of that they tend to be very conservative here and thus aren't open to places like hooters, which is inconceivable to me. Anywho, we have one of the highest tax rates, the highest crime(per capita) in illinois, and one of the lowest property values. What I hope to do with my term, if i do so win the election would be:

-Allow the zoning permits for new industrial and commercial businesses.
- Rid the police department of the current Cheif and look to the near big cities for someone who has experience with high crime rates, especially in controlling production and distribution of drugs(meth in particular) and illegal weapon. In addition, i would seek state funding to help with the building of a new state of the art police station, and also the retraining of officers in critical fields, such as drugs, weapons, and so on.
-Fire the current City Manager. He is the cause of MANY problems.
- Seek some sort of recreational park, musuem, or ballteam.
- Lower taxes on businesses as to encourage growth
- keep residential taxes at a moderate level as to help pay for various infrastructial programs.
- make long term contracts with CTNA and Walgreens to keep their factories here to ensure job security in the future.
-Above all I would take RISKS. Only those that take risks will reap the benefits of success.


With that, I begin my political career. I beleive I know enough now, being a second year Poli Sci major, to help the city begin a turn around.

The question is, do I have a ice cube's chance in hell of winning?

Stranger things have happened. There have been younger mayors. Hell, if a crackhead can be re-elected mayor of Washington D.C., anything is possible. :)

Stranger things have happened. There have been younger mayors. Hell, if a crackhead can be re-elected mayor of Washington D.C., anything is possible. :)



All I need to do is smoke crack? Hells yes!:D

With that, I begin my political career. I beleive I know enough now, being a second year Poli Sci major, to help the city begin a turn around.

The question is, do I have a ice cube's chance in hell of winning?

Depends:

- What are the demographics of the city?

- How will you cast yourself?

- Do you have connections in the city's political landscape?

- Are you willing to give up the rest of your degree to run for mayor?

Hell, a couple years ago, here in Portland (a town of about half a million), an 18-year-old kid gave the incumbent, well-liked mayor a run for her money. You got a chance, especially since it's a quite small town.

A tip: Don't tell the voters "I'm gonna take RISKS!" Say you're going to act boldly, stuff like that. Nuances like that are everything. I don't know how different things are politically in a town that's way more conservative than mine, but generally emphasize that you're going to bring in jobs to the town and take other measures to refresh and revive it.

All I need to do is smoke crack? Hells yes!:D

Couldn't hurt. :)

Depends:

- What are the demographics of the city?

- How will you cast yourself?

- Do you have connections in the city's political landscape?

- Are you willing to give up the rest of your degree to run for mayor?

-As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 16,269 people, 6,988 households, and 4,157 families residing in the city. The population density was 545.3/km² (1,412.1/mi²). There were 7,814 housing units at an average density of 261.9/km² (678.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.25% White, 12.36% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 1.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population.

There were 6,988 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 84.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,145, and the median income for a family was $36,660. Males had a median income of $31,569 versus $20,198 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,268. About 13.0% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.
- I will cast myself as a person of change. a change for a new era. I'll use my age to my advantage, saying that i am introduced to new ideas, yet, i come from a traditional family, so i know how to keep some things the same. You know...BS that stuff :P

-Yes i do have political connections. My father has always done campaign work for various local and state politicians. I know some pretty high people. This will help me out alot. Plus it helps that i know alot of common people too, as i run a forum for our community. So people know me, and know my name. Thats always good.

- i don't have to give up my degree. I can transfer to SIU, which is like 45 mins from my house. I can continue my degree, and live at home to have the best of both worlds..

1-Fire the current City Manager. He is the cause of MANY problems.
2- Seek some sort of recreational park, musuem, or ballteam.
3- Lower taxes on businesses as to encourage growth
4- keep residential taxes at a moderate level as to help pay for various infrastructial programs.
5- make long term contracts with CTNA and Walgreens to keep their factories here to ensure job security in the future.
6-Above all I would take RISKS. Only those that take risks will reap the benefits of success.

With that, I begin my political career. I beleive I know enough now, being a second year Poli Sci major, to help the city begin a turn around.
1-Any idea who you would replace him with? You may get asked that.
2-Needs to be bigger. I suggest hiring LG for 1. Do that and this will take care of itself.
3-Would you cut spneding, your own salary, or run a debt?
4-Would they be enough considering 3?
5-What do you have that they want?
6-You should play Risk.

-
- I will cast myself as a person of change. a change for a new era. I'll use my age to my advantage, saying that i am introduced to new ideas, yet, i come from a traditional family, so i know how to keep some things the same. You know...BS that stuff :P

-Yes i do have political connections. My father has always done campaign work for various local and state politicians. I know some pretty high people. This will help me out alot. Plus it helps that i know alot of common people too, as i run a forum for our community. So people know me, and know my name. Thats always good.

- i don't have to give up my degree. I can transfer to SIU, which is like 45 mins from my house. I can continue my degree, and live at home to have the best of both worlds..

How discontent is the population? Because, the age of the population falls against you (primarily older), and a smart politician will run against your inexperience.

However, your connections are to your advantage.

Don't, don't, don't try to do a degree and be a mayor at the same time. Both are time-consuming things to do.

1-Any idea who you would replace him with? You may get asked that.
2-Needs to be bigger. I suggest hiring LG for 1. Do that and this will take care of itself.
3-Would you cut spneding, your own salary, or run a debt?
4-Would they be enough considering 3?
5-What do you have that they want?
6-You should play Risk.



1) I have a few people I know in town that would be way more qualified than him.
2) Hire LG? as in lunatic goofballs? oh my..I am afraid to imagine what my town would become :p
3) I'd cut my own salary to nothing, and also make sure that the CM would get a good pay cut. He currently makes around 80-100k a year...So no way in hell I'll let that continue. And bonds can always help out at first, and when there is more income, then we can pay them back.
4) I am sure with bond, salary cuts, and a few spending cuts would help that.
5) What do we have? Well thats a good question, thats why I would keep business and industry taxes low, to help keep them here.
6) naw, i don't like board games ;)

How discontent is the population? Because, the age of the population falls against you (primarily older), and a smart politician will run against your inexperience.

However, your connections are to your advantage.

Don't, don't, don't try to do a degree and be a mayor at the same time. Both are time-consuming things to do.


The older people are very unhappy with the city. Many people are in fact. And with a fresh new face, perhaps I can help keep a few of them from moving away. Thats how bad it is. People are so sick and tired of it that they are just moving away, even the people that have retired to there are moving. Just sad.

Another thing I'd do it try to bring some jobs and business to the south end of town. Its a poor area, with high crime. I would think that with an increase in money in people's pockets, would help lower crime, and raise property values in that area. its sad when i drive down in southtown, or even east town, and see children in tattered clothing playing in the dirt or in the street. and peopl having to sit outside until night, because its cooler outside than in their house, because they can't afford AC...it brings much sadness to my heart.

1) I have a few people I know in town that would be way more qualified than him.
2) Hire LG? as in lunatic goofballs? oh my..I am afraid to imagine what my town would become :p
3) I'd cut my own salary to nothing, and also make sure that the CM would get a good pay cut. He currently makes around 80-100k a year...So no way in hell I'll let that continue. And bonds can always help out at first, and when there is more income, then we can pay them back.
4) I am sure with bond, salary cuts, and a few spending cuts would help that.
5) What do we have? Well thats a good question, thats why I would keep business and industry taxes low, to help keep them here.
6) naw, i don't like board games ;)
3- Don't cut it to nothing. First, it'll look suspicious. Second, you need that salary to eat and stuff. Moving it in line with your towns average wage may be an idea.
4-What spending would you cut.
5-If they are going to go for a contract to stay, yu will have to offer them something special.

The older people are very unhappy with the city. Many people are in fact. And with a fresh new face, perhaps I can help keep a few of them from moving away. Thats how bad it is. People are so sick and tired of it that they are just moving away, even the people that have retired to there are moving. Just sad.

Another thing I'd do it try to bring some jobs and business to the south end of town. Its a poor area, with high crime. I would think that with an increase in money in people's pockets, would help lower crime, and raise property values in that area. its sad when i drive down in southtown, or even east town, and see children in tattered clothing playing in the dirt or in the street. and peopl having to sit outside until night, because its cooler outside than in their house, because they can't afford AC...it brings much sadness to my heart.

If you can run on solid planning and an "anything but this" platform, you could do well, depending on how skilled your opponent is at smears.

3- Don't cut it to nothing. First, it'll look suspicious. Second, you need that salary to eat and stuff. Moving it in line with your towns average wage may be an idea.
4-What spending would you cut.
5-If they are going to go for a contract to stay, yu will have to offer them something special.

-Yeah, I will need something to live off of. thats true.
-Spending on useless things such as repaving broadway and main street every year. It only needs to be done once in a few years. They are in great shape. Speding among the various departments. Like you can go out any day and see the city crew jsut standing around at a work site. That needs to be stopped. Eitheer they get to work, or hit road. Its about effeciency. There are various favours that the city does with a few....not so good people... to put it like that. Get rid of those favours. I'd have to do more investigation into this. The race for mayor is like a year away. So im good for right now on not knowing everything.
-Again, i'd have to get together with people and research this. Im just in the very early brainstorming area of my campaign.

If you can run on solid planning and an "anything but this" platform, you could do well, depending on how skilled your opponent is at smears.

The current mayor is actually an old family friend. But I don't think he is skilled at running the town. He was good on the council, but after the last mayor resigned, he took the spot. So there is a spot on council open, and one guy on the council needs to just...die..to be blunt. I don't like him one bit..ok well not die..just not be around :P..Anywho, get rid of the bad councilman, and let the mayor back on the council, with me in charge, and we are set to go :D

Hell, a couple years ago, here in Portland (a town of about half a million), an 18-year-old kid gave the incumbent, well-liked mayor a run for her money. You got a chance, especially since it's a quite small town.

A tip: Don't tell the voters "I'm gonna take RISKS!" Say you're going to act boldly, stuff like that. Nuances like that are everything. I don't know how different things are politically in a town that's way more conservative than mine, but generally emphasize that you're going to bring in jobs to the town and take other measures to refresh and revive it.

Out here a 19 year old student took mayor ...

Though to be fair small farming community with a large collage so when school is in session they actualy outnumber the farmers

You mentioned zoning. How libre would you be?
My neighbouring town had a problew as it was much too restrictive. Most of the new commercial was zoned in the old core, to try to revive it. Most of the money in the town was (is still) moving to the west core. The idea was a flop. The old core is still dying a slow death, and the west core never really took off like it could have. My town basically said, "Tell us where you want to to build, and we'll zone apprpreitly." After a time of little progress, we got a 10 theater cinema. They choose some undevellopped land right on the border (5-10 min from the west core). All of a sudden, we have a full shopping center with 3 large chain stores, a sports store, restaurants, a bank an gaming store. There was also a Walmart, but protests shut it down. Now we are draining the westcore of its money. Still nice and all, but no longer the hot spot. Although the west core is going to turn to shit in a few years because of a bridge.

Hope any of that rant is useful.

You mentioned zoning. How libre would you be?
My neighbouring town had a problew as it was much too restrictive. Most of the new commercial was zoned in the old core, to try to revive it. Most of the money in the town was (is still) moving to the west core. The idea was a flop. The old core is still dying a slow death, and the west core never really took off like it could have. My town basically said, "Tell us where you want to to build, and we'll zone apprpreitly." After a time of little progress, we got a 10 theater cinema. They choose some undevellopped land right on the border (5-10 min from the west core). All of a sudden, we have a full shopping center with 3 large chain stores, a sports store, restaurants, a bank an gaming store. There was also a Walmart, but protests shut it down. Now we are draining the westcore of its money. Still nice and all, but no longer the hot spot. Although the west core is going to turn to shit in a few years because of a bridge.

Hope any of that rant is useful.

We have a westward moving town as well. Businesses always want to set up at the west part, near the interstate. However, if they realized the potential of the east part of town, or even in the south(near the other interstate), then we could build up those areas, and build out in each direction.

.

The question is, do I have a ice cube's chance in hell of winning?

Yes you do. I would suggest a robust PR campaign. If people know who you are and what your about they are more likely to vote in your favor. I see many times candidates running for major positions that I have no idea what they are about. Aside from the voter pamphlet they have not introduced themselves to the public. I would aquire a friend in your local media outlets. You have to be get your message out there.

We have a westward moving town as well. Businesses always want to set up at the west part, near the interstate. However, if they realized the potential of the east part of town, or even in the south(near the other interstate), then we could build up those areas, and build out in each direction.
Let them build where they want. Just make sure the roads don't turn to a mess. There are so many dead ends, and cul-de-sacs here it is redictulus.

When you get sone money coming in then you can offer some insentives to build in the south and east.

Mmmm connections!

*drools at the list of people he knows*


...


I'd vote for you, possibly, if you let me be your puppet master, and such.

I assume you have made sure that someone as young as you are can run there? Here, in 2001, we had an 18-year-old run, and there was talk of getting him disqualified due to his age. Since he lost in the primary, that didn't need to progress at all, but still, make sure.

6) naw, i don't like board games ;):eek: You just lost my vote.

Go Zilam:)

Now even though I am in another city at the moment for school, if i did run, and win, im sure I'd be able to go back every weekend to take care of business. Being a mayor is a weekend job in the US?

You might also want to consider what people'll think of you when they read what you write here. One of our mayors got into a spot of trouble when messages he posted on the internet under various pseudonyms got traced back to him :p

I tried to post this earlier, but my net went FUBAR, so i might have somehow actually already posted this. If so..sorry....So i want to run for mayor or maybe councilmen at the least. My city has long been plagued by pussy politicians that refuse to take risks and let the city spiral downhill into slums. Now even though I am in another city at the moment for school, if i did run, and win, im sure I'd be able to go back every weekend to take care of business. Let me give you a run down of my city.

Mt. Vernon, Illinois is a town of 16,000 people. It lies in southern illinois, which has been hit hard economically with closings of many of the mines in the area. Undoubtedly, this has affected my town as well. The main emplyer of the city is CTNA General Tire factory, the only one left in the country. The next biggest employer is the Walgreens Dist. Center. Most of the other jobs are in Banks, retail, hotels, and food, not much in the way of providing a decent living. We are at the crossroads of two highly traveled interstates(64 and 57) and have great potential for growth and prosperity.Every Mayor we have had in recent history has always refused to expand for industrial or new commercial businesses. On top of that they tend to be very conservative here and thus aren't open to places like hooters, which is inconceivable to me. Anywho, we have one of the highest tax rates, the highest crime(per capita) in illinois, and one of the lowest property values. What I hope to do with my term, if i do so win the election would be:

-Allow the zoning permits for new industrial and commercial businesses.
- Rid the police department of the current Cheif and look to the near big cities for someone who has experience with high crime rates, especially in controlling production and distribution of drugs(meth in particular) and illegal weapon. In addition, i would seek state funding to help with the building of a new state of the art police station, and also the retraining of officers in critical fields, such as drugs, weapons, and so on.
-Fire the current City Manager. He is the cause of MANY problems.
- Seek some sort of recreational park, musuem, or ballteam.
- Lower taxes on businesses as to encourage growth
- keep residential taxes at a moderate level as to help pay for various infrastructial programs.
- make long term contracts with CTNA and Walgreens to keep their factories here to ensure job security in the future.
-Above all I would take RISKS. Only those that take risks will reap the benefits of success.


With that, I begin my political career. I beleive I know enough now, being a second year Poli Sci major, to help the city begin a turn around.

The question is, do I have a ice cube's chance in hell of winning?
Bravo on the FUBAR.