CLEWISTON -- Lake Okeechobee News reached out to candidates running for City of Clewiston Board of Commissioners in the Nov. 8 general election.
Candidates were invited to respond to the same questions regarding their candidacy.
Below are the responses from Ian Stone, who is running for city commissioner:
While I was not born and raised IN Clewiston, I often tell people that I feel raised BY Clewiston and the people I have been fortunate to know here. I have spent my entire adult life in our city, and I’ve learned how to be a parent, became a trained educator and professional, and became a parent a few more times over, all in Clewiston. I have an innate desire and drive to see Clewiston be successful and I intend to give all I can to support those efforts. Having spent the last decade at Clewiston High School, through numerous roles, I feel blessed to have a unique insight into the lives of the families in our city, what concerns them, and how we can work together to support each other. My work as an educator in Clewiston is one of my primary motivators in running for city commission. It offers a humbling opportunity to further be of service to our children and their families.
It is important that we recognize the positive work that has been done, and changes put in motion, by our incredibly hardworking city employees. What I would hope to first work together to address is increasing the methods, efficiency, and overall success of communicating with our citizens as changes occur. My goal would be to continue to create a community that feels informed, engaged, and can be advocates for themselves and Clewiston. Through working in the schools, and actively recruiting professionals to our city, I have also observed a high need for increased housing and positive experiences that can attract and retain new citizens. This is something that we can all collaborate to achieve.
The joy of service and philanthropy was sparked during my college years, where I raised money for local charities and The Children's Miracle Network and participated in events to the betterment of my school and the community. I have served students and families of Clewiston for just over a decade as a teacher, club sponsor, coach, guidance counselor, and now as an administrator at Clewiston High School. In my various roles at CHS, I have been a part of service and volunteer events in the community. These countless hours working with our youth and their families was a main contributing factor in my desire to run for Clewiston public office.
I moved from North Carolina to attend college at the University of South Florida where I met my wife, then Kylie Pencarinha. After graduating we moved to Clewiston with our first child to be closer to her family and I began my teaching career at CHS. Since that move in 2011 we have continued our residence in Clewiston, I have remained at CHS serving in various roles, and we have been blessed with three more children. I am currently completing my master’s degree in educational leadership and am thankful for all of the lessons and encouragement I have received since moving to Clewiston.
Visit Mr. Stone's Facebook page, “Ian Stone for City of Clewiston Commission,” or follow the link here: https://www.facebook.com/votestoneforclewiston. You can also email him at contactianstone@gmail.com.
