Afton: Richter has goals for new term

• Joe Richter

Joe Richter

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The 2010 race for the Ward 2 Afton City Council seat may seem somewhat familiar. Current council member Joe Richter will face off against challenger Kuchen Meyer, a former council member, who Richter defeated in the 2006 election.

“I think people have a clear choice,” Richter said.

Richter said he decided to run for re-election for a second term because he felt that the city was in a good position and he wanted to see that continue.

Over the past four years, Richter has assisted with the drafting of the comprehensive plan, the dissolution of all of Afton’s lawsuits, the approval of the Cedar Bluff Development project and the construction of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department telecommunications, or stealth, tower.

Richter said he considers the telecommunications tower one of his greatest accomplishments with the City Council.

“I think overall, we were able to work through that process and find a good resolution to a difficult problem,” Richter said.

Richter said he is pleased at how the city has been able to maintain its budget, low taxes and remain fiscally responsibly.

If re-elected, Richter said he will focus on improving Afton’s roads, maintaining a balanced budget, looking for ways to address the Old Village issues and identifying what the future of Afton looks like.

“We’re trying to adopt a philosophy of growth for Afton that reflects the values in Afton,” he said.

Another issue that Richter is concerned with is the possibility of Afton becoming a charter city. The proposed Afton Charter will be on the Nov. 2 ballot.

“I’m opposed to the concept of the charter,” he said. “I like the idea of initiative and referendum, but unless you can guarantee you’re going to have an 80 percent turnout, I’m afraid of the influence of special interest groups — it gives potential for predatory practices and other manipulation for personal gain.”

Joe Richter

Age: 59

Occupation: Pilot with Delta Airlines

Family: Married, two daughters, one son

Afton resident: 14 years

Civic involvement: Afton City Council from 2006-2010, Afton Public Works Committee, Washington County Yellow Ribbon Network, Habitat for Humanity

Tags: daily updates, city council, election