Politics & Government
Getting to Know the Candidates: Thomas Kinney
Trenton-Grosse Ile Patch sent a questionnaire to all 10 candidates running for election or re-election to Trenton City Council in the coming primary.
The Trenton primary election is rapidly approaching and to help voters make sound, informed decisions, Trenton-Grosse Ile Patch created a questionnaire for candidates seeking election or re-election in 2013.
The primary election is set for Tuesday, Aug. 6.
Each of the 10 candidates seeking election or re-election for three city council seats received the same eight questions.
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Age?
Find out what's happening in Trenton Grosse Ilewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
39
Spouse/kids?
How long have you been a resident of Trenton?
6 years.
What is your prior political experience?
What is your prior professional experience?
I have been employed at NSS Technologies for the last 20 years. I have been involved with many facets of manufacturing with emphasis in continuous improvement and problem solving.
What made you decide to seek election/re-election?
What issues do you see affecting Trenton?
There aren't a whole lot of issues affecting Trenton compared to other downriver cities. The few that come to mind are:
1. Trenton is at a disadvantage because we do not have a lot of open land to develop. We need to concentrate on the areas we do have such as the neglected sights of the industrial areas that border our riverfront.
2. Revenue to our city; how much and where will it come from? This can be an issue for the next couple years.
3. If revenues decrease it is possible there could be more cuts to city services. These services are a main reason families move to Trenton. Police, Fire, DPW and Parks & Rec all have worked extremely hard in the past few years to maintain services while their budgets have decreased. Further cuts will be a huge detriment to those services.
What is your plan to address those issues?
1. I would ask that we research every possible avenue to develop those areas. We need to make Trenton attractive for businesses to want to come here.
2. Having a balanced budget and keeping a healthy fund balance in the next couple of years is crucial to keep Trenton moving forward and a desirable place for not only families but for businesses to start.
3. Our city services are one of our greatest assets. I would work my hardest to find or even generate new revenue to maintain and support our city services. My goal is to keep Trenton the best city to live in downriver for many years to come. I want it to be the city my kids and many young people to choose to live when they are ready to start their families.
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