Madison Hilt Wants To Be an Open Door for Orange Park Residents
Only Candidate Who Supports Red Light Camera Removal
There is only one race on the April 9 municipal ballot with more than one candidate: Orange Park Town Council seat four. This article profiles Madison Hilt.
Hilt is the youngest candidate on the ballot and wants to serve the town that raised her. In doing so, she wants to encourage more young people to run for office, as "not enough folks hold public office."
Madison Hilt grew up spending time at her grandparents' Orange Park home. In 2021, she became a full-time resident of the town.
Hilt is the first transgender person to run for office in Orange Park. She wants to ensure that all resident's concerns are addressed promptly and effectively. She also plans to have an 'open door' to enable feedback from the community to be heard.
Hilt is the only candidate running who would support removing the town's red light cameras. She thinks there are other ways to ensure safety, and the statistics regarding the cameras don't definitively show that they improve the safety of the town's intersections. Hilt also believes the tickets impact the town's lowest-income residents the most.
And while Hilt does not support installing cameras to issue speeding tickets, she would seek input from the town's residents before taking any action to remove the red light cameras.
Per Hilt, the municipality of Orange Park gives the residents a powerful voice in how their community is run and believes the town's sense of community, first responders, and public works are why people love to call the town home.
She believes the people of Orange Park should elect her because she considers every resident her neighbor and will ensure everyone can use the framework the government provides to solve problems in their community.
Hilt has a robust agenda if elected, ranging from listening to concerns to bringing back passenger rail service to the town:
Answer Resident’s Concerns: I am committed to ensuring that all residents’ concerns are addressed promptly and effectively. Listening to the community and taking action based on their feedback will be a top priority, and my door will always be o
Vision 2040 Implementation: I will work closely with Town residents to fully implement the Town’s Vision 2040 plan. This collaborative effort will shape the future of Orange Park, and the plan will be realized when my wife and I are raising our kids here. The plan focuses on sustainable growth and redevelopment, walkability, infrastructure development, and quality of life enhancements.
Passenger Rail and Bus Service: Collaborating with County, State, and Federal partners, I aim to bring back a sustainable form of passenger rail and bus service back to Orange Park. There was recently a rail study funded by Amtrak that is exploring placing a station in the Town, which would connect to Jacksonville, Lake Asbury, and Palatka, among other places. I want to explore options that can reduce commute times and enhance everyone’s safety. Rail made our town possible, and I think it can make residents’ lives better today, as it did then.
Traffic Reduction, Walkability, and Safety: I will explore ways to reduce traffic congestion, improve road safety, and enhance walkability within our neighborhoods. Smart urban planning and infrastructure upgrades will be key components of achieving these goals.
Age-in-Place Services and Family Attraction: I will focus on improving age-in-place services for our senior residents while creating an environment that attracts young families. A balanced approach ensures that Orange Park remains a welcoming home for all generations.
Transparency and Communication: Letting folks know how their tax dollars are working for them is key. I will make sure Town residents know where their hard earned money is going, and request that the Council endorse providing that information to the public on their website. Regular updates to town residents and businesses about ongoing projects in their neighborhoods is extremely important to me.
Park Maintenance and Enhancement: Our parks are vital community spaces. I will prioritize their maintenance, ensuring they remain beautiful, safe, and accessible for all residents to enjoy.
Grant Utilization for Services and Amenities: I will work with Council to explore currently underutilized State and Federal grant funding to enhance town services and amenities. Strategic investments can lead to significant improvements in the quality of life for our residents.
Small Business Support and Growth: Supporting existing small businesses and incentivizing new ones will contribute to a thriving local economy. Small businesses are the backbone of our community, and their success is crucial. I will do everything in my power to support and grow our town’s business ecosystem.
Flood Mitigation and Resilience: Orange Park faces increased impacts from flooding. I will work on measures to protect our town while minimizing any financial impacts, including better drainage system maintenance, floodplain management, stormwater parks, and community education.
Preserving Our Unique Character: Finally, I am committed to preserving the unique and welcoming character of Orange Park. Our Town history, culture, and community spirit are embodied in our residents, and I will champion efforts to equitably protect our community and keep Orange Park the place everyone loves.
The municipal election will be held on April 9.
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