I’ll start with this. If you are an undecided voter reading this, thank you. Actually if you are anyone reading this, thank you. I’m sure I speak for all six of us when I say your effort in becoming an informed voter is appreciated.

Why vote for me, Tom Wright? Well I’ll give some reasons and we’ll see which ones appeal to you. Perhaps we can make a deal If you like at least half of them, you’ll award me with one of your two votes. I’ll presumptuously assume we have a deal.

I’m a fair and honest leader. I will work with anyone and anything to get the job done. I don’t care about getting credit, just getting results.

Before making complex decisions I would research. I would gather opinions. I would listen. I would learn. I would keep an open mind. Then I would ask myself, what is best for Hastings.

I would have a soft spot for anything related to our future, our youth. To be clear, I would be a total sucker if it helps our youth.

I would foster a stronger relationship with ISD 200. We share the same need: more families in town. So sharing our resources and efforts to achieve that makes all the sense in the Hastings world.

I would advocate for diversity. We are 94% white (according to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau report). Why are those nonwhite not choosing to live in Hastings? Are LGBTQ choosing to live here? Why or why not? We should ask these questions because all should feel welcomed here. It’s the Christian thing to do. It’s the right thing to do. It’s the 2022 thing to do.

If diversity isn’t a concern for you I present our stagnant population as a reason to be more welcoming. We have been in what I’m calling “the 22k rut” the last ten years (also according to the U.S.C.B.). Zero gain in ten years. That’s a concern. If you’re among those who don’t want growth, be careful what you wish for.

I would support all businesses who call Hastings home. You would have a strong voice with me. I would support all City Staff, especially those on the front lines in the HPD and HFD. You all are the backbone of our operations. You would have a strong voice with me.

Thanks to our leadership Hastings has made a lot of progress in development the last 1015 years. The Riverfront Renaissance project alone was a massive achievement. We’re not done though. Hastings has a lot of potential to do more, and to be more. If elected I think I could help achieve that potential.

Now it’s my time to achieve an ending. I won’t ask for a donation. I won’t ask for a Wright sign in your yard. But if at least half of this appeals to you, I just ask for one of your two votes. Plus don’t forget, we had a presumptuous deal.

Tom Wright