Mayoral candidates in rare contested election offer views for a better Nokomis

NOKOMIS (Heartland Newsfeed) -- Compared to previous consolidated election cycles, the upcoming election presents a rare, historical opportunity in the city of Nokomis. Not only is there a contested race for the top position in the city, but contention for the city's four commissioner seats on the city council. Such an opportunity was presented when mayor Terry Hill and commissioners Tim Brookshire, Jeanne Voyles, Kent Voils and Alan Hard chose not to seek re-election. As of the December filing deadline, two candidates -- Brian Keagy and Russ Foster -- filed for mayor and six candidates filing for the commissioner positions.

Keagy and Foster presented their visions for the city and what they hope to see in the future.

Keagy believes that administrative accountability, along with community involvement, more accessibility to elected leaders, governmental transparency and fiscal accountability, is important to the city's future. He feels that attaining better results than the previous status quo can help steer the city in the right direction, while pushing for the best interests of the community.

"I believe it is essential to safeguard the health, cleanliness and safety of the community," Keagy stated, reflecting the needs of the people who call Nokomis home, as well as those who work and visit the city.

"We need to improve the safety around out schools and parks, and I want residents to take pride in their homes and this community," Keagy added.

Keagy calls for better relationships and partnerships between the city and its residents with a system to hold everyone -- the community as a whole, community organizations, elected officials and those who work in Nokomis -- accountable, thus pushing for higher standards.

Keagy wishes to push for continued support for the business community for those existing in the community and for beautification efforts to present the community as more attractive to potentially new business enterprises.

"We must continue to support our local businesses and improve Nokomis in ways that new businesses will want to invest here," Keagy stated.

Keagy summarized his vision as wanting the city council as a whole to work together more closely and be more proactive about city planning for the future via improved infrastructure and ensuring for a "healthy and affordable" water supply.

Foster's ideas align with Keagy's to an extent, but also different ideas as well.

The business climate remains at the top of Foster's agenda, citing that as the city's storefronts are filling up, it brings back the charm and feel of a small town striving to a community people would like to visit and shop in.

Foster added he would like the city to push more for available grants to make positive changes for the city, including, but not limited to replacing the water mains. Pushing for available grant monies could result in a reduction of burden on the taxpayer, which has been burdened by high property taxes for the past two decades.

Foster said he would like to work more with law enforcement to develop awareness programs and spark the revival of neighborhood watches in order to stop or at least curb the opioid crisis, drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine and burglaries.

"We've always had that small town safe feeling, and we shouldn't wake up in a panic just because we forgot to lock our car doors," Foster added.

Foster said that there are many intelligent members of the community and that he looks forward to work with them in the near future to make the city a better place to live.

The consolidated election is on April 2.

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