A Carbondale native is throwing his hat into the ring for mayor.
Nathan Colombo owns a small business called Brand Advocacy Group, which provides digital media services for other local businesses around the region.
During his campaign announcement Monday, Colombo called himself a part of a new generation of politicians who believe representation and policy-making are more important to this generation than any one before it.
"Because the consequences of our actions or inactions will dictate the conditions of the future we must live with. That is why today I'm humbled to announce my candidacy for Mayor of Carbondale."
He says the new generation includes those who want immediate actions for the long-term health of the city.
"That means people that are going to be in office now and carry through a vision, not just for the next five or ten years, but through the next half a century."
Part of Colombo's plan involves the creation of a Carbondale Community Foundation, which would raise money to distribute among non-profit organizations in the City. He says this would reduce the contributions necessary from taxpayers, who currently fund about 500-thousand dollars in non-profit initiatives.
Colombo also wants to help redefine the Carbondale experience. He says Carbondale is positioned through its transportation systems to play a role in the shifting of global commerce cultures.
"Capitalizing on a cultural shift that is assigned greater value to rail transport and travel. Drone industry opportunities that require municipal partnerships and a recognition of our place in activist economies are all opportunities we must explore."
With a changing infrastructure, Colombo says Carbondale should revamp its bidder ordinance because the current process has led to longer construction times and higher costs.
Colombo says he will have an open-door policy and welcome citizen input on all facets of the city's work from its relationship with SIU to tourism as well as arts and entertainment.
