City Council candidates answer questions

The 2015 regular city election is on Tuesday, November 3. The Clarion City Council seats held by Steve Evans and Lindsey German are up for election. The candidates for those seats are Joshua Diamond, Lindsey German, Teresa Lancaster, Nicholas McOllough, and Andy Young. Their answers to some questions about their positions are below. (McOllough could not be reached for comments.)

Remember to vote for Clarion City Council at the courthouse between noon and 8 p.m.

What made you want to run for City council in the first place?

Joshua Diamond

To give back to my community.

What are the biggest issues facing Clarion today?

Andy Young

The issues that Clarion must address all have solutions; whether or not we are willing to make the decisions necessary to solve them is essential.  As we all know, there is a lack of marketable housing and an aging underground infrastructure, and we will come together to solve such tangible problems.  What is harder to accept is that Clarion needs a viable financial strategy that calls for tough choices and looks not just at today, but ten, twenty, and thirty years from now. I won’t support the “now” decisions if they don’t account for the future.  

Do you regularly attend city council meetings? Why or why not?

Lindsey German

I realize this question is set up for new candidates but the City Council has always had exemplary attendance from our members. What we would encourage is that more residents attend the meetings as a voice of the community. We are there for you, the taxpayer, and strive to work for the common good of Clarion. The Council needs to be made aware of certain issues or problems within the community so that we can work to resolve them.

What background or skill set do you have that makes you qualified for city council?

Teresa Lancaster

I believe the most beneficial experience I would bring to this position would be my passion for leading people and effectively communicating.  I am not opposed to asking tough questions or having difficult conversations.  Great leaders set clear expectations, recognize, coach and hold accountable, those that they are leading and in turn, welcome the same from others.

For all of the candidate's answers to these questions and more, see the October 29 edition of the Monitor.