Elect
Russell Holmes
for
St. Cloud City Council Seat 3
7-24-2010 ~
Email them to russholmes@focusingonflorida.com
Meet and Greets: If you would like to setup a Meet and Greet with youself and some friends or neighbors, I am available most evenings M-Th after 5pm. I am also off Friday, Saturday and Sunday through the middle of August.
Home Visit: Would you like for me to come to your home? While I try to walk and meet as many residents as possible, often it can be a challenge to catch people at home or when they are not busy. If you would like to make an appointment, email me with the days / times you are available.
7-23-2010 ~ I do have an opponent for St. Cloud City Council Seat 3. His name is Eric Dolhon. He did call me to tell me he was running and was very polite. I would ask that my supporters treat him with respect and keep this a positive campaign. It is difficult to put one's self in a position to run for public office. We should concentrate on working together to continue to make St. Cloud a City of which we can be proud of. Thank you once again for your support.
7-18-2010 ~ I attended the Finance Committee budget hearings and the St. Cloud City Council Retreat. The City budget is in a deficit once again as the economy has seen another tough year. Our Council will need to make more tough decisions for the upcoming budget.
City Council Budget Workshops are scheduled for Monday - Wednesday (August 2 - 4) at 6:00 p.m. and Thursday (August 5) at 6:00 p.m., if needed. For those that may be interested, I encourage you to attend. I'm sure the current Council would appreciate any input from the community. You never know where the next great idea will come from.
7-13-2010 ~ My son left for Navy boot camp on Monday, July 12, 2010. He enlisted to serve 4 years. My goal is to do what I can to help the City of St. Cloud through these tough economic times and hopefully help bring jobs to the area. In 4 years, if my son decides not to make a career of the Navy, I hope he can return to St. Cloud and find employment.
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Russell Holmes for St. Cloud City Council Seat 3
Election Information.
Job Growth
While I don't believe it is the government's job to create jobs, it should be doing everything possible to provide a positive environement for private industry to be successful and produce jobs. I would work for a better relationship between the City and the businesses. As each business completes the process of building and / or opening their new business, they should be given a means of providing feedback to the City. We should be asking' "What can we do to help?" This information could be used to improve the entire process.
In these tough economic times, we need to ensure that individuals in our community are working. We have very talented, intelligent people in our area that could help provide the ideas for developing a system that would show which businesses have current job openings. I would like to provide a means of allowing these individuals and groups to relay their ideas to the City Council. If we, the City Council, work together with the Community, we could improve the job outlook for the residents of this vicinity. Communication is key to ensure that citizens know what is available to them.
Energy Efficiency ~ Go Green
I am looking into ways of making our City more energy efficient while having less impact on our environment. Technology is expanding by leaps and bounds. While fluorescent lighting is much more energy efficient than incandescent lighting, fluorescent lighting contains mercury which is not good for the environment. LED lighting is becoming much more affordable and would reduce energy costs while have much less impact on the environment.
Support Our Local Businesses
Local Businesses provide jobs to our community. We need to support our local businesses. Not only should the City Government try to provide opportunity for the local businesses, I believe that local residents should also shop locally when possible. We should also ensure a proper bid process and the ability of the businesses to perform the task at hand. Keeping local businesses working benefits all in the community.
Communication - Support St. Cloud Residents and Employees
As a former employee of the City of St. Cloud, I know how much hard work is put forward by the current employees. Communicating is key to ensuring efficient operation of each department and will also provide the best possible service to the citizens of St. Cloud. I would like to see a function on the City Web Site for individuals to sign up for current news via email. Citizens could subscribe and receive emails for newsletters, important information, alerts, and emergency notifications.
Campaign Promises
I will not make empty promises as that benefits no one. That being said, if elected, I will promise:
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to serve the residents, community, and city with honesty, integrity, and respect.
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to do what I can to ensure St. Cloud moves in a positive direction.
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to listen to everyone in this great community.
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to make educated decisions.
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to view the City of St. Cloud as a whole - all parts must work together (residents, businesses, city employees, and the council)
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to look out for the interests of our community.
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to find ways to improve communications.
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to find ways for the City of St. Cloud to save money by becoming more energy efficient.
Russell Holmes is running for St. Cloud City Council - Seat 3 which is being vacated by Council Member Jay Polachek. Mr. Polachek is seeking Seat 1 (City Mayor)
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