Each week, in an effort to provide greater familiarity and communication between the five Marathon City Council candidates and our readers, the Marathon Weekly will print candidates’ answers to a series of questions in editions leading up to the Nov. 5 election. With councilman Luis Gonzalez terming out and councilman Kennmy Matlock’s term expiring, the council will see at least one new face, as Matlock is seeking re-election.
Have suggestions for questions to ask the candidates? Email alex@keysweekly.com for consideration.
Answers are printed exactly as submitted by candidates, with responses limited to 100 words.
This week: If elected, what is your vision for Marathon over the next three years?
DUSTIN HUFF
It’s 2027, Marathon has undergone significant changes over the last three years. Residents are beginning to trust the city and its processes. Interactions with city employees have become pleasant, and residents are treated with dignity. The city is now treating all business owners and residents equally. Tax dollars are being allocated towards resident well-being and youth programs. The remaining BPAS are trickling out for owner occupied situations and out of town developers are taking a backseat. Affordable housing rights are being carefully considered, positioning local business owners to accommodate their workers, and some are being allocated to deed-restricted situations.
KENNY MATLOCK
I will continue to fight for a more transparent and honest local government. I think any future development should be single family homes and not housing compounds that locals don’t want to live in and don’t want in their neighborhood. I would like to see a staff and council that no longer finds loopholes for developers but instead preserves community character to keep Marathon a small family-oriented town. We need to start making Marathon a place our children want to live in when they grow up.
MARK SENMARTIN
My vision is simple: work hard! Work hard to improve our city. Work hard to support local businesses, to provide affordable housing initiatives that genuinely work for everyone, to prioritize the changes we CAN make to vacation rentals instead of constantly focusing on what we CAN’T do, and, as always, work hard focusing on practical solutions instead of complaining. I worked with several councils and we did some great work. I know what can be done by working hard, and I see us taking on the difficult tasks on day one!
LYNNY THOMPSON
My vision for the community is for it to be a happy and healthy place to live for both our citizens and our visitors both economically and environmentally. I will commit myself to working hard with the other city council members and the city staff and our citizens to accomplish all the goals that we need to make this a great community now and for our children. I believe working together and respecting each other we will have a great future!
RAY WOOD
I would work on revitalizing the building permit portal and permit department, more user friendly, easier. Second, using now owned city property like Seven Mile Marina and the Quay to be more productive including additional boat ramps, we like to ask tourists to come to Marathon let’s make it easier. Tourism will remain strong, enforcement of Vacation rentals is a priority, and to insure a strong workforce, Make workforce housing, affordable housing a priority as well and fast track where possible, insure a strong infrastructure. I am in favor of responsible growth that benefits our community.
