Callahan makes it 3 for Madison mayoral race!

MADISON – Mike Callahan says Madison politics and the things he saw while serving on the city’s Planning Commission made him decide to join the mayor’s race – on the final day to file qualifying papers.

Callahan made it a three-man race for the mayor’s job on Tuesday. He will challenge Mayor Sandy Kirkindall and Paul Finley. All three were guest speakers Wednesday at the monthly lunch meeting of the Republican Women of Madison.

Finley said he wants to create a better plan for the city’s growth and hire a retail recruiter to help build the city’s revenue base.

Kirkindall said the experience he’s gained over the past four years and success he’s had with keeping his campaign promises from four years ago make him the best choice for the city.

"In the next census, Madison will be the eighth largest city in the state," Kirkindall said. "We’re no longer a small town, but a city with a small town feel, and we want to keep it that way."

He talked about road improvements over the past four years, such as Hughes Road, Wall Triana, Sullivan Street, County Line Road and the Gillespie Road extension.

"The Sullivan Street and County Line widening projects were planned by two prior administrations, but we got them done," Kirkindall said. "And we have other road projects designed and ready to be done."

Kirkindall said nearly 500 businesses opened in Madison in 2006 and 2007, and developers now say it’s easy to work with Madison.

Finley, a local businessman, said he’s an energetic, enthusiastic person whose top priorities include defining the city’s direction and hiring a retail recruiter.

"We can’t borrow more money so we need to generate it ourselves," Finley said.

Finley believes he has a fresh approach to growing the city with the help of its residents.

"One thing I’ve realized is that our lives are busy in Madison ɠand it’s hard for people to attend council meetings," he said. "And people who move here don’t know how to make a difference once they get here."

Finley wants to bring the government to the people by broadcasting council meetings on the city’s cable channel 42 and by holding community awareness meetings with residents.

Callahan is a military retiree who has lived in the area for 14 years. His two daughters are grown, and he now has the time to serve in public office.

"Being in the military, I’ve had the opportunity to live in other communities and watched how they matured and progressed," Callahan said. "Watching Madison politics and the planning and zoning commission for six to seven years is what pushed me into the decision to run."

He believes the city has had a good plan for growth.

"And while consistency may be good for the developers, it may not be so good for the residents in the area where developments happen," Callahan said.

Callahan didn’t bash Kirkindall’s leadership, but said "some of the policies are not what they could be.

"We need to take the plans in place and get back to where we started and build the city around the residents who are already here – to have sustainable growth."

By WENDY REEVES wendy.reeves@htimes.com