Jeryl Hoover for Mayor
“We saw last week how Real Estate Broker (and Mayor) Charlie Kiehne is fully committed to the interests of owners of short-term rentals. He has resisted everything that would slow the proliferation of STRs in our neighborhoods. Fredericksburg needs a mayor that will vote for neighborhoods, not to sell them out. Therefore, we ask you to consider and respond to this letter penned former mayor Jeryl Hoover. ”
Friends,
I am willing to consider running for the mayor's seat in May, but I don't want to make the final decision until I hear from a significant number of city voters that they will support me. I'm not looking for a guaranteed win, but I want to know there's an appetite for the change I will represent, or to learn the opposite, that there's no real energy behind the change I would bring. Here's why I want this:
The current STR conflict and what seems to be ineffective council leadership toward a solution that benefits the residents has people ginned up. But I know from experience that being ginned up dissipates rapidly as people move on to other things.
When I ran before in 2006 and 2012, my platform was basically, "vote for me because I'll do my best to lead well." Other than that, I had no particular aspirations. It was more do no harm than lead with vision. I have no interest in doing that again. If I run, I will have a well-counseled and well-communicated platform. Here are some specifics:
Setting a standard for strong mayoral leadership and quicker action on critical issues.
A consistent method of listening to residents, aggressively seeking their input on the major issues that will confront us in the next decade. I will also routinely gather the best minds and experience in our community to advise us on quality of life issues, some of which the city has been dealing with for decades. I am recently retired from any business or industry, so I am free and independent with time to devote to being an active and über-involved mayor.
Consistent collaboration with my council colleagues so we most often head the same direction toward a vision for keeping Fredericksburg unique and a most desirable place to live, work, run a business, raise a family, or retire. Those things are, among others, family neighborhoods, strong business climate, strong social networks, and the wisest use of natural and financial resources. [I endorse the 175th Anniversary Committee's monthly themes to describe what has made Fredericksburg Fredericksburg for 175 years: Lasting Craftsmanship, Traditions, Family Heritage, Stewardship of Land, Education, Health Care, Innovation, Faith, Service, Leadership, Commerce, Arts and Music, Friendship]
Using the results of the community-led visioning process of 2017-2018 as a springboard for new initiatives. This 9-month process resulted in dozens of thoughtful objectives and recommendations. Because this effort was led by concerned and involved residents, the objectives that came out of it should be viewed as what the community wants its local government to prioritize.
Please help me by sharing this email and encouraging city voters in your sphere to either call me at 830-456-9550 or email me here at jerylhoover@mac.com and give me either a thumbs up or thumbs down about running for mayor.
Thanks,
Jeryl Hoover
