Stockford declares candidacy for mayor of Hillsdale

Home City News 2016 Stockford declares candidacy for mayor of Hillsdale
Stockford declares candidacy for mayor of Hillsdale

 

Councilman Adam Stockford recently told The Collegian in an exclusive interview of his intention to run for mayor in 2017.
(Photo: Hillsdale City Council)

Ward 1 City Councilman Adam Stockford announced his candidacy in the 2017 Hillsdale mayoral election in an exclusive interview with the Hillsdale Collegian.

The Hillsdale alumnus said he has been considering a mayoral bid for years, and his primary aim as a candidate is to encourage businesses to move to Hillsdale.

“We need to focus more on these areas if we want real growth,” Stockford said. “For example, I think food processing is huge for Michigan, and Hillsdale needs to get in on it.”

He plans to focus on reevaluating Tax Increment Finance Authority laws to make them more beneficial to local business growth. He cited the neighboring town of Litchfield, saying it has had more success with TIFA because it focuses its fund on its industrial park.

“Right now TIFA is not really helping the average citizen of Hillsdale,” Stockford said.

In addition, Stockford said he would seek to fight the city’s heroin problem with more modern solutions. To help solve these problems, Stockford suggested the town consider installing access to modern medical treatment for heroin addicts that is available in cities like Coldwater and Jackson.

“The police force here does a good job, but they don’t have the resources to deal with addicts, and addicts don’t have the resources to get over their addictions,” he said.

Stockford said his background in business as a recruiter for Elwood Staffing would make him a business-friendly mayor.

“I recruit people for a living so I work with businesses on a daily basis, which makes me uniquely qualified for this job,” he said. “I like to think I have my finger on the pulse of what’s going on business-wise.”

Stockford said he wants to be a force for unity in Hillsdale who can help the town focus on economic development and educating the next generation, to make the town more attractive for a diverse array of industries.

“It’s time that people started working together and stopped arguing about petty stuff like entrance signs,” he said. “It’s all hands on deck now.”