Many issues will face Jefferson City's Council in the coming years.
And the News Tribune asked the nine candidates who are running for six council seats in the April 4 election about three of those pending issues.
Three of the nine - Ron Fitzwater, Leonard Steinman II and Charles Jackson - want to complete the final year of Glen Costales' two-year term in the Fourth Ward, after Costales resigned in December to help take care of family business.
The other contested race is in the First Ward, where incumbent Jim Branch's bid for another two-year term is being challenged by David Kemna.
The other four races involve incumbents who are unopposed for their re-election to two-year terms: Laura Ward, Second Ward; Ken Hussey, Third Ward; Carlos Graham, Fourth Ward; and Mark Schreiber, Fifth Ward.
Steinman didn't answer our request for answers to the questions, but the other eight candidates responded.
Here are the questions, and their responses - some of which have been edited for space considerations:
Some would say the current transportation system seems to be designed to primarily bring state workers to jobs downtown from 8 to 5 on Mondays through Fridays. What would you do to make our transportation system more suitable for people who work at other jobs and for those who want the services on weekends and evenings?
Jim Branch, First Ward - "I think the best and most economical way to address this issue is what the council has done - opening up the market to Uber and others will provide access to transportation options that currently do not exist.
"I am aware that there are groups advocating (for) expanded bus service, but the ridership isn't there and the costs are more that I believe the city can currently absorb."
Dave Kemna, First Ward - "I believe JeffTran and the CAMPO Metro Committee, which focuses on transportation to and from the surrounding communities, (are discussing) this very question.
"It mainly boils down to funding and how can we expand this funding to expand these services. I'm encouraged to see that conversations are happening to help address these concerns."
Ron Fitzwater, Fourth Ward, 1-Year term - "Public transportation is an issue that cities across the country are addressing. The problem (is) that it requires a density of population in multiple service areas with large numbers of folks commuting to common locations (which) we do not (currently) have.
"In addition, these systems require substantial federal subsidies to keep them in existence.
"I would work towards common sense solutions, that do not further burden taxpayers without providing a real solution to the problem."
Charles Jackson, Fourth Ward, 1-Year term - "There is currently an assessment of the transportation system (being done).
"It does appear the growth in some businesses on the outskirts of the city, that employ lower-income citizens who may not own a vehicle, has created a transportation problem.
"These employees often have difficulty getting to work and returning home due the lack of any service available or the lack of service during their work hours.
"Hopefully the new assessment will address the issue."
Laura Ward, Second Ward - "We shouldn't just guess what is needed. We do know that ridership was down in 2015 and 2016 (and) we need to dig deeper to learn (what) all the reasons are for low ridership, so they can be addressed.
"(JeffTran has begun a system-wide assessment, due in the fall) and drivers and staff were interviewed to focus the assessment.
"The next step involves meetings with education, public officials, medical, and business stakeholders.
"There is also a public meeting scheduled for (Wednesday), from 2-6 p.m., to gather the public's input."
Ken Hussey, Third Ward - "I hope the upcoming public meetings that JeffTran is hosting will help provide input on ways to improve the system.
"Additional routes and service hours add to the overall cost, and the system is already limited on funding. The solution to providing additional transit for citizens at these other days and times may even be found outside the scope of public transit.
"We have to be creative in our approach, and be open to new ways of approaching this challenge."
Carlos Graham, Fourth Ward - "I would continue to use advertising (on the buses) and social media to broaden the public recognition and survey the needs.
"It is possible that many of our citizens aren't aware of what the transportation system can offer - once they know and it becomes more widely used, then accommodations for weekends and evenings and further expansion could be implemented.
"Possible expansion could be collaborations between the City and other entities (which) would allow (more) funding "
Mark Schreiber, Fifth Ward - "I think that they need to do more studies on that, (to) determine how much ridership we have.
"They need to look at the segments of the population (to see) the age groups that we need to serve, the costs associated with that and how they would set up any public transportation that might be provided by the city for those services. "
State legislation has been proposed that would convey land at Missouri State Penitentiary to the city. What is your view of the city's role, if any, at the old prison site?
Branch - "The city's role in this I see as building the infrastructure, which is already in the works.
"After that I think the city should turn over development of the area to entities that are capable of doing that kind of work.
"Of course the city should have some oversight, but as to dictating the day to day operations - No."
Kemna - "If granted the 32 acres of MSP property, it would be a huge plus for the City of Jefferson and developing this area to meet the City's needs.
"I know there have been ongoing discussions on how to utilize this property such as possible event space, convention center space and hotel.
"We just have to be mindful of our budget and the money invested into this property as well as the streets around it."
Fitzwater - " The MSP project will provide an exciting economic boost for our city.
"We are already seeing the interest in the area with the exponential growth in the number of residents and visitors who participate in the tours, and the concert that was held there last summer.
"There are tremendous development opportunities at the MSP site that will benefit our entire community (and) I think City Council has a role to keep this project moving forward."
Jackson - "I believe the involvement with the prison property should be approached cautiously because of the associated expense with asbestos abatement, which can be costly.
"As in all cases there needs to be evaluation of the potential for costs compared to the possibility of income before embarking on new projects."
Ward - "The possibility of the state transferring 32 acres within the prison site to the city is very exciting (and would) make it much easier to explore opportunities to partner with public and private groups for development at MSP.
"I think a big contributing factor to this happening is (that) our Convention and Visitors Bureau's prison tours are a huge success, bringing in over 32,000 tourists last year (and this) can help provide the state some reassurance that continued development and responsible management can be a reality at this site."
Hussey - "The city benefits greatly from the tours conducted in the historic portion of MSP, and we need to continue that relationship with the state. The city also should play a critical role in the rest of the site.
"The scope and type of development here will have a great impact on the adjacent neighborhoods and businesses.
"This conveyance can be a positive step toward redeveloping the property, and hopefully be able to jump start activity there."
Graham - "The Missouri State Penitentiary site is a gem that we have, and I would encourage and welcome it be turned over to the City for usage.
"With possible funding from the state, city and private developers, a riverfront similar to the Branson Landing would be a beacon for tourism, new business and attractions that would serve City of Jefferson and the State of Missouri well for many years to come."
Schreiber - "I'm certainly a proponent of developing MSP to the fullest extent.
"One thing I would like to stress we need to pretty well stick to the master plan.
"The first component there has to be to go ahead and put that MSP Parkway through."
The current council is considering an ordinance that would raise the age requirement for someone wishing to buy tobacco products. Would you support such an ordinance? Why or why not?
Branch - "Would I support this? No - (even though) I do not condone minors smoking (and) I am an ex-smoker (who has) been a non-smoker for more than 25 years.
"If there is support in the community to do this, it should be done through the initiative petition process of the citizens. Also in its present form it is an unenforceable law. "
Kemna - "This is an issue I haven't had many people ask about.
"My questions would be how effective will this measure be and how strictly would this be enforced?"
Fitzwater - "I support preventing youth from ever starting to use tobacco. However, I know that there are concerns with this proposed ordinance.
"I want to know more about the fiscal implications of this policy change.
"It's honestly not an issue I have been hearing from citizens as I have been going door-to-door. This is a policy change that needs citizen input."
Jackson - "I believe the ordinance should be adopted to deter the use of tobacco by our developing youth.
"At 21, their friends would be older and more mature and developed, which would, hopefully, help them make a more informed decision to smoke or not.
"I know there are those who are only looking at the immediate economic side of the issue and not the long-term economic impart that smoking has due to health-related issues (that) we all end up paying for."
Ward - "After attending several informational meetings, hearing input from health experts in our community, and reviewing the statistics, I will be voting in favor of Tobacco 21.
"I have given this issue much consideration. It simply comes down to the health of our youth being the most important outcome of this ordinance."
Hussey - "I support this ordinance. It is a step that can lead to a reduction in youth using tobacco products, and hopefully lead to a healthier community overall.
"Our medical community supports this ordinance, along with other community leaders."
Graham - "Other than being the right thing to do, we know based on statistics and the advice from medical professionals that - if we can help deter young people from not picking up the habit or never smoking early on in life - long term health is better."
Schreiber - "I haven't totally made up my mind on that, but I'm leaning toward supporting it
"Certainly, the negative aspect is, people make the argument that here we go again with government involvement in people's lives.
"(But) it's not geared toward having penalties toward the young people, it's geared to the fact that, if we can get a young person, a few young people or any young people to hesitate for a period of time before they make the decision to smoke, then perhaps they will make the decision and will not go forward with smoking.
"I'm still open for comments, recommendations, suggestions and thoughts from other people on that - until such time as it comes up for a vote."