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Breaking Bread with Mayor Becky Erickson

A Cordial Chat Prompts Serious Sentiments

Glasgow Mayor Becky Erickson invited me to lunch at Sam’s Supper Club for an informal chat May 28. The setting for our meeting clued me in to the fact that I could leave my notebook at the office, as I tend to do when meeting potential subjects of my own reporting on a friendly level around town.

I didn’t expect the full court press on stories for the paper, in other words, and I didn’t get it. Erickson’s main concern was personal:

“I hope you aren’t finding it difficult to make friends and meet people,” she asked, kindly, during what we both assumed would be an off-the-record conversation. She also asked about my campaign to find an affordable place to live within striking distance of town, a plight with which many area residents and newcomers can sympathize.

Far too chummy between the local newspaperman and the powers that be, some may say. But I love this place already and I want it to flourish, so if that means getting to know the people tasked by the community with the job of making things work, then that’s what I’m going to do. Even if—full disclosure—Becky was buying. 

In any case, back to those other topics. While I consumed every crumb of my lunch, Erickson talked sensibly about a wide array of pressing local issues. I have manners, so I kept my news radar on low and smiled whenever I took a break to breathe between bites. Upon reflection, however, I realized that a little Q&A would be just what I need to get started covering the stories that really matter to our readership.

Asked about her take on whatever she’d describe as the most important issues facing the citizens of Glasgow at this time, Erickson responds in four parts:

Aging Infrastructure

“Poor conditions of streets and upcoming water treatment upgrade (receiving grant for $500,000). We are looking at other funding sources to add to our limited street budget and have staff out filling potholes. We are also looking at different funding sources to purchase a needed fire truck. We are looking at every possible grant that could assist us in these endeavors.”

Compliance with the Corps

“We have a dedicated committee chaired by Tanya Franzen that is working diligently to solve these issues as cost effective as possible. This issue affects everyone in the community--not just the residents and businesses on the south side of town.”

Lack of Affordable Housing

“The City is presently being certified to be able to apply for non-competitive state grants for blighted and unsafe homes, working with USDA to allow Valley Court Apartment complex to remain federally subsidized, and looking for investors that work with tax credits to build more affordable housing.”

Beautification

“Enhancing our city streets in our downtown area will increase Glasgow’s sense of community pride while also providing a pleasant shopping experience. With the help of Chamber of Commerce, Two-Rivers Growth, and generous donations from both community members and businesses we are adding benches, large flower pots, garbage cans and hanging flower baskets to the area.”

If readers show sufficient interest (send those letters, people!), the need for more in-depth Q&A sessions may intrude on my social calendar.

The Mayor’s watchword is transparency, so speak up if you’d like to learn more about the many things she has to be transparent about. Between the two of us, we may never shut up.

 

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