All this week, as part of our ongoing Decision 2012 coverage, we're taking a look at the five candidates running in contested races for Bakersfield City Council in Wards 2 and 4.
Elliott Kirschenmann is a candidate for Ward 2. He's 28 years old and single.
Kirschenmann is a project administrator for Carosella Properties, Inc. and currently chairs the Bakersfield Planning Commission.
"I believe I can step into the City Council role and continue the progress I've started on the Planning Commission to better our community. In fact, Mary K. Shell came out and supported me just recently, and she feels I have the ability to step in day number one and be an effective leader," said Kirschenmann on why he's running.
"I have a passion for service. I have energy and I've got the ability to have a goal and to meet that goal. I have some great private sector experience and public sector experience as I serve on the Planning Commission. And, I'm ready from day number one to start and be an effective leader on our City Council," said Kirschenmann on his personal attributes.
Kirschenmann talked about his top priorities, if elected. "Public safety is very important to me, and it will remain a focus of my campaign. We must have new jobs in Bakersfield, and we must create the conditions so that new jobs, so that our economy creates new jobs here in Bakersfield. And, I will use my role as a City Council Member to help new small businesses cut through the red tape and the difficulties encountered to get a new business up and running. Families are struggling right now, and having a city government that's responsive in getting these new businesses up and running is essential for us to solve both the public safety issue and the jobs issue here in our community."
If you would like to learn more about his candidacy, you can log onto his website at
kirschenmannforcouncil.org.
Wednesday night, we profile Ward 2 candidate Terry Maxwell.
