Centre Mayor Tony Wilkie is seeking a second term as mayor of Centre in the 2012 municipal election. He has qualified and announced his intentions to run.

“These past four years have been challenging for our city,” said Wilkie. “By working hand in hand with our city council and our dedicated municipal employees, we have kept our city financially stable in a time when many municipalities across our state find themselves raising taxes and cutting services.

“I want the honor of serving you for a second term so that I may continue being a good steward of your tax dollars while promoting responsible economic development for our city.”

“I feel passionately about our city because Centre has always been home for me,” said Wilkie.

“My wife Mary and I have raised our family here and have been local business owners for the past 22 years. I served on the city council from 2004 until 2008 because I wanted to be a part of making Centre a place where my daughters, Chelsey and Bailey, would want to stay and raise their families.

“My time as a city councilman was definitely a time of learning and growth. I learned how city government works and of the value of working together as a council to improve our city. Most importantly, I learned the absolute necessity of keeping Centre financially strong.”

During my time as your mayor, I put my business experience and knowledge learned as a councilman to work to improve our city,” said Wilkie.

“My 22 years of experience as a local business owner have enabled me to efficiently manage our city’s spending and operate under budget in each of my four years as mayor. There have been numerous businesses to open their doors in our city which have helped to stabilize our local sales tax revenue and provide local jobs.

“I have worked closely with each city department to better serve the citizens of Centre. I have also revitalized our committees such as Industrial Developmetn to find new and innovative ways to recruit industry and business to our city.”

In striving to make Centre a place where future generatiosn would want to call home, Wilkie said, he initiated programs to improve the city’s beauty and recreational opportunities.

Centre has taken on the mowing of the Highway 411 right-of-way as well as keeping litter off of city right-of-ways.

“In regards to recreation, we have experienced tremendous growth with the largest number of baseball and softball teams in our city’s history.

“By hosting the 2011 State Dixie Youth Boy’s Baseball Tournament, our city gained recognition and exposure statewide.”

“As your mayor, I am committed to maintaining our hometown values, keeping our local taxes low and promoting responsible economic growth for Centre,” said Wilkie.

“As my pledge was four years ago, I will continue to maintain a city government that is fair and honest and lives up to the trust you have placed in me.”