The top issue will be keeping a balanced budget with low building activities in a depressed economy. Grants are becoming harder to obtain so finding money for street and waste water repairs will be more challenging. The Police and Fire Depts. are priorities, and with the Town Council approving the hiring of two more Paramedics and a full time firefighter this will create an additional budget burden that will need to be resolved.

The Town's employees account for a large portion of Eatonville's operational budget so revenues must justify the payroll. New equipment expenditures can be deferred until absolutely necessary or their obtained from other revenue sources. The Town's staff must balance providing services with dwindling revenues and existing employees will be asked to do more with smaller budgets.

I spent four years on the Town Council and as Mayor Pro-Tem I have dealt with the actual operation of the Towns day to day business. I have obtained grants while building Mill Pond Park and I am an experienced Union negotiator. As Mayor I will work for a budget that meets our community's needs while improving our infrastructure. I believe I have the ability to lead the Town forward through this economic downturn.

I have been married to my wife for 29 years, and have lived in Eatonville with our two sons since 1992. Eatonville has been a great place to live and raise our children. I care about its future and I have seen the citizens and businesses come together to help those who are in need and are ill. We live in a friendly connected community and I would like to see it stay that way.

Brenden Pierce

This candidate did not respond to The News Tribune's questionnaire.