By Zach Dietmeier

 

NORMAL - A candidate for Normal Town Council calls Uptown Normal more than just debt and government involvement.  

 

Scott Preston has experience as a small business entrepreneur and as Assistant to Treasurer Dan Rutherford is running for the second time. His first attempt was in 2010 when he was a junior at Illinois State University.

 

"I personally see Uptown as an investment in our community," Preston said.  "It has become an economic engine in our community.  I think it really brought people together."

 

PODCAST: Listen to Scott Preston with Beth Whisman on WJBC.

 

Preston wants to see continued building of community relationships if he's elected to the council and added that local government is most important because it is the closest the people.

 

"At its core, the purpose of any government is to provide services that people can't provide for themselves in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible," Preston said. 

 

Growth in infrastructure and public are some of his focuses moving forward. The lifetime resident of Normal said the biggest challenges to the town include continued forward movement and growth.

 

"We've got a lot of good things going and we've got to keep that going in the right direction," Preston said.  "Whether it be Uptown or sound fiscal management, we've got to protect those things while we address that we are a growing community and must also consider that our current fire protection may not be in the best locations to best protect our town."

 

Preston calls the maintenance of a strong relationship between ISU and the town a top priority.  As a board member for the Alumni Association, he sees service provided as a benefit to students, faculty, and administrators.  

 

Scott Preston is one of six candidates running for three open seats in the Apr. 9 election.

 

Zach Dietmeier can be reached at zach.dietmeier@cumulus.com.