McCloskey: Make small changes for improvement

• Art McCloskey

Art McCloskey

Talk about it

Art McCloskey could go from "mayor of Pinehurst" to mayor of Woodbury.

McCloskey said his friends along Pinehurst Road light-heartedly gave him the nickname because of his neighborhood presence. Now he wants to get involved in city government as mayor.

An appliance installer and former restaurant manager, McCloskey, 58, said he has management skills that would serve the city well. He said he is capable of managing people "without hurting their feelings."

"The mayor job just sounded like a good fit for me," he said. (The mayor and city council hire the city administrator, but do not directly manage employees.)

McCloskey is concerned about vacant homes in Woodbury. Some of those homes have not been adequately maintained. He proposes that the city tell banks to notify the city when there is a home foreclosure, and the lenders should have a plan to maintain those properties.

"Our city is a nice city, and we need to keep it that way," he said.

McCloskey said Bielenberg Sports Center is a recreational asset, but some parks go under-used. The city should promote all of the parks, he said.

"It's sitting there and no one's being directed there," he said of parks near his home.

McCloskey said he is satisfied with city spending and taxing policies, and had no strong positions on the city budget. He applauded the city for doing a good job plowing streets in winter.

Woodbury has "a bit of a litter problem" on city streets, McCloskey said, though he admitted it is not a large issue. Still, he wants city employees to pick up litter if they notice it while driving around the city.

McCloskey said residents would find him approachable.

"I can talk to people," he said. "I won't snub people."

At a glance: Art McCloskey

Family: Married; two adult sons, one adult daughter

Occupation: Owner of Art’s Expert Appliance (residential appliance installation)

Woodbury resident: 20 years

Civic involvement: Gun safety volunteer.

Tags: woodbury mayor, election