Responses From Alderman Stumpf

I'd like to thank Alderman Stumpf for sending his responses in. It's a busy day today so I'm just copying and pasting what he sent over to me just before noon. Reading through them I have a better sense of where he stands on the issues. Its never easy to send in responses first.

Questionnaire responses.

Education graduate U of I bachelor of science ornamental horticulture and ag industries School of hard knocks in process.

Home place was in the river bottoms near Merrimac. Moved to rural Columbia 1978. and into city limits 1984.

All input from all residents is valuable. What makes this town a good place to live is the hard working ethical and honest people that live here.

I own and operate Shadycreek Nursery which means I am very accessible to people daily.

I feel the daily decision making routine of running any business makes one more ready to accept the responsibility and appreciate the ramifications of decisions rendered.

I would welcome to be chair of any committee.

I have attended all meetings accept for two in the last four years.

Supporting commercial growth can lead to many avenues of what should and shouldn’t be done. Commercial growth should not be an at all costs proposition.

First and foremost the citizens life style of living in Columbia should be the number one consideration of what should and shouldn’t be promoted. Not all commercial growth will alleviate our egregious properly tax burden in fact some could possible worsen it. An increase in protective services and infrastructural maintenance costs all need to be considered when promoting and incentivizing business. A well thought out paced and calculated plan for business growth is what I support.

The flood plain issue for growth is controversial and complex. Density of commercial growth and what types of commercial enterprises should be the question answered before we proceed. Undeniable someday that levee will break, when? And at what cost do we proceed. The Columbia river bottoms has several unique characteristics that I feel Columbia can take advantage of to produce good high paying jobs. We have the largest inland waterway in the center of our country at our door step.

We have one of the largest rail centers cut through our city limits. We have a major interstate also cut through our city limits and we have a commercial airport within 10 miles of our city limits. These four characteristics offer huge potential for economic growth. I do not support a massive TIF district for box stores in this area, I feel other avenues need to be pursued. Do I have the answer? I feel when a good proposal is forwarded on this area it will be a decision that collectively the majority will agree on and the transparency of the plan, I will be an advocate of.

I feel an economic committee consisting of a diverse group of Columbia citizens with business and development background would serve the city well.

On incentives; the biggest concern I have about TIF is the creating of another entity where after it is created citizens have little input until it expires.

Every business has it own needs and wants and must be viewed independently.

I have voted for the 4.99% increase reluctantly as the city‘s expenditures always dictate the need.

I support the merger to have one department instead of two. Hopefully the efficiency gained will have a positive effect.

Infrastructurally speaking Gall road is in dire need of improvement. Hopefully the issue can be addressed soon as this road will experience growing traffic as Columbia’s residential growth expands.

One thing I specifically took the reigns on was the questioning of the legality of approving a $200 million Tif district.

I enjoy working with the council and the Mayor in honing the direction the city takes in it future journey.

The budget is a problem that needs disciplined decision making on the part of the council. As I did not vote to pass our deficit budget last year I feel I showed how I stand.

I disagree that growth has become stagnant; look at the renaissance of mainstreet plus 50 new homes last year. Columbia has what many places don’t; location location location

Respectfully submitted

Alderman Fred Stumpf Ward1