Four Candidates for One City Council Seat in Mountain View

Candidate filing for the upcoming municipal election in Mountain View closed on January 29. There are two seats up for election this spring: West Ward and East Ward Aldermen.

 

In the West Ward, the seat is contested by four candidates. The incumbent, John Krasuski, has filed to run again. His challengers are Rick Thornton, Beth Hester, and Randy Reese. 

 

Howell County News interviewed each of the challengers last week. John Krasuski was unable to be reached for an interview prior to press time.

 

Randy Reese declined an in-person interview but said he is running for city council because, “our city’s in trouble.” Reese had no platform statements to share, but said, “If I get in, I’ll make the best decisions I can.” 

Reese suggested it is wiser to wait until after he is elected and is privy to the city council’s concerns before offering specific opinions at this stage of the game. 

Rick Thornton is running for city council because he wants to restore the town. 

 

“Mountain View used to be a beautiful town, and it’s lost its beauty. I want it to be cleaned back up, to flourish like it used to. You’re either part of the problem or part of the cure,” Thornton said. 

Originally from Independence, Mo., Thornton says he has had family in the Mountain View area since 1970 and has frequently come to visit since then. He and his wife brought their children for frequent visits to Mountain View before relocating there permanently. They raised one daughter in town.  

Thornton says he currently attends every city council meeting and has an existing relationship with the mayor and Board of Aldermen. He is retired, and considers his availability to be an asset. He suggested that Mountain View will benefit from an outspoken alderman who can provide an “extra push.”

“I know what goes on in town. I’m in town, and I’ve had a deep love for this town,” Thornton concluded.

 

Beth Hester is originally from Malden, Mo., and has lived in Mountain View for a couple years. She is running for city council because she believes the town has untapped potential. 

 

“I was told about how Mountain View once won an award or was acknowledged as one of the most beautiful places to live. I want to be a part of bringing that pride back to Mountain View,” she said. 

Hester is a single working mother of seven and a student. To her view, her skills at multitasking and maintaining a budget make her a qualified candidate. She also reported years of experience working as a properties manager in Denver, which made her familiar with the world of government regulations and budgets numbering seven figures. “I think my past and current occupations and volunteer work allows me to be able to work with people for all socio and economic backgrounds. My past experience and my current studies allow me to draw on what I know but adjust to future demands,” Hester concluded. 

 

East Ward Unopposed

The seat for East Ward Alderman is also up for election this April. Eleanor Carson is running for that seat unopposed.