Two candidates are running unopposed to fill two seats on the Holts Summit Board of Alderman during the April 4 municipal elections.
Charles Chamberlin
Charles Chamberlin started his carrier in law enforcement, serving as a police chief. He also worked for Motorola Inc. in Hong Kong, before returning home to Saint Louis. Chamberlin then worked for a private security investigations firm, and then as director of security for for the Lottery. He retired to Holts Summit, and was appointed to fill an empty alderman term. Chamberlin is running for a full term this year, and is unopposed in the election.
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue you'll need to solve, and how do you plan to solve it?
A. Right now, the largest issue is what is going to happen to Lake Mykee. It is not only a political merger, but also a merger of services. Currently, they have a lagoon sewage system, which the department of natural resources is not keen on. We can save money by connecting them to Holt Summit's services. When the election happens, there needs to be a majority vote in favor of the annexation in both places. There might not be. That would be a problem for the community.
I think that issue can be solved by responding to constituent problems, and making sure everybody is informed and that they know both the positives and the negatives of the communities joining. I think that when communities join, there is an overlapping. We are going to become a community like any other.
Q. What qualifies you for the position?
A. I have experience in government. I sat on the library board, then was an assessing official. Being an assessing official gave me insight into what makes a community grow, while being with the library gave me insight into soft issues. Libraries mean a lot to a community. I have been in crises management for one of the major firms in the world, and that kind of knowledge helps anybody in a municipal government respond.
Q. What is your greatest fear and your greatest hope for the community?
A. My greatest hope is that Holts Summit continues to function and grow, and that it continues to be a good place to live. Since I relocated here from Hong Kong, it hasn't seemed to have had any problems. The board works very well together, as we are all interested in the betterment of the community.
I hate spiders. That's my biggest fear.
Larry Fedorchalk
Larry Fedorchalk, his wife Michele and their children made Holts Summit their home in 2005. Fedorchalk, a Columbia College alumni, has worked as a youth counselor, in customer service and has also led a high school chess club. His family opened Hibernia Station Coffee and Tea, and he has a passion for serving the community.
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue you'll need to solve, and how do you plan to solve it?
A. I think the biggest issue I will need to solve is rapid growth in Holts Summit. We need to make sure we are getting good business in town and continuing to diversify the types of businesses that are coming to the city.
I think I can accomplish that by being able to work with the other alderman, and by making sure to encourage that businesses that come to the city will be ones that help us grow. What the town really needs is to make a commitment to more community based businesses, ones that give back to the community as a whole.
Q. What qualifies you for the position?
A. I truly think the thing that makes me qualified is the passion I have for the community. I moved here. I opened a business. I have tried to make that business a place the people of the community can enjoy. By being a part of the community, I am given the ability to give back to the community.
Q. What is your greatest fear and your greatest hope for the community?
A. My greatest fear is failing my community. I don't want to ever miss an opportunity that could be used to help the community grow and prosper.
My greatest hope is to be viewed as someone who takes the community's interest in mind in all of my decisions.