From the Mississippi Republican Party email:
MSGOP MUNICIPAL CANDIDATE SPOTLIGHT
The Mississippi Republican Party has fielded candidates in more municipalities than ever before this election season, and we are proud to spotlight a few of these rising stars in the weeks ahead.
Our first Republican municipal Candidate in the Spotlight this week is Jeff Olson, a candidate for Mayor in New Albany.
Mr. Olson is a graduate of New Albany High School and Mississippi State University earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Golf Management/Marketing in 1991. He began his golf management career at Holiday Golf Club and Plantation Golf Club in Olive Branch where he was an Assistant Golf Professional.
Mr. Olson then went on to begin a career in the food service industry. He has extensive experience in sales, management, planning and marketing with 13 of those years serving as a business development consultant for Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream over the West Tennessee and Mississippi territories. He currently assists in running a dynamic restaurant and catering company, Tallahatchie Gourmet, in New Albany and is in the process of assisting with a second location in Oxford, scheduled to open in the spring of 2017.
Mr. Olson attends First United Methodist Church in New Albany where he has served as Chairman of the Administrative Board and as a youth leader. He currently serves on the Staff-Parrish Relations Committee.
Mr. Olson was elected Alderman of Ward 1 for the City of New Albany in 2005 and is currently finishing his third term. He serves on the Personnel Board, Beautification Committee, Budget Committee, and Union County Heritage Museum, which is undergoing a $1.4 million expansion project slated to be completed this spring. He is also a graduate of the John C. Stennis State Executive Development Institute and has achieved his Basic and Advance certifications through the Mississippi Municipal League.
“New Albany has been my home for 40 years, and it has been an honor to serve as an alderman,” Mr. Olson said. “We have seen a lot of positive growth over the past several years. As Mayor, I will continue to be a good steward of the citizens of New Albany’s tax dollars and to provide a safe and secure environment along with economic growth for years to come. I’m confident that my extensive business experience and serving as an alderman will assist my transition to Mayor.”
The Mississippi Republican Party is proud to welcome Mr. Olson to our party and celebrate his switch. His commitment to our conservative principles is firm.
“I’m proud to represent the Republican party for Mayor of New Albany,” Mr. Olson continued. “The pillars of the Republican party — low taxes, entrepreneurship/economic prosperity, less government intrusiveness, quality education, public safety and accountability — are ideals that I cherish.”
Our second Republican municipal Candidate in the Spotlight this week is Mike Cashion, an Alderman in the City of Clinton.
Mr. Cashion began his career in 1978 as a management trainee with Wendy’s where within a matter of 18 months he became the youngest area director in the company. Over the past 37 years, his diverse experience has had included multi-unit supervision, club management and casino foodservice, as well as the ownership and operation of two different restaurant concepts.
Prior to being hired as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association in 1998, Mr. Cashion served on the Board of Directors of the Association for nearly 10 years. During that time he chaired several committees, earned the coveted Distinguished Service Award, and was elected president of the Association.
In 2000, Mr. Cashion served on the Board of Directors of the National Restaurant Association, and has served on the Board of Directors for numerous organizations including IMPAC, Business Industry Political Education Committee (BIPEC), the Mississippi Tourism Association, and the Central Mississippi Salvation Army.
Mr. Cashion first ran for office and was elected as Alderman in Clinton in 2009 where he is currently serving in his second term as the Ward 6 Alderman. He received the Mississippi Municipal League’s Certified Municipal Official designation in 2012.
“We have accomplished much, but there is still a lot to be done,” Mr. Cashion said. “That is why I am seeking a third term. The City of Clinton is poised to take off. There are pending projects that will benefit everyone in the community. I want to contribute to bringing these projects to fruition.
“Understanding the budget and adhering to a core belief of fiscal conservatism will allow us to move forward without adding additional tax liability to our residents.”
Mr. Cashion understands the need for principled leadership that gets results for his constituents.
“Conservative leadership serves and benefits everyone,” Mr. Cashion added. “It is easy to have vision for what could be. The true challenge lies in knowing how to apply those conservative leadership principles to accomplish the goals and objectives of the city.”
We know Mr. Cashion is ready to meet the challenges ahead and will continue to serve the citizens of Clinton well as their Ward 6 Alderman.
3/16/17
Magnolia Tribune
