Candidate for Odessa Town Council Seat No. 5: Marlene Kramer

Age:

Family: Son, Daughter-In-Law, and 3 grand children

Day Job: Retired

Relevent or Volunteer Experience: Volunteer for Old Town Hall Rejuvenation Society (OTHRS). On the Board of Director’s for Odessa Historical Society. I’ve been a volunteer for Deutschesfest since inception in 1971. I handle the community Christmas tree lighting for the town every year.

Profile questions (please respond in 100 words or less per answer):

Question 1: Do you think the citizens of Odessa would prefer to see population growth or remain a similar size to maintain a small-town feel? How should council help facilitate that position?

I believe the citizens of Odessa would like to have some growth to keep our deep rooted, “hometown feel” and to be a thriving community.

The council could help facilitate this and make it enticing for businesses to open shops here in town. Odessa has a need for more space and facilities that could help our town expand.

The council needs to actively work on this issue.

Question 2: What is the biggest problem currently facing the town? How could council help resolve that issue?

The biggest problem the town faces is housing shortages and lack of retail store fronts for more successful operating businesses. The council could resolve this issue by making many of the store fronts/commercial buildings only available to open and operating businesses.

Many of the retail and housing sit empty or are bought up for storage purposes.

It makes the town have a “dead” feeling with no life.

Question 3: Since this question was originally posed before the primary election, have you seen improvement in ordinance enforcement regarding undesirable/junk yards in town limits? How could council continue to or begin to facilitate this process?

Yes, we have. The town has hired a Chief of Police who is not afraid to enforce these laws. Tickets and letters have gone out, the residents know this is a serious problem and yards are being cleaned up or abatement is looming for the properties who do not abide by the law.

The fees are then charged to the resident for clean-up.

Staying on top of the properties that have junk is most crucial. Time is of the essence.