10/16/2024
Hello Greenbrier! For those I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet, my name is Shad Foley, and I’m running for City Council. Early voting starts on Monday, October 21st, and I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself.
As a career civil servant, my passion has always been centered around my love for the community and the well-being of its citizens. I believe that a successful leader should not only be measured by experience but also by their ability to foster and nurture productive community partnerships. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on, and in some cases chairing, committees such as the Strategic Budget Advisory Committee, Sustainable Environment and Ecological Design Committee, Veterans Day Committee, and several others as an elected Staff Senator at the University of Central Arkansas. In my leadership roles with civic organizations such as Green Grove Masonic Lodge #107 F. & A.M., I worked as a liaison to groups like the ministry center and local food pantries. I’ve also facilitated training for several of our School Resource Officers, certifying them as instructors in active attacker response, helping to ensure our schools are safer for children, faculty, and staff.
Day by day, our city grows with individuals and families attracted to what Greenbrier has to offer, including its excellent schools. It’s no secret that Greenbrier is expanding and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Because of this, I believe we are at a critical juncture when it comes to planning for this inevitable growth. We owe it to our current and future residents to build a community that provides a sense of security and sustainability.
As we make decisions about Greenbrier’s future, we need to consider the following:
1. Can our current infrastructure (water, sewer, and road systems) support the growth Greenbrier is experiencing?
2. Are we prepared and equipped to ensure that we don’t overwhelm our public safety departments?
3. Are we maximizing our productivity with current and potential sources of revenue?
4. How do we make our city more attractive to businesses and the jobs they can bring to our community?
5. How do we ensure that living in Greenbrier is enjoyable for everyone who wishes to call this wonderful town home?
I believe there are productive answers to these questions. However, I also believe there are a few key actions Greenbrier must take in the near future to ensure continued success.
First, I believe we need to move forward with annexation. Many residents outside our city limits have access to our water and sewer systems. It’s time for the city to be able to utilize those tax dollars and provide additional services to these communities.
With growth comes growing pains. I’m certain we will see increased pressure on our police and fire departments as the city continues to grow. We owe it to these men and women to provide them with the best training, equipment, and benefits to keep our community safe and secure.
As our city embarks on a multimillion-dollar water and sewer project, we must consider how to sustain our infrastructure for future growth. One solution could be implementing impact fees on new construction within the city. This is a common practice in nearby cities and ensures we can support the growth we’re experiencing daily.
Lastly, I believe Greenbrier could benefit from Code Enforcement. There are numerous unmaintained properties along our roads and highways, and we need oversight to ensure a clean and attractive environment. I don’t believe that simply issuing fines will solve these problems, but having dedicated individuals to bring these issues to the attention of community leaders and partners can help provide assistance in maintaining dilapidated properties.
These are just surface-level issues and possible solutions. Greenbrier is a great community with tremendous potential. I invite you to stay tuned over the next few days as I dive into my plans in more detail and share how I believe I can benefit the town of Greenbrier. In the meantime, follow my election page and feel free to email, message, or call me if you’d like to discuss my plans further.
Remember, regardless of who you vote for, please go out and exercise your right to vote! I look forward to meeting and speaking with many more of you in the coming weeks!
