Young citizens are stepping up

Linden voters had an opportunity last Thursday night to get to know some of the candidates running for Linden City Council. Vying for your vote are Whitney Goebel, Tiffany Whorton, James Johnson, Lynn Reynolds and incumbent Chuck Evans.

Missing from the forum were James Johnson, Lynn Reynolds and Chuck Evans as they were unable to make it due to scheduling conflicts.

The Journal-Sun was asked by Linden citizens to assist in organizing a forum so that each candidate could make their introductions to and answer questions submitted by citizens to see where they stand on the issues that matter most to Linden.

The Linden City Council has three seats up for grabs and at one point, seven candidates in the running.

Two candidates listed on the ballot, Mary Dowd and Brenda Deming, have expressed to Linden city officials and the Journal-Sun that they no longer wish to pursue a seat on the council. However, their names will remain on the ballot.

Dowd and Deming both have expressed their excitement that younger citizens were running for the seats, thusly “stepping aside” to let them.

The forum started with a three-minute introduction from Goebel and Whorton. The first question asked the candidates where the city’s focus should be on growing Linden—infrastructure and new construction or rehabilitation of existing structures.

Additionally, the two were asked how they plan to involve the citizens of Linden in the decision-making process, how to retain and meet the concerns of Linden’s small business owners and transparency with the city’s financial health.

Goebel said communication is key between the city and its business owners and a breakdown in communication has called a younger generation of activists to duty.

“There’s not a whole lot of communication of who is over downtown Linden, the Main Street and businesses. I’ve spoken with several business owners downtown and when there are events, those businesses are not even notified”, Goebel said.

Goebel says she is just one of a large group of young and active citizens, like Whorton, who have attempted to breathe new life into the small community.

“Aren’t you tired of living in a dying town? Aren’t you tired of seeing all the vacant buildings and the homes? The younger generation is fighting to keep Linden alive by bringing citizens together”, Whorton said.

Evans, the only incumbent and newcomer James Johnson have both declined to participate in video interviews on the issues.

A video interview with candidate Lynn Reynolds was conducted Monday, Oct. 5 due to her inability to attend the forum.

Visit the Cass County Citizens Journal-Sun’s Facebook page to watch the forum and Reynolds interview in its entirety.