Vote for Ron!
Thank You!
Thank you for your support on April 5, 2011. Although we did not win, we won over twice as many votes as we did in 2010, 4,562 votes!
At this point I do not plan on running for Oshkosh Common Council in 2012.
Who is Ron Hardy?
I am a Librarian at UW Oshkosh specializing in collection development and licensing electronic resources. I am also a husband and father of two daughters and a home owner on North Main Street. In 2008 I was appointed to the Sustainability Advisory Board and served as the Chair of that Board in 2009 and 2010. I have been involved in local politics and promoting local events and businesses through the website www.mainstreetoshkosh.com. I am an advocate for strengthening community, developing neighborhood identity, and protecting the environment around us.
These are some of the issues that I care about, that I want to bring to this campaign for Oshkosh Common Council. I know that not everyone cares about all of these issues, but I hope that most people care about some of these issues, and will support me in making them the focus of the Oshkosh Common Council.
I am running because I believe that Oshkosh is a great place to live, and it can be even better. I want to work to help implement the Vision that the people of Oshkosh have said they want to see:
Planning a pedestrian friendly waterfront;
Building an attractive and thriving downtown;
Developing a bike friendly transportation system;
Investing in more trees, parks, and green space;
Supporting farmers’ markets and community gardens;
Improving air and water quality to improve public health;
Preserving our architectural heritage as an important part of our City’s identity;
In tough economic times it is critical that we invest in our community first. We need to work with local businesses to promote a city-wide “Buy Local” program and encourage people to keep our money in Oshkosh. We need to provide better support for small locally-owned businesses in Oshkosh – the “Mom & Pop” stores that are committed to the community. We should be encouraging growth and development in the heart of the city – Main Street, the Fox River, and Oregon St. – and actively work to re-purpose abandoned lots and buildings instead of leaving them rotting on our river front and main roads.
Small quality of life investments in trees, parks and green space can have a large impact on property values and attracting good jobs to Oshkosh. Implementing a smart bicycle/pedestrian plan can improve public safety, public health, and reduce traffic congestion. The City should respond to the growing demand for community gardens, farmers’ markets and locally grown food by partnering with private groups to expand these community resources. Public health is impacted by the quality of our air and water, and we should pursue a healthy environment to live in.
As a parent of two young children and a homeowner on Main Street, I am dedicated to working with others to make Oshkosh the gem of the Fox River Valley and Northeast Wisconsin. Oshkosh sits between two great lakes connected by the beautiful Fox River, we have miles of beautiful waterfront for fishing, boating, and walking. We need to embrace our geography and make it the pride of our community. We should also preserve our architectural and cultural heritage while building a legacy for Oshkosh to leave for our grandchildren.
If you share my concerns and want to make sure that they get attention, please join my campaign for Oshkosh!
