George Chinn, incumbent candidate for Hartford Mayor
Submitted by George Chinn, incumbent candidate for Hartford Mayor
My name is George Chinn and I am a candidate for re-election as mayor of the city of Hartford. My wife is the former Cathy Sandefur, from Beaver Dam, and we have two children, Christopher and Andrea. We are blessed with five grandchildren, Reagan, Maddie, Dylan, Anna Cate and Logan.
After a career in education, as a math teacher and school administrator, I retired in 2001. My wife and I began mission work for the Baptist denomination. We belong to the Gideon’s International and I served on the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors for nine years, most of those as treasurer. I had served on the Hartford City Council for nine years before being selected by the council as mayor in October 2017.
In the last year, the city has completed major renovation projects at the water treatment plant, in the water distribution line system and at the water storage tank. A leak detection system has been purchased and utilized to lower costs due to water loss.
A new sidewalk renovation project will construct or update sidewalks in several blocks of central Hartford. Streets affected by construction are being repaired or resurfaced.
Merchants along U.S. 231 are taking advantage of grants made possible by the Economic Development Committee to upgrade and make their buildings more appealing. More parking is being made available for downtown consumers. Blighted, abandoned or dilapidated buildings and lots are being addressed by the Code Enforcement Officer and Board to renovate unsightly properties.
Memorial Gardens, formerly Hayti Cemetery, is being routinely maintained, has a new paved road and new gates and columns to be installed soon.
Response to citizens’ needs has been immediate and resolved as resources allow.
The above is an indication of some of what we will be addressing in the next few years: making Hartford more attractive for potential businesses and shoppers; continuing to upgrade deteriorating water and sewer lines; working on water quality issues to provide a safe and potable product; encouraging employees to participate in education and training and pass certification standards tests to be the best they can be; continuing to create an atmosphere of fiscal responsibility in all departments and staying responsive to citizens’ needs so that Hartford is the place where people love to live, work, and play and take pride in their city.
