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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Jim Hilty: City needs smart growth to attract higher level jobs; I bring experience to hit the ground running

Ocala City Council candidate Jim Hilty believes the city needs “smart growth” to attract higher level jobs and says that his experience serving across healthcare, homeless, and arts programs and advisory boards makes him qualified for the District 5 seat. 

Hilty made the remarks during a candidates’ forum on Tuesday, August 10 at the Brick City Center for the Arts. He is running against Greg Steen for the District 5 seat of the Ocala City Council. 

“I’ve been in Ocala for 31 years and had a financial business with Edward Jones in Ocala for 30 years,” said Hilty. Hilty says through participation in “many committees” over the years, he’s learned about the balance of power within advisory boards. He believes that experience is invaluable for a City Council member. 

“My 30 years of financial experience will help as we struggle through the budget with the city, trying to find where we get money for different programs,” said Hilty. 

In response to a question about Ocala’s growth in recent years, Hilty indicated that he was a proponent of “smart growth” moving forward. 

“We need to make sure that we are attracting the right businesses for the labor market that we have,” said Hilty. He lauded the city for its newly developed warehouses, calling them “wonderful,” but suggested that Ocala needed more. 

“We need to also attract something for a higher level so we can keep our base of earnings going up. That’s important for the citizens of Marion County, that we have a good employment base and a good earnings base,” said Hilty.

Hilty suggested that it was up to city leadership to impress upon staff a “yes attitude” to address difficult situations and “go the extra mile” for the city’s residents. He concluded his remarks by elaborating on some of the experience he feels makes him more qualified than his opponent. 

“We’re two nice guys trying for the same job. I have a lot of experience, financial experience…I’ve served on many boards in this community, I’m currently the chairman of Hospice of Marion County, I’ve served in the arts programs, in the homeless programs,” said Hilty. He believes his experience would allow him to “hit the ground running and benefit the community” were he to win the seat.

The Ocala City Council election will be held on September 21, 2021.

Over the coming days, Ocala-News.com will publish stories to summarize talking points from local candidate forums. 

To share your opinions about the upcoming Ocala City Council election, write a letter to the editor or comment below.