This is the seventh feature on candidates
who are advertising on The Logan Journal.
Bill Decker is pleased to run on his record for re-election to another term on Russellville City Council. He makes it clear that he feels the current administration has things headed the right direction.
Decker worked in sales and marketing for many years. He also worked for First Southern National Bank where his wife Joyce was employed.
The Deckers’ son Jared is a graduate of Russellville High School and who is a highly successful professional musician. They delight in their granddaughter Sydney.
Bill Decker answered a candidates’ survey for the Park City Daily News in Bowling Green and asked The Logan Journal to run those answers to explain why he is happy with the way Russellville city government is leading the county seat.
Why am I running for this position?
I’m running for re-election to help continue the positive direction Russellville is now headed. This council and mayor has accomplished much in the 3-4 years we’ve served. The previous mayor left the city with numerous half-done projects the city could not afford or had little or no need for, short term indebtedness, and an overall lack of confidence in city government.
This administration got busy looking at the real needs for the city, by eliminating the projects that had no immediate need or were too costly to complete, paid off all short term debt, and started focusing on things like; infrastructure, new police vehicles, a new fire truck. I’m pleased to say that with good fiscal management by the mayor, our city clerk, and this present council, all these things have been accomplished. This was also done without any increases in taxes or rates of any kind.
It’s apparent there’s a fresh new optimism in Russellville and the corner has been rounded and the best is yet to come.
What are some issues of concerns?
As with any city our size and being located away from a major interstate highway, continued growth becomes an issue. But the good news here is we have an excellent Economic Development Authority that serves our county and city. Our city has actually seen a number of new businesses locate here, a number of established businesses expand, and we’ve also seen some of our industrial plants expand by adding new additions and departments. All this equates to new jobs and growth for the city as well as bringing people back to relocate here and raising our population which had declined somewhat.
The city still has some vacant buildings which need to be utilized in some manner or torn down and eliminated completely. I can assure you this is a high priority for the mayor and council and will be until a solution is found.
What differentiates me from my opponents?
My career profession was in sales and marketing. This job gave me the insight to learn how to negotiate and work with others to find common ground for a successful outcome. Being able to listen to others needs and ideas is an invaluable resource which I feel I have.
This present council and mayor have been able to work together in a manner that’s kept it free of controversy and dissention. This has not always been the case for some previous councils and the city suffered from it.
Although this council may not always agree on every issue, at the end of the day we still shake hands and remain respectful to each other. This willingness to cooperate is what has made this council successful and put the city of Russellville back on solid ground.
What changes, if any, would I make?
There are always things that could be changed and done different, but as previously stated I sincerely feel the city has now rounded the corner and headed in the right direction.
At this point I have no regrets in the things we’ve worked together to make happen. Much has been accomplished in the short time we’ve had, but there’s more to be done. I’m anxious and excited to continue working with this mayor and council and serving the people of Russellville.
What comments and concerns have been expressed by constituents?
I’m pleased to say the majority of comments I’ve heard are very positive. One of the most positive is the good working relations this council has, and how open and transparent it is.
Other comments relate to wanting to see the city continue to work on holding water rates in check. However they are also excited and hopeful that our rates may finally start decreasing, because of the recent acquisition of the city of Springfield, Tenn. as a new customer to the Logan Todd Regional Water Commission. As a member of the commission, I can say this is a very real possibility once the commission starts actually selling water to Springfield in late 2015 or early 2016.
The public understands we had an uphill struggle to turn things around. Now they can see that turn around has taken place and know the best days are still ahead for the city of Russellville.
Paid for by Bill Decker