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Mike Wilson Makes Formal Announcement for Mayor

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 - David W. Ryan

Former Jonesville Mayor Mike Wilson has chosen to formally announce his candidacy for Mayor of Jonesville through this media. Catahoula Life took this opportunity to ask the mayoral candidate about his platform and what lies ahead for the Town of Jonesville.

What has made you decide to throw your hat in the ring at this time?
As most of you know, I successfully ran for mayor approximately eight years ago. We succeeded in accomplishing a lot of good things in those four years, but at the end of my term in office, I felt there were many more important tasks that needed to be done. So now nearly four years later, there is still much unfinished business to attend to, in order to get this town back on solid ground.

Most if not every Jonesville resident and business owner will say utilities are number one on their agenda. Do you agree?
Absolutely! Everywhere I turn, the fuel adjustment is the talk of the town. Not to go into great detail but I was on the Town Council when we bought a small stake in the power plant which supplies us. I believe it is time to use that ownership to leverage a better electric rate, to generate income via a sale, or figure out some way to take advantage of this ownership to relieve this fuel adjustment burden.

It is a tough situation but something has to be done to relieve the folks in Jonesville from a fuel adjustment that in some cases is three times the utility rate.

What makes you think you can make a bigger impact this time?
More than ever, the Town of Jonesville needs an accomplished business man that has strong leadership abilities. I am that man! My father and I ran our small family business, Wilson Oil Company. In a few short years this business had more than 50 employees and had grown to be a very large, successful wholesale oil company. I feel I have the ability to make the right decisions, from a business standpoint, to get Jonesville back on its feet, and become the prosperous town it should be.

So in a nutshell give us a five point plan for the Town.

  1. We have got to find some relief for our customers from the fuel adjustment and I think I have the plan to do it.
  2. Grants, Grants, and more Grants. It seems to me many small, especially rural municipalities are heavily reliant on government and private grants. We need to be far more pro-active with regard to grants. We desperately need grant money to improve recreation facilities for our youth.
  3. Financial stability. I have the business background that will allow me to pinpoint the problems and make the tough decisions to correct them.
  4. We are in line to receive up to $20 million in grants and low-interest loans for our infrastructure. This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rebuild the Town of Jonesville starting with our sewage, water, and drainage, which will give us the foundation to rebuild our streets and roads.
  5. Job growth. I think we all know we aren’t likely to land a major industry due to our lack of transportation venues. However, I do believe we are sitting on an industry which can flourish here in Jonesville; Tourism and Recreation.

The 4-Rivers Park has been dormant too long. We have the perfect place for festivals, revivals, trade-days, family reunions, church functions, etc., which will bring in people and money.

The Great Indian Mound replica is already generating curiosity as nearly 15,000 vehicles pass by each day on Highway 84.

Every day, I visit with some of the citizens of Jonesville. They are concerned and frankly some are just ready to give up. I want each and every one of you to know, I will never give up. I know I can help this town get back on its feet and in return restore the trust and pride we all can have in our town.

More than ever I believe I am the right man for the job – right now!

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

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