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Mayoral candidates’
top achievements:
Bowers… Economic
Development; Schmidt… Sex Offender Ordinance
By Bob Robinson
Mike Bowers, Mayor of Greenville and candidate for mayor, noted
Economic Development as one of his top accomplishments, while
Greenville City Councilman and candidate for mayor Doug Schmidt noted
the sex offender ordinance and the development of GPAT as among his top
accomplishments.
Both individuals faced off at the recent League of Women Voters
Candidates Forum at the American Legion. They will be on the Republican
ballot Tuesday, as voters make their choice for an uncontested General
Election next November.
The candidates were asked what the top three accomplishments were in
their public service to the City of Greenville.
Bowers listed working to organize the Community Improvement Council and
the Business First program as two of them. Both relate to economic
development in the city. His third was Greenville’s Water Treatment
facility.
In addition to Greenville Public Access Television (GPAT) and the Sex
Offender Ordinance, Schmidt noted that all of the accomplishments –
both his and Bowers’ – were the result of teamwork between the City
Council and the Administration.
“None of this stuff happens without both the Administration and
Council,” he said.
Earlier in the forum, however, there was a disagreement between the two.
Each was asked why the city was paying to put in a street east of the
Greenville Inn when other businesses had to pay for their own street
additions.
“We’re looking at the future growth of that area,” Bowers said.
“Economic Development has evolved… our focus is on keeping and growing
jobs.”
“On Council we’re not always advised of these things,” Schmidt said.
“If I was in the Mayor’s office there would be more access to these
meetings.”
“Council was apprised and on board with this,” Bowers said.
“It eventually came to us,” Schmidt responded, “but we were not
involved in the process.”
Several questions were asked of the two candidates, one of which was
how the city planned to raise money to operate.
Bowers: “Not with taxes,” he said. “We need to expand and grow; attract
new businesses.”
Schmidt: “No need or desire to make taxes higher. We’ll tighten our
belt another notch, do more with less,” he said. “We need to see that
jobs stay here and grow at a smart pace.”
After noting that defense of the Sex Offender Ordinance could run a
quarter of a million dollars, both candidates were asked if they fully
supported it and would be willing to defend it.
They indicated that decision had been made when they decided to move
forward with it. The answer was yes.
Regarding wind generation in the city and Senate Bill 5 (negotiating
power of unions), both indicated there were too many unknowns at the
present time.
Bowers added that he thought SB5 had taken on too much, adding that
“even the attorneys were not sure about it.”
Duties of the Mayor’s Office:
Schmidt: The mayor is responsible for dealing with department heads,
showing good leadership and cooperation, and access to the office.
Bowers: The mayor is responsible for oversight of the budget, working
with department heads and getting the “best bang for the buck.” He
added that he’s also the city’s chief economic development officer.
Economic Development:
Bowers: He will continue with Business First, working with both county
and city. He said he will keep Council involved in the process and
build on current successes. He noted that Greenville’s economic
development is 41st in the country and 5th in the state.
Schmidt: It’s critical that both county and city work together, noting
it’s a tough environment. He added that Greenville is competing against
other communities.
Also addressed by both candidates were the city parks, the nuisance
abatement ordinance, transparency, Section 8 housing, reasons for being
in public service and water needs for future development.
Funding for the parks was tight but they must remain a priority,
transparency requires access to the office and going out into the
community, needs are adequate for Section 8 housing and making the city
more user friendly were noted by both candidates.
On water needs, Schmidt noted that the city is supposed to have 24
hours of water on standby, adding “we don’t have that.”
Bowers responded that the city is looking for ways to increase the
supply of water on hand so that both residents and the Industrial Park
are taken care of.
Tuesday’s election is a Primary for the Republican Party. Both
candidates were asked what their roles had been in the Party for the
previous five years.
Bowers: He belongs to the Republican Men’s Club, works the Pig Roast
each year and goes to the Republican Women’s meetings.
Schmidt: He has joined the Republican Men’s Club and has played in past
Republican Golf Tournaments.
While not on the ballot in May because the positions are uncontested,
Democratic Municipal Court Judge Julie Monnin and her challenger,
Republican Jesse Green, gave brief presentations.
Renewal of Greenville’s operating levy (no new taxes), plus several
library levies, were also noted.
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