Press release from Democratic mayoral candidate Chris Wilson:
Putting Public Service Above Politics
Democratic Mayoral candidate Chris
Wilson believes in leading by example, particularly when it comes to public
service.
“I served my country in the United
States Army and was honorably discharged. That experience set the tone for the
next 35 years of my life.” Wilson explained. “Like a lot of young
men and women in Bristol today, the military was a good option for me at that
point in my life. It taught me about discipline, character, honor and
integrity. My time in the Army also gave me a great sense of accomplishment.”
And Wilson clearly practices what he
preaches. In the 33 years he’s lived in Bristol, Wilson has volunteered for the
Jaycees, the Rotary, served as President of the McCabe Waters Little League, as
Director of the Bristol Day Care Center and Director of the Family Center or
Girls. Wilson has also volunteered for the United Way, the West Cemetery
Association, the Capitol Region Education Council, and the Mayor’s Task Force
on Fiscal Efficiency. Chris is active in the United Methodist Church.
“I’m particular proud of the work we've
done on the Bristol Board of Education. On
the BOE, we have returned $4,800,000.00 in surplus dollars to Bristol
taxpayers, we received Zero school budget increases from the city in four of
the last five years. The BOE recovered $4,000,000.00 dollars from school
renovation projects,” Wilson said. “Recently, my opponent has taken shots at
the good work done by the Board of Education. That fact is, we’ve kept Bristol’s
education system solid while our budgets have remained flat year after year. The
return of surplus and the recovery from school renovation projects has returned
nearly $9,000,000.00 to Bristol taxpayers. I’m not sure how Mr. Cockayne
turns that into a bad thing, but he’s trying.” Wilson continued.
Wilson went on to say that he regrets
that some politicians don't seem to understand the difference between
volunteering and doing political work. “I hear it all the time.
Politicians, like my opponent, say they care about Bristol because they sit on
this board or that committee. Most of those boards and committees are assigned
to politicians who win city council seats. It’s part of the job. Volunteering
is different. Volunteering isn’t about politics, it’s about public service.”
As Mayor, Chris Wilson wants to jump
start volunteerism by connecting local civic and charitable organizations with
Bristol’s schools.
Chris Wilson and his wife Jill have lived
in Bristol for 33 years. They have three children and five grandchildren.
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