There are seven candidates seeking election with only six open seats on the Wilder City Council.
All six incumbents are looking to be elected in November.
Wilder City Council (8 candidates, vote for 6)
Click on the candidate’s names to learn more about them:
- Robert Blankenship*
- Kelly Meiser*
- Jeffrey Moles
- Bradly Murphy* – did not respond for comment
- Jim Profitt*
- Sandra Ruschman-Decker* – did not respond for comment
- Andrew Williams*– did not respond for comment
Robert Blankenship
Robert Blankenship said he is seeking reelection because he has enjoyed being a council member for the past 22 years.
He said the most pressing issue in Wilder today is getting new housing and new businesses into the city to create input streams for monetary needs.
Blankenship listed out his top priorities should he be elected:
- Listen to residents’ concerns and offer to assist with suggestions or bring their concerns to the city council’s attention.
- Spend the city money wisely.
- Be a representative for those who use John Hill Road. He said he is concerned about the roads condition and safety.
Blankenship said his involvement in the city for the past 22 years and his working relationships with the mayor, council members and administrative staff help to set him apart from his running mates.
Kelly Meiser
Kelly Meiser said she is running for reelection to help keep the taxes low.
Meiser said she believes Wilder’s most pressing issues right now are employee retention and bringing in additional revenue. She said over the last several months, the city has lost half of its full-time firefighters. Meiser said she would like to continue conversations with other cities about what has worked for them and talk to employees about finding innovative solutions for retention.
With costs continuing to rise, Meiser said it is paramount that the city finds additional revenues to keep taxes low. To help keep taxes low, Meiser said she would analyze Wilder’s spending versus its revenue stream and make sure that it is well spent.
Should she be reelected, her top priority, aside from determining how best to retain employees and keep taxes low, would be to freshen up Frederick’s Landing. Meiser said she would like to update the park, shelter and seek resident input.
Meiser said most of the current council comes from a police or fire background but she comes from a financial and analytical background which sets her apart.
“I like to question the status quo and do a lot of research to make sure it is best for Wilder’s residents, businesses and staff,” she said. “I like doing my homework to make sure I understand the issues at hand before voting, as it is easy to get complacent and vote with the majority.”
Jeffrey Moles
Jeffrey Moles said he is seeking a spot on the Wilder City Council to be a voice for residents, keep taxes low, control growth and keep the quality of services high.
Moles said he thinks the city needs to do a better job of listening to what the residents want for Wilder and voting in their best interests.
Should he be elected, Moles said his top priorities include bringing more businesses and jobs into the city, keeping taxes low, and controlling the building growth until they have a better grip on ramifications, traffic and other concerns brought to light by residents.
“I have been in management for 40 years,” Moles said. “I have attended numerous council meetings and get frustrated that the residents’ concerns are not being listened to by some members of the council. I will listen to people and vote accordingly.”
Jim Profitt
Jim Profitt is seeking reelection to continue to serve the community and to assist with making it a city that everyone would want to live in.
He said Wilder’s most pressing issues are keeping taxes low and providing a safe place to raise a family.
Profitt said his top priorities if reelected, are continuing to provide a safe environment and keeping taxes as low as possible, which can be achieved by bringing back companies like the steel plant and adding others like Neyer Properties.
Profitt said what sets him apart from the other candidates is his US Army experience (six years) reaching the rank of staff sergeant. He was also a part-time police officer, a volunteer firefighter (11 years) and a Wilder Fire Chief for 30 years. He is also a lifelong resident.
Jim Profitt did not submit a headshot to LINK nky.
Sandra Ruschman-Decker was contacted via her city email on Aug. 6, Aug. 15 and Aug. 21 with no response. Bradly Murphy was contacted via his city email on Aug. 6, Aug. 15 and Aug. 21 with no response. Andrew Williams was contacted via his city email on Aug. 6, Aug. 15, Aug. 21 and called on Sept. 11 with no response.
