Getting to Know the Candidates: Thomas Kinney

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Spouse/kids?

Wife Lisa / 3 Children, Olivia is 18, she is a recent Trenton graduate and will start college classes in the fall; Alex is 15 and he is entering his Sophomore year at Trenton High School and it on the Varsity Swim Team and JV Football Team; Payton is 4 and will start Kindergarten at Anderson Elementary this fall.

How long have you been a resident of Trenton?

6 years.

What is your prior political experience?

I was elected to the Trenton Board of Education in November 2010. I have served as Trustee, Treasurer and Secretary. During this time I gained experience in working with an administration, balancing large budgets and working collectively with a group of peers. 

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?

I love the city of Trenton and all it has to offer. I have enjoyed serving the residents of Trenton as a member of the Board of Education and would love to serve in a larger capacity as a Council member. I bring with me a continuous improvement and problem solving background as well as the knowledge of how the operations of a school district runs which has a lot of similarities to a municipality. I feel that I am the right person to hold one of the three seats on City Council.

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.