Over a dozen years on the North Adams Community Schools School Board have given Decatur resident Tim Ehlerding plenty of experience in local government, but this May, he plans to go one step further and unseat incumbent Matt Dyer for the at-large spot on the Decatur City Council.
His plan is detailed and specific. It begins with a focus on the local housing market and continues with an issue that has not really been the focus of any other local campaigns – holding onto law enforcement officers in the area instead of losing them to larger, neighboring communities.
Ehlerding is currently the Vice President of FCI Construction, a commercial general contractor that does business in three states. Along with his experience and pride in the North Adams school district, Ehlerding feels that his work experience in public projects through FCI in other small towns makes him uniquely qualified for a seat on the Decatur council. He has served as an economic development professional for much of his career, he says.
“I’ve rolled up my sleeves and worked beside these great people to create situations where populations grow, industrial parks flourish, communities become vibrant and exciting areas, and the people thrive.”
His vision, he says, is to apply all that experience to the greater Decatur area.
“I’ve been a member of this community for nearly my entire life and this lifelong membership drives me each and every day to try to make the community’s vision a reality and to move our community towards a prosperous future.”
Ehlerding says he has spent much time in recent weeks going door to door in the city and personally meeting with people.
“My feelings have been reinforced that Decatur is made up of people who are proud, people who love our community and want it to grow and thrive. Yet some of these people are concerned.”
Ehlerding says that some feel the current direction is not in the best interest of the city.
On the issue of housing, Ehlerding is very specific.
“We need to aggressively add more market-rate housing to our community, including single-family residential homes to attractive and high-scale condominiums and apartments.”
Ehlerding believes there are people who want to move to the community, but the proper housing for such newcomers does not exist.
Adding to the city’s industrial base will also be a key part of his plan.
“I will work to grow our industrial base by adding industrial park property that attracts regional and national firms looking to grow,” he notes.
Ehlerding believes that, much like the people who want to move here but don’t, there are also firms who have considered Decatur but also looked elsewhere because the city’s industrial offerings have not been up to snuff.
On the topic of police officers, Ehlerding is especially passionate.
“We have to slow the flow of police officers that have left our ranks simply because of pay,” he says. “Many of our officers have left to work in Allen County, Fort Wayne or with the State Police. Some have even left the city to work with the county. They are doing the same work but they are getting a significant increase in pay when they leave.”
Ehlerding says he believes the current police force is a great team, but the department has a higher percentage of young, inexperienced officers than he would like to see. That comes as a result, he says, of not being able to retain officers.
Ehlerding considers himself a proud person. Proud of his wife of 35 years and his three children. He is also incredibly proud and passionate about North Adams and its students and academic offerings.
The republican nominee for the at-large spot on the council will face Jennifer Hitchcock, a democrat, in the fall general election.