The role of mayor is to lead, listen and act in promoting Nixa in a positive way. As Nixa’s mayor, I will work to foster positive relationships between citizens of Nixa and Nixa city government, always working to make Nixa a better place in which to live, work and play.
What do you feel are the city’s strongest assets and how can the city build on them?
Our strongest assets are our people. They can be found in our schools, businesses, churches and throughout the community. These people have made a conscious choice to live and do business here, and as a community we can benefit from their know-how. As mayor I will work closely with these people to reach our city’s short- and long-term strategic goals.
What do you feel are the short and long term goals for the city of Nixa?
City government must demonstrate it can earn the trust of the people. Nixa residents’ confidence in their local government has been shaken in recent years and it needs to be restored. As mayor, I will immediately work to increase accountability and transparency in city government. Only when confidence is restored can we then focus on the very important goal of working together to establish a long-term strategic plan for the city’s future. I’m asking every voter for their support before the election, for their vote on Election Day, and for their citizenship and participation after. I have some good ideas for the future of Nixa, but I don’t believe I have all the answers. I will be focused on understanding and implementing the vision of the people, and how they want their government and city to function now and into the future.
What experience could you bring to the city as Mayor?
When I was encouraged by a number of friends and neighbors in Nixa to run for mayor, I considered the decision carefully. I had never held any great desire to run for office. But I love Nixa. And I believe that good citizenship includes serving - where I live - to make our city the best it can be. That’s part of why I have served in my church, and with my children’s scout troops and sports teams. And I feel a great responsibility now to serve Nixa in this way. It also happens that I have an extensive background in running a business and managing people on both large and small scales. That experience has afforded me the opportunity to work with a wide variety of people on professional and governmental levels. I have learned to listen and act on decisions that are not always easy, always considering the greater good of the project. And, perhaps most importantly in government, I understand the importance of satisfied customers. The people of Nixa should leave each encounter with city government as a satisfied customer. I think I am particularly qualified to make that happen.
