Tim Mitchell

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[1. My name is Tim Mitchell. I was born and raised in Harrisburg, a 1970 graduate of Harrisburg High School. I am a member of First Baptist Church, Harrisburg, My parents are Amanda Mitchell Wilson and the late Commissioner Noble Mitchell. I am happily married to Mayor Valerie Rose Mitchell. I have three stepchildren, one of whom is still at home, Kurt Sands, and I am the son-in-law of Tom and Shirley Rose of Harrisburg.

I graduated from SIU-C in 1973. I am a retired SIC faculty member. I have been a member of several labor unions: Retail Clerks, Boilermakers, Teamsters and was president of SICEA (IEA/NEA) for two terms. Prior to teaching at SIC I was a small business owner. I have experience supervising employees and with union contract negotiations. I have National Incident Management Systems certification, something that is required of the entire City Council.

I have had the unique opportunity, for the last four years, to gain valuable background knowledge of the workings of our city's government. I have missed fewer City Council meetings than some seated council members. In other words, I am aware of the challenges and willing to face them. I bring that experience to the table, along with a realistic, creative, hard-working, down-to-earth, common-sense approach to making life better in Harrisburg.

Being retired, I have time to serve and I am ready to take my turn at giving back to my community. I would be honored to have your vote and support.

2. Zoning is going to come to Harrisburg, but not until the citizens are ready. When the citizens are ready, I will be able to help draft ordinances that allow for maximum flexibility while enabling much-needed growth for our community. Zoning only needs to happen if it truly makes the city a better place to live, not if it simply disrupts our way of life. Interior annexation is already in the process of being completed in the city. The next City Council only needs to finish the work in progress.

3. Annexation of property contiguous to the city is certainly a valid way to broaden our tax base and to allow the city to qualify for additional government programs. Any such efforts, however, must be considered carefully, and balanced with the increased expenditure of city resources for water and sewer, roads and fire/police protection.

4. I see that the city needs a full-time mayor, not part-time. There is so much that could be done with that position in place. I see the need to work to keep the business and industry we have in place and then the need to make Harrisburg the destination of new business. We must do this if our children are going to be able to make a living and stay here. This is a goal that a city council along cannot accomplish, but should lead the way toward accomplishing. Infrastructure issues need to continue to be at the forefront. Repairs to our roads, sewer plant and public properties cannot be left unattended.

Our police and fire departments must be well-equipped and ready to meet this community's safety needs in the 21st Century.

I see this city as a wonderful work in progress and want to always be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.