Before the primary elections, The Falmouth Outlook sent each candidate questions about their plans, should they win the primary. Now, we are two months away from the general election. Over the next few weeks, we will run answers to a series of questions we asked of the candidates who will be on the ballot in November. This week features our mayoral candidates from Butler and Falmouth.
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Ron Stinson is the sitting mayor of Falmouth.
What good things have happened during the past four years in your city? Because all things are relative, there must be some not so good things to gain perspective on the good things. Many of the good things are not necessarily visible as one drives through town. One of the best “good things” was the appointment of Ramona Williams as City Clerk. Ramona was trained by former City Clerk, Terry England. We immediately began working on ways to cut expenses in City Hall. We stopped paying for payroll services and now handle that in house. We shopped for new banking services and saved the city nearly $20,000 per year. We worked out new leases on city copiers saving hundreds. We eliminated rug and uniform services. We began working through an insurance broker to analyze the city’s coverages. We now spend less money but have higher coverage amounts. This alone has saved the city tens of thousands of dollars. Our website has been upgraded to include the city tax roll, city ordinances, online employment application and employment opportunities, council agendas and minutes, city audits, and annual budgets. Also, information for obtaining an Honor Banner acknowledging our present and past servicemen and women which we implemented three years ago……a very good thing!
A second “good thing” was the rehiring of Gary Lea as our Maintenance Supervisor. Gary brought back his nearly forty years of knowledge of the city’s infrastructure. His expertise and dedication to the city has been invaluable. He truly has saved the city thousands by handling repairs and replacements rather than having to hire outside contractors.
Another good thing occurred when the city joined KYMEA. For years the city obtained its electricity from KU and had no control over cost increases or surcharges. The city either absorbed the increase and/or surcharge or passed it on to the customer. By joining KYMEA, we, along with 10 other municipalities, can act as one large entity and purchase electricity through the wholesale market. Electricity is purchased from all over the state from the typical coal or gas-powered method to sustainable solar and hydroelectric plants.
Because of an Agreed Order (bad thing) the city was forced to take action to alleviate high flows at the sewer plant (detailed later in this article). The project encompassed building a two million gallon detention basin, rehabbing and painting the water tower south of town, and upgrading the pumps and electrical controls at the Main Street pump station. The entire project cost was $3.2 million; however, the city was able to obtain grants equivalent to $1.5 million thus cutting the expense nearly in half (good thing).
Both Police and Fire Departments have new chiefs, and both have made positive upgrades to their respective departments. Our Police Department renewed its accreditation status thus saving the city money on its annual liability insurance. The Fire Department has been remodeled, old equipment replaced, a new batch of volunteers are on board, and the Fire Association (support group) has been rekindled.
Veterans’ Park received a much-needed face-lift as we replaced existing playground equipment, repaired the shelter roof, re-stained the wood, repaired the gazebo, and replaced the security cameras.
What goals do you, if elected, wish to accomplish in the coming term? One of my continuing goals is the residential and commercial development of the old Klee farm adjacent to the Dollar Market. Currently in the works is a commercial space that will house a pharmacy and dentist offices and a space for a new Head-Start School. We are in negotiations with a development group to provide more commercial space and middle-income housing using materials and utilities with minimal or zero carbon footprint. We are also working on extending infrastructure at the Industrial Park to accommodate a new business and possibly two.
The city will need to continue rehabilitating its infrastructure with the primary focus on relining sewer lines and manholes to reduce inflow and infiltration. We also need to replace our aged electrical lines to keep up with the increased demand. Most homes in the city are older and poorly insulated. Many use inefficient means of heating and cooling along with the increased use of electrical devices.
Another goal is the reduction and/or removal of blight. Most blight can and should be dealt with by the property owner. However, sometimes it is not feasible due to the circumstances of the property. Rubbish is the easiest to mitigate. The city offers special pick up on the last Monday of each month. Or the county offers free disposal at the Rumpke Landfill on the second Saturday each month from 7a.m. to 11 a.m. If labor is needed, Trinity Baptist Church has a group of volunteers who would be willing to work with you. Also, the city has budgeted money to help some of the worst cases, especially where a building needs to be razed.
Describe your relationship with council and city workers. My view of those relationships is open and personable. I might have the title of mayor, but I have never used it to “toot my own horn” and am usually reluctant to tell people of my position; I’m simply Ron. I would rather hear from all and come to a consensus rather than be reactionary or dictatorial. I view all of us as being on a team with the same goal.
What have you done in the past decade that has benefited our community?
In May of 2017 I retired as an educator of 33 years of which 21 were working with Pendleton County students. During that tenure I was the Boys Varsity Golf Coach, National Honor Society Advisor and Senior Council Advisor. I have served as the Chairman for the City of Falmouth’s Ethics Board and for the Board of Adjustments. And I have served as City Councilman from 2013 -2017 and Mayor from 2017 to present.
With Carla, my wife of 40 years, we have volunteered countless hours. We have cleaned the shelter at Veterans’ Park weekly in order for Feed The Kids to have a convenient and safe place to distribute meals. We worked with the Extension Office to rehab the picnic tables. We remove graffiti occasionally and re-stain the wood. We have worked with volunteers from Trinity Baptist Church on two of their citywide cleanup days. We have worked at the Falmouth sign by cleaning and decorating. We have donated and planted flowers at City Hall along with wreaths for the doors. We donated Christmas lights to the City to wrap the light poles downtown and the city tree.
Many of you recall the monthly Quarter Auctions held at the El Paso Restaurant. We were a part of that team, working and donating to raise thousands of dollars for local residents with medical needs/bills and civic groups. During the recent Covid lockdown, we worked with our Senior Center and delivered hot meals to Seniors daily for three and a half months using our personal vehicle.
Our business, Nan and Pap’s Country Primitives, donates items every month for different benefits, causes and organizations. Most recently we donated a handmade table for a benefit to help secure a motorized wheelchair for an individual.
Describe your vision for the city.Growth promotes growth. Development of the former Klee farm should help spearhead future growth in our community. The more housing choices, businesses, and amenities the more inviting our town becomes. The more people we attract the greater the needs become. This enhances the opportunity for businesses to invest here.
How do you/would you work with judge/executive in your role as mayor? The current Judge and I have an open line of communication. We speak at least weekly knowing either is there to help or offer guidance to the other. We seem to always be on the same page and have never disagreed. The same can be said for myself and the Mayor of Butler.
What area of city services needs more support? What should be shielded from cuts as much as possible? People take for granted that their faucets have clean, running water, the electricity is such to cool or warm their homes, their garbage is picked up weekly, and the fire or police show up when called. These services are necessary and need dedicated workers. During the pandemic lockdowns, these folks couldn’t work from home. They had to operate as normal. Most of these folks live in and give back to this community. The support I’m asking for costs nothing. When you see them repairing a leak, restoring power, collecting your garbage, or patrolling the streets, please simply thank them and let them know they are appreciated. If you would like to support in another way, remember, we are hiring!
What do you see as the most pressing needs for infrastructure or capital projects in the city? There are many areas that need addressed as they have been bandaged, fixed, and rigged going back thirty to fifty years or more. Water, sewer, and electric lines all need replaced or rehabbed. The most pressing issue though lies in our sewer lines. Shortly after I was seated as mayor in September 2017, I was summoned before the Enforcement Board for the Division of Water in Frankfort. The City had had several violations where the Sewage Treatment Plant had exceeded its daily output. This excessive flow was due to the inflow and infiltration of stormwater into the sanitary sewer from leaks, basement drains, and leaf troughs. One result from this meeting was the Division of Water forced the City into an Agreed Order where the City, by law, will fix these issues in phases. The first phase was the installation of a two million gallon detention basin at the treatment plant and upgrades to the Main Street pump station. This phase is nearly complete. Phase two is the elimination of the Cardinal Ridge Pump Station and video analyzing and relining/replacement of some sewer lines and manholes.