Beech Tree News Network

Background:
I am Michael A. “Mike” Wilson candidate for State Representative District 17. My wife Lori and I have three children, Meredith a freshman at WKU, Josh and Madelyn both at South Warren High School. I am a native of Bowling Green & Warren County with roots in Butler County going back 200 years. I am the Director of Facilities for Warren County Public Schools. I am responsible for keeping over 30 Schools & other buildings clean & well maintained. My family and I were members of Living Hope Baptist Church for over 24 years where I served as Sunday School teacher, usher, deacon & elder. We currently attend Woodburn Baptist Church where we have been worshipping for over a year now.

1. Broadly speaking, what are the primary reasons you are seeking the offfice for which you are running?
I am running for State Representative because I have always been an advocate for others. I have served in my community in a number of ways. As a native of Warren County, I have lived my entire life in south central Kentucky. My family has lived here for generations.  I am not new to the values of this area because I have lived them. District 17 needs an advocate in Frankfort for the hopes, dreams and values that we believe are most important.

2. What specific qualifications do you possess that allow you to be effective in the position you are seeking?
I am uniquely qualified to be State Representative as I am the only candidate who has any experience in public office. I spent 12 years as a member of the Warren County Board of Education. Not only did the citizens of Warren County elect me to that position but my peers on the Board recognized my leadership abilities as they voted me as either Vice Chair or Chairman of the Board the last 10 years I served. I also served in Frankfort on the Kentucky School Board Association for three years. I have served in leadership at my local church as elder. I have also served in my community with participation in the United Way allocations committee, Junior Achievement volunteer, Community Education board member for 10 years, Safety City board member & a graduate of the BG Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy.  All of this service has set me apart as the only candidate with the experience to represent the 17th District in Frankfort. In addition to my experience, I have a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Western Kentucky University with honors. Again, I have the education, training & experience to represent the people of Butler and Warren County in Frankfort.

3. Identify the key issues impacting the position for which you are running and describe how you would propose to address them as a public officeholder?
The primary issues we face in Butler and Warren counties are job growth, better economy and pensions. Frankfort has gone for too many years with little regard for the people who have sent them to the State House. In my previous career as a salesman, I remember the days when Butler County had industry like Kellwood, Casco, Delta, Sumitomo & many other businesses which alllowed workers to earn a good living to raise a family. We need someone in Frankfort who will be an advocate for new business & industry to locate in Butler County. I am just that person. A better economy in South Central Kentucky benefits us all. We cannot afford to have only some people prosper while others languish. If we modernize our outdated system of taxation this will allow us to grow the revenues needed to help all citizens of Butler and Warren counties included infrastructure needs that go unmet. Our state has millions of dollars of repair to roads, dams and bridges that go unmet due to a lack of funds. This must be corrected. Finally, due to our lack of revenue Kentucky has the second worse pension system in the country. This is not right. Our teachers, police officers, county and state workers have paid into the system only to have our state legislators mismanage the pension system. Then our leaders in  Frankfort want to place the blame on the workers. This is insulting & unacceptable. When I get to Frankfort, I will be a strong advocate for teacher & others to fund our pension system. I have the experience to do just that. I believe that the best workforce development and job creator is a well educated, well trained work force. I will be a strong advocate to fully fund public education. I am totally opposed to charter schools as every dollar that goes to a charter school is a dollar taken away from public education. I am the only candidate who has experience in administration and leadership in public schools. I am also the only candidate who has any experience in delivering balanced budgets each and every year. I am the only candidate who has experience in dealing with multi-million dollar budgets. As a fiscal conservative, you can count on trained experience in seeing that needed services are delivered in the most economical way possible.

4. As a potential or current elected official, what do you see as the proper role and function of local government?
The proper role of government is to provide a fair, equitable and safe environment for an individual to have the opportunity for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.There are no guarantees in life however government should allow for the opportunity for any hard working, law-abiding person to earn a good living, live in a safe and fair community & live their lives as they see fit. I see a limited role of government to not intrude in the lives of citizens but to provide a level playing field for all to have the opportunity to prosper. I do not see the role of government to pick economic winners and losers but to give the same opportunity to all who want to take part to better themselves and their families. For too long, Frankfort has done just that-decide who has the opportunity to be successful while making it difficult on others. I am an advocate for all citizens and will equally represent you and your values in the State legislature.

5. What is your long-term vision for Butler County? For example, what kind of community would you like to be in ten years?
I see a Butler County that is prosperous and growing. I see a sound public school system with great teachers and administrators preparing our students for a bright future. I see new businesses & industry coming to the area because of the quality of life and well trained work force in the area. I see a Butler County where people want to stay when they graduate & where they want to move again due to the quality of life that makes this area a great place to live, work and raise a family. I see no reason why this cannot be the case. We simply need leadership in Frankfort to help make this happen. I believe I am the person to work with local city and county officials to make this happen. That is why I am asking for your vote to go to Frankfort the make this a reality.