Some of the questions these second graders asked the mayor were:

How did you become mayor? - Madison Arnold

Latimer said she campaigned prior to an election and then the people of Marshall
voted her into the position.

How do you make your decisions? - David Moreno

Latimer said her decisions are based on what is best for the people of Marshall.

What’s your favorite part of your job? - Alex Leyva

Latimer said her favorite part was “visiting this second grade class.―

How hard is your work? - Omar Obispo

Latimer said the hardest part of work is that she “can’t fix everything and
make everything okay for everybody.―

What do you like about your job? - Ryan Mullins

Latimer said she likes being a part of the decision-making process for the betterment
of the community.

How long can you be the mayor? - Kennissa Horstman

Latimer said as long as the voters keep her in office.

How do you hire police officers? - Dominick Morales

Latimer said hiring an officer is a process that begins before she gets to make a
decision. Officers have to graduate from a police academy first. Than they can be
hired by the city.

How much did the Marshall welcome sign cost? - Miles Paulus
Latimer said the only thing the city paid for was the lettering on the sign because the
rest was donated. Coreslab Structures made the sign and donated it. The Chamber of
Commerce has a flag program that keeps the flags new and proud-looking. They get
businesses and community members to donate new flags when they get “ragged
and torn.―

How much money does it take to buy a new fire truck? - Karington Quick
Latimer said a new truck would cost $350,000 to $400,000 with trade-in of an old
truck.

How many donations does the city get in a year? **¿½- Arianna Hunter
Latimer said the best way she could answer that question is to say that the city
receives a lot of volunteer help from citizens in the community. Also the Martin
Community Center/Nicholas-Beazley Aviation Museum is being built entirely from
donations. “There are people willing to jump in and volunteer here in Marshall
all the time,― she said.

How long have you lived in Marshall? - Na’Teka Poindexter

Latimer said she has lived in Marshall for 37 years. “I love Marshall,― she
said. “I have a lot of pride. The people that live here make Marshall a great
place.―

Do you get to do what you want? *¿½*¿½- Katara Rossman

Latimer said her decisions are made with the help of the city council. They meet
twice a month on a regular basis and vote on ordinances and resolutions.

How much tax money does it take to buy an ambulance truck? - Ashley Dawson
Latimer said the city does not buy ambulances. “They get their own tax
money,― she said. “They pay for their own trucks.― The residents of Saline
County voted several years ago to pay a tax for the ambulance district to operate.

How much money does the fire station cost? - Kaelani Kose
Latimer said she was not sure how much the building costs, but a new roof was put
on and that cost $50,000. “It would cost a lot to build a new one,― she said.

What is your office called? - Jame Ireland

Latimer said “city hall.―

How much does a mayor make? - Chistina Manley

Latimer said $300 per month. “It is a privilege to be a mayor of this
community,― she said, about the money.

How many years have you been mayor? - Gentry Price

Latimer said this is her fifth year.

Was it hard to get the welcome sign made? - Nanekah Haskins

Latimer said the sign was made in pieces. “They used great big cranes to set the
sign down,― she said. “It was hard to put together.―

Are you going to run for mayor again? - Tyler Wilson

Latimer said, “yes.―

How long do you get to be mayor? - Lesly Romero

Latimer said that she has to go through the campaign process every four years so it
depends on the citizens of Marshall.
Mayor answer questions from students, such as Ella Denaway, who wanted to know how long
Hopewell had been mayor — 10 years — and Tony Boyd, who wanted to know what the mayor
does at work.

“I meet people, sign papers, make laws, learn from other mayors,” Hopewell said.

Brooklyn Klok wanted to know, “Do you have a boss at your job?”

“I have about 74,000 bosses, those are the people who placed me in this job by voting,”
Hopewell said. “I’m responsible to all 74,000 people that live in Kalamazoo. They all have
different opinions.”

Other questions included who helps him at his job, where does he work, and “Do people come
to your office to ask questions?”

Marcus Mills asked the mayor, “What do you like to do for fun?”

Hopewell said he likes to eat, ride his bike, go to movies, and read comic books.

And, he said, “I have some of the best friends in the universe and I love spending time with
them and my family.”

As he wrapped up his visit, Hopewell took a few minutes to encourage students to do their best
in school — and to especially do their best at reading.

“If you can’t read or if you don’t work hard to read, you can’t be mayor. You can’t fly a plane.
You won’t be able to be a doctor or a lawyer if you can’t read,” he said. “It doesn’t mean you
can’t achieve, but it makes it harder if you can’t read.

“Dive into this stuff. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t. I believe in you and you need
to believe in yourself.”