Nick Gessell is campaigning to become Farmington mayor and is competing for the seat on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
Gessell said Farmington has been home for his family that includes his wife and their three daughters.
"Our connection to this city grew naturally through everyday life, the relationships we formed and the experiences we shared. This is where our daughters are growing up, and the decisions made today will shape the city they inherit," Gessell said in a press release.
"I am running for mayor because Farmington needs to take a more active role in shaping its future. We should not wait for change to arrive and then react one proposal at a time. We should decide what kind of city we want to become and make deliberate choices that move us in that direction. I want Farmington in the driver’s seat," he said.
"Long before I decided to run for mayor, I was actively involved in Farmington. I attend City Council meetings, speak about issues affecting residents and encourage others to participate. I have applied to serve on local boards, worked with several boards in the community, volunteered as a youth coach and supported fundraising efforts. These experiences have given me a firsthand understanding of the work residents and volunteers do every day to strengthen our city," he said.
Gessell said in his professional role as a senior director, his work focuses on growth and strategy.
"I help my organization make sound business and financial decisions, improve its operations and prepare for long-term success. My work often begins with a complicated problem and incomplete information. I am responsible for examining the details, understanding the financial impact, challenging assumptions, and helping turn ideas into practical plans. A city is not a business, but public decisions still have to make financial sense. Before taxpayer money or city resources are committed, residents deserve a clear explanation of the costs, benefits and long-term consequences. I will bring that level of preparation and financial discipline to my work as mayor," Gessell said.
He said Farmington needs responsible growth and a stronger commercial tax base.
"Bringing more businesses into the city can create local opportunities and help reduce the tax burden placed on homeowners. That will require more than waiting for developers to approach us. The city must identify the types of businesses that fit Farmington, understand what has prevented them from locating here and develop a focused strategy for attracting them," he said.
Gessell said growth should also be judged by what it contributes to the community, not simply by the size of a project.
"As large-scale development involving the Farmington Technology Park and data-center use moves forward, I will insist on careful public examination of the expected tax benefits, environmental effects, overall scale and demands on roads, utilities, public safety and other city services. Those questions should be answered clearly and openly. What will a development add to the tax base? What resources will it require from the city? What risks or long-term obligations will residents assume? Asking these questions is not opposition to growth. It is how we make certain that growth works for Farmington," Gessell said.
"Transparency will be a standard of my leadership. Residents should receive clear information before major decisions are made. While there is still time for their input to matter. People should not have to spend hours searching through meeting documents to understand an issue that could affect their taxes, neighborhood or quality of life. As mayor, I will communicate openly, explain where I stand and make sure residents understand the reasoning behind my decisions," he aded.
Gessell said: "I also want Farmington to become a more connected community. Connection grows when residents feel informed, welcomed into the conversation and confident that city leaders are listening. I will be visible and accessible, both inside and outside City Hall, and I will continue encouraging residents to take an active role in the decisions that affect them."
He added: "A mayor must help establish a clear direction, ask difficult questions and keep the city focused on results. That includes protecting the public safety and dependable city services residents expect while preparing Farmington for the opportunities and challenges ahead. Farmington is our home, and its future matters deeply to my family. I am ready to bring determined leadership, sound financial judgment, and a clear strategy for growth to the mayor’s office. It is time for Farmington to take charge of its future."