Jim Hill – Incumbent

Name:  Jim HillAge:  41How long living in Sebastian:  21 yearsPlace of Birth:  Lansing, Mich.Occupation:  Business OwnerMarital/Family Status:  Married to Carleen 16 years, Daughter Macie 14, Daughter Cayla 12, Daughter Kendra 9.

Please list Civic and Volunteer Leadership Experience including title & position and Organization including dates and locations.

Osceola Magnet PTA

What issues motivated you to run for this office and what do you hope to accomplish during your term?

As a long time resident of Sebastian, I have grown to appreciate the wonderful benefits associated with living here.  It is my intention to raise my family here and eventually watch my children grow up and enjoy the quality of life Sebastian has to offer.  I am seeking reelection because I wish to continue serving the citizens of Sebastian while protecting our heritage, environment and quality of life.

 

What do you believe needs to be done to improve the city’s redevelopment and waterfront areas? What are the priorities?

Unemployment, low wages and plummeting residential values continue to be in the forecast, while our businesses continue struggling to keep their doors open. We must continue working hard to improve our economy, working with the Chamber of Commerce to attract higher paying jobs to the area.  We must also have a focused CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) board, who will continually seek grant funding for improvements while working with local business to develop a plan for the area. In addition, council should continue looking into restrictive regulations that make it difficult to do business in Sebastian.  We’ve got a lot of work to do, and I assure you, I am willing to work hard to get it done.

 

What do you think is the role of the City Council in sparking economic development? What does economic development mean to you?

As stated in our “approved” Economic Development Plan, “It is the goal of the City of Sebastian to promote economic growth through commercial development, light industrial development and job creation.” I fully intent to continue the implementation of our Economic Development Plan.   This plan is available to view in full at www.cityofsebastian.org or www.sebastianbusiness.com .

 

The redevelopment area dominates discussion at the city government level. What other areas of the city need attention and what would you do to address them?

Our airport is a great location to lure light clean industry and manufacturing facilities to Sebastian.  This will not only provide higher paying jobs; it will help reduce the tax burden to homeowners.  We must also continue promoting our riverfront and (County Road) 512 corridor as a great place to visit.  This will bring in dollars from out of town, again, reducing the tax burden to homeowners.  While economic development is critical to the future of Sebastian, it is also critical to maintain the high quality of life Sebastian’s residents have grown accustom to.  To this we must continue improvements to our drainage system, while maintaining and improving our parks and roads.