Three race for Braman's Ward 3 seat

EDITOR'S NOTE: This Q&A is part of the Journal-Tribune's coverage of the municipal election that will take place in Braman on April 2. This article features Donna Campbell and James Lunn, who are running for the 3rd Ward office on the Braman Board of Trustees. Lunn is the incumbent. Campbell's interview is listed first and Lunn's follows in alphabetical order. The Journal-Tribune has made multiple attempts to contact the third candidate, Christy Reneau, but she has not responded to our inquiries as of press time. Check out the results of the election in the April 10 edition of the J-T.

CAMPBELL

Donna Campbell hopes the people of Braman will allow her to tackle some of the community's most pressing issues by electing her to the Board of Trustees. She recently sat down with the Journal-Tribune to talk about how she hopes to help the community if elected.

Q: What would you like to tell voters about yourself?

A: I was born and raised in Braman. I went to school there, and I am the fourth generation of my family to live in Braman. I currently work as a rural mail carrier. I have a son, a daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter in Braman. My husband is a trucker.

Q: What will be your main objective if elected?

A: I want to promote small businesses and families coming to Braman. Soon, we will be getting a new casino/resort in Braman. We need to make sure that we use that to our benefit. We also need to update our infrastructure to draw families into town. This includes removing dilapidated buildings and improving our water and electrical systems. I would also like to see our Main Street revitalized.

Q: For this election, improving Braman's infrastructure seems to be an important goal for the candidates. How do you plan to do that?

A: Our electrical grid is old, and we really need to start working on that. We could possibly seek out grants to help fund improvements to the electrical system, and we could also look at grants to help make improvements to the water system. I would also like to reopen our city pool. That closed last year, and it was a major thing for Braman. We need a pool for our community's children.

Q: Another popular topic for this election seems to be revitalizing Braman's economy. How will you work to bring businesses to Braman?

A: I hope to get some people to build homes and businesses to increase the city's revenue. Mainly, I would like to see some small businesses open up shop. Braman has always had a lack of housing, and we need to work on building new homes for people to move into. I would also like to open an event center in Braman and look into having a local craft show. We need a place like that in our community.

Q: Small, rural communities depend heavily upon the work of first responders, but rural emergency response agencies often have to work with outdated and obsolete equipment. How will you work to improve Braman's public safety departments, which include the city's volunteer fire department and emergency management division?

A: Our fire department is running low on volunteers. We need to recruit more volunteers in order to revitalize our fire department. The more you have, the safer our community is. We need to get them “fired up,” so to speak. Currently, I serve as a storm spotter and emergency coordinator for the Braman Emergency Management Team, and I am more than willing to help improve both departments.

Q: Do you have any previous management experience?

A: In addition to aircraft manufacturing and commercial transportation experience, I have gotten to know the people of our community through my 12 years of service as a rural mail carrier. I have served as the president of the Braman Saddle Club and as a member of the Braman Alumni Committee. I currently serve as a coordinator for the city's emergency management department, and I have experience as the treasurer of local and district-level bowling leagues.

Q: Why do you feel you are the best candidate for this office?

A: I am the best candidate for this office because I care deeply about the future of our community. I am proud to call this community home. However, I am concerned about some of the issues facing our community. I believe we need people working for us at City Hall, and I am ready to do that.

LUNN

Incumbent trustee James Lunn hopes to hold onto his seat in the April 2 election so that he may continue serving the community he loves. Lunn spoke to the Journal-Tribune about why he feels young people need a say in Braman's future.

Q: What would you like to tell voters about yourself?

A: I am a Braman High School alumnus, and I have served the community in an elected position for the last decade. I served first as a member of the local school board and later as the 3rd Ward member of the Braman Board of Trustees. I have donated a lot of time and money to this town, and I truly love this place.

Q: What will be your main objective if elected?

A: My main objective will be to improve the town and help the townspeople.

Q: For this election, improving Braman's infrastructure seems to be an important goal for the candidates. How do you plan to do that?

A: It will take grants, local contributions, donated time, and donated labor from the whole community. I'm happy to say that we have plans for a new splash pad for the kids in town to play at, and we will be working this year to make those plans a reality.

Q: Another popular topic for this election seems to be revitalizing Braman's economy. How will you work to bring businesses to Braman?

A: I intend to communicate with chain businesses about bringing a small grocery store to town. As always, the Braman Town Hall should be a friend to entrepreneurs wishing to start a business in town.

Q: Small, rural communities depend heavily upon the work of first responders, but rural emergency response agencies often have to work with outdated and obsolete equipment. How will you work to improve Braman's public safety departments, which include the city's volunteer fire department and emergency management division?

A: I intend to help the emergency management department acquire newer hardware – specifically, new radios. I also want to help the fire department collect fire debts and solve its problem with low recruitment of volunteer firefighters.

Q: Do you have any previous management experience?

A: I was the president of Braman School Board for a couple of years. I have also been the warehouse manager for Kelle Oil in Braman for the last four years.

Q: Why do you feel you are the best candidate for this office?

A: I am a Bramanite and a millennial. I feel as though my generation needs some input in the community whether from me or someone else. I want to serve as the 3rd Ward member of the Braman Board of Trustees not because I am interested in the titles or "prestige" of holding office, but because I want to help my community.