Village of Youngstown election: Stephens has heartfelt interest in the community

By Kristel (Shipston) Stevens

I am a fourth-generation Village of Youngstown resident. I was born and raised here. My husband and I have raised three young men, two of which graduated from the Great Lakes Training Center.

Kody is a now a Navy veteran, working as a military contractor in cyber security. Hunter is on active duty, currently serving on the USS Oscar Austin DDG 79. While our youngest, Marshall, will be completing seventh grade in June. My husband, John, is a local contractor and serves as code enforcement officer for the Village of Youngstown.

I am a primary care provider/physician assistant at a Mount St. Mary’s underserved clinic, and have been practicing for the past 17 years in various capacities. I am a graduate of Lewiston-Porter, Niagara County Community College, Niagara University and Daemen College with a master’s degree. My volunteer experience includes the Boys and Girls Club, Aquarium of Niagara, and multiple Hospice events. In my free time, I enjoy long-distance biking, family road trips, and skeet and trap at the Fin, Feather and Fur Conservation Society Inc.

For the past several years, I have been attending the monthly, sometimes bimonthly village meetings. I advocated for the return of small poultry management/conservation. Initially, I proposed this for children’s education in combination with a Niagara County 4-H project. Youngstown now has an allowance of five chickens/hens per residence with a permit.

I am interested in becoming more involved with the community that I know and love. This is one of the reasons why I have volunteered and have been accepted as a member of the Youngstown board of directors Recreation Department.

Why am I running? I am a resident with a heartfelt interest in the community activities to which I live. I am not a politician. Nor do I favor the idea of dissolving our village.

Creating a resolution to the cold storage building, either repurposing or demolishing, should be a top priority. I look forward to working with the village police to resolve the recent juvenile vandalism. I would truly like to be more involved in enhancing the quality of life for this village, and yet maintaining the safety and stability of our small community. I am hopeful for the opportunity to serve my neighbors.

Thank you for your consideration. Please get out and vote on Tuesday, May 17.