Two new faces will likely be joining Butler city council come November.

In the May 20th primary election, there are two Democratic candidates and one Republican candidate running for election. Two candidates will move forward from each ballot, which means the November election will decide who winds up winning the two seats.

Lisa Quebedeaux and Bill Painter are running as Democrats, and John Kramer is running as a Republican. The two winners, come November, will replace Larry Christy, whose term expires at the end of the year, and Don Shearer, who is instead running against current Mayor Bob Dandoy.

Butler’s city council is a four-year term with an annual compensation of $5,000.

Lisa Quebedeaux

Quebedeaux is a nonprofit administrator working for Neighborhood Housing Services. She is running for a council seat as a Democrat.

She is copresident of Butler’s PFLAG chapter and has previously served as a “Den Leader” of Butler’s Cub Scouts Pack.

She volunteers with local scouting and the Butler County Democratic Party, and a regular attendee of city council meetings.

Quebedeaux said she became more civically active as her two children grow older. At first, she considered running for Butler Area School Board, but said she felt compelled to take a “broader approach” and run for council.

Bill Painter

Painter is a corporate tax auditor working with the Tennessee Department of Revenue. He is running for a council seat as a Democrat.

Previously, Painter has served on the Evans City Borough Council for six years — three as president. He has also previously worked as an auditor with the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board and a special agent for the IRS.

Painter said his primary inspiration behind running was the recent sale of the Butler Area Sewer Authority. He said he wants to ensure the funds the city received are “not squandered” and are used for the benefit of the community.

John Kramer

Kramer is a real estate agent with 27 years of experience in property management. He is running for a council seat as a Republican.

Previously, Kramer was a product manager for a Fortune 500 company for 15 years, where he managed a group of engineers to create a product to reduce clerical errors in hospital systems.

Kramer said he recognized a low interest in city government and wanted to use the opportunity to represent some of the voices he heard. He said that himself, alongside business owners and residents, have concerns over the city’s budget and spending habits that he hopes to apply his skills toward resolving.

Quebedeaux: Quebedeaux said her first priority, as a newcomer, is to learn the role. Her primary area of interest, however, is rooted in housing. She said she believes the conditions of Butler’s affordable housing stock to be unacceptable due to neglect.

“We have a fiscal responsibility to protect our taxable housing stock but, more importantly, a moral and ethical duty to our residents,” she said.

Painter: Painter said his main priority is to improve the infrastructure of the city. He believes the city needs a repaving and maintenance schedule, an increase in owner-occupied housing and a plan to address blight.

“(We need to) reverse the population decline in the city and market the city as a welcoming place for all families and businesses,” he said.

Kramer: Kramer’s main goal is to “invest back into the city to encourage new business, reduce crime, reduce expenditures and investigate the ability to reduce property taxes and the business privilege tax.”

Quebedeaux: Quebedeaux said she believes the top three issues in the city are the housing crisis, concerns for existing homeowners and the city’s agreement with police.

She said she wants to support bipartisan ordinances to enhance renter protections, address deteriorating housing conditions and encourage local ownership of multiunit properties to make the city a desirable home.

She also said she wants to invest in the city’s homeowners to help them with repairs and improvements for their homes.

She expressed her support for increased pay for city police to create a long-term police force.

Painter: Painter said he believes the top three issues in the city are the infrastructure, urban blight and substance abuse as well as the city’s operations management.

For infrastructure, Painter said his primary concerns are the conditions of the streets and stormwater management.

He said he would work with “community partners, educational partners, state and county governments and coordinated law enforcement efforts” to address urban blight and substance abuse.

He said he wants to review all city operations, from collection of revenues to resource allocation, to improve effectiveness.

Kramer: Kramer said identified the top three issues in the city as high crime rate, overburdened first responders, and the city’s plans for the BASA sale funds.

For the BASA sale funds, Kramer said he would like to see them used to invest in the city in a way that tackles crime and lessens the burden on first responders.

Then, the funds could be utilized to balance the city budget and create more income.

Quebedeaux: Quebedeaux said she is aware of recent discussions regarding the funds and recognizes the debate in the council revolves around how aggressively the funds should be used.

She said she favors “a more deliberate and strategic approach.” She said she would want to learn more about ongoing proposals before holding an opinion with more nuance.

Painter: Painter said his top priority is how the money is managed and invested, and wants to ensure that the city is not being “gouged by excessive investment fees.”

He said he would also focus on tax relief through the reduction of real estate or per capita taxes, street maintenance, stormwater management, blight reduction and improvements to the city’s parks.

Kramer: Kramer said his priority would be to invest the funds to “produce a welcoming city to encourage more business and people to come to Butler to live, work, and enjoy.”

He said he would aim to create that environment while still reducing the debt and taking care of city maintenance.

Quebedeaux: Quebedeaux recognized improvements to Butler’s downtown in recent times, but also recognizes the amount of vacant storefronts and said she believes the city could do more to incentivize long-term growth.

She said she wants to explore offering incentives for businesses in the city, and make sure to attract businesses that contribute positively to downtown.

In terms of residential neighborhoods, Quebedeaux reiterated earlier statements about addressing conditions of housing and giving homeowners the opportunity to invest in their own home.

Painter: Painter said he appreciates the progress made with Butler’s downtown, and would aim to continue fostering good relationships with businesses in the area. He said he would like to “create a welcoming environment for future investment and opportunities in the city.”

For the residential neighborhoods, Painter said the city needs to continue to maintain and improve the city’s parks and recreation as well as improving infrastructure, reducing blight and increasing opportunities for “social and economic progress.”

Kramer: Kramer said that for both the benefit of the neighborhoods and downtown, he would look into having a grocery store within city limits.

The increase in city business, alongside a reduction of property or business privilege taxes would, he said, would encourage new residents to establish businesses in a cycle of financial and population growth.