Williamson to run for Chester City Council
<span>CHESTER -- News of those filing for the upcoming April municipal elections continued to trickle out this week, as Bruce Williamson announced Dec. 15 he has submitted the paperwork to run for alderman of Ward 3 on the Chester City Council.</span>
<span>That position is currently held by Russ Rader, whose term expires April 30. Rader is one of four city council members up for reelection, joining Nancy Crossland (Ward 1), Donnie Clark (Ward 2) and Ray Allison (Ward 4).</span>
<span>The rest of the city council is up for reelection in 2017.</span>
<span>"I've been thinking about (running for city council) for a few years and this time, Russ was running and no one was going to run against him," Williamson said. "I'm not getting any younger and I've always been interested in city government."</span>
<span>Williamson said, if elected, he would go into the position with an open mind.</span>
<span>"I have no agenda," he said. "I have no grudges with the city. I'm retired now, so I've got a lot of time and I feel I can help the city."</span>
<span>Rader defeated Bob Decker in 2011 in a close race that came down to early voting. Rader won reelection by two votes, 161-159.</span>
<span>"I don't want to say anything bad about Russ," Williamson said. "To run for city council, I had to run against him and you have to start somewhere."</span>
<span>Rader is also co-chairman of the Chester Pool Committee, which was appointed by Chester Mayor Tom Page in October. Clark is the other co-chairman, with the nine-member CPC set to meet for the first time on Dec. 30 at Chester City Hall.</span>
<span>"I have some views on some things that are important to the city like the swimming pool," Williamson said. "I don't see how I would support spending any money on the pool due to its age and handicap accessibility."</span>
<span>Chester Municipal Pool closed early on June 27 due to thunder and lightning. The following day, major water leakage was discovered and the facility was officially closed "until further notice" on June 30.</span>
<span>An inspection report by Burbach Aquatics put a pricetag of $5.7 million on renovation of the 75-year-old pool.</span>
<span>"I would like to see an indoor pool and ultimately, I would like to see something like the Perry Park Center," Williamson said. "Start small and build something that can be built on to."</span>
<span>Williamson also said he hoped to help the youth of the city.</span><span><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span>"The future of Chester is in our youth," he said. "Just an example in what the town can do is the Stingers. In three years, they've got a championship team.</span>
<span>"The city gave them a start, but they do all their own fundraising now and I think it's a bright spot for the city of Chester."</span>