SALISBURY — Saying Salisbury can’t afford to make financial mistakes, Blake Jarman has entered a crowded race for City Council.
“As we move forward, the city can make no mistake on financial issues and needs to avoid using propaganda to manipulate the citizens into things that are really of no value,” Jarman said.
Jarman, 28, is hoping the third time is the charm. After two unsuccessful attempts to win a City Council seat, he has thrown his hat in the ring again with a similar platform calling for diversity, fiscal responsibility and transparency.
A financial specialist and personal banker for SunTrust, Jarman said his goal if elected would be to help Salisbury shine like a “city on a hill” with progressive yet conservative decisions that “produce profit, sustainability, transparency and prosperity that will last for generations to come.”
He said diversity is important, and City Council needs more of it. A broader and more diverse perspective on the council would improve decision-making, he said.
A critic of Fibrant, the city’s high-speed broadband utility, Jarman said Salisbury leaders need to choose better initiatives to pursue and should better represent citizens in all areas, regardless of income, housing, age, employment or any other factor.
Jarman earned a bachelor’s degree from Catawba College in communications with a focus on public relations and business administration.
His community involvement includes Habitat for Humanity, Rowan Helping Ministries, Organization & Prosperity Initiatives, Be the Reformation, Looking Glass Artist Collective and Black Box Theatre. He volunteers to help people organize their finances and homes.
Jarman is one of 10 people running for five seats on City Council. All five incumbents are running for re-election.

Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.