Four seek election to Nevada City Council seats

Friday, October 30, 2009

Amyl Bishop

Do you know of any reason you might not be able to serve the entire term if you are elected to fill one of the vacant seats on the City Council?

I do not foresee any circumstances preventing me from serving the entire term. As a Nevada native and dedicated citizen I am thrilled to possibly have the opportunity to serve on the city council. Through hard work, along with responsible and educated decision making, we can work together to make Nevada a desirable place to live, work, and raise a family.

Should the City Council ask the Nevada voters to consider amending the City Charter to provide an emergency procedure that would allow the Council to be reconstituted in the event the number of council members drops below three?

Yes, I agree that an emergency procedure would help to resolve an almost current issue. You never want to put a city in a position where they are not able to adequately operate. We have nearly put ourselves in that situation now. We need to implement an emergency procedure in this case, such as allowing the two board members or an outside committee of the city to appoint an interim board member. Always make it fair and always allow a city to functionally operate.

The Public Safety Building has a problem with water in the basement. The city has received an estimate of $250,000 to fix the problem, without any guarantee. Should the city try to repair the problem, or build a new facility and why do you feel this way. If you would build a new facility, how would you propose paying for it?

While few would disagree with the fact that we are in need of a new facility, I would argue that during this period of economic turmoil that our country is currently suffering through; now is not the time to address the issue of a new facility. What I would propose is to receive additional bids and research those companies that specialize in fixing this specific problem. We might be able to find a company who would guarantee their work.

If it is generally concluded that a new facility is needed, we will have a better knowledge base through the various sources. More bids, more research, more options would mean better educated decisions.

What expertise will you bring to the city council to deal with the current economic conditions?

Each council member is regarded as an ambassador of the city of Nevada. I feel that the expertise I could offer the Council lies in my ability to live within my means, and it is my belief that the city has the ability and responsibility to do so as well if we all work together with this goal in mind. I work each day to manage my classroom, my yearbook, my newspaper, and my swim team within the yearly budget I am given. In my previous career I traveled across the United States each week and was responsible for adhering to the budget set for me. Though operating the city of Nevada is on a much grander scale, the principle remains consistent, as fiscal responsibility is important toward achieving on-going success.

Is there anything else you would like to address?

I place a high value on personal integrity and look forward to possibly representing my hometown of Nevada in an ethical and respectable manner. As an ambassador of Nevada I would bring focus not only to the value of our projects and services, but also bring a fresh new outlook. Furthermore, I am an educated, hard-working, self-starter who works equally well in a team environment or individually.

Joe Kraft

Do you know of any reason you might not be able to serve the entire term if you are elected to fill one of the vacant seats on the City Council?

See Section 11.5 Charter Amendment: in which the City Charter prescribes in detail the legal method to amend the Charter. If the Council should offer an amendment to change the Charter for the electors to vote on I would vote for a desirable amendment. If I did not like the wording I would vote no. I can't give a positive or negative opinion today on a hypothetical motion in the future.

I cannot make a judgment today concerning the Public Safety Building. That would require making a decision without a thorough study of all available information which I am not privy to.

What expertise will you bring to the city council to deal with the current economic conditions?

I have gained much experience in city government by serving seven years as councilperson and mayor. I was co-chairman of the City Charter Committee which wrote the City Charter. I have a Bachelor of Science in business with a major in accounting and am well versed in municipal accounting.

I have successfully operated businesses in Nevada and other cities for 50 years. I have invested money in Nevada by renovating the 600 block of East Cherry. Running a city government is tantamount to running a business and I am the only candidate for this council seat who has a varied business background. I will bring a business approach to the operations of the city government.

The city's finances depend mainly on sales tax revenue. Our sales tax receipts are declining. Difficult financial decisions will have to be made. The 2010 budget is going to be very tight and needs to be scrutinized closely by the City Council. I have the financial experience to understand what has to be done to avoid deficit spending and raising taxes. We are in a recession. Nevada is feeling it.

The 1/2 percent sales tax for the park department can only be spent "to fund park capital improvements." Operating expenses such as maintenance, personnel, and utilities (which will increase if Cap and Trade passes) are NOT classified as capital improvements. Since the park department is not self supporting, these expenses must be taken from the General Fund. The General Fund includes the police and fire departments which cannot be underfunded at the expense of non-essential services. Unfortunately, we haven't fully recovered from our five-year spending spree and are still paying for it.

I was the point man for the citizens of Nevada during the successful campaign to locate the 3M plant in Nevada. I am the only candidate who has actually helped to convince an industry to locate here and I was involved in the locating of two other plants in Nevada. I know what to do and, more importantly, I know how to talk to industry representatives.

The golf course has always been part of the park department, but that in itself is not a valid reason for not creating a separate golf department. Golfing is a recreation, but it is also a business and needs to be run like a business with its own golf board and budget.

Brian L. Leonard

Do you know of any reason you might not be able to serve the entire term if you are elected to fill one of the vacant seats on the City Council?

I have been a life-long resident of the Nevada area. I have lived within the city limits of Nevada for more than 22 years. My wife, Rhonda and I own a home and have no plans of moving. I take my commitments very seriously and being a council person would be a commitment I would faithfully fulfill for the entire term.

When I start something, I finish it.

Hopefully in the future, there will not be a situation that would cause this to happen again. But, in case an emergency does occur, there must be something in place to allow the city of Nevada and the council to continue to conduct business on a daily basis. I would be open to the suggestion of amending the City Charter. I would also be interested in hearing other suggestions from the City Attorney and the Missouri Municipal League on solutions other cities have in place for this situation.

I would not be in favor of approving an agreement for that amount of money and not having a guarantee the problem would be fixed. I also think once a full-time city manager is on board, that person could offer many different options on how best to correct the problem with the Public Safety Building. As a council member, I would expect a city manager to be able to provide the council with cost comparisons, grant opportunities, and low interest loans for several different options to provide the most cost efficient and effective 'FIX' for this problem. All of that specific information is necessary to make an educated decision. I don't feel like a council person should make ANY decision without all of the information regarding that situation laid out before them.

What expertise will you bring to the city council to deal with the current economic conditions?

I have previous experience serving on the city council. If elected this would allow me to "hit the ground running" since I am familiar with the procedures and practices of the City Council. Our city needs to grow. We need to support the existing businesses and attract new businesses. Having a professional city manager on board with the city of Nevada would help encourage economic growth and provide the opportunities for ALL growth to transpire.

Is there anything else you would like to address?

If I am elected to the City Council, I will represent the citizens of Nevada to the best of my ability. I am proud to be a life-long resident of the Nevada area. I want to take an active role in the community I have grown up in. To me, one of the best ways to do this is to be willing to serve and to represent the citizens of Nevada.

Sherry Stewart

Do you know of any reason you might not be able to serve the entire term if you are elected to fill one of the vacant seats on the City Council?

I understand the concern citizens have regarding resignation of council members during their term. This is costly and disruptive to the city government. I am unaware of anything that would prohibit me from completing the remainder of the unexpired term for which I am running if I am elected to the position.

Although I understand the vacancies in the City Council over the past four years have caused concern regarding this matter, I do not feel a change to the charter is necessary. It is my opinion the events over the past four years are not the "norm" and do not constitute a change in the City charter.

In regard to the water issue in the Public Safety building, I feel repair of the existing structure is the proper course of action. Research should be extensive and all repair options should be explored before any repairs or reconstruction is begun. Even if repairs cost twice as much as the original estimate, this is a significant savings over building a new structure estimated at over $3 million. I have no problem with new structures -- if money is available to construct them. The city does not have the financial means to construct a building with this price tag at the present time. It is time to live within the means available. As the planning commission discussed in their public hearing of the Capital Improvements budget, any new structure should fully meet the needs of the occupants. The city is not currently in a financial position to build a structure to meet the anticipated future needs of our public safety departments. The other issue I have is the location of a new facility. There would be cost to the taxpayers for land as well as a building, and new construction would likely move the facility from its current prime location.

What expertise will you bring to the city council to deal with the current economic conditions?

I have expertise in grant projects for economic development. These are tough economic times and we live in a small community, but we do have advantages for new businesses. We are located in the Midwest with an economical workforce and a centralized location. I understand the process for assisting businesses in acquiring grants and loans for business expansion and am interested in the growth of business to provide for economic stability in our community.

Is there anything else you would like to address?

I believe any company's greatest resource is its employees. I believe the most economically sound decision any company can make is to recruit and retain quality employees. It is my opinion the employees of the city of Nevada have been less than a priority for the city for at least the past three years. It is time for their needs to be met so that we can maintain a workforce that is trained and dedicated. There were no raises in the 2009 budget. The 2010 budget needs to include raises -- especially since employees have been told their portion of their health insurance costs will increase. It is not feasible to expect them to be able to maintain positive attitudes and have the pride in their work we need them to have as their expenses increase and their paychecks remain the same.

I also believe city equipment should receive proper maintenance and its use monitored to prolong its life. Unnecessary use of equipment should be eliminated. Every dollar spent on repairs due to neglect or improper use reduces the funds available for other needs. It is time to elminate waste and take care of what we have. Please take the time to cast your vote on Nov. 3.

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