Council candidate: John R. Wilson III
John R. Wilson III was born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina. He claimed Martinsville as his home 32 years ago as the result of marrying a native of the local area.
With a degree in business, real-world experience, and 26 years with the Noland Co., he's ready to serve as a member of the Martinsville City Council.
"There is no place like Martinsville," said Wilson. "People here are the best. It's the closest thing to Mayberry I've ever seen."
An Army veteran, fiscally conservative and "not a yes-man," he feels the city has made some wrong turns in the last 10 or 12 years and needs to be more business friendly.
"My two biggest concerns are housing and utility bills," Wilson said. "A lot of people here live on a fixed income."
For Wilson, Martinsville's infrastructure needs more attention and there needs to be more police presence.
Wilson will also put a priority on creating new business opportunities.
"If we can get new business, we will have new revenue," said Wilson. "When we get the wheel turning, one helps the other."
Wilson is no stranger to big budgets. He worked for the Noland Co. in Florida for 21 years where he managed funding purchases from the Air Force and NASA.
"It was quite a checklist handling stuff for the government," Wilson said. "We did it very well and we never exceeded our budget, even when times got tight. I took care of my payroll, and we made money. I have that in my background. I can handle business situations and tough times, keep a level head and look at what's in front."
Wilson thinks repairs to City Hall will likely be less expensive than building a new building. Regarding a $9 million lawsuit against the Henry County Public Service Authority, he believes the city is owed the money and Henry County "has failed to live up to their end of the contract."
Finding common ground is the key for Wilson in working with other council members.
"We've got to think about all the citizens and what's best for the city," said Wilson. "Be respectful and an adult. This is not play time."
With $15 million in federal pandemic relief funding, Wilson thinks the city failed to spend the money wisely. Despite being a baseball fan, the money committed to revamping Hooker Field wasn't the best choice.
"At the time, we had other issues," Wilson said. "We're not getting a return on this investment. We put a lot of money in it and we don't get anything from it."
Bill Wyatt (276) 591-7543
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