Roughly 30 people came out Monday night for a chance to meet with, and hear from, two candidates for a vacant seat on the Jefferson City Council.
The city held a public forum Monday, giving the public a one-hour opportunity to meet with two nominees for the 2nd Ward seat on the City Council. Laura Ward, an administrative associate with the University of Missouri School of Medicine, and Carolyn McDowell, a former 4th Ward councilwoman and member of the city's charter commission, are both seeking the seat, which was recently vacated by Shawn Schulte.
Allen Tatman, owner of Paddy Malone's, also had been nominated for the seat, but withdrew from consideration Friday citing time constraints.
The public forum also included a short question and answer session with City Administrator Steve Crowell asking both Ward and McDowell six questions about city issues, before opening the questions to the public.
McDowell cited her history in the community and on the council as her motivation for seeking the council seat as well as her strengths, noting she served on the City Council for 10 years without missing a meeting. McDowell began serving on the council before term limits were enacted. City Attorney Drew Hilpert said McDowell is eligible to serve one, two-year term, but an appointment to the council would not count against that time.
"Don't forget your history," McDowell said. "We are losing history daily."
Ward said she would bring passion and energy to the council, as well as "more forward thinking ideas." Ward said she wants to promote the neighborhood feels of a community in Jefferson City.
"I'd like to help with moving the community forward," Ward said. "I love Jefferson City and I want to be a part of it more."
McDowell, a lifelong resident of Jefferson City, said she'd like to see safety improved in the city's municipal court, as well as continued efforts to ensure state government stays in Jefferson City. She said code enforcement needs to be strengthened and suggested a hotline for customer service calls at the city.
Ward, who moved to Jefferson City in 1999, said the city should be more diligent with the site of the old Missouri State Penitentiary and suggested working with the Missouri State Penitentiary Redevelopment Commission to keep the issue in focus and moving forward. Ward also said public transit needs to be a focus as many residents rely on the service.
During the public question and answer portion of Monday evening, only two of the roughly 30 attendees asked questions.
Paul Van Horn asked about the vision of the nominees and where the city would be in 15 years based on that vision. McDowell focused on history to identify vision and keep the city as a destination for people.
"You have to know where you've been and where you are to get where you want to go," McDowell said.
Ward said her vision would be to keep downtown as the core or heart of the community and ensure development in that area continues. She said city officials need to listen to the input of the public to determining the city's direction.
Stephanie Bell, president of the Downtown Association, asked about the downtown's strengths and struggles, as well as what candidates thought about a potential community improvement district in the area.
Ward said the area's strength is it's business diversity and growth, citing the events and nightlife that has been created in the downtown. She said she'd support more happening downtown, but did not directly address the idea of a community improvement district.
"We have a beautiful downtown," Ward said. "I think there's more to come."
McDowell said the community improvement district has to be discussed thoroughly before anything is done because a tax on the property owner will be passed on to the renter. She said downtown has made great strides and looks good now.
The City Council will vote on the nominees at its July 7 meeting.