Dixon Needs Ted Hickman

Next Tuesday,, November 6, is the big day for our city, state and country. Starting at the lowest level of government, here in Dixon, we have a mayor and two new city council seats to fill.
By facts alone the most qualified to have earned a seat on the council is Ted Hickman. He’s been elected three times before and served four years in the 60’s, 70's and 80's...10 years as a council person and two as vice mayor. Below is some of what he’s done in and for this community. Compare it to everything the other five running, all put together, have done. Also you will not see a family more connected to this community than his. All four of their grandchildren now attend Dixon schools. The time for BS is over. Here’s a little of what he’s done to date…Everyone else can jump in with things like “I volunteer at the teen center” (one night a month) or I coached  a youth sports team…whoopee. Here are just some of his credentials that can be documented. He: Co-founded Dixon Little league, arranged for the Little League fields to be built and a long term lease secured. He served in every capacity in LL for years from president to head umpire on down…This was before they even had kids. Wife Linda was one of the first female LL board members and coaches. He served as head referee, and coached for Dixon soccer. Again Linda was one of the first female board members and female coaches. He became a certified soccer referee and coach and then worked up to state level ref and ref instructor. He officiated at more than 3,000 games from youth, to high school, to college and adult competitive. All four of his family members did it right and became certified refs and coaches. He  and his family volunteered at the Dixon May Fair for decades working with both 4-H and FFA with the junior live stock auction. As a NAA instructor he and his son taught archery and firearm safety at 4-H camps. He and Linda have volunteered with Lambtown, the American Legion and most other community events for decades. They had two offspring attend Dixon schools from kindergarten thru graduation. While the kids were in school they volunteered with band, soccer, baseball, wrestling, golf, Dixon Dolphins Swim team…the list goes on and on. Besides being a state and national award winning journalist he has received dozens of awards/commendations for volunteer/community/business work including Dixon’s Citizen of the Year. You have kids? He can relate to most everything in which you will become involved. He has served four years as a Vice Commander with the Dixon American Legion Post 208 working for veteran’s causes. He is best known for the 45+ years of running the seven part, private, (no government involvement or funding) all volunteer, $15,000 a year Dixon Toys for Tots programs where they help over 350 families, between 700 and 800 kids, over 100 seniors, have a brighter holiday season. This includes a Santa’s workshop, a coats for kids program where about 1,000 coats are collected and handed out and a specialized food for families segment. He, does all of the fund raising and manages several hundred volunteers that help with these programs each year. Dixon Fire Department Asst. Chief Ron Karlen and a few members of the fire department help with the bike program and Ron and his wife and a few others buy all of the toys with the donated funds. Elaine Santos at the PD helps coordinate the coat program. Then there’s the past. It was his work that saw Northwest Park become a park/overflow drainage instead of solid houses. Look at the names on the city hall plaque. The railroad crossings, police department, senior center and early solar usage all have his name attached to them in the records for years of work to see them through to completion…these are real things that involve and affect real people…He’s not talking about what he’s going to do…just look at some of these few things he’s done and envision the future with him representing you on your city council. He’s supposed to be enjoying retirement but he still has his real estate license but has pared the work load down to help military/vets and those who have trouble buying homes. He also manages the family’s properties and ranch and he still has the Outdoor Connection hunting/fishing business booking agency where they arrange for adventures all over the world.             He and his wife Linda have walked to several thousand houses personally to deliver his message via his little bookmark…yes, that’s what it is. Don’t know who to vote for? Let me give you a hint…Hickman!             How do I know all of this? I have worked with him for many hours in the past few years when I was the Commander of the American Legion and he served as one of my vice commanders.
He was instrumental in helping to straighten out the policies and procedures used by the Legion and the Veterans building association  
  Greg Coppes
Past commander
American Legion
Dixon post 208