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SHEFFIELD-Penny Freeman mayoral candidate for the City of Sheffield has issued an open letter to the city:
Dear Sheffield,
When I decided to run for mayor, it wasn’t about a title. It was about home. It was about the people I’ve shared sidewalks, store aisles, church pews, and community meetings with — people who care about this city as much as I do.
I believe Sheffield is ready for a fresh start. We’ve spent too long settling for patchwork fixes and small steps. I want us to dream bigger and work harder — together. That’s why I’ve created a 12-point plan built around trust, teamwork, and real results. Here’s what it looks like:
1. Public Safety & Community Trust
Safety starts with relationships. I want to see more community policing, monthly public safety dashboards, and quarterly forums where neighbors and officers can talk openly and honestly.
Safety starts with relationships. I want to see more community policing, monthly public safety dashboards, and quarterly forums where neighbors and officers can talk openly and honestly.
2. Roots to Redemption
Through a program for nonviolent offenders, we can pair city beautification projects with real job training. This isn’t just about cleaning streets — it’s about giving people the tools to rebuild their lives.
Through a program for nonviolent offenders, we can pair city beautification projects with real job training. This isn’t just about cleaning streets — it’s about giving people the tools to rebuild their lives.
3. Fixing Streets & Fixing Systems
Potholes are more than a nuisance — they reflect how a city takes care of its people. My three-year plan includes regular audits, public dashboards, and modernized service delivery so we solve problems at their roots.
Potholes are more than a nuisance — they reflect how a city takes care of its people. My three-year plan includes regular audits, public dashboards, and modernized service delivery so we solve problems at their roots.
4. Jobs Through Local Industry
We can grow jobs right here by reopening Sheffield’s recycling plant and partnering with local training programs to strengthen our economy from the inside out.
We can grow jobs right here by reopening Sheffield’s recycling plant and partnering with local training programs to strengthen our economy from the inside out.
5. Developing Second Street
I see Second Street as Sheffield’s welcome mat. Let’s turn it into a cultural, commercial, and hospitality corridor — with arts, history trails, business incentives, and infrastructure updates that draw people in and make them want to stay.
I see Second Street as Sheffield’s welcome mat. Let’s turn it into a cultural, commercial, and hospitality corridor — with arts, history trails, business incentives, and infrastructure updates that draw people in and make them want to stay.
6. Sheffield Emergency Recovery Alliance (SERA)
When disaster strikes, our response should be unified and swift. SERA will bring together nonprofits, churches, schools, and emergency services for coordinated preparedness and action.
When disaster strikes, our response should be unified and swift. SERA will bring together nonprofits, churches, schools, and emergency services for coordinated preparedness and action.
7. Youth Engagement & Leadership
We can grow leaders right here at home. I want to expand the Junior City Council and launch a Civic Leadership Academy for youth ages 13–21, giving them a seat at the table today.
We can grow leaders right here at home. I want to expand the Junior City Council and launch a Civic Leadership Academy for youth ages 13–21, giving them a seat at the table today.
8. Nonprofit & Faith-Based Collaboration
The city can’t solve every problem alone — but together, we can. I’ll work to formalize partnerships with nonprofits and faith groups to address hunger, housing, and care with compassion and coordination.
The city can’t solve every problem alone — but together, we can. I’ll work to formalize partnerships with nonprofits and faith groups to address hunger, housing, and care with compassion and coordination.
9. Smarter Government & Better Boards
City boards should be idea centers, not closed doors. I’ll review and restructure them within a year, set quarterly performance goals, and make appointments transparent.
City boards should be idea centers, not closed doors. I’ll review and restructure them within a year, set quarterly performance goals, and make appointments transparent.
10. Hiring, Training & City Hall Excellence
We need a culture at City Hall that reflects the best of Sheffield. That means modern hiring practices, ongoing professional development, and performance reviews tied to real accountability.
We need a culture at City Hall that reflects the best of Sheffield. That means modern hiring practices, ongoing professional development, and performance reviews tied to real accountability.
11. Business Launch Pad & Rapid Response Team
Starting a business should be exciting, not exhausting. I’ll establish a one-stop Business Launch Pad, a 72-hour Rapid Response team, and a Fast-Track Concierge service for local entrepreneurs.
Starting a business should be exciting, not exhausting. I’ll establish a one-stop Business Launch Pad, a 72-hour Rapid Response team, and a Fast-Track Concierge service for local entrepreneurs.
12. Performance Appraisals and Technical Strategies (PATS) Initiative
We can’t fix what we don’t measure. PATS will give us the data, training plans, and performance reviews we need to make smart, transparent decisions.
We can’t fix what we don’t measure. PATS will give us the data, training plans, and performance reviews we need to make smart, transparent decisions.
This plan is more than a campaign outline — it’s an invitation. An invitation to build the Sheffield we know is possible: a city where trust runs deep, opportunities are real, and every neighbor feels like they belong.
I believe in Sheffield. And I believe in what we can do when we work side by side.
With gratitude,
Penny Freeman
Penny Freeman
