Kent voters will elect three at-large council members Tuesday. Three newcomers are competing against the three incumbents, Rick Hawksley, Michael DeLeone and William Schultz.

At-large council members are elected in addition to council’s six ward representatives and have the same responsibilities.

Bill Anderson, John Bard and William Tarver are profiled below. See the sitting council members’ profiles for information on the incumbents.

 

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Name: Bill Anderson

Age: 80

Political party: Running as an independent, however he is a registered Republican.

Occupation: Retired. Practiced engineering and business management and fought in World War II

Political history: He serves on several commissions and boards, including the Construction Commission, Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council and the Planning Commission. “I’m not really a politician,” he said. “I just want good government.”

Goals if elected: He wants to put a stop to rising taxes, cut down inefficiency in spending and preserve Kent’s infrastructure. “I want fairness and honesty in government for everybody.”

Favorite spot(s) in Kent: “All of Kent is a nice place.”

Favorite pastime: Reading, playing music and attending meetings.

– Jessica Rothschuh

 

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Name: John Bard

Age: 51

Political party: Independent

Occupation: Toolmaker

Political history: “I don’t have much of one; I’m a newcomer. I have an interest because this is my hometown.”

Goals if elected: “To aid in getting the city financially solvent.”

“We need to focus on more basic needs of the city instead of pet projects.”

Favorite spot(s) in Kent: “That’s hard for me, because I grew up here. I guess downtown, the heart of downtown. The center of town was always a hub that I frequented often.”

Favorite pastime: “Just spending time with my family.”

– Ryan Loew

 

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Name: William Tarver

Party: Independent

Political history: 2005 Charter Review Commission secretary

Goals if elected: Tarver said one of his goals for Kent is to relax zoning ordinances in order to attract business. Owners are going to find surrounding communities more appealing to run their businesses, Tarver said.

Other city issues: Tarver addressed the rowdy boarding houses issue by saying students will work with neighbors if there is communication. He said he does not hold the landlord responsible but rather the adult in the house. “It’s a college town,” Tarver said. “We want the university but don’t want the main commodity, which is students.”

*Editor’s note: Tarver was unavailable for comment. The information presented was compiled from past reports.

– Katie Phillips