James Lee Gowan faces his first electoral opposition as the mayor of Hillsboro in the April 4 election.
Gowan, a nine-year member of the city’s Board of Alderpersons, first was named interim mayor after longtime Mayor Frank Roland died in March 2015, then won election to the final year of Roland’s 11th two-year term last April in an unopposed race.
In his bid for his first full, two-year term as mayor, Gowan must first defeat Dennis K. Bradley.
Bradley, who also is running for a seat on the Hillsboro R-3 Board of Education, did not return a Leader candidate questionnaire.
Three of the four incumbents on the city’s Board of Alderpersons are running unopposed: Ward 1’s Brenda King; Ward 3’s Nancy K. Maxwell and Ward 4’s Joyce Ann Twiggs. The incumbent in Ward 2, Michael Stork, chose not to run for another two-year term and no one filed to replace him, so all the names of all write-ins will be counted.
The mayor is paid $150 per month and alderpersons are paid $75 per month.
GOWAN, 78, lives at 10296 Micah Lane. He and his wife, Barbara Ann, have three children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Gowan, a substitute instructor for Jefferson College, has a bachelor’s degree in industrial production and management from the Washington University School of Engineering.
He serves on various city committees, including the economic development committee. He was a member of the Rotary Club in Ponca City, Okla., and is a veteran of the U.S. Army.
His son, Scott C. Gowan, represents Ward 3 on the city’s Board of Alderpersons. “I did not help, campaign, or assist in any way,” the elder Gowan said of his son.
What are the biggest problems facing the city and how would you address them?
Gowan: Hillsboro has the most dedicated, reliable and professional people I have ever had the pleasure to work with. As a successful engineer having run manufacturing operations in many locations of the country I can tell you that Hillsboro has the best and most efficient infrastructure possible, considering its small tax revenue. While according to a recent independent audit, our city is financially sound, our general fund has had a declining revenue base for the last two years primarily due to business closings.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Gowan: I will continue to serve the city in a nonpartisan manner for the best interests of the residents of Hillsboro and Jefferson County. I will work with our Board of Alderpersons to provide the tax-incremental financing for developments such as Peachtree Plaza (at Hwy. B and Business 21) and the Grewe property, another promising development located just south of Jefferson College at Hwy. A. Developments of this type will bring more retail operations to serve the fastest-growing city in Jefferson County.