Interview with Gillett City Council Candidate for Ward 3, Debbie Rudie
5 min readWe continue our 2019 election coverage interviewing 2019 Gillett City Council candidate for Ward 3, Debbie Rudie
Tell our readers a little about yourself:
“I have lived in Gillett all of my life, living in the city limits for 23 yrs. My husband Kevin and I will be married 35 years this fall. We both are Gillett graduates, as well as our three grown children; Amanda, Nichole, and Seth. We also have been blessed with son-in-laws Shaun, and Scott, plus a soon to be daughter-in-law, Char Ann, and we have two delightful granddaughters, Emily and Lydia.”
“My career path has led me to my role as an Aflac Associate, where I enjoy my time working with business owners, and their staff on a daily basis. Serving people is something I’m passionate about.”
“My hobbies include gardening, kayaking, bird watching, and watching nearly any sport. Spending time with my family is a priority.”
Have you ever run for City Council or any other local office before?
“Yes. Several years ago I ran for Alderperson.”
What made you decide to run for Gillett City Council this year?
“I have always been community minded, and have volunteered my time, and energy to help improve our community, surroundings, and future here in Gillett for many years, in many capacities. In the last several months, I have started attending Council meetings, as well as committee meetings. I have found I have a strong interest in our City Government, and internal workings. I feel that I could be an asset serving as a council member, and that at this time in my life, I could fully commit to this position.”
Why should residents in Ward 3 vote for you? What do you bring to the table?
“I would ask residents of Ward 3 to consider voting for me to represent them, as I feel I am open minded, a strong team member, willing to put in the time and energy to make informed decisions, and because there are many large items the City will be faced with in the coming years that I believe need a new set of eyes, an open mind, and a new thought process.”
What are some of the things you would like to change if elected to City Council?
“Pre-planning in my mind would be huge. Budgeting for large, and small items in a proactive fashion, rather than being reactive.”
“Conservative decision making. When faced with less revenue, tough decisions need to me made. A City Council is a governing body, and the decisions may not always be popular, or received well, however it is the Councils role to be progressive minded, and to make informed decisions for the betterment of the City as a whole.”
“Increased communication. The City needs to be more involved with making communication a priority.”
What are some of the greatest challenges Gillett must overcome for a successful and prosperous future?
“In the very near future, there will be even bigger budgeting issues. Approaching this with a sharp pencil, and all the information we can gather will be key. Unpopular decisions may need to be made. There are high dollar needed improvements coming to our street infrastructure, just to site one thing.”
“Attracting, and securing new business, as well as maintaining the current businesses.”
“Creating opportunity for growth, with a positive attitude, and outlook to the future of Gillett. We need to accomplish this by working together making forward progress, and keeping our focus where it needs to be.”
How do you think we can improve youth involvement in our local clubs, organizations and government?
“I believe we can encourage youth at the High School level to attend meetings, and take an active interest in the government of our City by assigning them a role, which gives them a sense of value. By adding Community events that interest them, and engaging and embracing their skills in the areas of technology, and uninhibited thinking.”
What do you think are some of Gillett’s greatest assets?
“We have many established businesses that have been the backbone of Gillett for many years, as well as many new businesses that we’ve welcomed into our City very recently. When ribbon cuttings are happening, your City is in positive growth!”
“This community is becoming more, and more popular for events in the park. Drawing more people into our community, should be a focus for all of us. Revenue from outside sources continues to grow, and add positively to our community.”
“Affordable housing located 30ish minutes from many larger cities make our homes very marketable.”
“We have a school system that we should all be proud of. “
“The fact that our community is welcoming, and that we care for one another, is something money can’t buy.”
What are some of Gillett’s greatest shortfalls?
“Creating an attractive environment for new business, and retention of now established businesses continues to be very challenging.”
“Forward thinking when budgeting. Short sightedness needs to be changed to see the whole picture using the appropriate timelines, and facts.”
“Growing our tax base continues to be lacking. This again, will take a much more focused effort.”
What’s your “vision” for Gillett’s future?
“In my opinion so many things go hand in hand. If we can attract more business, and draw more people to our school system, stores, restaurants, etc…it would greatly reshape the future of Gillett. I do not agree with the statement that Gillett is a, “dying city,” but I do think the focus needs to be heavy when it comes to efforts to attract business.”
“My vision would be to see Gillett thrive and that our community would work together to achieve common goals, and for all of us to reap the benefits of a prosperous City.”
Is there anything else you would like to say to our readers?
“My career has presented me with opportunity to learn how to be a valuable team member, to be an effective communicator, to problem solve, and to be forward thinking.”
“I have pride in our community that has always been my, and my family’s home. I want to see it be prosperous, and be all that we feel it has potential to be.”
“If elected, I will put in the time, and effort to support each of you, and I will certainly have an open door policy to hear your concerns/suggestions at any time. It takes more than a City Council to make a City thrive, and enjoy the benefits that come with it.”
PLEASE VOTE APRIL 2, 2019!