“The future matters. What we decide today will affect future generations,” said Michelle Coldiron. She has announced her bid for a seat on the Marathon City Council, elections to be held in November of 2015.
If she’s elected, she said, all of her decisions will support Marathon as a vacation destination for families, Marathon as a place to raise a family, and Marathon as a place to retire.
“We can do all of that by strengthening our families,” she said.
While she’s intent on polling the community about the issues and their solutions, she was willing to share her viewpoint on key issues facing the city.
• On filling the city manager, city attorney and city finance director positions: “I would hope that by November, those decisions are made,” she said. “But if not, I have the skill set to help find the right candidate.”
• On whether the sewers should be city-run: “I don’t think we have enough information yet to make that decision.” Coldiron said she wants a workshop for stakeholders including the public, council, city staff, and the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority.
• On a community pool: “If it could work financially, I would be in favor of a city pool,” she said, adding that she would also want to put the issue before the voters.
Her other priorities are improving the amenities that make Marathon special: the Old 7 Mile Bridge, the public library, the animal shelter, and city parks. She said she has a talent for asking questions, listening and doing her own research as well, and looks forward to tackling the workforce and affordable housing status in Marathon.
Since moving to the Keys 16 years ago with her daughter, Mallory, and husband, Greg, Coldiren has been very involved in the community. She worked for the state of Florida as the Guardian ad Litem advocate coordinator — recruiting, training and overseeing volunteers who give children a voice in court proceedings affecting their welfare. She also served as a Take Stock in Children mentor and a director of the Grace Jones Day Care Center and is also a graduate of Leadership Monroe County.
Before coming to the Keys, Coldiron was the director of marketing for a chain of Ohio private psychiatric hospitals, was a Girl Scout troop leader and served on the board of an orphanage. Upon her marriage, she helped her husband organize special events and music concerts on behalf of big corporate sponsors.
Two years ago, the family took over Global Health Connection Inc., a wholesale private label of medical compression hosiery.
“How do we make Marathon great? By finding a way to bring the kids back,” she said, referencing her daughter and Marathon High School graduate, Mallory.
In her free time, Coldiron likes to get out on the water and play tennis.
The elections will be in November. Councilman Richard Keating has reached the term limits of office and Councilman Mark Senmartin is up for reelection.
“I want to offer my leadership skills, my common sense, to the city of Marathon,” Coldiron said.
