Knox City Council President Ed Blue will be stepping down from his council seat at the end of the year. Republican Thom Morin and Democrat Donald Kring are vying for the District 1 seat in the November 8th election.
Republican Morin was asked why he decided to run for the position.
“When you love a city and you see the things that you don’t feel are right, you want to do something,” said Morin. “We have a growing drug problem in the City of Knox and there are so many other areas of the city that need to be fixed and need attention. We have a growing senior citizen population in this city so we need to be able to address those issues. That’s why I’m running for City Council because I feel that’s where I can help and be a value to my community.”
Democrat Donald Kring was asked what prompted him to run.
“For the past four or five years, I’ve been listening to the community while I’m out working and listening to their concerns and I’ve known people that are in offices now and I kind of got interested in how things go on and how things operate. I’d like to help out. I think my experience can help,” said Kring.
Morin was then asked what he would like to see accomplished if elected.
“The first thing we need to do is open up the lines of communication to the residents of this city. We have sections of the city that are deteriorating due to lack of code enforcement, we have a growing drug problem and we have one police officer position in the budget and the money is there and for whatever reason that position has not been filled. We need to fill that position.”
He added that he would like to see more access for the disabled in the community.
Kring was asked what he would like to see done, if elected.
“I’d like to get the city limit straightened out – the guidelines or where the boundaries really are. I don’t think that would take a whole lot. I know there are people that live in the city that still do not have sewer or water which is a quality of life that we all take for granted living in the city which they do not have. I’d also like to be a part of the Downtown Redevelopment. That’s going to be quite a project and I think it would be a great thing for our community. And with the parks, getting a water park for the kids.”
