Bowling Green Councilman William Herald has filed petitions to run for re-election to the 4th Ward position.
“It has been an honor to serve the citizens as a council member for 13 years — these past five years as well as during my previous eight years a while back,” he said in a press release. “As the senior member of council, i bring both current and past experience gained as an active council member for parts of four decades.”
This institutional knowledge is particularly important since over half of the current council individually have less than four years of experience, Herald said.
“Although my experience is valuable, it is amplified by the energy that I commit to the position. For example, last year I put in even more hours of service than any of my previous four years,” he said.
Activities included going door to door to interact with citizens, holding 4th Ward quarterly meetings, attending 179 city-related meetings, advocating for increased spending on street and sidewalk repair, working hard for American Rescue Plan Act funding for non-profit organizations who serve those negatively affected by COVID (e.g., food pantries), and fashioning legislation for incentivizing residential renewable resources.
Herald emphasizes city/ward-level priorities which include assisting citizens in their interaction with city government, being vigilant in prudent budgeting and economic development and increasing efficient and responsive city services including safety forces.
His goals also include improving neighborhoods, including streets, sidewalks, and drainage; ensuring proper, appropriate zoning that takes citizen concerns and expectations into account; and progressing in sustainability efforts.
Herald has held 52 quarterly meetings to allow citizens an additional forum to obtain updates and to voice concerns. Herald has also provided newsletters and questionnaires to communicate with citizens.
He can be reached at 419-352-6644, [email protected] and www.williamjherald.org.
Herald has almost 30 years of business experience, including his previous position as a data scientist for First Solar. He is currently a full-time, assistant professor of computer science, teaching analytics at the University of Findlay.
Herald’s education includes a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and computer science from BGSU, a Master of Science in applied statistics from BGSU, a Master of Arts degree in public administration/policy from BGSU, and a doctorate in public policy and management from Ohio State University.
Herald has been a Bowling Green resident for over 42 years. He and his wife, Karen, are parents of Jonathan, who passed in 2020, Joel and Amy. They are also grandparents to four. Bill and Karen are long-time members of Covenant Church.
