Florence has an open city council seat. These are the applicants' vision for the future

These are the candidates the applied for the open seat on the Florence City Council. Question number 4 on the application was "Describe your vision for the future of Florence." Here is how they answered.

Laurie Green - "I want it to retain its friendly, small-town feel while accommodating anticipated growth. To do that, we need affordable house and opportunities for families, both in employment and child care. City Policies and public/private partnerships can assist those goals."

Mike Webb - "I see an active community with thoughtful growth, expanded workforce housing, increased living wage employment opportunities, along with increased availability of recreation/youth activities."

Mark Brennan - "I believe we should focus more on our historical and Architectural assets. Our town could use the Siuslaw bridge, the Museum our unique lifestyle and the Port and Bay Street public was along with our Farmers market and Chamber events.

Elijah Yager - "I see Florence as a city where art and culture thrive in our historic old town, where the beauty and wonder of the natural environment of coastal Oregon is maintained and passed down from generation to generation to be treasured for both its recreational value and its functionality as a robust and resilient ecosystem support fisheries, sustainable timber, agriculture, and wildlife. I see Florence as a place where we come together to support each other as we work towards a better tomorrow, where small businesses can succeed, and where we provide our youth with quality education and opportunities to grow and learn both inside and outside of school."

Randall Sparks - "I see Florence as an ideal community for families, regardless of family size, age, or wealth. This requires affordable housing, living wage jobs, recreation and entertainment options and the general good nature of the people who live here."

Mike Neilsen - "To keep the friendly, small town welcoming feel with and eye to tourist friendly businesses and activities."

Thomas Shaw - "Florence is a slice of heaven. Let's keep it that way. Bay Street works quite well because it is off Hwy 101 and has several historical structures of interest and serves as a forum for many community festivities of all kinds. Exploding whale is a most delightful river front space. Where else can one live in a self-contained city located in an area of coastal beauty having only 4 traffic light.
Tom's fantasy list:
1. Affordable home ownership with some form of city government participation. Perhaps looking into what other communities are proposing and doing.
2. An incentive for fire and disaster protection of historical structures so the treasures of the past are here tomorrow.
3. A river walkway providing a connection between the river and Bay Street buildings.
4. A new high school to replace the very outdated and unsafe one we have today.
5 The boardwalk. A public multi-purpose recreational center along the boardwalk having the capability of converting from being an open air to completely enclosed facility. Must be "fire hose" cleanable. An adaptive artwork format."

Elizabeth Diess - "I would like to keep our town as a beautiful gem on the Oregon Coast for tourism, small town life and the vibrant place it is."

Glenna Hale - "What a question and so little space to respond... but I will try to summarize. I can envision our "City in Motion" as a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking community, one that fosters economic growth, civic engagement, while providing a good quality life for all its residents. This is entirely achievable when built on a strong foundation of financial stewardship, strategic planning, and collaborative leadership, all while preserving that welcoming small-town charm that visitors love."

Joe Baldwin -  "I would like to see less homelessness, more on the job training. We are running out of skilled workforce. We elders need to step up and guide our young. If we don't it will soon be the blind leading the blind."

Vanessa Buss - "My vision for the future of Florence is centered on fostering a community that continues to evolve and thrive by addressing the greatest needs of its residents. I believe it's essential to maintain a focus on what truly supports and uplifts our community, ensuring that everyone from families to businesses to individuals has the resources, opportunities, and support they need to succeed.

Listening to the voices of our community members is vital in shaping the direction we take. By actively engaging with residents, understanding their concerns, and involving them in decision-making, we can ensure that the decisions made are in the best interest of the greater good.

My vision for Florence is a community where collaboration thrives whether it's between local government, businesses, schools, or residents everyone coming together to contribute to the well-being and growth of our town. I see Florence continuing to be a place where families can settle and grow, where small businesses can flourish, and where the values of unity, service, and care for one another remain at the core of what we do.

Ultimately, my vision for Florence is one of inclusivity, resilience, and progress a community where every voice is heard, every need is considered, and every opportunity is available to help people thrive. By staying true to these principles and working together, we can ensure that Florence continues to be a great place to live, work and raise a family."