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Elizabethtown Mayor
Tommy Ard Other

Profession: Kentucky Driving School

Education: High school graduate

Family: Married

Organizations: New Fellowship Baptist Church, Kentucky Driving School

Experience: Twenty years as firefighter with Rineyville Fire Dept.; 13 years as a driving instructor

Why Running: To lower taxes and have better sidewalks. Better service from businesses; more things to do for teenagers in town. Better planning for use of highways and sidewalks.

Top Issue Beliefs: Better police service in city. Complaints from loud cars with boombox, noise from them and trucks and motorcycles.
Trash all over the city, better emergency planning.
Class 2 city and fix up downtown.

Steve Atcher Other

Profession: Sam's Club in Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown City Council

Education: Graduate of Elizabethtown Catholic High School, Elizabethtown Community College and the University of Kentucky

Family: Married with two children and four grandchildren

Organizations: City liaison to Elizabethtown Regional Airport Board--BRAC-related Army Community Heritage Partnership
Program Downtown Restaurant Recruitment Committee
Member of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA)
Member of the Elizabethtown Heritage Council
Member of the Elizabethtown-Hardin County Chamber Commerce

Experience: Sales Center Manager for Trading Post Homes, Inc., 5 years
Salesman--Trading Post Homes, Inc., 5 years
Assistant Manager for Wal-Mart, Inc., 6 years
Vice- President of Mail Order Operations, 5 years for U.S. Cavalry, Inc.
Inventory Controller/Purchaser for 1 year, U.S. Cavalry, Inc.
Small Business Manager/Owner and Manager, 6 years

Why Running: To redirect the city's focus away from a tax, spend, and borrow philosophy that has led the city in the wrong direction in the last few years.

To focus on the identification, marketing, and successful recruitment of the industries of today and tomorrow in order to provide the better-paying jobs our citizens need and deserve.

To foster a closer relationship with Fort Knox and our neighboring cities in order to make the most of what our combined strengths can do for our city and our area.
To continue to make strides in infrastructure improvements: Stormwater, Sewer, Water, Streets.

To bring a new focus to downtown revitalization.

To lead in fostering further development of the south end of the city.

To make city government even more transparent than it already is, by following Louisville's lead in creating a searchable website for our city government's financial operations and the financial operations of those quasi-city agencies receiving large sums of taxpayer's money.

To help set the tone in city government that is as business-friendly as possible, in order to encourage new small businesses to locate here; and to be a facilitator for our existing small businesses.
To instill a philosophy in our city government that real progress is made through private enterprises succeeding in our city; instead of government taxing our citizens and then borrowing and spending in a misguided attempt to be the stimulator of economic progress.

To foster the highest regard for every citizen and city taxpayer by exhibiting a respectful, impartial and open attitude to each. This includes a confirmation that city government is the employee of our citizens, and is here to serve them.

To be a cheerleader for local education at all levels, in support of the education our young people and adults need for the opportunities of today and tomorrow.

Top Issue Beliefs: New, Better-Paying Industrial Jobs
It is critical that we replace the better-paying industrial jobs that we have lost over the last decade. As mayor, I will make this a major focus, to assure that we leave no stone unturned in efforts to attract the industries of today and tomorrow in Elizabethtown.
Welcoming Business Environment
As mayor, I want both existing businesses and those businesses considering locating in Elizabethtown to experience the most welcoming and helpful attitude from City Hall.
Fiscal Conservatism
As mayor, I want to lead a city government that understands that every tax dollar is precious. We must always put taxpayers first, by understanding that taxpayers already carry a heavy tax load, and that true progress comes from the success of the private sector; not in imposing more taxation to make government larger or to take on roles that are best left to the private sector.

Clyde Polk Other

Profession: Self Employed; owner of Polk’s Auto Unlock Service Towing & Recovery and Custom Clean Auto Detailing in Elizabethtown

Education: Graduate of Elizabethtown High School

Family: Son of Mose & Grace Polk

Organizations: National Locksmith Association

Experience: Successful business owner for over 20 years.

Why Running: My vision for Elizabethtown is quite clear. I have been raised here my whole life and have watched this community grow to what it is today. I am a small business owner and know the hardship and struggles that the economy has faced us with today. I want a positive change for our community and our youth that live here. I feel our local government has failed to ask the citizens of Elizabethtown what they want. I don’t feel we have had a say on how our tax money will be spent. I am tired of how businesses in Elizabethtown are being treated. We need to stand up for our local businesses to help them prosper and create jobs.
I recently visited Valley View here in Elizabethtown. It has a preschool; an alternative school and an after school program (Panther Place). When I asked why it was so hot in the hallways, I was told that they do not have central heating and air. Each room has window units that have to be turned off for the teacher to teach because they are so old and loud. I feel these conditions are unacceptable for the teachers to teach our children in. These are some issues I feel that need to be addressed. Our children are the future of Elizabethtown. Their education should be first. All of our schools need to improve so that they become a more safe and comfortable environment for our kids and teachers
I also think that the citizens of Elizabethtown should have a say when their tax money is at risk. I want to move the City Hall meetings to 6:00 p.m. so that everyone can attend and have a say when issues for the community are being voted on.

Top Issue Beliefs: JOBS: Creating jobs in Elizabethtown will work hand in hand with supporting our local businesses. If a business can prosper and grow, it will in turn hire new employees. I feel that work needs to be contracted to Elizabethtown and Hardin County contractors so that it will give our citizens that live here employment. This means that money will stay within our community.
ROADS & GROUND WATER RUNNOFF: We need to fix our roads to ensure safe driving conditions. Our drains need to be fixed so that free standing water during heavy rains on will have a place to go. This is a major concern for the citizens that have to drive to and from work and transporting their children from school. Our streets need to be maintained. All debris and trash need to be cleaned from our creeks, streams, and water runoff areas.
YOUTH ACTIVIES: I have a plan for a Skate Park here in Elizabethtown. It should be monitored and maintained on a daily basis. There is plenty of real estate available within our community at an affordable price. We could possibly look to our local Hardin County Inmate Program to keep the park clean and maintained.
I want to make sure that our youth have a place to go that they can be safe and learn. I feel that a YMCA or a Boys and Girls Club in our community will reach out to all children. Most of our families here live off of minimum wage or just one income. Not all kids are interested in sports or athletics. We need programs that introduce music, art, and literature. We should look to our local businesses and organizations that may introduce activities such as karate, gymnastics, or have the Book Mobile pay a visit. I want these services to be available to all our children that attend Boys and Girls Club or a YMCA. We need to look at our local resources to help with funding and support. We have spent plenty of money for the new Sports Park. We need to focus on all children, not just kids who play sports.

Tim Walker Other

Profession: City of Elizabethtown, City Council member for 14 years.

Owner of Plaza Lube for 23 years.

Education: Graduate of Elizabethtown High School and Elizabethtown Vocational School.

Family: Married with six children and seven grandchildren

Organizations: Member of First Christian Church since 1971.

Currently serving on Public Safety Committee and Planning Commission Committees for the City of Elizabethtown.

President of the Hardin County History Museum Board of Directors and Charter Member of the Board.

Currently serving on the Hardin County United Governance Committee for the Hardin County Vision Project.

Member of the Elizabethtown Hardin County Chamber of Commerce since 1982.

Experience: Currently serving on the Elizabethtown City Council in my 14th year.

Currently serving on the Public Safety and Planning Commission Committees for the City of Elizabethtown.

Small Business Management since 1978 and a Small Business Owner/Operator since 1982 (Walker Muffler Center from 1982 through 1990 and Plaza Lube from 1988 to current).

City of Elizabethtown Employee as a Firefighter for 6 years.

Former Chairman of the Employee Affairs Committee for the City of Elizabethtown.

Former Chairman of the Crusade for Children for the City of Elizabethtown.

Served on Street and Bids Committee for the City of Elizabethtown.

Served on Consolidated Plan Committee at T K Stone Jr. High.

Why Running: Tim Walker is not running against any Candidate, I’m applying for a Full Time Job as your next Mayor and you the Community will be my Employer. It’s Time we have Leadership and I want to represent the People of our Community and become your Mayor. In order to lead you must first be able and willing to serve and I have been in the Service Industry as a Small Business Owner/Operator for almost 30 years here in Elizabethtown and I have served my Customers as well as my Employees. I will bring the same philosophy with me that I have used to run my own business and that’s to serve you and put you first! The City is in the Service Industry as well. Elizabethtown’s Mission statement is “The City will provide Quality Service to it’s Citizens” and I will see to it that mission statement is carried out! We have many excellent city employees and I was a former city employee (Firefighter) myself. I will communicate with the City employees and let them know what’s expected of them. I will serve by making sure we have Excellent Leadership in each department and all of our Employees will be appreciated by their Supervisors as well as City Hall for the work they do!

It’s time we improve communication between you and City Government! When you come to City Hall with an issue or concern, as your Mayor, I will make sure you leave with answers and your concerns will be my concerns until the issue is resolved. I will serve you just as I have for the past 14 years on the City Council, the only difference as your Mayor the buck stops with Tim Walker! I’ve always voted on every issue and as your Mayor, I will exercise my right to vote in case of a tie by the Council! It’s about raising expectations and our Citizens deserve answers as well as finally seeing projects completed such as drainage, etc. I lobbied in the past about having our work sessions televised as well as the Council meetings and I will continue to lobby for that so the Community will be better informed. It’s time the City not only improve communication with you but with Hardin County Government, Radcliff and Vine Grove City Government, Ft Knox as well as our State Senator and Representatives and US Congressman and Senator. We must work together because they’re a vital part of our Community! As your Mayor, I will communicate with the City Council on a regular bases and they will be able to make informed decisions when it comes time to vote.

God is in control of my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way. As your Mayor, I will hold myself accountable to God, Family and Community and in that order!

Top Issue Beliefs: Promote Economic Development. It’s time Elizabethtown becomes Proactive instead of reactive. When you see New Industry locating in other cities around us here in KY, you have to start asking why are they not coming to Elizabethtown? As your Mayor I will camp out on the doorstep of the Economic Development office in Frankfort until I find out what we need to do to get New Industry in our Community! I will work closely with our Industrial Foundation to help make this happen! I will promote and recruit Economic Development in Elizabethtown and do whatever it takes to see that we get our Competitive Edge Back! As Mayor, I will see to it that it’s easier to do business in Elizabethtown whether you’re a new Industry, doing a new Development, a Small Business wanting to locate here or if you’re just wanting to expand and build on to what you already have! As your Mayor, I will see to it that we make New Business and Industry feel welcome and that we want them to be here, we want them to bring their Families and move here and we want them to be a part of this Community!

Preserve and Enhance Community Pride. This will help Elizabethtown Promote Economic Development. We must preserve our History and protect our Historic areas such as Downtown and our Historic Buildings and we must come up with a plan where we get our local Downtown Property Owners including County and City Government involved and shape, clean up and develop our Downtown and make it an asset once again! It’s time we clean our City up and stop saying that’s not the City’s responsibility! As your Mayor, I will raise expectations and see to it that our Parks, our medians and right of ways are groomed, mowed and maintained as well as trash will be picked up on a regular bases and ALL areas of our City will be cleaned up! As a Council Member, I was instrumental in helping establish our Code Enforcement Board and as your Mayor I will expand this program and see to it we hold all property owners accountable by cleaning their properties up and we can all be proud of our City!

Improve Quality of Life. The Sports Park will make Elizabethtown a Tourist destination but my first priority is our local kids, they must come first. We need to move forward with our Tennis Complex and look at the possibility of a Skate Board Park. I was very pleased with the Chamber of Commerce how the 1st Annual Downtown Cruisin in the Heartland Car Show was a big success and they took the Heartland Festival to a new level this year honoring our Vietnam Veterans. I will work closely with the Chamber and Tourism to bring in more events in the future. I want to also continue and expand the Concert series by bringing in more acts and holding concerts at the State Theater. And speaking of the Sports Park, as your Mayor, I will have an Operating Budget in place. The city has been receiving very competitive bids. The earth work bid came in nearly $3 Million dollars under budget and I feel this trend will continue and if so, I will propose to rescind the original agreement with Tourism and negotiate a lower cap. I have been given some preliminary numbers on annual operating expenses for the Sports Park and they’ve been projected at approximately $300,000. A sponsorship study was just completed and the annual revenue just from sponsorship alone is projected at approximately $211,000 (this is a conservative number) and this does not take in to account for revenue generated by concessions or tournaments.

David Willmoth Other

Profession: Mayor for the last 12 years of Elizabethtown

Education: Graduate of Elizabethtown Catholic High School, attended Western Kentucky University

Family: Married with three children and five grandchildren

Organizations: Elizabethtown-Hardin County Chamber of Commerce, E'town Industrial Foundation, Lincoln Trail Area Development District, Brown Pusey House, Housing Authority, Core Committee, Knights of Columbus, life long member of St. James Catholic Church

Experience: 12 years as mayor of the city of Elizabethtown
37 years of local service to Elizabethtown City Council
Board member of the Kentucky League of Cities
Board member of the Kentucky League of Cities Insurance services
Board member of Kentuckian for Better Transportation
Board- Louisville The Bridge Coalition, Kentucky and Indiana Bridges
Board-One Knox, local planning for Fort Knox transformation

Why Running: Many projects that need to have direction for future success: Infrastructure projects; stormwater, wasterwater, water and the new sports park which all projects will provide a new economic advantage for Elizabethtown.
Have had an open door policy the last 12 years and would talk to anyone about their issues.

Top Issue Beliefs: BRAC-Local officials have worked since 2005 to help implement the Fort Knox transformation outside the post. We will see the need in our county to continue working to make changes to facilitate the transformation projects (road, water, schools, etc.)
Stormwater improvements will continue to be a major issue because there are many areas that need attention
Dealing with state and federal mandates with no financial help.