Andy Hallen is the perfect choice for City Council, and here is why.

Hallen's past experiences, qualifications, drive and success are a sure indication that he is a winner. During his career, Andy worked for Procter & Gamble, a Fortune 100 company, which at that time, was the largest trader of vegetable oils in the world. Andy was entrusted with this budget, which is much larger than the budget for the City of Aiken. His achievements in that industry, along with his prudent investment strategies, enabled him to retire at a mere 55 years of age.

I had the pleasure of meeting fellow adventurer Andy and his wife Tracy, eight years ago when we resided in Panama, where they were both key members of the community. Following retirement, Andy moved to Boquete, Panama, where he divided his time between leisure activities and community service. He volunteered at a nonprofit which taught environmental awareness and soon managed the first and only recycling operation in Panama. When a lack of funding threatened to shut down the program, Andy came to the rescue. Imagine, if you will, the effort it takes to raise funds in the U.S., add the cultural and language issues associated with working in a Third World country and you will begin to realize that Andy, through his skills and talents, was able to save the program.

Among his ideas to raise funding was the development of a coupon book. Although widely known and used in the U.S. for decades, the concept was nonexistent in Panama. Andy convinced many of the local merchants that couponing would promote their businesses. Once printed into booklets, they were sold to residents, raising the much needed capital to keep the door of the recycling center open.

Andy and Tracy were invited to Aiken in 2013, and it was love at first sight. Six months later they moved here. I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason and meeting Andy in Panama lead to his move to Aiken. Now Aiken needs someone with Andys ability and passion to fill the council position in District 5.

As a conservative, Andy is the right person, in the right place and this is the right time. He has the skills, experience and personal attributes to make an outsized contribution to the City of Aiken, but he cant do it without your help. I guarantee that the 30 minutes it will take you to vote Hallen for City Council will be a wise investment in preserving and improving what we have today for Aikenites of the future. Please vote for Hallen and encourage everyone you know in District 5 to do the same.

Phil Follins

Aiken

Excerpt from:
Letter: Hallen's personal success will work on council - Aiken Standard