09/09/2025
Breaking News:
ENDORSEMENT: Donald Shearer for Mayor
I have had the chance to work with and get to know Donald Shearer over the past few years— not just from him being a Councilman, but as a neighbor and fellow citizen who seemed deeply committed to making Butler better.
We first started communicating from Don and the City feeling the need to face blight and irresponsible landlords head-on. He began developing a Property Condition Ordinance. I approached the issue as a Butler City resident and a landlord, Don was approaching also it as a concerned Butler City resident but also a policy maker. We didn’t always agree on topics 100%, —but through transparency and sharing similar concerns, we informed each other of the issues each side was facing.
We talked, debated, and both listened to issues and valid concerns from each side and worked together to shape a version of the ordinance that was firm but fair, and focused on improving the community for everyone. While it helped educate the tenant so they knew their rights, it also create a level of reporting accountability to help ensure tenants were able to live in a more safe environment without further burdening the good landlords financially, whom were already doing what was right and properly putting money back into their properties to keep them nice and safe. In addition, this ordinance educates the tenant as a consumer and informs them of their tenant rights so that they may take recourse with no penalty, against property owners that might try to take advantage of them solely for profit and profit only and with no regards to safety and well being of tenants and their families. In addition, we are working together on ordinances to include the ability to hold irresponsible tenants accountable for their upkeep of their living spaces instead of the need for the City to hold the landlords responsible for the actions of an irresponsible tenant.
This multi-faceted plan was a work in progress that took almost a year. In the end, it was a first of its kind, that several surrounding municipalities have requested information to use what we did as a model for themselves.
What stands out to me is that Don Shearer didn't then, and doesn’t now, back down from a challenge on behalf of everyone involved in The City of Butler. As a concerned citizen myself and moral and ethical Real Estate Agent and landlord, this pushed me to do the same. He does his research, welcomes input, listens to everyone's concerns, and genuinely wants to get things right but fair for all parties no matter how long it takes or how much work it takes. He doesn’t settle for the easy answer—he strives for the one that actually works best, for everyone involved.
For some time, Don and I spent many hours sharing, discussing, and sometimes debating, ideas and possible solutions to some of Butler’s toughest problems. Issues ranging from Concerns on the spending of the funds from Sewer Authority sale, storm water handling, code enforcement, public safety, to housing. We don’t always agree on everything—but we respect each other’s views and opinions and know how to analyze the issue and find common ground to provide a common sense solution that works for Butler.
Butler needs a Mayor who:
Doesn’t take short cuts and looks to solving the problem long term or indefinitely-
Strives to work with all sides to improve the bigger picture-
Stands up for the taxpayers and neighborhood stability and fight blight-
Works for a common solution to help Landlords, business owners, tenants, and citizens alike-
And one who isn't afraid to listen, work together, and think differently.
I believe that person to be Donald Shearer.
He is driven, honest, and focused on results — not headlines or attention. I believe he is the right person to lead the City of Butler moving forward.
On November 4th, I will proudly cast my vote for Donald Shearer for Mayor—and I encourage you to do the same. Vote for the team that already gets things done and will only do more for Butler City as Mayor and Council!
JOHN KRAMER FOR COUNCIL
DONALD SHEARER FOR MAYOR
