VOTE FOR THOMAS WIKNICH FOR MAYOR ON NOV 4TH First, THANK YOU to the hundreds of people that have already responded to me with their support, and picked up yard signs for their homes and business’s. The most important thing you can do now is vote. Getting out the vote is the most important thing to help elect the person you want to have represent you as mayor. Don’t stay home and think your vote doesn’t matter. It does. THE MOST IMPORTANT EXPERIENCE A “MAYOR” NEEDS IS “CITY GOVERNMENT” EXPERIENCE. When you combine my CITY experience with my federal, contractor, private business, and non profit experience, I’m sure you’ll conclude that I am the most diversely experienced candidate. Research what candidates offer for NEW ideas for the city. Do they just state feel good comments, or are they specific and demonstrate a solid understanding of the issues facing the city. Vague, feel good promises actually shows the candidate is unprepared for the actual demands of the job. Anyone can say I love this town and people, and will listen to you. But ask, WHAT WILL THEY ACTUALLY DO? MY PRIORITIESFOR RIDGECREST ARE: 1. Make sure and fund ALL needs concerning public safety. 2. Keep ALL current road projects funded. NOTE: all the current road projects were actually started by a council 4 to 6 years ago. It just took this long to get projects moving. 3. Repair the main existing city buildings so they are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 4. ENSURE Measure L funds are spent as promised in the campaign to pass it. 5. Repair and maintain existing parks and recreation facilities. 6. Establish a city sponsored citizens Economic Development Group, to ENCOURAGE business growth and diversification. Encourage tourist traffic. Improve senior care facilities and promote senior living. 7. Change city council meetings to allow a better dialog exchange with the public. Some current council members feel that getting the meeting done fast is the priority, over allowing the necessary time for complete public/council discussion of the issues. 8. Improve transparency by reinstituting monthly town hall meetings that were immediately stopped when I left office 4 years ago. I appreciate your support and respectfully ask for your vote. VOTE FOR TOM WIKNICH FOR MAYOR NOVEMBER 4th. Thomas Wiknich Biography I have lived in Ridgecrest since 1979, and am married to my wife, Shannon. I have a daughter, Denise, and two step daughters, Elizabeth and Nicole (Kevin), and I also have 2 grandchildren, Justin and Jolene. In 1979 I was hired as a contractor on China Lake, and eventually became a Program Manager at Raytheon at China Lake. I was hired by the Department Of Defense as a Program/Contracts Manager. I then retired from China Lake in 2005. While employed at China Lake, I started GUNS4US in 1987 as a small business. As the business grew and I moved towards retirement from the China Lake, I decided to invest in the business and Ridgecrest further. I designed and built the over 3000 sq ft GUNS4US building that GUNS4US is now in. The 2nd floor of this building just became home to the new KZGN TV station that I and my wife, Shannon, just recently purchased. The new KZGN TV station is the only community based TV station in Ridgecrest. I am the President and CEO of GUNS4US Inc and Ridgecrests new KZGN TV community station. I also Initiated the start and physical building of the non profit Ridgecrest Gun Range in 2000, and am now President of the nonprofit Ridgecrest Gun Range Association. This range brings hundreds of visitors EVERY YEAR to the area. Education: • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Redlands and Minor in Accounting. • Associates in Science Degree in Business Management from Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio • Department Of Defense certification for Contract Management • Department Of Defense certification for Program Management • 1 year of law at Ridgecrest School of Law City Government Experience: • Ridgecrest Planning Commission • Ridgecrest City Council and Kern Council of Governments • Past Ridgecrest Representative to LAFCO • Chairman of the City Infrastructure Committee • Member of the City Organization and Services Committee • Ridgecrest Police Dept. PACT Volunteer Patrol Captain & Code Enforcement Officer, • Completed LEVEL ll State of CA Police Officer Training Other Experience: • Lead Proponent for the voter approved Ridgecrest City Council Term Limits and Direct Elected Mayor initiatives in 2012 • Owner of GUNS4US Inc. since 1987 • Owner of KZGN TV Station, Ridgecrest, California • President Ridgecrest Gun Range Association a 501c nonprofit organization Military: • U.S. Army, Enlisted, 1969 to 1972 Recent Awards: • 2013 Police Chiefs Volunteer Award for Police And Citizens Together (PACT) • 2014 Rotary Club of China Lake Community Service Award Memberships: • Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association • Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America • Member Our Saviors Lutheran Church • Life Member of the Single Action Shooters Society • Life Member to National Rifle Association • NRA Certified Shooting Instructor
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 17:47:19 +0000