Several mayoral seats to be decided April 2

Among the municipal races in the April 2 election are the campaigns for the mayor’s office in several cities in St. Charles County. The following is a quick look at the candidates in those races:

 

Candidates for Dardenne Prairie Mayor

Pam Fogarty (incumbent) is seeking the mayor’s seat again in her fourth election. As mayor she has helped secure the city’s fiscal stability and overseen an expansion of city resources. In her next term she wants to continue furthering the city’s economic development and increase city services.

Donald Jenkins has served the city as an alderman, city administrator, and police officer. He would like to get 24-hour police service in the city, make City Hall more accessible for disabled visitors, and control city spending. If elected, he plans to donate his mayoral salary to two charities: the Backstoppers and Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Doug Santos has been a St. Charles County Sheriff deputy since 2008. Before that his career focused on tax accounting. He wants to bring more government transparency to citizens and says he’ll put city expenditures on the city Web site. He also wants to reduce employee turnover and increase County Sheriff service to 24 hours a day from 18 hours per day.

 

Candidates for Cottleville Mayor

Don Yarber (incumbent) has served as Cottleville mayor for the past eight years. He says a lot has been accomplished, but there is more to do. If reelected, Yarber said he plans to work toward completion of park amenities in the city, roadwork on secondary streets and bike/walking trails expanded to all neighborhoods. Yarber said he would work to reduce trash collection cost and to help resolve issues in the police department. Yarber says he will continue to work to maintain the small town quality of Cottleville while expanding with appropriate businesses. He said he hopes voters see what he has done as mayor for the past eight years, renewing the Old Town streetscape, moving City Hall from a triple-wide trailer to a green building with all necessary amenities for the police and city staff. He says under his leadership, Cottleville has become a destination and the envy of St. Charles County.

Jim Hennessey says his experience serving as a Cottleville alderman for the past six years has shown him the need for change. He says since losing American Furniture and Electronics, the business that provided the largest tax revenue for the city of Cottleville, a few bars and a couple of other smaller businesses have moved into the city. He believes, however, that the city needs his leadership and solid business background to attract larger businesses that would relieve a tight budget. As a business owner for the past 12 years, he says he knows what it takes to be successful in dealing with a tough economy. Development of parks and community events should be escalated as increased funding is generated. He says park expansion would help foster his goal of improving the city, while helping to increase property values. Hennessy says endorsements by the Police Department, Fire Department and most of the city’s staff indicate they believe he is a man of strong character and sound judgment.

 

Candidates for Lake Saint Louis Mayor

Incumbent Mike Potter is a partner in Trabue Industrial Systems, representatives for industrial boiler room equipment. He is running for his fourth mayoral term. If re-elected his plans to “continue the progress we have made in becoming an economically balanced community.” He wants to continue funding road, park, and storm water improvements.

Ralph Sidebottom has been an alderman for 7 years. He is a retired international vice-president responsible for arbitration and negotiation. As mayor, he plans to serve full-time at no added city cost. He wants to give citizens a vote on all proposed tax increases. He plans to grow business development to balance the burden of taxes on residents.

 

Candidates for O’Fallon Mayor

Bill Hennessy (incumbent) has served as an alderman since 1999, then, as the city grew to become a Charter City, he was named councilman. He has served as mayor for the past four years. Hennessy says his sound judgment is exemplified with the city being named one of the best cities to live in for the past 10 years, and most recently, safest city in Missouri based 2011 FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. Hennessy said O’Fallon sales tax revenue is up 3.4 percent. In 2012 more than 200 businesses and 1,000 jobs came to the city. The occupancy rate for commercial business is 88 percent. He says his work as mayor has built a solid reputation for the city, and is attracting great people and great businesses. He said he’s proud to lead the city and proud to call O’Fallon home.

Dave Goewert, a DARE Officer with the O’Fallon Police Department known by students as “Officer Dave,” he took personal leave to run for mayor of O’Fallon because he believes the city needs better leadership and direction. He says as a 15-year member of the Police Department he has heard struggles in the city. As a small business owner, he recognizes that the growing number of empty storefronts, especially on the south end of the city, should be addressed and a grocery store should be lured to the area for the convenience of residents. As a resident since 1980, he says there should be “excitement” about more improvements to the city. Goewert says he would approach business of the city aggressively. He is a founding member of the Missouri Association of Crisis Negotiators, serves on the St. Charles County SWAT team and is associated with numerous other organizations.