Candidate Essays for Trenton Mayor, Council Ward Three and Board of Education

All candidates in contested races in the April 4 election were invited to write a 350 word or less essay to help inform voters. It ws suggested by the publisher, Jamey Honeycutt that candidates let voters know why they are running, what issues drew them into the election and why they think they are the best candidate for the office. These essays were copied and pasted exactly as they were emailed to the Republican-Times. No edits were made in any way.

Some candidates chose not to participate. This space was provided free of charge to all candidates in a contested race.

Mayorial Race

Jackie Soptic

I am running for Mayor because I am proud to be from Trenton! I was born here as were my children and grandsons as well as generations before me. Trenton has afforded my family opportunity for education, good jobs, and operation of a successful business. I believe Trenton’s greatest asset is its people and it would be an honor to serve as your mayor and represent your community utilizing my passion for my community and my community development experience.

Maintaining the complex utility infrastructure, the street, police, fire, building code/nuisance and park departments are always issues that takes up most of the city’s budget and time. These infrastructures and departments provide vital core services to the citizenry and must be financially supported for health and safety purposes , quality of life, as well as for attracting and retaining business and industry.

Other issues of concern include lack of affordable housing and childcare, lack of available workforce and skilled trade professionals, substance abuse, poverty and transportation infrastructure. I will seek to develop partnerships to maximize available human and financial resources to work toward addressing these challenges.

Previously I served 3 terms on the Trenton City Council. During that time, I learned a great deal about the interworkings of our city’s government. Professionally I worked for 33 years at the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission focusing on economic and community development issues in 11 counties within the Green Hills Region, During my career I witnessed first-hand the challenges facing small rural communities and utilized my development knowledge as well as my strong network of state, federal, and professional contacts to facilitate solutions for the city and county governments I served. I believe in civic engagement and have over 45 years of volunteer service in a variety groups and organizations in our community.

Tyler Willey

For those who do not know me, my name is Tyler Willey. I have lived in Trenton my entire life, and seen many things come and go. As a local small business owner, I have worked with many local citizens and gotten involved in many projects/programs over the last few years like Trenton Downtown Improvement, GHRA youth sports, NCMC Athletics, Mid-America Music Festival, and more.

It has been a pleasure working with everyone in the community, and I want to extend my reach by working for everyone as mayor. I feel the mentality of “That’s the way we’ve always done it” has resulted in Trenton missing several opportunities in business, growth, and entertainment from both within and the surrounding communities. Trenton needs a leader that has the best interest in community development in mind while nourishing a family friendly atmosphere for future generations.

I am running for mayor because I believe in this com- munity, appreciate it for the opportunities it has given me, and I am excited about what it can offer my children. I come to the table with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, several years of marketing experience, leadership/management experience and the desire to see others around me succeed. Our success can only be recognized when the whole community succeeds, not just a few individuals. I believe that Mayor has always been looked at as a retirement job, and I want to rid the town of that stigma and bring growth to our community. I think Trenton needs to focus on improvements, bringing new business and tourism to town, and ultimately tax revenue from sources besides our local group of citizens. The more we can bring in externally the lighter the load on the people residing in our town.

I really hope to earn your vote and meet more of you face to face through this journey. I am open to chat anytime so if you ever need anything you can reach me at 660654-2587 and I’ll do my best to serve you.

Editor’s Note: Nick McHargue was called and emailed but as of deadline had not responded

Council, Ward Three

Timothy Meinecke

I’m running for city council because I believe that I best represent the everyday hard working people of our community. Over the years I have worked a variety of area jobs and can identify with those who are just trying to live and enjoy life. I am glad that there is a race for the 3rd ward. Seems all too often a candidate attains the office because they were the only person running. I feel that I am the candidate that is putting forth the most effort to win this seat. My determination, punctuality and attention to detail is the kind of representation that I will bring to the 3rd ward. My allegiances are to God, the Constitution of the United States and to the citizens of the community, and to that end I will wear whatever hat required. I can be the caring councilman, the compassionate councilman, the courageous councilman, the critical councilman…whatever the situation requires. I am not a business owner, nor have I ever been closely affiliated with liberal Big Labor; I have no other agenda other than to give back to the community. See my website at RevolutionVoice.com for more details.

Robert Romesburg

As the incumbent for third ward city council I have had the pleasure of representing my neighborhood for the past two years. In my time as such I have assisted in representing the city on various boards and committees while looking out for the opinions of my constituents and voicing them with the city. I am a lifelong resident of Trenton, I was employed by the city for six years within the fire department overseeing fire prevention. The well being of my community has always been a priority of mine, as a small business owner my wife and I have operated Pet Central for three years now. We understand the hardships of owning and growing a small business in the community, however we have also found how our community can hold many opportunities for those who put forth the effort to make visions a reality.

Currently our city is progressing, growing and prospering, we go about our daily routines not seeing the many improvements happening all around us. Some in plain sight with new construction others just in the planning stages on paper or in discussions behind closed doors. Many members and organizations in our community are actively encouraging growth all around us to better the community. I have been able to step back and see many projects come about over my time in council and know we are moving in the right direction. Our city has outstanding public works and public safety departments that care for our community everyday along with an expanding school district, regional college program and local healthcare system. We have industry in the forms of agriculture, manufacturing and food processing that support our cities economy and workforce. I look forward to the progress we as a city are making, I know we often look at the larger cities and the amenities they have to offer. However I also know we take for granted the small community lifestyle we live by knowing your neighbors, being able to freely access your community leaders, the reduced crime and it makes me proud to represent our city.

Editor’s Note: Michael Optiz and Harry Kately were also contacted using the information provided by the City Clerk but did not submit an essay.

Tuesday, April 4th, 2023