NEW BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - Three Ward 1 alderman candidates are on the ballot for New Bloomfield's April 2 municipal election.
This is part of a series of profiles on the candidates running in contested races across the county. More profiles are coming soon.
- Daniel Kliethermes
My wife, Rita, and I have lived here for 36 years and raised two sons, both of whom graduated from New Bloomfield High School. I was raised in Taos. After high school, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1976 and was honorably discharged in 1979. I then worked for the Department of Corrections in 1981 for 33 years before retiring in 2010 as a lieutenant. I've helped coach Little League for the town.
Q. Why are you running?
I am running because the current administration is out of touch with the citizens. Citizens rarely participate in the city's monthly meetings, because they never get answers about their concerns. I think there would be more participation by the citizens if their concerns were address or at least take their question into consideration.
Q. What qualifications do you have as a candidate?
I have never run for office before, but I will learn and try to be a productive alderman and work hard for the citizens no matter what ward they're in.
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue you'll need to solve in this position, and how do you plan to solve it?
The biggest issues that the city has is overspending. The city needs to take out bids, get the best company for the job at a reasonable price and stay within the budget. Also, we need to get our own police force back. We don't need to pay Holts Summit for part-time policing at a ridiculous price. My suggestion would be to purchase one used police car from the State of Missouri to save on insurance cost and maintenance.
To restart the police force might take more than $15,000, but in the long run, it will save a lot money. This is not going to happen overnight, and you got to have the cooperation of the majority of the board members to get this done.
Q. What other goals do you have?
We have signs that have been down for periods of time despite citizen complaints. We have a city superintendent paid $75,600, whose job is to fix things in the city. Leadership wants to raise the city sales tax by 1 percent. There is no need to burden citizens who are just trying to make ends meet.
My other goals for the city is to get more information on the bond issue. The council said it will be to fix roads and fix water and sewer systems, but what does that entail? I have lived here for 36 years, raised a family here, and my goal is to make New Bloomfield a place that people can be proud of and hopefully get more people involved in the city's future.
- Bryan Manes (Incumbent)
I work in a factory over in Jefferson City. I have two girls and a wife. I've lived in New Bloomfield for 13 years. I grew up in Jefferson City. I'm a volunteer captain for the New Bloomfield Fire Department. I'm also the board president of the fire protection district.
Q. Why are you running?
I've already done two years and I really would like to see New Bloomfield grow and give it a strong base to go on. I really like what I do, and I like working for the people.
Q. What qualifications do you have as a candidate?
I've been an alderman for two years. I've also served on other committees: parks and recreation and planning and zoning.
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue you'll need to solve in this position, and how do you plan to solve it?
I believe New Bloomfield needs to grow. That way we can afford different things. I believe to grow, we need to get out there and try to get businesses to move in. We also need to get people wanting to move into New Bloomfield.
Q. What other goals do you have?
My biggest goal is, I'd like New Bloomfield to be a good town for families and somewhere people would want to live.
- Luther D. Riley
I am a Vietnam veteran who served in the Navy on the USS Midway and was involved with Operation Frequent Winds during the rescue of the South Vietnamese in 1975. I served six years in the Navy and one in the Army Reserves. I returned to active duty in the Army for 14 years, retiring in 1993. I then worked for the Missouri Department of Corrections until 2013. I've lived in New Bloomfield since 2002. I'm married with two sons, a daughter and two grown grandchildren. I belong to the New Bloomfield United Methodist Church and am a member of the Fulton VFW.
Q. Why are you running?
I would like to see transparency in our city's government.
Q. What qualifications do you have as a candidate?
While a state employee, I attended classes regarding ethical conduct, avoidance of harassment and equal treatment for all, as defined by federal and state laws. My work also involved knowing the laws of the state and studying the constitution.
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue you'll need to solve in this position, and how do you plan to solve it?
My main issue is the fact that our citizens do not feel they have a voice during our city council meetings. I would like to recommend the city council permit our citizens to voice their concerns and opinions, and be permitted to ask questions and receive answers during meetings.