2. How long have you lived in Columbia? If not a lifelong Columbia resident where did you grow up and where did you live right before you moved to Columbia? My family and I have lived in Columbia for almost 11 years. I was born and raised in Sunset Hills, MO. My wife and I lived there shortly before moving to Columbia.
3. Do you feel that the length of time you or your family has lived in Columbia makes you a better candidate than someone else? No
Why is this continually an election talking point? It has not been an issue during my campaign. Many residents of Columbia, my family included, do not have deep rooted family trees in Columbia, is their opinion worth less to you when compared to others who have lived here for generations? Absolutely not! Whether you have lived here for 5 days or 50 years, I am deeply committed in knowing all of my constituents opinions. Communication is essential for a successful city government to truly represent the people.
4. What is your occupation? How will it affect your serving on the city council? I am an Architect. I am able to advise the council (and citizens) on architectural related issues, these include but are not limited to building codes, standards, energy efficiency, etc. Does your occupation make you a good candidate to serve as chairmen of any present city council committees? Yes, Municipal Buildings, Capital Improvements Committee and the Planning and Zoning Committee.
6. How have you gathered your information regarding issues facing the city? I have been the alderman of Ward 3 for the past 4 years.
7. How many city council meetings have you attended in the last year? Two years? I have attended all the meetings except for about 4 or 5 due to the birth of my daughter, and business travel that could not be avoided.
8. If you support commercial growth in Columbia what specifically will you do to make that a reality? I do support commercial growth. However I find it necessary that we also must reduce the tax burden on citizens and home owners. To accomplish this we need to find creative alternative financial incentives, other than offering a TIF (Tax Increment Financing). I would be willing to work with our Economic development Coordinator to make this a reality. What types of commercial entities do you feel Columbia needs the most? Businesses that generate quality jobs for the area.
9. Does commercial growth belong in the bottoms in light of the current issue facing the certification of the levy? If the levy issue is resolved do the bottoms become a good place for development? Why or why not? Due to a current lawsuit, I am unable to answer this questions at this time.
10. Alderman Stumpf has proposed the idea of having an economic development committee in order to field questions, comments, and ideas regarding any economic development opportunities that may present themselves to the city a number of times over the last year. Would you support this idea? Why or why not? I would definitely support the idea. I feel a committee, such as the one Alderman Stumpf has indicated, would be beneficial in promoting and marketing our city and as a result we would have a better chance to improve our economic status.
11. What types of incentives if any do you support to attract development to Columbia? Get specific, developers will know what they want. The key is to be creative with any type of incentives. While it’s important for the developer to receive a “good deal” it is equally important that the city receives a “good deal“. Due to the recent law suite I can not comment any further than what I have.
12. Do you support the annual 4.99% increase in Columbia’s tax levy? No. Is this an “ethical” practice to the community and its residents? Is it ethical, NO. Do we get away with it, YES. This is just another way for the city to increase its spending power without notifying the citizens. While I have been in office the last 4 years, I have brought this issue to light with many of my constituents. It is unfortunate that it has continued to pass the last 4 years. Due to the recent economic hardships, most citizens are cutting back financially and the city should not be exempt from such practices.
13. Should the city vehicle sticker tax be re-instated? NO Why or why not? The city was grossing roughly $50,000 from this tax. After figuring in the postage costs and employee labor costs, the city was netting a significant lower amount. I have yet to hear anyone complain that we did away with this tax, other than the mayor and two council members.
14. Should city departments be allowed to carry their budgeted balances over yearly, rather than the end of year balance rolling back to the general fund? Why or why not? This is a great question, and I am still uncertain how I feel about this issue. There are pros and cons to doing it both ways. I would definitely be interested in hearing what my constituents would have to say regarding this topic.
15. Do you support the fire department merging with the rural fire district? The rural is actually merging with the city fire department. How will the merger improve the department for city and rural residents? Does it benefit the city? The merger would benefit the city by allowing the department to work on better response times, consolidate financial resources and equipment, and allows for additional specialized training.
16. Will you vote for aldermen to receive a pay increase again in the next election cycle in light of the budget issues we face as a city? No, I have not supported an increase in the 4 years I have held office, and would continue to not support any increases. Again, due to the recent economic hardships, most citizens are cutting back financially and the city should not be exempt from such practices.
17. Are there any pressing issues facing Columbia in regards to infrastructure you feel should be immediately addressed, other than the road by McDonald's leading past Firestone on the way to the Post Office? In Ward III there are several streets that are prone to excessive speeding and traffic. These roads (i.e. Rueck Rd., Quarry Rd.) need to be considered for additional stop signs.
18. Do you feel my questions are biased towards any one line of thinking or candidate in particular? Not at all.
For Incumbent Candidates:
1. Name one thing you specifically “took the reins on” as a city council member. I initiated the upgrade of Columbia’s building codes to the International Building Code, and have encouraged all City buildings to become more energy efficient.
2. What drives you to continue as a member of the city council?
Well it is definitely not the pay...LOL! But in all seriousness, with keeping future generations in mind, my goal is to make Columbia a better place to live, work and play.
3. Why do you deserve to be given a second chance at facing the challenges of the city given that the city continues to have budget concerns and that commercial growth seems to have become stagnant over the course of your term as aldermen?
I have recognized that the city does in fact have budget concerns. I have found ways to cut spending and will continue to do so when elected. I have to disagree with you, though, in that commercial growth has become stagnant over the past 4 years. In fact, we now have a Main Street that is flourishing with many new businesses, we now have a hotel in Columbia, CVS is now in a new bigger building, we are expecting a Dollar store to open in the near future, Dollar general is building a new and larger facility, Quality Collision is building a larger facility and will be selling used luxury vehicles, Gillians rehabbed a historical building and moved to the larger facility, Maverick Technologies built a large state of the art facility....and the list continues.4. Do you find my presence at most council meetings an issue? Not at all. I would actually prefer that you would start bringing guests. I feel that citizens should be active in their local government and hold council members accountable.
5. What action or actions if any as an aldermen do you regret and how would you handle things differently in that situation given hindsight? Absolutely not. To quote Victoria Holt; “Never Regret! If it is good....it’s wonderful. If it’s bad.....it’s experience!”
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