By Caroline Mazzola Hennigan

I love Orange.

I was born here, raised a family here, and have educated many of the children that were raised here.

That is why it is important to me that Orange remains a safe, clean, and inviting city for current and prospective residents.

It is also why I am seeking your vote to be the next Place 5 At-Large City Councilwoman on May 4, 2019.

As a city council member in Orange, my main goal is to support the growth and development that has already begun in Orange.  The city is already working to bring in new businesses and support the current businesses through opportunities such as the EDC Incentive Program.  What the city needs are council members that will support and continue the current growth and improvements.

Business owners rely on the city to help create an environment where businesses can grow and be successful.  Listening to business owners and working with them for mutual success in the city is imperative. I plan to be accessible and help continue to facilitate this relationship.

The City of Orange is doing a very good job making family activities available such as July 4th fireworks and transformation of the natatorium.  The prospect for a sports complex along the river is an excellent addition to what is already available.  I would like to see this continue and look for additional opportunities to serve families in the city.

Orange has also taken steps to improve our drainage so that future Harveys and Ikes will not have the impact that it had in the past.

The city needs fresh, new faces to continue this drive to make Orange a true city of small-town values and world-class culture.

I think I am that person.

I can bring that spirit of service that my years of teaching; my dedication to the Lone Survivor Foundation, and love of Orange Community Players have allowed me to give back to the place I call home.

I have been here my whole life, through the lean times in Orange, and now through the times, we are seeing a new life spring forward.

I want to retire in an Orange that offers good-paying jobs and opportunity to the children of the students that I have spent years teaching.  I want an Orange that allows not only my husband, Mike, my three children, three stepchildren and six grandchildren to be proud of a small town called Orange.

I want the children raised here to have the opportunity to come back and raise their children.

If that is the Orange you want, then I need your vote and support.