Editor’s Note: The NKyTribune is offering one free op-ed postingsfrom NKY candidates in major races in which there is opposition for the November 3 General Election. All candidates may send op-ed’s of 1000 words or less to be published before November 1. The commentary should be positive about the candidate and his/her positions. Candidates are asked not to wait until the last minute — submissions will be published in the order in which they are received.
Elected office is not a mantle I’m chasing.
The most important titles I will ever hold are husband, father, and faithful servant.
I love my wife of 19 years, and together we are raising two amazing boys who keep us moving. Their grandparents join us each Sunday to share stories. Our hound dog is our couch companion on movie nights and a loyal guide on summer road trips. We live in a beautiful Florence neighborhood surrounded by wonderful neighbors. I am thoroughly blessed.
Professionally, I serve as a director at a Fortune 100 scale. Managing budgets, staffing, and regulatory environments larger than our city’s budget is part of my daily work. I have received gubernatorial and judicial appointments, regularly presented to international boards as a subject matter expert, and served on advisory panels. Those roles have been a privilege, but they are not the titles that matter most.
Capable men and women cannot sit idly by when things head in the wrong direction. I love my hometown, but we face real challenges. I believe I can help keep the good things good while putting the areas that have drifted back on the right track.
I want to serve on council as an approachable, rational decision-maker—someone who can have respectful conversations, disagree without personal heat, and deliver practical outcomes. Most of all, I want to ensure the community is in the room before the big decisions are locked in.
Neighbors have shared concerns that many of us feel: development moving too fast, an influx of apartments, congested roads, rising living costs, and questions about school capacity. These are not abstract issues; they are the daily realities of living in Florence.
I also hear concern about trust. The ongoing FBI investigation and lack of regular updates have left many neighbors uneasy. I have seen moments when the mayor and council do not work as smoothly as our community deserves—when difficult topics are hard to discuss in the open. That is not a personal criticism; it is simply a recognition that local government works best when everyone stays at the table.
As you look at every race this November, I challenge you to ask one simple question: Is this candidate running with the experience to do the job, or are they running mainly to be served by the position?
We research the plumber. We find the best vet for our pets. We labor endlessly to place our children with the right coach or specialist. We know how to be thoughtful when hiring someone for an important job. We should bring that same standard into the voting booth.
City Council is not Congress. A council member does not draft bills; they review proposals put forward by the mayor and staff, then vote to approve, amend, or reject them. Their voice is meant to represent yours. That is the job.
When an 80-page packet of zoning regulations, statutes, and budget amendments lands on a council member’s desk, do you trust them to do the deep reading required to make an informed decision? Will they ask thoughtful questions? Can they stay calm during disagreements? And when an idea is bad, are they willing to say “no” respectfully?
As a cybersecurity professional, I have spent recent months providing informational updates to the mayor, city council, and police chief regarding how local Flock camera systems operate, legal developments, and how regional cities are responding. My goal has been simple: help our leaders make informed decisions with the full picture. In 2013, I completed the Florence Citizens Police Academy and began volunteering with the Florence Police Department, assisting with security and cleanup for holiday events. I offer these as examples of how I operate: I show up to help.
Council is service. A true servant shows up where the work is — not just where the votes are. I’m the neighbor who helps mow your yard when your mower breaks, shovels your driveway during a snowstorm, and brings the chainsaw when branches come down.
Florence does not need another enthusiastic voice. It needs people with the tools for the job and the willingness to use them selflessly for their neighbors.
I approach this opportunity with humility and a readiness to listen.
I have the tools. I am built for the work. I am Aaron Gillum, and I would be honored to earn your vote for Florence City Council.
Aaron Gillum is a candidate for Florence City Council.