Two candidates are running for mayor in Mount Sterling. The election is on Nov. 6.
Charles Neff
162 Temple St., Mount Sterling
Occupation: Retired
Previous experience in public office: I have served on Mount Sterling Village Council since 1996.
Education/military experience: High School graduate from Mount Sterling High School. Attended Chicago Tech. for industrial drafting.
Community activities/honors: President pro tem of council. Member of Tri-County Joint Fire Board. Assist on Good Ole Days Festival. Assist on Christmas in the Village. Active on different committees of council.
What would you like to accomplish if elected? What I want to accomplish is the respect of our community along with the pride I have in the village. Without these two items, you have nothing to base your ideas on. I have respect for each and every person that I meet. I have a great deal of pride in our community, from the history of the village to the future ahead of us.
Diane G. Spradlin
27 N. High St., Mount Sterling
Occupation: Part-time volunteer services coordinator for A Friend’s House Domestic Violence Program
Previous experience in public office: Council member, Village of Mount Sterling, 1992-1994. Mayor, Village of Mount Sterling, January 1995 to January 1996 (completed mayoral term of Joe Cartmille).
Education/military experience: Bachelor of Arts (English). U.S. Army, active duty, from 1980 to 1984 (photojournalist). Licensed real estate salesperson, 2002 to present.
Community activities/honors: Secretary, Mount Sterling Chamber of Commerce, 2003-2004. Member, American Legion Post 417, six years. Chairman, Citizens Action Committee (brought greatly reduced long distance calling rates to and from Mount Sterling)
What would you like to accomplish if elected? Meticulous oversight of village spending. Rehabilitation or condemning of blighted, uninhabitable properties. Strict enforcement of codes and ordinances. “Neighborhood revitalization,” not just downtown, to include paving (not patching) of streets/alleys, signs you can see, creation of green spaces, attractive lamp posts, etc. Procuring tax incentives for small businesses to locate and stay downtown, at least for initial start-up year. Networking with other municipalities for better tax collection and discovering new ideas to improve our community.
