Current Hillsdale Mayor Doug Moon is not seeking re-election in November but did outline what characteristics he hopes the new leadership exemplifies.
“I think that whoever has the job really has to realize that you have eight different agendas being pushed,” Moon said. “You have to be strong enough to cut through all of that to get to the heart of it.”
Moon has been on Hillsdale’s City Council for seven years, serving as mayor since fall of 2009. In that time, Moon has helped the town tackle problems with the streets, blight, and high unemployment rates.
“Everything’s kind of changed within the past 30 years, and we’re just trying to find our place now,” Moon said. “Instead of large automotive plants, we’re getting smaller shops and diversifying a little bit, which has been fantastic.”
In order to continue enacting these positive changes, Moon says the new mayor will have to focus on uniting the council.
“I think the biggest issue will be corralling council,” Moon said. “I really hope that they are able to do that because if not, you can get so bogged down and derailed. Unfortunately, after every election, people come in without really understanding that the job is about everyone here being on a team.”
Moon believes both of the candidates are good choices for the position and hopes that whoever wins will stay focused on bettering Hillsdale.
“We’re Hillsdale, you’re not in this for the money,” he said. You’re in it for the community.”
