ALPENA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CANDIDATES: Wilmot aims to bring passion for Alpena to council
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ALPENA -- Ashley Wilmot says she is a passionate person who wants to use that trait to improve the lives of Alpena residents.
Wilmot is one of five candidates running for a pair of seats on the Alpena Municipal Council on Nov. 2.
Wilmot, who is 36 years old, grew up in Alpena, and moved away from it to complete her education. She returned in 2013 and began to get more involved in her community. She said she has served on several boards, including the Thunder Bay Theater, Huron Humane Society, and Besser Museum of Northeast Michigan boards. She is also a founding member of the National Alliance for Mental Illness and is helping to set up a local chapter of the organization.
Wilmot said the experience she has gained from serving on those boards has prepared her to run for council and become more involved in the decision making process for the city.
"It's been so rewarding and I have been able to connect with so many wonderful people and got to know the community more," she said. "I do keep a pulse on what is happening locally and I saw a seat was coming up and I thought it is important for people to step up and take more of a leadership role so I decided to put my hat in the ring."
Wilmot has multiple graduate degrees, which she believes will help her address ongoing and future city business.
Alpena is headed in the right direction and there are a lot of positive things taking place now, Wilmot said. She said she likes the way the area utilizes and promotes its natural resources to potential visitors, while also preserving a small-town feel for residents.
"I want to continue to help maintain that balance of who we are, who we have been and what we could evolve into without losing our identity," Wilmot said. "We don't want to evolve out of ourselves and what makes us unique."
Even though Wilmot believes there are a lot of good things going on locally, she said there is room for improvement, especially in terms of economic development and housing for people who live in the area, and those considering moving to Alpena.
"I like the growth development we have had since I moved back, but I still think there is room for growth," she said. "The downtown area is a great example. A lot of new businesses have opened and there has been a revitalization. I want that to carry over to other areas of the city where some buildings remain vacant and I think there are opportunities for them."
One of the issues the council will discuss soon is recreational marijuana. The city allows medical marijuana to be sold in the city, although the proposed shops have yet to open, and it is set to begin considering whether recreational marijuana businesses should be allowed.
The city opted out of Proposal 1 shortly after it passed in 2018, which legalized the drug, but allows local governments to decide if they allow shops and other marijuana businesses to operate.
Wilmot said if elected, she would want to talk to local business and public safety leaders to see what their thoughts on that matter are, and to listen to the residents before voting one way or the other.
"If it brings more businesses to the area, that could be a positive step for Alpena, but that being said, I will listen to my constituents and then express what our community is expressing," she said. "All of my personal opinions are just that. I want to act in the best interest of all of our citizens."
The Wilmot file
* AGE: 36
* FAMILY: Married with two sons
* EDUCATION: Bachelor's, Central Michigan University, master's, Indiana State University, educational specialist degrees, Indiana State University and Saginaw Valley State University
* ELECTED EXPERIENCE: None
* OCCUPATION: Special education supervisor, Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District