No election in Dodson for mayor or council

In the town of Dodson, the mayor’s position and two Town Council seats were up for election. Incumbent Dodson Mayor Teresa Cole was running unopposed as were Jessica Fetter and Caleb Best meaning no election is needed for the Town of Dodson and no ballots will be sent out.

What follows are Mayor Cole and Councilwoman Fetter’s answers to same set of five questions asked by the PCN (Councilman Best was away at work an unable to answer the questions.)

Dodson Mayor

Teresa Cole

1. What is your motivation for running for office?

1. This will be my second term and I chose to run again as we are in the middle of several projects that I feel I should do my best to see through. There are very important sewer/lagoon and water problems that need attention. I feel it is my duty to do the best I can to complete these projects.

2. What issues concern you in the position you are running for?

2. There are many issues of concern in Dodson. One is the slowly eroding population. While we do have a few new residents, most of our people are older and some need others to care for them. I feel duty-bound to help them however I can. Because of our low population, our tax base is small. We are, for the present, financially stable and we work hard to stay that way. We also need to keep up with current technology as demanded by the State and Federal agencies we work with, as well as engineering firms. We sometimes need to purchase new or updated equipment, which is vitally necessary.

3. What would you do to see those issues or concerns taken care of?

3. I am very blessed to have a cooperative and involved Council. Together, we work on our goals and if they have to pitch in and work, they certainly will do that. We need to have a good rapport with the County, State, and Federal officials that oversee many of our projects and I believe we do. May I add that our County officials are very good!

4. What skills or attributes make you a good candidate for the position?

4. As the mother of twelve children, I believe I have developed coping skills that serve me well. I also credit my years working at the Phillips County Hospital for helping me in a leadership role. I admit I am kind of bossy (my kids are laughing at this), but that is just part of my makeup. Perhaps, I should use the term assertive! Dealing with many different personalities is part of being Mayor. Some people want certain things and other people want the opposite. I feel I was elected to serve the people of Dodson in the fairest and most efficient way possible and in doing that, I will undoubtedly get negative reactions. It is true that “you can’t please everyone”, I believe decisions must be made for the good of everyone.

5. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you?

5. I would have to say my husband for the first one. He is very calm and methodical; very rarely getting too upset. When he does, you know it. He is a person who can fix most anything, so I rely on him a lot. There are several others who fit this category as well. Larry Putnam, who was my boss for many years, all my high school teachers, whose impact I still feel after all these years and maybe this sounds a little different; the wisdom of our children. They all have many different talents and ideas and opinions that impact me greatly and I thank God for them. Last of all, Jesus, who is my strength through all of this.

Dodson Town Council

Jessica Fetter

1. What is your motivation for running for office?

1. My motivation for running for office is the love I have for the town of Dodson and the community members. I am proud to say I am from Dodson and I want to keep the town as I remember it since I was a young girl.

2. What issues concern you in the position you are running for?

2. Issues that concern me as a town council member is making sure the town is safe and affordable and that people understand that we have to work together as a community and remember our local businesses and keep supporting them.

3. What would you do to see those issues or concerns taken care of?

3. I would like to educate people on how important it is to buy and support our local businesses in order for our community/businesses to survive.

4. What skills or attributes make you a good candidate for the position?

4. Skill and attributes that make me a good candidate for the position is my heart are here for the community and I am young and look towards the future and the goals for our town.

5. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you?

5. A person that has a tremendous impact on me as a leader is my grandma Sarah KillEagle, she taught me to be honest and do the right things in life that will get you further than anything else.