Candidate Guide - Waynesville Village Council - Chris Palser

As you prepare to vote in this year's municipal elections, the Western Star compiled answers from candidates. Here are the responses as provided. All typos and grammar mistakes, if any, are in the original responses.

Headshot provided by candidate

Education: Bachelor of Science, Materials Science Engineering

Current employment: Government Contractor

Office Sought: Waynesville Village Council

Why are you the best suited for this position? (150 words)

I have always wanted to be involved in local leadership and my small town upbringing, ability to work with others and willingness to serve our community while listening to the voice of my friends and neighbors to help our community thrive

What are your top three areas of focus for your position?

1. To keep our community focus front and center.

2. Continue the balance of fiscal responsibility and village growth.

3. Listen to our community and work with our village government and leadership to ensure the residents Waynesville are well served.

What specifically are you going to do for each of your top three topics? (200 words)

1. We must always remember that we are a community of friends, family, and neighbors. My goal is help manage, sustain, and proactively grow Waynesville in the ways that best fit our village.

2. Work to guide our village and enact legislation and guidance that ensures we support our residents with the services and infrastructure that maintains the small town we all love.

3. As elected officials, we are here to serve our community, but we must also have humility and remember that our decisions may not be perfect the first time around as we strive to make decisions for the best of our community. I'll strive to make the decisions that best serve the Village of Waynesville overall.

If you are an incumbent, what is your best accomplishment?

If you are a challenger, what do you think needs to change from the current situation?

NOTE: He is a challenger.

I think we have pretty good local leadership, but fresh additions and changes are always welcome. I think that my attendance and knowledge gained of of our Council and Committee meetings in the past year make me well suited to step in and serve on the Village Council.

What are your qualifications for this position? (150 words)

I have been actively involved in serving and leadership in the US Navy/Navy Reserves, our church, and in my profession as a Manager and Engineer. Locally, I have attended Council Meetings as often as I can in the past year and I am currently appointed to the Village Planning Commission.

Property tax is one of the top issues for local residents. What are your thoughts on the current property tax issues? (150 words)

I believe we must maintain a balance of fiscal responsibility that meets the level of needs of our community. Our government budgets are no different than our home budgets; we can't spend more than we make and if we want to cut income, we must balance spending by reductions or find other sources of income to support out community infrastructure, utilities and government services.

State laws often impact our county and the funding of local project depends on the state budget. What is your relationship with the local state representatives and senator? (100 words)

I look forward to growing relationships with our state representatives.

How have you been involved in the community outside of politics?

I have served at our church as sound/video technician, security lead and Deacon of facilities, as well as on the Board of Directors for our local homeschooling cooperative. I also served as a leader for over five years with my son's Trail Life scouting troop.

Are you running as a slate or as a team with any of the other candidates?

No

Is there anything else you want the voters to know about you?

My family and I love living in Waynesville! We have lived in Warren County for over 30 years and moved to Waynesville in 2012. I grew up in the small town of Covington, Ohio and Waynesville has that same small town feel—“city living” is definitely not for us! We greatly enjoy the friends, neighbors and community we have here. I look forward to serving our community as a Council Member.