EDITORS NOTE: This is part of a series of stories introducing the candidates for Alderman in Celina. Residents will vote Tuesday, June 3.
Most people running for elected office are running because they want to. For Celina’s Kenneth Dale, that was not the case.
Dale, a retired machinist, said he has lived in Celina his entire life. Dales said he is running for the Celina Board of Alderman because he was approached by other community members. Dale said he would take the role seriously to better serve the public.
“I view this as sort of like doing jury duty,” Dale said. “Nobody really enjoys doing jury duty, but it needs to be done and it needs to be taken seriously. So, if I get called for jury duty, I serve. I have been asked to serve here, so I intend to do it, if I’m elected, as seriously as I can.”
Dale said many of his job duties, like planning for the future, translate well to the Alderman job. Dale said he sees Celina’s finances as a key challenge.
“Like any small town, the biggest issue is too much to do and not enough money,” Dale said. “It’s resource allocations, knowing what to prioritize, trying to look down the road and make sure what you’re doing now is going to benefit you in the future.”
Dale said Alderman have the responsibility of overseeing the city’s finances and public works, as well as making sure projects are done efficiently.
Dale said he struggles to ask people for votes, but he believes his standing with the community is a reason to support him. Dale said Celina will be in good hands regardless of who is elected.
“From the list of candidates I’ve seen, I think any one of them would make a fine Alderman,” Dale said. “I don’t have any issues, personally or professionally, with any of them. We’ve got a good list of candidates. It’s a shame they all couldn’t be elected.”
