Newly elected officials share insights to office
Edmund Slocombe and Tim Peterson will fill two vacancies on Peabody City Council. Slocombe was an incumbent and Peterson will replace John Gard.
Slocombe was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Tom Schmidt when Mayor Randy Dallke became a county commissioner and Schmidt filled the Peabody mayoral position.
"I think it is the responsibility of every citizen to be involved in the community," said Slocombe. "Being involved in governing is part of that.
"I hope we (the council) can help instill a sense of pride in Peabody. Compliance with the rules and just plain 'being a good neighbor' needs more attention," he added.
Slocombe hopes to do something about the water and sewer infrastructure as well. "The systems are old and we are going to be in trouble if we don't get with it," he said. "More than anything else we need a solution for that."
Slocombe is retired. He grew up in Peabody and he and his wife Anne returned to be close to family.
Tim Peterson, a 39-year-old father of three, said he has no ax to grind and no major issues he wants to see accomplished.
"Nothing 'big' pushed me into this," he said. "I just wanted to do something a little different for the community and see how the council works."
Peterson is a member of the fire department and the ambulance crew. Both organizations are manned by volunteers.
"I don't really have anything I want to see done right off the bat," he said. "I'll sit back and see how it goes. I think it will be interesting."
Peterson is employed as a cook at Sharon's Korner Kitchen.
Sue Klassen is postmaster of Florence Post Office. She defeated Josh Inlow, a write-in candidate, for the mayoral position in Florence.
"First, I am happy and thankful for the support I got from the community," she said.
She said there is no personal agenda behind her run for mayor.
"There are so many things I'd like to do," she said. "I don't know what will get done, but I guarantee when my term is up in two years no one will be able to look at me and say 'she didn't try.' I guarantee that."
Klassen is active in Florence PRIDE, Labor Day committee, and chamber of commerce.
