Shannon Rice for city council

MILTON — Shannon Rice is running for City Council Ward II.

Rice moved to Milton almost three years ago from California. She is a fourth-generation military veteran. She said she has experience in facility, personnel, property, and project management which she believes will be an asset to the city council. 

“I think I can help,” Rice said. “I bring diversity.”

Rice said as a member of city council she wants to get more diverse businesses into the city. She said she feels that Milton has been missing many great opportunities for getting businesses into the city.

“Milton has such great potential,” she said. “It is the cutest little town on the water I think I have ever been to.” 

Rice said when she first came to Milton, she got the impression that the city was not business-friendly based on what the town looked liked and has been grateful to see the change in recent years. She said that there is still room to grow and she would love to see a mentoring program established for new businesses to help show them how to succeed in Milton. 

In addition to adding more businesses, Rice said she wants to see roads be repaved. She also said she that she wants to see the storm water runoff issue addressed.

“There are some great homes on Blackwater and some great projects Milton has done,” Rice said, “but people can’t take pride in them if they are concerned about flooding.”

Rice said she also has concerns over the wastewater treatment facility which she said will need to be addressed but is a bigger project than Milton can handle on its own. As a council member, she said she would be an advocate for working with the city to reach out to the state to seek additional assistance. 

Rice said she is fiscally conservative. She believes government should take as little tax as possible. Rice said taxes should be something of an investment, not just expenditure, and taxpayers should be able to see some return on their investment.

Rice said she will always be available to the citizens.  She said that people can reach her through phone, email, Facebook and Instagram anytime with anything.

“I am not a member of one side or the other,” she said. “I am a listener and a team-builder.  I want to bridge the gap and bring our community together.”

Rice said her desire is to do the best for Milton and she believes she is qualified to be on the city council.

“Please look at my heart and give me a chance,” Rice said. “I really want to do good for you."

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Shannon Rice for city council