Kevin Utz for Westminster Mayor - News Release January 10, 2009

Kevin Utz for Westminster Mayor - News Release January 10, 2009

January 10, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Councilman Kevin R. Utz
(410) 984-8204

WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCILMAN UTZ DECLARES CANDIDACY FOR MAYOR

Westminster City Councilman Kevin Utz announces his candidacy for Mayor of Westminster citing his experience and ability to lead the City of Westminster during these challenging economic times.

"I want to see this city meet the expectations that we all have for it," Utz stated. "America has never been proven by cities of gold, but by citizens of character." Utz believes the strongest asset the City of Westminster has is the residents, and that he is the right man with the right experience to continue revitalization efforts begun over the past four years which strengthens the City's economic base. Utz will be committed to the continued revitalization of downtown and producing additional interested industry to the Airpark Business Center that is essential to keeping the tax rates affordable.

Kevin Utz is completing his first term as a city councilman, and serves as the Chairman of the City's Public Safety Committee. He is a member of the Maryland Municipal League's Communication's Committee and is a former member of the Legislative Committee. He is a local businessman, a retired Maryland State Trooper where he earned numerous citations and recognitions, and is the former Chief of the Westminster Fire Department, and a life-long community member.

Utz stated, "It is time to get Westminster moving." The City has made tremendous improvements over the past four years in public safety, public works, infrastructure improvements and general government operations. "With the current economic climate we have to watch how we spend every penny of every tax dollar, but we also cannot turn back the clock on the improvements we have made."

Over the past four years Councilman Utz is pleased to have been a part of a successful team that has lead and made vast improvements to the quality of life for the residents of Westminster. Some of these successes have included the modification of a new water treatment plant ensuring a healthy and safe water supply, as well as saving the taxpayers more than $96,000 per year; and the adoption of a current budget that reduced revenues by over 8%; additionally, the staff of the sewer treatment center just introduced a cost saving measure in the operations of the plant that will save the city approximately $99,000 yearly. Utz strongly commended the dedicated City employees for their incentives for cost reduction ideas.

Kevin Utz has also provided leadership in setting goals to reduce expenses for Westminster Government to meet the stiff economic challenges being faced at all levels of government. Some of these goals consist of a 10% reduction in fuel consumption, 10% reduction in energy costs, a 15% reduction in the consumption of office supplies and a program to increase Westminster's recycling rate.

As a local businessman Kevin Utz knows the challenges in meeting a payroll and as a councilman knows the importance of providing governmental services on a budget.

Kevin Utz will focus on economic development for Westminster and to continue his commitment to public safety if elected as Mayor of Westminster.

Kevin Utz will campaign on a platform of Taking Action, Getting Results!

The election for Mayor is Monday, May 11, 2009.

20090110 Kevin Utz for Mayor news release

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/