Douglas Edward Wilcox

Republican

candidate for

City Council,

Ward 7

Doug Wilcox, 42, of Jonaquin Circle, is a sales engineer for the Electrification Products Division of ABB Inc. He’s run for the council seat in Ward 7, where incumbent Terry Parker is not seeking re-election.

Candidate website

Which electoral system do you support for the city of Hopkinsville? Why?

Nonpartisan elections. Local issues for Hopkinsville are generally not partisan in nature. In the interest of unity and a collective effort to grow this community together — I personally support nonpartisan local elections. That being said I will ultimately consult with the residents of my ward and vote according to their voice.

What plans do you have to address blight and dilapidated structures in the city?

As a new member of City Council I will work to quickly understand our current efforts such as the "Mass Foreclosure" and "Lot Next Door" programs. The feedback I have received so far is that these initiatives are moving the needle.

If elected, how would you help address the housing shortage?

I expect that this is a complex issue requiring a deep dive into the issues that contribute to this shortage. I prefer to listen to the ideas of the experts in real estate and community development before stating an action plan. Generally speaking I believe that this shortage is relatively recent and will naturally correct. Considering the incredible growth of Nashville and Clarksville I expect that our already strong demand will continue to increase and drive action. Ultimately supply and demand should take its course and I believe that the government should not interfere with good growth.

If elected, how would you work together with government, nonprofit and business leaders to encourage economic development?

The ability to negotiate "win-win" deals and effectively communicate has been a critical component for success in my nearly 20-year career in business to business sales. Selling to both large and small companies requires the ability to develop and maintain relationships at all levels within the customer's organization as well as your own company. I will leverage these skills and principles to achieve net-positive economic actions through recruitment and support of local entrepreneurs.

If elected, how would you prioritize the reduction of gun violence in Hopkinsville?

Reducing violence of any type should always be a top priority for our community. To identify the core of the gun violence issue I will consult with City Council members representing those areas where this type of crime is most prevalent and listen closely to their thoughts regarding solutions. Finally, I will always firmly support law enforcement's continued efforts to drive down the rate of these issues.

If elected, how would you work to revitalize downtown Hopkinsville?

Downtown Hopkinsville is well on its way to revitalization thanks to local restaurants and businesses that have weathered the storm of COVID lockdowns, a renovated Alhambra Theatre, our completely refreshed Public Library, and the Greenway connecting all of this to the rest of our city. My priority will be to talk with those currently working in these successful establishments and relay their ideas for growth to the City Council.

Is there another issue not addressed in these questions that you believe is extremely important? If so, please explain it briefly.

Identifying issues is important. Highlighting our successes and focusing on our future as a prosperous community is critical to building unity and creating pride in our city.