Saying he would love to serve the people of McMinnville as their mayor another four years, Jimmy Haley has declared his candidacy for reelection.
“We’ve come a long way,” Haley said in announcing his intention to seek a second term as McMinnville mayor. “I would like to continue that journey and see us make even more progress.”
In his vision statement for the coming years, Haley said one of the first things that needs to be addressed is an investment in the children of McMinnville.
“I want to continue to work to bring in an advanced robotics training center to help promote a well-equipped workforce,” said Haley, noting he will also work to foster partnerships with Business Roundtable, the Chamber of Commerce, and Warren County Schools to prepare youth for the job market. “I will continue to support all efforts to promote higher education in McMinnville which will lead to higher paying jobs and sustained economic growth. All possible efforts must be made to provide jobs that will raise income for our citizens to provide them a better quality of life in McMinnville.”
Haley said there needs to be a focus on health and wellness. He believes renovations to the Civic Center, expansion of fitness programs, extending the greenway to Rocket Park, and pushing for an indoor pool will help meet that goal.
Haley said he wants to keep progressing in building up the city’s infrastructure by continuing paving and sidewalk projects, as well as technologically updating the water department. He would like to also keep the environment here clean and healthy by establishing a city-wide recycling program and promoting compressed natural gas fuel use for city vehicles.
“We need to diversify the economy through music, outdoor recreation and tourism development,” Haley said, noting that can be accomplished by expanding partnerships with Bluegrass Underground to use Park Theater for events, attracting investors through tax incentives and free trade, and by recruiting a conference center with hotel accommodations to our area. “We need to utilize our outdoor assets like Cumberland Caverns, our waterways and mountains to make McMinnville a tourist destination in the Southeast.”
Haley wants to hire a grant writer who can pursue funding opportunities for the city, easing the strain on taxpayers.
Haley says there must be building improvements in the coming years, including a permanent home for the police department and the construction of a fire hall in the south portion of the city. There also needs to be a suitable use found for the Blue Building.
“I would appreciate your vote on Nov. 8,” Haley said. “I think that together we can continue doing some great things in McMinnville.”