ALTON – Lifelong Alton resident David Goins, pastor of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, has announced his intent to run for mayor of the City of Alton in the April 2021 election.
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“I love this community and will work tirelessly to rebuild Alton’s reputation as a safe, clean, and vibrant city. Through my ministry as a pastor and experience as a police officer, I have seen firsthand the challenges our community faces. Since 2012 under the current leadership, Alton has experienced continued job losses and a faltering economy, unlike some of our neighboring communities,” said Goins. “The City of Alton faces serious obstacles including mounting financial liabilities, continuous population decline, and a decreasing tax base. But with new leadership and a new vision for growth, Alton can flourish, grow, and reach its full potential.”
Alton’s population declined to approximately 26,500 residents, endangering its home rule status, which requires a city to maintain over 25,000 residents to preserve its constitutional authority to self-govern in matters such as sales taxes and solving local issues.
“Our businesses and families deserve to experience a strong economy with positive employment opportunities, safe neighborhoods, and quality schools, resulting in stability for our city and its citizens. I promise to lead with integrity, honesty and respect. My actions will follow my words and I will keep my campaign promises,” Goins stated. “I will make it a priority to develop a professional, honest and respectful working relationship with local labor and trade organizations and I will not support further outsourcing of jobs. I will create a community engagement committee that focuses on public safety, crime prevention and strategies to promote community pride and trust. And supporting our public and private schools will be a cornerstone of my administration,” said Goins.
In his first 45 days as mayor, Pastor Goins will begin hiring a professional team to develop a strategic action plan to tackle the most pressing issues of the city, including population growth, economic recovery, public safety, education and investment in Alton’s youth. Goins will also develop a beautification infrastructure program to repair and maintain streets and sidewalks. These efforts will create a synergy that results in increased tourism and revenue.
Pastor David Goins retired as a sergeant with the Alton Police Department after serving for 25 years, is a member of the Alton School District Board of Education and previously served as a Civil Service Commission member.
He and his wife, Sheila, are proud parents of three children and eleven grandchildren. For more information on Goins’ campaign, please visit the campaign’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/ DavidGoinsforMayor.
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