Council race focuses on education, non-profit investment

Mark Stoops has a history in Monroe County, and now he's vying to have a say in the county's politics as the Democratic candidate for Monroe County Council, District 3. \n"My family has been from Monroe County for many generations, and I've always been very concerned about the direction Monroe County is going," Stoops said. "I appreciate what we have here."\nHe is running against Republican incumbent Martha Hawk.\nStoops said some of the main priorities for the council seat are social services, roads, streets and jails. Stoops' passion lies in environmental and social concerns, he said, and he hopes if elected, Monroe County can continue to improve in these areas. \nStoops said he was led to politics so he could actively make a difference.\n"You can talk blue in the face in a government body, but (it's) not going to get you anywhere unless you are active," Stoops said.\nAnother priority for Stoops is investment in nonprofits. \n"(Nonprofit) social services provide a lot of services and needs to operate, and by funding social services, we can make more efficient use of our resources," Stoops said.\nStoops said he believes focusing on local small businesses and entrepreneurs to improve the local economy is important, along with protecting environmentally sensitive areas.\nBut it's his long-time involvement in the community that qualify him for the job most, he said.\n"I've been really active locally in different environmental and social groups and a lot of activities and social groups that reach out to the community in different ways, and that collaboration needs to continue," Stoops said.