About the City
by
Council Member Kingery

I mentioned in my last article that election time is coming up for City Council and Mayor positions.  Here is a quick reminder of what terms expire at the end of 2018.  Mayor Jones, Councilman Bartling and Councilman Kingery.  Mayor Jones is not running again for the Mayor position.  I am not running again for the City Council position.  Councilman Bartling probably will run again.  So, we need people to step up and run for City office.  The mayor position and at least one council position will need to be filled and Councilman Bartling's position will be up for election.   These are all four (4) year terms. 
It will soon be time to file if you are interested in running for any of these positions.   Filing is done at the City office from May 17th through June 1st.  There is a $25 filing fee and Karen Rimmer at the City office has all the forms and information needed.  You can also find information on the City of Douglas web site.

Some of my opinions:  After serving seven plus years with the City Council I have some opinions that I wish to share.  Hopefully they will be helpful to you as you decide whether you wish to run or help you to encourage someone you feel should run.  These are my opinions and you are encouraged to ask other council members or the mayor about what they think.

Diversity is helpful on the council.  Mayor Jones works at the hospital.  Councilperson Bartling works for the school district.  Councilperson Kemper works in youth development and has served on many committees within the community.  Councilperson Gilbreath works for the school district.  I am retired, however work for the U.S. Forest Service each summer.  All of us have contacts within the community and all of us serve the entire community.  In the past we've had miners, railroaders, business persons.  It is very helpful to have a wide diversity on the council as each person adds an important perspective.  We have one female on the council, the same as we did before Renee' Kemper came to the council.  We could use another female.  It is very helpful to have that perspective.  The diversity gives us a safety net because each of us gives a balance of ideas and opinions.

Broad backgrounds help.  Mayor Jones has been in the military, is in IT work, lived in several states and worked in several fields of employment.  Councilperson Bartling has been a businessman, railroader, law enforcement communication and grew up on a farm in Nebraska.  Councilperson Kemper has worked closely with law enforcement in her carrier, worked on many committees in our community, grew up in Cheyenne, has a history of caring for people and this community.  Councilperson Gilbreath has extensive food industry experience, works in recreation, lived in several states including Nebraska, has contributed to our community for years.  I'm an Iowa farm boy, attended college in Kansas and Utah, taught in Nigeria, worked for WDOT, was a building contractor, worked in law enforcement, now a forest service employee in the summer.  Having a broad background of experience helps qualify you for whatever might come up.  At the City there are always unusual things that need to be dealt with!  I have only listed a few items of experience.  I don't know what all other council members have done!  The point is, a broad background of experience will be useful to you and the council!

We are responsible for the whole City.  We don't get to pick special projects only.  Special projects are great and are part of what we do.  The important part is making sure our city has adequate streets, water, sewer, garbage collection, landfill, police protection, snow removal, equipment and employees to do the work, management to plan and supervise, budgets and finances as needed, long term plans.  There are about 6000 people living in Douglas and we represent all of them, not just our neighbors, our friends, our interests, nope, all of them and all their needs.  Your job as City Council or Mayor is to do your best to provide what you as a team believe is needed and good for our community and the future of our community.  You are chosen by the people to do this.  You will need to make hard decisions and unpopular decisions, but you will be doing it for the good of the community.  You will know things that others in the community may not know and should not know; but to make good intelligent decisions you must know important information before making the decision.  You will never please all the people because we all want something somewhat different.  As a council person or mayor, you do not have authority by yourself.  Your authority comes as part of the team; you work with the others for the good of all.  So, what qualifies you is your desire to serve the needs of the community, not your desire for a monument to yourself, not an opportunity to get your pet project done, but the desire to help make this the best community we can have.  So, you don't need an agenda, the City will provide that!

Please consider these ideas as you consider running and as you encourage someone else to run.  Keep these in mind down the road as you consider who to vote for in these positions.  The future of our city is dependent upon who is making the decisions for us.  The council and mayor work for you!  You want the best!