While three candidates hope to bring their skills to Jefferson City's Ward 5 seat, council members running unopposed for re-election express their goals for their next terms on the Jefferson City Council.
A three-way race is set for the Ward 5 council seat, with Jim Crabtree, Jon Hensley and Ashley Jones-Kaufman all hoping to win in the April 3 election.
Running unopposed in the April 3 election are incumbents: Rick Prather, Ward 1; Rick Mihalevich, Ward 2; Erin Wiseman, Ward 3; and Ron Fitzwater, Ward 4.
WARD 5: Jim Crabtree
Jim Crabtree cites his wide experience in private, public and corporate sectors as valuable skills he could bring to the Ward 5 City Council seat.
Crabtree is a Central Bank vice president and has served on the Jefferson City Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, Old Town Revitalization Company Board of Directors, the city's Environmental Quality Commission and Cole County Historical Society.
While his job helps him plan long term, he said, serving on community groups has helped him connect with a variety of residents.
If elected to the City Council, Crabtree hopes to continue pushing for development of Adrian's Island. He said the project would be a valuable asset to the city and promote tourism.
"When you look at the thousands of visitors the state Capitol has and you look at the significance the Lewis and Clark monument had in terms of visitation, people's experiences, and you add this to it, it's just going to become more of a destination," he said. "People are going to want to come, and they're going to want to experience that."
Other topics Crabtree plans to promote are historic preservation, encouraging redevelopment of the Missouri State Penitentiary and addressing stormwater concerns.
WARD 5: Jon Hensley
Jon Hensley hopes to encourage economic development and revitalization if elected to the Ward 5 seat.
Hensley serves as general counsel at the Missouri State Treasurer's Office and, has been involved with Grace Episcopal Church and the Kiwanis Club, and coaches his daughter's soccer team.
He said his experience has given him an understanding of effective legislation and what residents look for in representatives.
His key project, if elected, would be partnering with Lincoln University to establish a career development corridor, which would use city-owned properties as affordable housing and work for recent graduates.
"One of the things we need to do most in terms of economic growth is retain more of the young talent that is raised and educated here," he said. "As a community invested in these young people, every time one of them leaves, we're not only erasing a piece of our community, but we're also missing out on the benefit of that investment, however many years we could have had in the community."
He also would like to address stormwater infrastructure issues, encourage historic preservation, and have fairer and more consistent code enforcement.
WARD 5: Ashley Jones-Kaufman
Ashley Jones-Kaufman wants to educate residents while being their voice if elected to the Ward 5 seat.
Jones-Kaufman works as the marketing and communications coordinator for the Missouri Department of Economic Development Division of Energy. She has been involved with the Jefferson City Public Schools J+C canvassing and boundary line committees, along with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
As part of her job, she said, she has learned how to step back and see the outside picture to help draw conclusions and solve problems.
Community policing is one of Jones-Kaufman's primary goals if elected. She said forming neighborhood watch programs would encourage neighborhood connectivity and safety.
"The officer needs to know the community and the community needs to know the officers; so if we're driving my road and I see an officer, I feel like that officer should know who I am if I live here and work here," she said. "It houses for better community relationships between police, residents and children."
Jones-Kaufman also wants to pursue bringing younger people to Jefferson City, ensuring the city keeps up its properties and preserving the city's historic character.
WARD 1: Rick Prather
Ward 1 Councilman Rick Prather plans to continue pushing economic prosperity as he runs for his fourth and final term on the City Council.
Prather is running unopposed in the April 3 election.
Prather owns of Fred Vogel Insurance in Jefferson City and has been involved with the Sons of the American Legion, Host Lions Club, American Red Cross and East Side Business Association. He also serves on the city's Finance and Public Works committees, along with the Missouri State Penitentiary Community Partners.
He said he brings his business knowledge to the City Council to help make decisions, specifically regarding finances.
The redevelopment of the soon-to-be-city-owned 32 acres at the Missouri State Penitentiary is one of Prather's top goals for the future. He said he is excited to see the development but that there are several steps the Missouri State Penitentiary Community Partners must take before constructing on the land.
"We may not be at the point of building anything, but I would hope we could get toward that and find a developer and also find a resolution for the lodging tax, whether it be a conference center, civic center or something else as directed by the public," he said.
Other priorities for Prather include a pursuing a conference/civic center while continuing to strengthen relationships with the county and improvements along East Capitol Avenue.
WARD 2: Rick Mihalevich
Ward 2 Councilman Rick Mihalevich hopes to continue developing Jefferson City as he runs for his final term on City Council.
Mihalevich is running unopposed in the April 3 election.
Mihalevich serves as dean of institutional research and planning at State Technical College of Missouri in Linn, while also serving on the city's Finance, Public Works committees, Missouri State Penitentiary Community Partners. He also has been involved with the Historic City of Jefferson and Old Munichburg Association.
Due to the nature of his job, he said, he can bring ideas to improve analytics and measurements to the City Council along with budget suggestions.
One important topic Mihalevich wants to pursue is implementing the Historic Southside/Old Munichburg District and Neighborhood Plan, such as expanding Monroe Street into a two-way street. The 900 and 1000 blocks of Monroe Street currently allow only one-way travel.
"The plan calls for several things that I think we as council need to look toward to support some low-hanging fruit, some things that I think would turn some of those little neighborhoods around and start revitalizing the area," he said.
Other items Mihalevich plans to pursue are occupancy permits, fleet management improvements and redeveloping the Missouri State Penitentiary.
WARD 3: Erin Wiseman
Ward 3 Councilwoman Wiseman plans to continue addressing residents concerns while running again for her City Council seat.
Wiseman is running unopposed in the April 3 election.
Wiseman is an attorney and partner at Brydon, Swearengen and England P.C. She serves on the city's Council Committee on Adminstration and Public Safety Committee and has been involved with the Jefferson City Host Lions Clubs, Zonta, Jefferson City Jaycees and First Baptist Church personnel committee.
She said serving on different committees and organizations helps her hear residents' concerns and her job helps her take an analytical viewpoint when addressing city issues.
One important issue to Wiseman is continuing to address code nuisance violations in the city and Ward 3, noting the number of violations has increased over the last few years.
"When you live in a neighborhood, there are some things you don't want to see, like tall grass all the time, and you don't want to see houses really declining, and you want to see people keeping up their properties," she said. "I think those are things we're fighting citywide and we're always going to fight citywide, but it's also very specific to the ward."
Other issues Wiseman plans to pursue are long-term funding for stormwater infrastructure, addressing the use tax and encouraging local historic districts.
WARD 4: Ron Fitzwater
Ward 4 Councilman Ron Fitzwater seeks to push projects that will increase tourism in Jefferson City as he runs again for City Council.
Fitzwater is running unopposed in the April 3 election.
Fitzwater is chief executive officer for the Missouri Pharmacy Association. He serves on the city's Public Works committee, Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and Missouri State Penitentiary Community Partners. He also has been involved with the Cole County Republican Central Committee.
He said he has a great appreciation for people who speak with council members about legislation and can see both sides of issues since he has experience lobbying for and against legislation.
One of the main features he wants to push for is a conference/civic center. He said Jefferson City needs a large space to host visitors and conferences while bringing in tourism to help fund future projects.
"I still think the Capital City needs an appropriate facility for groups to come to town and be able to strategize and do their meetings and meet with legislators, so I'm going to continue to push for some type of facility," he said.
He also plans to keep an eye on the renovations at the state Capitol building, discussions of historic tax credits and development of Adrian's Island.