Editor’s Note: TRL has attempted to get in contact with all political candidates running for town council for news coverage. The candidates were reached over the span of several weeks to cover a unique angle of each candidate running, and TRL does not favor any candidate over another.
Correction: “Conference plan” was changed to “comprehensive plan” and “interim town administrator” was changed to “assistant town administrator.”
It was 1967 and riots were filling the streets of Detroit, Michigan. The “1967 Detroit riot” was the bloodiest incident in the summer of ‘67. The riot lasted five days and killed 43 people.
Meanwhile, two blocks from the chaos of the riots, you would find a man named William Bell. Bell was “a man of service.”
That man lived down the block, and influenced Dr. John Hubbard to be the person he is today.
John is running for Fairview Town council, Seat 6, and he strives to be like “Mr. Bell.”
”That’s what got me into this whole thing was William Bell,” John said. “He put people over parties and people over politics.”
John has previous experience with Fairview while serving as assistant town administrator. Fairview was different than how it is now, with only 4,000 residents.
“It was a great opportunity to plan out the town and see how things could develop,” John said. “I never dreamt that 20 years later, I would be living here.”
John has degrees in human capital development along with economic development. His Ph.D. puts emphasis on logistics, transportation and trade.
“I feel like Dr. Hubbard is the best qualified candidate in several ways,” John’s neighbor and friend of 20 years, Brian Belcher, said. “He has a Ph.D. degree in city planning development, has been city manager for several small cities, [and] is highly sought after and employed as a city planning consultant to many large and small cities in the area.”
His mission
John offers a different perspective to the council.
“I was told that because I live in a higher density area, I’m not a female, and I don’t have kids in school then I am not qualified to be on council, but I would suggest the opposite,” John said. “This gives me a perspective to appreciate the town.”
Instead of shutting down the commercial district, John’s idea is to develop a comprehensive plan.
“I support the [commercial district] because it was done with a consensus,” John said. “Everybody worked together to come up with that plan and we need to follow that plan.”
Family
John does not have any children living with him. However, he is currently raising his grandchild.
“I will go in and say that God is first, then my family, and then the town and my other endeavors,” John said. “When you have priority it’s easy to juggle things because you know first things are first.”
John’s wife, Marian Hubbard, supports him throughout his campaign.
“I think it is great that he is running for town council,” Marian said. “He is so civic-minded and wants to do so much for Fairview, and the residents of Fairview. I support him 100 percent.”
The importance
With the presidential election approaching, John explains why it is important to devote at the local level.
“The local level is probably the area that impacts you the most,” John said. “At the local level the town council makes things about how much your taxes are going to be. How many services you are going to get in the town, your water, your water rates, your roads, your garbage [and] public safety.”
Although this is not a paid position, John said that he can make a difference.
“It’s not a paid position,” John said. “I’m [running for town council] because I think there needs to be some movement, maybe in the same direction but quicker. I know I can make a difference because I can get out and know how the processes go.”
John knocked on many doors and attended patio meetings with small groups of people. He has also put up videos and signs.
“Mainly [I have campaigned] by knocking on doors, which is enjoyable because I get to learn about people,” John said.
John has received help from Belcher in his campaigning as well.
“I support John in some of the behind the scene activities by removing the workload he has with manual activities like getting brochures delivered, getting his background broadcast to the voters, and making suggestions to reduce his workload,” Belcher said.
John has lived in his high density residence for six years now. Because John lives west of Highway 5, He says that it will be good to have representation for the whole town.
“I care,” John said. “I am like Mr. Bell. To know me, [voters] know I am real and genuine.”
