No specifics, but a desire to move forward for Romine
Staff writer
When returning to Peabody four to five years ago after living in Texas for 12 to 13 years, Andrew Romine considered running for city council.
If it was not for the Peabody Forward Movement, Romine said, he would not have been a candidate this fall, when he won as one of two write-in candidates opposing four candidates listed on the ballot.
The movement focuses on community involvement, which he said he always has wanted for the small community.
“Our main goal is to get people involved in local government,” he said.
He will not criticize anyone for having a different opinion or disagreeing with him, he said.
He knew that he and fellow write-in candidate Bailey Penner faced long odds in seeking election as write-ins.
“But there was a need for fresh faces,” he said.
He said that being part of the team that helped elect them was incredible.
“They want Peabody to prosper,” he said.
Romine said he did not look at the results of the election because, to him, it mattered little whether he won by one vote or 200.
It’s kind of looking at it like a sports mentality, where teams concentrate on winning, not by how much, he said.
He does not have any definite plans what he will try to change when seated as a council member in January, but he said he wanted to make Peabody the best it can be.
“New eyes are always welcome with new ideas,” he said. “Every idea has value.”
He knows current council members and respects each of them, including Lisa Martinez and Julia Ensminger, both of whom will serve on next year’s council.
“They deserve a lot of respect,” she said. “I can’t wait to work with them.”
Romine has also known Penner for some time.
“He’s an older soul in a younger man’s body,” Romine said.
Romine agrees with Penner on some ordinances, including a mowing ordinance, which might have to be changed a little.
“Coming in brand new, I want to have all of the new information with a priority list,” he said.
His ideas include improving infrastructure in some way and bringing jobs to Peabody, saying more employment improves everything in the community.
“We really need to do something about the dilapidated homes,” he said.
Romine and his wife have a 24-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old grandchild.