Langford voters will go to the polls on Tuesday to elect a new Trustee to fill a two-year term.
Todd Sell is the outgoing trustee finishing up the two-year stint and chose not to refile for the stop. There is a three way race for the seat. There will be a three-way race for the seat with Anthony Hermes, Chad Hardy, and Matt Fries.
(Orrie Jesz was the only person to file for the expiring three-year board spot that he currently occupies).
Langford residents will vote at the Langford Community Center, 306 Main Street. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Journal sent questionnaires to the candidates running for the board position and their answers follow. (Fries did not submit a questionnaire.)
Background information:
Anthony Hermes: My name is Anthony Hermes. I have a wife (Jennifer) and three daughters (Liberty, Lilyan and Lola). My family moved to Langford in 2005. I work for Scott Anderson. I enjoy fishing, shaking dice at the C-Store, and talking with people.
Chad Hardy: I am a lifelong Langford resident. My wife JaKelle and I have three sons Tucker, Gunner, Booker. I am employed by Langford Lumber.
What is your reason for running for the board?
Hermes: I believe the town board needs someone new that has a different mindset. Someone that will fight for the citizens. Also, I want to try something new.
Hardy: I have a strong sense of service and community involvement. I want to see Langford moving in the right direction for the future.
What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing Langford, and how do you think the city should deal with that challenge?
Hermes: I believe our biggest challenge is spending. As I heard from many citizens, we are buying too much equipment and such items. I would sit down and ask is this item a “need” or a “want.” Also look at finding ways to keep our utility bills from rising.
Hardy: Community involvement. We need to get young people and their families involved in the community. We’ve had good community leaders in the past that made things happen. It’s time to pass the torch and get the future generations involved to continue to make things happen. Take ownership and pride in our community, and promote it.
Aside from the biggest challenge facing Langford, what would be your next priority for the city and how would you address it?
Hermes: I would work on finishing the street project started over a decade ago. The citizens have been paying for this project for too long with little to no results on the north side of town.
Hardy: Make it a priority that the City is here to support our Residents, the School, Businesses, and Organizations that make up the backbone of our Community. There will always be projects that need to be maintained and upgraded.
What do you think is Langford’s biggest asset and how can it be used to the town’s advantage?
Hermes: The citizens. Without citizens, you have no town. The citizens of Langford pay the wages of the board and employees. We need more transparency and explanations for the money spent. We need to see the maintenance department out doing things to improve and beautify our city. The citizens have to see that it is worth having four full time employees.
Hardy: We have a nice clean town, good infrastructure, a great School and good people. We need to take pride in that and promote it.
