MOUNT VERNON — Although there are several township, school and smaller municipal issues slated for the May 5 primary election, there is only one contested race. The two candidates vying for Mount Vernon City Council from the 3rd Ward are Nancy Vail and D. Derk Demaree. Demaree is the incumbent.
One of Vail’s main reasons for running is that she misses being on City Council. She previously served for 25 years.
“I was off [City Council] last year and this year,” she said. “I have had a number of folks ask me to consider seeking the ward seat again. That’s where I began long ago. It’s really not against Derk, except that I will be accessible to the public. Keeping in close touch with the persons I represent is very important to me. I do not hide information; I do keep confidentiality. There is a difference.”
Vail said her main concerns as far as being a part of city government are fiscal responsibility, economic consciousness, preserving freedoms and representative government.
“I believe in upholding the trust of the persons who elect me,” she said.
Demaree feels his experience and education, and his ability to make decisions in a way that is in the best interests of the city of Mount Vernon, qualifies him for re-election.
“I believe I have a better and more productive working relationship with the existing members of City Council and members of city administration,” he said.
Demaree said he believes the main issues facing Mount Vernon are financial in nature.
“Right now we are not feeling the recession in terms of our financial planning,” he said.
Demaree said he feels the recession will impact the city’s budget and revenues over the next five years.
“Will we have sufficient revenues to do what we need to do?” Demaree asked. “And if we don’t, what do we do about it? We will have to look for more grants and more sources of revenue that we haven’t yet pursued.”
