The next topic I would like to discuss is why I want to run for County Council. I’ve touched on this in my introductory post on this page and gone into it a little on my campaign website (https://www.electmattfinke.org/). I want to help shape the future of Fulton County for my children and everyone who is currently calling this County home. Taking part in the fiscal decisions of this county is arguable the best way to do so. The Council is not just spending today’s money, it is spending tomorrows money. We cannot carry on through life without thinking of the future, so the decisions made today have to take tomorrow into account. The state of the world is different and constantly evolving, this means that we no longer have the luxury of just kicking the can down the road. It is imperative to do what we can now to set ourselves up for success in the future. Spending money wisely may mean a larger investment up front, but if it leads to prosperity in the years to come, then it is most likely a wise investment.
The flip side of this coin is that money just doesn’t materialize. This is where being fiscally responsible now is critical. Families across America face this problem on a daily basis, if there’s not enough money left at the end of the week, then what needs to change? Make coffee at home? Run your dishwasher and dryer at off-peak times to save a little on energy costs? Avoid making an unnecessary trip to town if it can wait? These are all the little things a family can do to alleviate financial stress, and with discipline and time, their situation can improve. Obviously the same issues that a family will face pales in comparison to what a local government faces, but the means of taking on the challenges remains the same. Are we running efficiently, or are there places where we can reevaluate? It’s the little things that can really add up. A mile is a mile whether you run it or walk it.
I am not from this area. I refer to myself as a transplant, having moved to the area after finishing college. Even though I was born and raised “South of 40,” I truly consider Fulton County my home. I choose to live here because I love it here and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. I love what this County has given my children, I want to see them raise their families here so they can be just as blessed. I am invested in the future of Fulton County, and I want to see us prosper.