The News Tribune asked the candidates in contested races for Jefferson City Council in the April 6 election to answer the following reader-submitted questions.
Candidates' responses may have been edited for length and clarity.
City Council races are bipartisan. For many voters, a candidate's party affiliation helps to identify the philosophy of the candidate. How would you define your philosophy of government's role in the city?
Ward 2
Laura Ward: The City Council is a non-partisan position. I will represent the people of Ward 2 and all of Jefferson City and take their voices into the council chambers, not the interests of a political party.
Edith Vogel: On April 2, 2001, under the leadership of Mayor Thomas Rackers, the City Council, after a vote of the citizens of the city of amended the City Charter - hence, non-partisan elections. The governance of the City of Jefferson should adhere to the following: No. 1 Follow the Constitution of the United States. No. 2 Follow the statues of the State of Missouri. No. 3 Follow ordinances of the City of Jefferson.
Ward 3
Mary Schantz: City Council elections are nonpartisan, and there are good reasons for that. Potholes and stormwater issues are not partisan. Affordable housing and public safety are not "party" issues. Making city elections partisan discourages participation in the process and will likely drive out qualified and dedicated candidates who wish to serve and make JC an even better place to live. My philosophy about local government is that, in the end, we must all work together for what's in the best interest of all JC residents.
Scott Spencer: I am a conservative both politically and fiscally. Those values will guide my approach when dealing with local issues.
Ward 4
Derrick Spicer: Smaller government, low taxes and a strong public safety.
Leonard Steinman: City Council races are not bipartisan. There are more than two political parties so to state that they are bipartisan is not correct as bipartisan means involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other's policies. The ballot for City Council only lists the candidate's name. It does not list the political party. Government's role in the city should be to protect and promote the welfare of all its citizens, not just the business interests, to ensure growth and prosperity for future generations and protect the rights of all citizens.
Ryan Estes: Considering the wide gamut of beliefs within each party, I think it is a good thing that the city elections are non-partisan. My philosophy is a strong belief in natural rights, limited government and free markets. Government exists to protect the rights of its people first and foremost. Beyond that, local government should provide for public safety and create the environment in which its citizens can be prosperous.
Ward 5
Mark Schreiber: My philosophy of city government is each council member is elected to represent all the citizens of the City of Jefferson. It is for this particular reason the City Council members from all five wards vote on city- related issues. So in other words, we're responsible for not just our but the entire city and because we are nonpartisan, then you know that's the philosophy we should take is to represent everybody.
Alicia Edwards: The City Council is a non-partisan position. I will represent the people of Ward 5 and all of Jefferson City and take their voices into the Council Chambers, not the interests of a political party.
The city has a huge problem with moles and groundhogs. Drive down any street and you see mounds. What should the city do to help alleviate the problem?
Ward 2
Laura Ward: I will work with Jefferson City Animal Control and Missouri Department of Conservation to implement a plan and alleviate any pest control problems. Infrastructure improvement is a huge goal and part of the 20-year Comprehensive Plan. The last thing we need is rogue rodents making these improvements harder.
Edith Vogel: I recommend going to Pay Way Feed Store, 812 Jefferson St., a mom and pop store and purchase anything available to fight rodents and vermin, and any other farm, home specialty items including baby chicks. Yard maintenance is a personal responsibility, not the city.
Ward 3
Mary Schantz: Like many, I have fought with moles for years. Once, Peter attached a dryer hose to the exhaust of our car, engine running, and put the other end into one of the mole runs - but alas, the critters won! I would be interested to see if JC could come up with a creative way to rid the city of these pests. Could the city hire a pied piper? Or Bill Murray might be available? Kidding aside, I don't see a role for taxpayer dollars going to this private property issue. Might the Department of Conservation be a resource?
Scott Spencer: If these issues are on private property, then the homeowner has the right to deal with this problem in the manner they see fit. I think we as a community have more pressing issues than dealing with moles and groundhogs such as public safety, infrastructure and economic development.
Ward 4
Derrick Spicer: It's not the city's responsibility; it's on the property owner.
Leonard Steinman: The city should do what is possible with regards to public areas such as parks, etc. as mole tracks can be hazardous when people are walking, running or playing. As for the rest of the city, it should be up to the homeowner to handle the problem if they have one. What would be next deer, rabbits, squirrels and birds that citizens want the city to handle? The city has more important issues that need to be dealt with. The city should only be involved in homeowners' issues if there is a clear and present danger to other citizens.
Ryan Estes: The city has a limited responsibility in animal control when there is a safety concern. Moles and groundhogs are more nuisance than danger. As such, I would encourage property owners to handle these issues themselves. As much as I would like government to help on every issue, our resources are finite, and my greater concerns are with infrastructure and economic development.
Ward 5
Mark Schreiber: I think most of us have all had a mole issue at one time or another, maybe a groundhog issue and of course moles, the positive side to them is that they eat grubs. Actually, Animal Control division of the City of Jefferson may respond to remove a sick or injured animal. They may remove an animal which has gained access to the inside of a citizens residence, if you had a groundhog, for example, that got into somebody's garage. Otherwise, the issue of moles, groundhogs and squirrels that's the responsibility of the property owner. Not the city's.
Alicia Edwards: I will work with Jefferson City Animal Control and Missouri Department of Conservation to implement a plan and alleviate any pest control problems. Infrastructure improvement is a huge goal and part of the 20-year Comprehensive Plan. The last thing we need is rogue rodents making these improvements harder.