On April 14, the city of Archer will hold an election for City Commission Seats 4 and 5 with one seat going unchallenged.  

The race for Seat 4 has been settled as Commissioner Marilyn Green chose not to run again, and retired Army lieutenant colonel and business developer Bill Lewandowski is running as the sole candidate. 

Mainstreet sent the following questions to each candidate, and their answers are printed here with minor edits only for style.  

Seat 5 

Kathy Penny 

Penny is the incumbent and did respond to the questionnaire in time for publication of this story. According to the city of Archer’s website, Penny was first elected to the City Commission in July 2021 and re-elected in April 2022.  

Jennifer Rossi  

Occupation: I’m an artist and small business owner. I host painting events and create custom artwork, and a big part of my work is bringing people together in our community through creativity. 

Previous experience in elected office: I have served as a department manager in a historic town where I was responsible for preparing and managing my department’s yearly budget. In that role, I worked on special projects alongside the police department and public works, which gave me valuable experience in how different departments work together to serve the community. I also have experience in municipal waste management and working with Edmunds [GovTech] government software. In addition, I’ve worked in a county tax office, which gave me insight into the financial side of local government. 

Website: Voters can learn more about me on my personal Facebook page, where I’ll be sharing updates. I also encourage people to reach out, ask questions or visit with me in person. Connecting with the community is very important to me. 

What prompted you to run for election?  

I chose to run because I truly love this community and believe in its potential. Archer deserves leadership that listens and works for the people. I want to help restore financial stability while rebuilding the sense of community that makes this town so special. I’m running because I care deeply about the people here and the future we’re creating together. 

What vote are you proudest of the commission making in the past year?  

I’m proud of the vote to stop approving monthly financial reports without first having a clear understanding of our full budget. Financial transparency and accuracy are essential for good governance, and it’s important that we make decisions based on complete and reliable information. 

What has changed the most about the city since you first campaigned?  

One of the most important changes is the addition of our new city manager and assistant city manager and also the addition of an accountant to help move us forward with our finances.  I believe this gives us an opportunity to work together more effectively and focus on stability and responsible financial planning. 

What are the two most important issues facing Archer?  

The two most important issues facing Archer right now are rebuilding trust between the community and city leadership and restoring financial stability. Many residents feel disconnected from some of the decisions being made, and it’s important that we work to rebuild that trust through transparency and accountability. At the same time, we must focus on responsible financial decisions that put our city on a stable path forward. 

How do you think the City Commission should address those issues?  

I believe the commission can begin addressing these issues by focusing on transparency, accountability and responsible financial planning. Rebuilding trust starts with open communication—making sure residents feel heard and understand how and why decisions are being made. At the same time, we need to take a careful look at our city’s finances and prioritize responsible budgeting so we can restore stability and plan for the future. 

What decisions do you believe need to be made to address Archer’s budget concerns? 

I believe addressing Archer’s budget concerns starts with taking a careful look at our current finances and making responsible decisions about spending. We need to prioritize the services our community depends on, look for ways to operate more efficiently and make sure we’re planning for the long-term financial health of our city. 

Every decision we make should be with the goal of putting Archer on a stable financial path for the future.