Bowling Green City Council Member William J. Herald has filed his petitions to run for re-election to the Fourth Ward position on City Council.
“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. 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 Fourth Ward quarterly meetings, attending 179 city-related meetings, advocating for increased spending on street and sidewalk repair, working hard for ARPA funding for non-profit organizations who serve those negatively affected by COVID (e.g., food pantries), and fashioning legislation for incentivizing residential renewable resources. I wish to continue to use both my experience and energy to enthusiastically serve Bowling Green residents.”
Herald emphasizes city/ward-level priorities which include:
- Assisting citizens in their interaction with their city government;
- Being vigilant in prudent budgeting and economic development;
- Increasing efficient and responsive city services including the very important safety forces;
- Improving neighborhoods, including streets, sidewalks, and drainage;
- Ensuring proper, appropriate zoning that takes citizen concerns and expectations into account;
- Progressing in sustainability efforts.
Herald has held 52 quarterly meetings to allow citizens an additional forum to obtain updates and to voice concerns. He has also provided newsletters and questionnaires to communicate with citizens. He can be reached at: 419 352-6644, williamjherald@gmail.com, 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, tenure-track assistant professor of computer science, teaching analytics courses at the University of Findlay.
His education includes a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and computer science from BGSU, a master of science degree in Applied Statistics from BGSU, a master of arts degree in Public Administration/Policy from BGSU, and a Ph.D. 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 grandchildren. The couple are long-time members of Covenant Church in Bowling Green.
