Editor’s Note: The Santa Rosa Press Gazette will feature Milton City Council candidates running in the Nov. 8 election. We begin with Cara Schepper, who competes with incumbent Mary Ellen Johnson for seat 2 in ward 2.
Tell us a little about yourself.
"As a long-time Santa Rosa County resident, I have called the city of Milton home for the last six years. I'm happily married to Kyle Schepper and have three beautiful children. As a former restaurant manager, I have an acute business sense. Currently, I am an account manager for a leading beverage company overseeing 10 divisions.
"I am highly involved with the Milton Community Center, where my children play sports and are active in cheerleading. I currently volunteer as a cheerleading coach for the city of Milton. In addition to the city’s youth programs, I serve as the coach of the freshman cheerleaders at Milton High School. I am also an active leader at church, where I lead and assist in youth Sunday school activities."
Why are you running for Milton City Council?
"I decided to run for City Council for multiple reasons. Although my husband and I could have chosen to live anywhere in the panhandle, we chose to invest and build our home in the city of Milton. We love Milton’s deep southern charm and small-town flavor. However, the city of Milton has the potential to improve and become even greater than it is. As a mother of three, I want my children to inherit a city that is vibrant and progressive. Over the years, I have watched surrounding areas such as Pace, Gulf Breeze and Navarre explode with commercial and residential growth. The citizens of the city of Milton deserve more and it is time to get to work!"
What would you like to see accomplished in Milton?
"If elected, I would like to focus on improving youth activities at our community center. The city should invest in its youth by implementing more education-based programs, more sports/activities that correlate with Milton High School and enhance our youth programs that generate city pride and investment for future generations to come."
"Milton’s business growth and development is also a main goal of mine. The city needs to be more business friendly. Retail recruitment will be a daily objective. If elected, I will work hard to create stronger incentives to bring more retail stores and restaurants to Milton. Throughout my career, I’ve visited many cities that grow in such positive ways. I would like to take what I've learned from other leaders in successful communities and combine those lessons with my own creative approach. I plan to use my positive energy and skills to take Milton to the next level. The people of Milton deserve a city that is attractive, inviting and vibrant."
"Our citizens deserve a council that is forward thinking, positive reacting and much more involved. I plan to be a councilwoman helping in that movement."
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Schepper: Milton needs 'forward thinking' council