FM: Tell me a bit about yourself, your family, and your life here in Franklin? What is your Franklin story?
MW: My name is Mickey Whitmore, but my friends call me Mick. I grew up in a very small town in North East PA., but relocated to Massachusetts when I was 19. I bought a great fixer upper here in town in my early 20’s and went about giving it an overhaul. My neighbor invited me to a Memorial day barbecue at their house where I spotted a pretty red head.
Many years of marriage and three children later we are still here, and are quite taken with this community. Our youngest children are five years old and just started kindergarten, and our oldest is in the fourth grade. They are all currently attending public school here in town.
FM: What experience or background will help you to serve in this role? What do you bring to the table that helps to set you apart from the others?
MW: I am a Data Center Consultant by trade. It is my responsibility to ensure that confidential and proprietary information is securely stored for our clients. Imagine if the building where you do your banking were to have a fire, and some computers were damaged. The information from the computer is stored (sent electronically) elsewhere, to a Data center. This is what I design. I create and translate business requirements into Data Center architectural designs and solutions. I’m able to I analyze and project what the future outcomes.
I think what I bring to the table is that I have zero agenda. I am not in real estate, I don’t own a local business, I am not self-employed. Simply put, I am willing to volunteer my time, and I think I have the ability to review all issues and options that are presented to the town council with care.
FM: What do you see as your role’s biggest challenge and do you have any suggestions on how we can resolve it?
MW: I’m concerned about the building in Franklin, in particular in the residential areas. Franklin pays their bills with money brought in from taxes, state funding, and some receipts from things like excise tax, or pulling a permit. However, each year what we need to spend on expenses, exceeds the amount of money coming in. Add to the deficit new group dwellings filled with new occupants, and we have a recipe for putting further strain on our schools, and town resources. We are just adding fuel to the fire.
I support commercial and industrial development in their respective zones. This type of real estate will bring in tax revenue without further burdening our resources and finances. My interest is in preservation. Preservation of what small town charm we have left, and our preserving our budget.
The Franklin Cultural Council submitted this question for Town Council candidates:
"As you know, Franklin has applied to the state for an official Cultural District designation in town. What do you feel is the role of arts and culture in Franklin, and what is your plan to advance that agenda?"MW: I’m really excited about the prospect of Franklin having an official Cultural District designation. Not only do my wife and I appreciate the arts, but anything that could potentially promote jobs and new business in our community is a plus. I would plan to support this initiative to the fullest. Potentially keeping and reusing our old buildings would further preserve our towns history, and maintain some of the character.
To follow up with Mickey send him an email at mickeywhitmore@gmail.com
Visit his campaign page on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/vote4mickey
Noteworthy: This information is intended to help the Franklin voters when we all head to the ballot box on November 7. The interview candidates have had an opportunity to review the text before publishing to ensure the accuracy of our discussion.
Offer to Candidates 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/offer-to-candidates-for-franklin.html
Offer to Candidates 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/offer-to-candidates-for-franklin.html
