Editor’s Note: The NKyTribune is offering one free op-ed postings from 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.
Southgate has been my home for more than 25 years. I have proudly served our community through numerous organizations and activities, and I now hope to serve more fully as mayor — always remembering that the mayor works for the citizens of Southgate. I live on West Walnut Street and am the proud son of the late Robert “Monk” and Hilda Messmer. My parents were devoted members of St. Therese Parish and taught me the importance of faith, hard work, honesty, and service.
I know and respect our current mayor. We are both involved in several charitable organizations, and I consider him a good Christian man. This nonpartisan election is about differences in priorities and management styles, not personal attacks. I intend to keep my campaign focused on the issues, and I respectfully ask everyone – regardless of whom you support – to protect the integrity of both candidates and keep this election free of personal attacks. Mayor Hamberg and I both love Southgate and want what is best for our city and its citizens; we simply see some issues differently.
Qualifications and Community Service
• Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations
• Lifelong career in Human Resources, including negotiation, legal compliance, workforce
management, and conflict resolution
• Current member of Southgate City Council
• Active Southgate volunteer firefighter, engineer, and EMT since 1987
• Southgate Volunteer Fire Department Executive Board member and past president
• Member of the John R. Little VFW Auxiliary
• Lifelong member of St. Therese Church
• Longtime small-business owner
• Leader in Catholic Charities' Jail Ministry at the Campbell County Detention Center
Fiscal Responsibility and Responsible Development
My primary reason for running for mayor is fiscal responsibility. During my service on City Council, two long-term Industrial Revenue Bond arrangements were presented, and I voted NO on both.
The first involved the Memorial Pointe apartment development on the former Beverly Hills Supper Club property. The 30-year arrangement substantially reduces the property tax revenue the City will receive from that property during the term of the agreement.
The second involved the Sunrock Farm development behind Woodland Hills. I also voted NO on that 40-year arrangement. In addition to the long-term reduction in tax revenue, qualifying residents age 65 or older may be unable to receive the homestead exemption while a property remains subject to the IRB arrangement.
Mayor Hamberg has pointed out that he does not vote on financial matters such as these two development incentives. While it is true, Industrial Revenue Bonds may be used to encourage development, their terms can vary greatly and are negotiable. In both cases, Mayor Hamberg negotiated with the developer and then presented the proposed IRB terms to City Council. In my view, those terms were highly advantageous to the developers and costly to the City over the next 30 and 40 years, respectively.
Council was not meaningfully involved in these negotiations before the proposals were presented at a Council meeting. The proposals appeared to be essentially “take it or leave it,” and the mayor advocated that they were good deals for both the City and the developers.
As mayor, I will involve Council in major projects from the beginning. I will not present Council with a proposal unless its members have adequate time and information to study it, ask questions, and form an informed opinion. Council and I will work as a team for the citizens of Southgate.
If you would like more details about why I believe both IRB arrangements have hurt the City, please contact me. I will be glad to explain my concerns. Please e-mail me at mark.messmer@gmail.com
My priorities as mayor
• Establish a Neighborhood Watch program that strengthens cooperation between residents and our Police Department.
• Relocate the Police Department to the current City Hall building, providing nearly three times the administrative space for the police department, immediate access to the newly constructed evidence room located there, improved access to U.S. 27 and I-471, so centralize all EMS, Fire and Police into one central location.
• Relocate City administrative services and Council meetings to the Community Center, providing better parking, Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility, adequate office space, and improved public access at minimal cost.
• Make better use of the Community Center complex by expanding recreational and community programs.
• Empower Council members to use their education, professional experience, and individual talents to lead committees and encourage greater community involvement.
• Reduce the City's debt and work toward making Southgate debt-free as soon as financially feasible.
• Aggressively pursue available grants by building strong relationships with the Campbell County Judge/Executive, the Kentucky League of Cities, the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, Southbank Partners, and other state and local organizations.
• Look for responsible ways to reduce taxes. Southgate has one of the highest property-tax rates in Campbell County.
• Have the Police and Fire Departments provide monthly activity reports to the City, including call volume and the types of calls handled.
These priorities cannot be accomplished overnight. They will require responsible budgeting, disciplined spending, sound financial planning, cooperation, and continued economic growth. Residents deserve to understand how their tax dollars are spent and why important financial decisions are made.
If elected mayor, I will lead with honesty, integrity, humility, and common sense. Working together, we can strengthen our neighborhoods, improve transparency, support public safety, encourage responsible development, expand community involvement, and build an even better Southgate for future generations.
Mark Messmer is a candidate for Mayor of Southgate.