The candidates answer questions: Mason Taylor

What good things have happened during the past four years in your city? In the past four years, several great things have been accomplished for our city such as updating our maintenance fleet and replacing the outdated, decade-old cruiser that our police department utilizes to serve our residents. I also was one of the leading councilmembers that worked to secure Butler’s ABC ordinance so that we are able to keep the city’s generated sales revenue within the city to be used to better the quality of life for our residents.
What goals do you, if elected, wish to accomplish in the coming term? My goals if elected are first and foremost to increase the city’s revenue through various grant work as well as working to increase our budget in a manner that would allow the city to build a generous reserve. Second would be to work closely with small business owners to promote our city in order to attract not only additional patrons, but business as well. Third, I would like to establish better parameters for contracting improvement projects that take place in our city such as street repair and sanitary repair; by being better stewards of our residents’ hard-earned dollars, we can in turn be better stewards of our city.  
Describe your relationship with council and city workers. The relationship I have with my fellow council members is very open, direct, and goal-oriented  to the fact that we want to do what’s best for the city and our fellow citizens.
Understanding that at the end of the day, we all want to do what is better for Butler. In reference to our city workers, I have an open-door policy for them to contact me any time as I know I am able to do the same with them. Having served along-side many of these fine individuals during my six-year tenure serving as a Butler Volunteer Fireman, I consider them family. The great thing about our community is the sense of togetherness we all share, and I truly look forward to being able to continue these relationships should I be elected mayor.
What have you done in the past decade that has benefited our community? While I haven’t been in politics for a decade quite yet, at age 18 I became a public servant by joining the city’s volunteer fire department and before that, served faithfully as the 2014-2015 Pendleton County FFA Chapter President. Past that, other notable accomplishments benefiting the community would be gaining knowledge on how local government functions by being an active participant, serving within several of our local firehouses as a fireman and EMT, and becoming a Butler City Councilmember, which has given me a grand insight on how to serve others and do what is best for our city.
Describe your vision for the city. My vision for the city is quite clear: growth. In working with other counties in Northern Kentucky, I have found that rapid expansion of cities can be contributed to the groundwork that the local governments have laid by protecting its assets, being good stewards of its residents’ and businesses’ revenue, and creating an atmosphere that attracts businesses, patrons, and residents. While we may be limited geographically by the Licking River, our potential to work towards being a glowing river town is limitless. With that being said, I foresee our City of Butler growing into even more of an attractive, comfortable city than it already is; one where families raise their children, friends spend time with one another, and we all progress forward.
How do you/would you work with judge/executive in your role as mayor? I intend to work alongside the judge executive very diligently in ensuring that our voices and concerns are heard on the county level. I also aim to increase dialogue with the fiscal court through our District 1 representative. Additionally, I wish to restore the two-way street between city and county governments so that we all may function as a more cohesive unit to serve our fellow residents.
What area of city services needs more support? What should be shielded from cuts as much as possible? The current areas that need additional support would be our Police Department as well as our Maintenance Department. These two departments serve critical roles in protecting and upkeep in our fine city. From maintaining our city park, providing support to our city buildings, enforce city ordinances, and educate our citizens, these are two that would be shielded from cuts as well as seek to be given additional support.
What do you see as the most pressing needs for infrastructure or capital projects in the city? There are a few projects that immediately come to mind. First, much needed expansion and update of our wastewater and treatment facility to not only meet demanding growth of the city presently and for the future to come but to ensure that it is functioning as efficiently as possible. Second, I would like to better increase accessibility to and from the river so that not only residents are able to enjoy its waters, but those visiting while recreating are able to pull off and enjoy a lunch in town. Third would be to renovate our community park to include safer and more interactive attractions for all ages. Finally, would be to establish an annual to bi-annual road maintenance program that would address issues before they become problems. I aim to accomplish this by working with state and county official through various grant work as stated in previous questions.
I would like to close with thanking The Falmouth Outlook for engaging with Butler Mayor Candidates as well inviting anyone who has questions on my vision, goals, or concerns to reach out to me directly and I would be more than pleased to have dialogue with you. Only together can we truly be Better for Butler.