Hilgert Wins

Hilgert wins mayor with 57% of the vote.  Thanks to all who supposed me.  I look forward to representing the city and all its citizens in the coming years. 

Campaigning on a beautiful day

It was a sunny day in Olivia today so I got out on my bike and made a few stops around town to visit with people.  The response was positive.  There are many very nice people in this small, rural town and I enjoy them.  As I biked by the golf course, it was busy, it was Tuesday, Men's Day and I again thought how fortunate we are to have this exceptional course right in our city.  This was going to be my summer to golf, but with 2 surgeries it was not meant to be, but I will be out next summer and look forward to enjoying a manicured lawn that I only have to look at. 
I biked over to the north side today and felt that I could have stayed outdoors all afternoon.  What a treat to be able to bike around town.  Olivia is really a pretty town.

Root Beer Float gathering

I would like to thank John & Cathy and George and Linda for hosting the root beer float gathering Sunday at Nester Park.  It was a beautiful day and I enjoyed visiting with everyone.  It was especially nice to see Paul and Terry Nelson from Montevideo.  Terry and I worked at the library together for many years.  They moved to Monte when Paul became a district court judge.  We had a very nice visit.  I will be going door-to-door to visit with the Olivia citizens.  So look for me primarily on the weekends.  This week I've been busy meeting with the Olivia city department heads.  I want to give them an opportunity to share their thoughts on the city and their departments successes and challenges.  I will also be speaking at Kiwanis on Thursday at 12:00 at Pizza Ranch.  If you are in the neighborhood stop by.  Kiwanis meetings are always open for guests.

The Beginning

I've been creating my brochure and working on my Meet and Greet Root Beer Float afternoon at the park.  This will be my first campaign event.  I'm hoping to see lots of people and also raise enough money to cover my brochures.  I will be getting out and door knocking in September and October and would like to hand out them out.  I'm finding people are very receptive to my campaign and are very encouraging. 
I've been attending city council meetings.  The meeting on Tuesday, Sept 7th will be the budget meeting.  I just received this budget today so will look it over before Tuesday.  So far there has not been anyone attending city council meetings but those of us running for office with city.
I've met with our local liquor store manager.  There are items with the liquor store which will be coming up in the next year or so and I wanted to be brought up to date on what the options for the city might be.  He has managed this store for many years and does a very good job.  The city is lucky to have him.  I'm sure there will be more on this issue in the coming months. 

The Campaign Begins

The last day for filing for mayor was Tuesday, August 17, so it has past and I am an official candidate for Mayor of Olivia.  Our current Mayor, Bill Miller is not running for re-election after 16 years.  He was instrumental in my running.  He mentioned the possibility to me at my retirement party.  Taking on another job wasn't on my radar at that time.  Since my January retirement, I have discovered a lot about myself.  Most interesting is that I truly enjoy interacting with people.  I thought I would become a solitary writer upon retirement, but that is not me.  (Mostly a surprise to me, but not my friends and family).  So now I am in the race and would like to share all the talents I acquired during my 25 years at the public library with the position of Mayor of Olivia.  I will update this blog as I continue to campaign.