Meet City Council Candidate Danny Willingham

I am running for City Council because the Citizens of Olney are disappointed in a lot of things that the City has done, including the following: 1. The water treatment plant: The water plant at the lake should have been looked at and dealt with long ago. The City was fair warned several years ago, even my late grandfather warned them and James Freddie Paige, one of the top plumbers here in the area and Buddy Clayton, a city boy I knew very well, [said] it needs to be moved to another place in the area of the lake so Graham does not get our run-off every time we have a rain.

Who gets most of the water? Graham does. That issue needs to be addressed. This town will be unincorporated if it is not done and the plant fails.

2. Water Rates need to go back [to previous rates] and they need to start reading meters and do it correctly and they need to do a better job.

We need to go digital on the meters like other counties around us like Wichita Falls if they cannot keep up the work and the numbers written down. People cannot afford to pay out any more than they have -- just for what they use.

3. Safety for the community. We have a good police force but with Chief Dan Birbeck running for County Sheriff, [we need to know] whoever is going to take his place has leadership and follows [what] Birbeck has been doing. We need to know that our community is safe and that everyone follows the law.

Olney has not been safe and we are still in that stage that we really need to grab hold on that but it’s getting better it will take some time and a few meetings to address every issue that is important and building up to that [safety] goal.

3. Eating Places. This is a tough one but you know it can be done as long as we address the water plant issues first because that is a major topic in the City today.

4. Buildings, the [Pipeliner Inn] Hotel and the Olney Savings Building. [The Council has taken] no action toward any of those. It needs to be addressed. I know people do not have places to [live] and some cannot get apartment housing.

Let’s find a solution to get them out of harm’s way in the hotel, and give them a time limit -- either clean it up or it will be closed. People need housing [and] are trying to better themselves trying to do the right thing in their lives.

5. Working with County Commissioners.

I have known Stacey Rogers for a long time. I know he not running again but you know he was and still is a good man. Knowing we work together and not against each other is the best part of the process.

6. How to handle the [City Council] Agenda: Do not [talk] privately [about City business]. [Discuss agenda items] with a third party and get [the public’s] opinions on things.

Everyone has an idea to pass along [to] councilmembers or the mayor.

We will give the public time to speak about what is on their minds. I know there is a three-minute limit on public comments but I will take my time and spend it with [constituents] to understand and when Council meets will discuss topics and what I heard and follow it as we go. It’s a change but a good change.

I will, if elected, be at City Hall most of the time. People will always be welcome to come by or they can leave a message with the City Secretary and I will definitely set up a time to meet with them.

As I said, I want Olney citizens to feel comfortable where they are at. I do not want them to move off if they are not going to be safe. I want people to feel the comfort that Olney citizens are not going to be ignored.

I know people got issues but they need to go to the right place to do it the right way.

There is no hidden agenda with me, period. I know people grew up in this town for years knowing they think they’re being ignored but come at it the right way and you will get results.

It’s nothing personal. I hope to make Olney a home again for the citizens who love it here. That’s why I stayed because this is my town but things need to change.

The taxes are going to be another issue I am going to address. There needs to be a stable tax inside of Olney. People will be run out of their homes if they can’t pay their tax bills. I do not want that for anybody. Any questions? Feel free to email me or call me.

Once [all candidates] file [for City Council], I want to have a Meet and Greet ... and answer questions.

I want the best for everyone.