Ronan city election candidates announced
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RONAN – Four candidates are in the running for two seats on the Ronan City Council: a two-year seat in Ward 3 and a four-year seat in Ward 2.
Scott Carey, Ward 3, is a technician at the Jore Corporation since 1999, and is a first-time candidate. Carey says he’s running because he’s unhappy with things going on in his neighborhood, and he wants to make certain departments in the city more accessible to the public.
Carey says some of the issues the city faces are with the water system and seeing Main Street improve with more businesses.
Another issue Carey wants to work on is rising water costs, while more and more people are out of work.
“I feel honesty has gone to the wayside,” Carey said. “People say things they don’t mean. You either do it, or you don’t.”
“Our little part of the neighborhood is not a prestigious place to live,” Carey said. “It’s low-income, and I think those people need to be represented. I’m happy where I live and the people are wonderful; they just need to be represented.”
Marlene Melton, a candidate for Ward 3, is retired from working at Ronan Sports and Western and is running because she would like to get more involved to see how the city is run. Melton says she had a good head on her shoulders, and will use her common sense to help the city.
“I don’t know anything about it, but I will do my best,” Melton said. “I’m just like anyone else that lives in this town, I just want to get more involved.”
Michael Bartel, a candidate for the four-year seat in Ward 2, is the owner, operator of the Morning Star Learning Center in Ronan and is running for city council for the first time.
“I believe many aspects of the city government need attention and changes,” Bartel said. “I could play a key role in that, and hope I have the chance to do so.”
Bartel says he is a problem solver and since he owns his own business, he says that is a very good skill to bring to the table.
“I believe the government should be operated like a business, and I think I’m good at listening to other people’s needs and wants, and I’m able to get that to them,” he said.
Bartel says there are issues with ordinances and daily operations conducted by city employees. Bartel says he’s been attending city council meetings so he is more familiar with how it operates, and keeping up on the different issues they face.
“I take great pride in this city and I want to keep it that way,” Bartel said.
Calvin Hardy, Ward 2, is the Central Office Technician at Ronan Telephone Company, where he has worked for 30 years. Hardy has served as a city council member since July 2003, and plans to continue putting the best interest in the community that he works and grew up in.
Hardy says one of the main issues is the streets in Ronan.
“It’s always been streets, streets, streets,” Hardy said. “Everyone’s always complaining, and it’s always been a problem since the streets were built over a marsh area.”
Other projects that have been issues are enhancing the city park and redoing the sewer to meet regulations.
“It’s always been a big issue to apply for funding, and has always been a tough decision,” Hardy said. “I’ve had good support from the community. People come up and say thanks; it’s good to get recognized by the community.”
