Bell, Claypool vye for Lind Town Council Position No. 4: Opponent John Claypool

John Claypool

Age: 71

Current Profession: Self-employed

Spouse: Ruth

Children: Jennifer and Jessie

In the Lind Town Council Position No. 4 race, John Claypool is seeking election as the opponent in the General Election race.

Claypool is running for the position after being encouraged by a local resident to serve on the Lind Town Council. Claypool has served on the council twice in the past, filling vacated terms of previous councilpersons in both instances, but serving on the council for nearly six years.

The motivation behind running for the position is to help bring about change on the Lind Town Council. Claypool also voiced his opinion that the current incumbent is not acting for the benefit of the town, but instead on a personal agenda.

Claypool stated he believes there is a lot that can be done within the Town of Lind if the council supports the mayor instead of fighting against her. He said he thinks working together in a positive manner can help bring about the change the Town of Lind desperately needs.

He added, “If you’re going to live in a small town and be involved in the town, you need to try to make the town a better place.”

Claypool said one of his strongest skills he brings as a candidate is a strong working knowledge of the budget. He worked as a tax accountant for many years, and also taught governmental accounting at the university level.

Claypool said his ability to think creatively and come up with ideas could be a positive for the town, especially when it comes to saving money on projects.

If elected to the Town Council, Claypool said his main priority is focusing on bringing jobs and new opportunities into the community. As the organizer of the Lind Community Garden, Claypool knows the potential of growing the garden to include job opportunities through marketing and selling the produce.

He understands the potential job growth will not occur instantly, but shared his view in uniting the community to create more jobs in various sectors. With jobs, the town can become more attractive to families and working people to have them move into the town and help with overall growth.

Claypool said his top priorities if elected are to improve the quality of living within the community and utilizing the resources available within the town.

While his primary focus is the community garden, Claypool is also focused on making Lind a quiet town where trains no longer use their horns and disturb residents.

Claypool is also interested in using the building at the airport to expand business and attract pilots to fly into the Lind airport. The town has invested a significant amount of money in the airport, Claypool said, and it is time for the town to find a way for it to generate income and increase its use.

He stated money has been continually and unnecessarily pumped into the airport project, and if the town continues to pay for the projects, they must utilize the airport.

Along with creating more jobs, Claypool is focused on creating a safe living environment within the town. He said cleaning up the abandoned houses, having an increased law enforcement presence and developing more town ordinances in regards to bill payments are among his priorities if elected.

Claypool said people move into the community because of the low cost of living, but many of the properties are not being maintained and detract from the overall aesthetics of the town. By creating more jobs and having employed individuals who are interested in buying homes and maintaining those properties, the community can once again begin to thrive, Claypool added.

The main focus is to bring the Town of Lind together to support community projects to help redevelop the town, Claypool said.

Claypool initially moved to the community eight years ago and has been active in community development.

He started the Lind Community Garden, is the Lind representative at the Adams County Development Council meetings, assists with chamber events and the coaster car races, and is a member of the Lind Assembly of God Church.

Claypool wanted voters to know, “If they elect me, they will have positive leadership. If you want things to continue like they are, keep on doing what you’re doing. If you want change, make a change.”