Interview with 2020 Gillett Mayoral Candidate Josh McCarthy

We continue our coverage of Gillett’s 2020 Spring Elections!

We sat down with 2020 Gillett Mayoral Candidate Josh McCarthy to learn a little more about him, why he’s running and what he hopes to accomplish if elected.

We also interviewed 2020 Gillett Mayoral Candidate Jerry Luther, you can find it here.

__Interview with Josh McCarthy (2020)__

Hello Josh, thank you for sitting down with us. Why don’t we start by you telling our readers a little about yourself…

For those who do not know me, I grew up in the Gillett area and I have been a resident in the city since 2012. I graduated from Gillett High School in 2007 and graduated from Fox Valley Technical College in 2010 in Farm Operations. My wife and three kids are my world. Katie owns and operates her salon on main street while two of my three children attend the Gillett school district with my youngest not yet able to attend. You do have a good chance of bumping into me on main street where I like bouncing from business to business. Growing up on the family farm has taught me many life lessons of work ethic, perseverance, and how to manage a business setting. Our family are members of St. John’s Catholic Church with Katie and I members of the Gillett Business Association.

So we might as well get the obvious question out of the way… why are you running for mayor?

I am running for the Mayor of Gillett because I believe we a need a devoted younger person in the community that can make tough, common sense, and what is best for the city decisions. I have been on council for three years, now serving as Interim Mayor while really enjoying to work with the residents to make our city the best it can be. Another reason why I am running is Gillett needs stable leadership. Since January of 2016 (four years) I am the fifth different person in the mayors’ seat. I believe I have done an exceptionally superb job in the months that I have filled this position by expanding my municipal contacts, and finding more ways to be an efficient city. My youth and being approachable is a great attribute I contain. I am able to connect with all age groups to start a conversation about common goals of the community.

If elected mayor, what are some of the things you would like to achieve, what are your goals?

There are many goals that we as a collective body of government need to achieve. We need to keep at these road construction projects. I believe it is a must because not just the roads are being repaved but new water and sewer lines are being added. As a community we can not afford to have old run-down pipes hoping and praying they do not break year after year. In the past years Richmond, Birch, and part of First Streets were replaced. This year North Harding, Orchard Circle, and the rest of First Streets will be completed. The next two planned projects we have in mind are the State Hi-way project (McKenzie Street all the way past the school) is planned for 2025-2026. The Washington Street Bridge/Box Culvert is being planned for 2022. The bridge/box culvert we applied for a grant to help us out on that project.

Expanding the city is another goal we should all share. We need housing in the worst way especially rental units. Finding open land to build upon and investors to setup apartment complexes or duplexes. Right now, would be prime to build within the city because of the lower taxes, little to no crime, and job opportunities. Our main manufacturers are looking to hire but can not find enough people to fill the roles needed. Gillett is a very good location to live and thrive in but we as leaders need to expand our horizons to achieve this goal.

Keeping and restoring the beauty of Gillett. This is another multifaceted goal. I want to achieve good curbside beauty with the street projects and start maintaining our sidewalks better. There are many sidewalks that need to be repaired throughout the city. Being a father of three kids under the age of 11 we like going for bike rides and walks but it is sometimes not that enjoyable with sidewalks in poor condition. Sidewalk replacement is the home owners responsibility but I would like to start a 50/50 program (split the bill) to help repair these bad stretches.

What sets you apart from the other candidate(s)? Why should Gillett residents vote for you?

There are some distinct differences that set us apart. I am young and hungry to achieving the community’s goals. Setting a vision for the city towards success needs to be handled with someone like myself that can connect to all age groups. My three years on council has taught me a lot about the inner workings of our local government body and I do now have the tools to lead the city’s future. Tools include excellent relations with the residents, exceptional understanding of the mayoral role, efficient budgeting practices, vast contacts, and good working relationships with employees and council members. I do have the best interest of the community as a whole.

What are some of the greatest challenges currently facing the City of Gillett and how would you address them?

Housing and infrastructure are the two glaring items. As an earlier question in the interview we need to keep at this redevelopment of infrastructure. I do not like putting a band aid on these issues instead we fix them and do it right. The roads, water, and sewer lines have been kicked down the road far enough and we need to act. Housing is another issue we need to work on. Finding land to develop and adding living units within the city. Housing goes hand in hand with job creation and school enrollment. If manufactures knew that they had a workforce to tap into opportunities of expansion of a new company would appeal to them. I do believe we are setup to achieve these goals with the proper leadership.

Lack of youth involvement has become a heavy burden for many of our community’s clubs and organizations. What are your thoughts about this and, if elected, what would you do to address it?

Three things will happen if elected, the first invite and setup a round table discussion with one or two representatives from each club on how we should approach this issue. Talk about needs and demands of the club and why it is important to be a member of a specific club. Secondly, I understand we are all busy with life in general but we must encourage our youth, explain the value of community. Community to me is service and participation toward making the place where we live stronger and more robust. Getting to know your neighbors, becoming a member of a club, stopping in at local businesses is all geared toward the advancement of our community. For the third reason why, I can achieve more youth involvement because I am still young and can connect with the younger generation. As a father of three I want to set the best example I can to pass the torch on the importance of leaving a positive footprint with the community as possible. I will be in the school to help advocate for leadership, responsibility, and why volunteering is needed. The mayor’s youth advisory board I believe is the most under used committee we have at the city. It is my job to meet, speak, listen, and form a connection with these students.

Some have said that the Gillett City Council mishandled the resignation of the previous mayor, James Beaton, do you have an opinion on the matter?

As a bizarre situation we were all put in I do believe we handled it the best we could. We did not push or force the previous mayor out. He changed his living address to one outside city limits, then we were forced to act upon the situation. My fellow alderpersons and I are not lawyers so we sought guidance from the city’s attorney and the League of Municipalities to help us maneuver through that difficult time. We as a council took the advice of the attorney and acted. As a council we asked if he needed more time to find a place in Gillett 30, 60, 90 days but there was no confirming answer. I do wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Is there anything else you would like to say to our readers?

I am always open and honest about where YOUR money is going. Let’s make Gillett the best to be, let’s make it a destination, and let us be proud of our city! My belief in government is that it should be small and efficient. The goal is to complete and enhance as much as we can while keeping your hard-earned money in your pockets. April 7th is election day and I am calling on you for my vote. Thank you and again please contact me about any concerns!

__End of Interview__

Polls open April 7, 2020. Learn where, when and more about voting here.