Full Notification

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

My name is Mary Allen. Thanks for electing me to Council. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to serve and give back to my hometown.

During the last thirteen years, a number of individuals have served with me, and we’ve worked effectively to do our best for the Village. We’ve shown fiscal responsibility and made decisions that sustained the Village while under tight budget constraints.

During 2016-17 Council adopted a growth strategy. You might remember my mentioning the 5-5-500 Initiative during those years. For newer residents, here’s what 5-5-500 meant:

5-year Economic Development Vision: 5 new businesses and 500 new homes
5-year Goal and 2021 Achievement: 5+ new businesses and 350 new homes
10-year Goal and 2026 Achievement: 25+ new businesses and an additional 200+ new homes

New Richmond was a steamboat terminus and abolitionist strong hold in the 1800’s. My great, great grandfather, Howell Boone, came to New Richmond from Boones Mills, Virginia in the 1850’s. He owned a store and livery at the corner of Center & Quarry Streets. He sold and hauled for black and white families. His daughter, my great grandmother, Georgia Boone graduated from New Richmond High School in 1898. My grandfather, my father, and I also graduated from New Richmond High School. So my family has been here a long time. I have strong ties to this small river town and its success is personal.

As a professional genealogist and local historian, my research indicates New Richmond has always been a good place to live. It was and remains a community that’s supportive of people of different backgrounds and races. New Richmond is growing but still has small town charm and an atmosphere that’s welcoming to visitors and new residents.

New Richmond remains safe and vibrant because of decisions the Mayor and Council have made to support the New Richmond EMS/Fire Department and Police Departments and because of our focus on growth. I’m proud of everything that’s occurred in the last thirteen years, but we’re not finished! We must continue to do the work that’s necessary to move the Village forward.

Like me, I hope you want to see New Richmond remain a safe and vibrant community. Contact me at any time if you’d like to hear more about New Richmond’s history or if you’d like to run for office or volunteer to help in any way.