Readers ask candidates about chamber contract, presidential election

Jefferson City mayoral hopefuls respond to questions submitted by News Tribune readers

This week, candidates for Jefferson City mayor respond to two questions submitted by News Tribune readers.

You may send your questions for the candidates to [email protected] so that we might include your voice in future stories.

This week's questions and candidate responses:

From resident Ed Williams: "In light of the defeat of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce by voters on county zoning, mega schools, Transformation sales tax, and the failure to attract significant economic development, would you support continuing to give money to the chamber?"

Editor's note: The Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce is contracted by the city to provide economic development services. In the current fiscal year, the chamber is budgeted to receive $185,000 from the city for those services. The chamber is scheduled to give its annual report on economic development to the City Council on Monday.

Third Ward Councilman Bob Scrivner: "Neither the city nor the county "give' money to the chamber. Contracting with the chamber is an economic development model that many cities in Missouri and across the country follow. Cities that actively promote economic development, regardless of the model they follow, devote tax money to economic development, either by contracting for the service as Jefferson City and Cole County do, or by funding an in-house program. I am supportive of our current economic development contract. However, I have also called for a discussion and evaluation of our contract with the chamber. Members of the commission, council and chamber have all indicated a willingness to undertake the evaluation later in 2015. Abraham Lincoln once said, "A house divided cannot stand.' We have been divided for too long. I am asking for you and all our residents to join me to bring our community together and move Jefferson City forward."

Leonard Steinman: "Let's take away another $50,000. They have not done anything but throw parties once a month to self-incriminate themselves. They do not go out and focus with the people of Jefferson City. They are not doing their jobs."

Carrie Tergin: "Zoning and the schools were not chamber initiatives and were put on the ballot by other entities. The chamber must demonstrate accountability and prove that every taxpayer dollar is being used in a transparent and fiscally responsible manner and that the city is seeing a return on its investment. I support measured and smart economic development because job creation is vital to the health and success of our community. There have been well-founded concerns in recent years as to whether those dollars are producing the desired outcomes. The city should develop a specific plan with accountability measures, clear expectations and evaluations. It can be challenging to measure economic development outcomes, but that is not an excuse. I am open to listening to all sides on this issue and developing a workable solution and even exploring other options if necessary, whether it is the Chamber of Commerce or other entities."

Edith Vogel: "The Chamber of Commerce is our method of attracting and getting jobs, whether they be manufacturing or high-tech or anything like that, they are in the front of the pack. ... But I think that the citizens have spoken very strongly, as they do not favor or they are not liking the way (the chamber is) approaching what they're trying to do. That is something that will have to be looked at very hard by the council. If you take a look at the voters and their record, they have definitely said no to all the ideas that (the chamber has) come up with, whether they're right or they're wrong. Something is missing there."

Roy Viessman: "We need to have an effective mechanism for attracting new business and industry to our community. An industrial commission, such as the one I would be very active in forming, could be an effective tool toward that goal. In regard to funding the Chamber of Commerce for economic development, I would want to very carefully look at whether the chamber is giving us good value for our economic development dollars."

Richard S. Groner: "I will not give any money to anybody without a prior signed contract as to what work is going to be done and what kind of input there's going to be over time to see that the work is done."

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From resident W.D. Renick: "Who did you vote for in the last presidential election?"

Third Ward Councilman Bob Scrivner: "I have always supported the idea of the secret ballot box where only the voter is privileged to know the choice of the voter. But since I have nothing to hide, I voted for Mitt Romney - I thought he was the better option. I felt the president's first four years were a disappointment, and I really did not feel he offered much of a plan for improvement in the next four years. Romney had demonstrated an expertise for turning around and managing a bad situation when he rescued the Winter Olympics in Colorado. In my opinion, Romney offered the better leadership choice and plan for restoring our country's economic vitality."

Leonard Steinman: "It wasn't (Barack) Obama!"

Carrie Tergin: "The mayor and city council are non-partisan. We aim to keep politics out of decisions at the local level, and I try to make thoughtful decisions based on what I believe is best for our community, while being fair and taking into account all points of view. I always educate myself on the candidates and make an informed decision on who I think would be best for the office they are running for based on all the information, not just party. In 2012, I voted for the Republican candidate, Mitt Romney."

Edith Vogel: "(Mitt) Romney."

Roy Viessman: "Since the Jefferson City mayor has little or nothing to do with national policy, I fail to see why this question has any significance in this election contest. Therefore I will exercise my privilege to keep my secret ballot secret. I always cast my ballot in every election, at every level, for the candidate who best embodies my values and principles."

Richard S. Groner: "I decline to answer that because it does not have anything to do with the job."