Lia Milstead
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[My name is Lia Milstead. I am 45 years of age. I have worked for Saline County for over 17 years. I have three beautiful daughters, Brista Barrington, 27 years of age, Brittany English, 25 years of age, and Brandy Questelle, 24 years of age. My girls have blessed me with five beautiful grandchildren, Madilyn Duffy, 4, Chandler Questelle, 3, Drew Barrington, 3, Dylan Barrington, 1, and Quinton Taylor, 9 months.
I will stand up for what I think is best for our city. I will work hard for the citizens and I will take the job serious. Being on the council isn't just about showing up at the meetings. It's about getting involved and having the best interest of the city at heart. I think it is very important to have an open-door policy. The citizens of Harrisburg will vote for the person that will do what is best for the city. In doing that, you must listen to their concerns and their ideas. Harrisburg is facing hard times and it will take a common-sense approach and maintaining a balanced budget.
The new council needs to focus on working close together and getting along to accomplish goals.
We have restaurants, hotels, businesses and our SIC Foundation building, which holds multiple events and brings in visitors from out of town and state, around our sewer plant. When the visitors return to their home town, we want them to talk about how beautiful Harrisburg is, and not how our city smells. I don't believe new businesses would want to build around a sewer plant as it stands to this day.
Harrisburg is a beautiful city and we need to see the city grow. It can with the voice of the citizens and the right people in office.
2. Educate the citizens of Harrisburg. Let the citizens decide if they want zoning or annexation of property. Zoning regulates how a piece of property can be used. Zoning preserves the character of our city. Zoning is used to prevent new development from interfering with existing businesses or residents. Commercial property will have higher taxes. Those are just a few things regarding zoning. The citizens need to ask, how would zoning benefit our city? Do you want to live beside a business whether it is to be a nice quiet business or a noisy, 24/7 business? If Harrisburg is zoned, will that bring business to this area? I spoke with several residents regarding zoning. Some are for it and some against it. I was told on several occasions that businesses will not move to Harrisburg because we're not zoned. If zoning brings in the businesses, then I don't see how Harrisburg has a choice. But I need to be educated on zoning before I make a final decision.
3. Pro: Annexation increases population, which will increase the Motor Fuel Tax and the state income tax. Con: Will it cost the city more money by providing services like setting up sewer lines, etc., to the new annexed property?
I would like to see the actual figures on the cost of adding sewer lines, etc., and how much the city would gain by annexing property in. Personally, I do believe there are other ways to bring in revenue without taking money from the people who live in Harrisburg, but they just don't live in the city limits.
4. I can see Harrisburg grow with new businesses, employment and be financially sound if the new council will take time to study the budget and maintain a balanced budget. The new council needs to work on starting new projects that will generate jobs and money. These projects could take years to actually develop. Harrisburg needs them now.