Resident David Calhoun running for Chelsea City Council Place 4

Chelsea resident David Calhoun is running for Chelsea City Council Place 4.

Calhoun, who has lived in Chelsea for almost 30 years, said his experience in the Shelby County School System and on the Chelsea Planning Commission have helped prepare him to be a positive leader for the city.

“I have a long career of being an educator, working in the public school system and working with the public,” he said. “Even though I’ve never before now sought to run for an elected position …I just feel like this is a time for strong leadership to move the city forward, and I feel like I can contribute in that way.”

Calhoun started working in the Shelby County School system in 1990 as a teacher and athletic coach at the Chelsea School, which at the time housed kindergarten through 12th grade. He has also served as the building principal at Chelsea Middle School and Chelsea High School, and he served most recently as coordinator of student services at the district office. Calhoun’s wife, Janeice Calhoun, still works as a drivers education instructor at the high school.

Over the last several years, Calhoun said he has seen Chelsea grow and new families move into the area. If elected to city council, he said he would like to help the city’s amenities grow as well. A few things Calhoun said he would like to see are increased patrols from law enforcement, increased fire protection coverage, expanded city services and expanded recreational opportunities.

“[City leaders] are already taking steps to try to address those things, but as we grow, those needs will expand and grow as well, so I think that’s an area of focus we need to continue on with,” he said.

Calhoun said there is also an opportunity for the city to partner with the high school to make sure there are adequate athletic facilities.

“You can look at the high school and the fact that we have quite a few portable classrooms, that’s an indicator that our student numbers are growing,” he said. “Just as classroom needs grow and expand, the needs to expand and grow athletic facilities to serve those kids grow along with it.”

The need for new or expanded facilities around the city inevitably calls for increased revenue, Calhoun said, so he would also like to promote business growth and attract new industries to the city.

“It all takes money, so with being able to promote new businesses and industry growth, I believe that would give the city some additional revenue to address those needs,” he said.

Growth typically brings change to a community, Calhoun said, but he hopes to work to retain the identity of Chelsea.

“A challenge that we have is trying to preserve the things that have made Chelsea so special to all of us,” he said. “Obviously there was something about Chelsea that resonated with us all when we decided to relocate here once upon a time, and I want to try and hold onto as much of that as possible.”

In addition to maintaining the city and community’s identity, he hopes to open up the conversation on city affairs. He hopes to increase citizen involvement through livestreaming city council meetings, revising the city’s Facebook page and encouraging conversations. If elected to city council, Calhoun said his first priority would be to reflect the citizens of Chelsea.

“As a city that’s only 20 years old officially, where the city is is a pivotal place at its growth and in its existence as a city, and all I want to do is be a good listener and hear what their [citizens’] concerns are,” he said. “I want to set about the business of seeking out solutions and addressing people’s concerns and making Chelsea a better place to live and raise families.”

For more information, see DavidCalhounPlace4.com or David Calhoun Place 4 on Facebook.

Chelsea Park resident Tiffany Bittner is also running for Chelsea Council Place 4. The election for Chelsea mayor and five city council seats is scheduled for Aug. 23.

If you are running for city council or mayor in Chelsea, you can reach our community reporter Erica Techo at erica@starnespublishing.com.