Interview with the Springfield News Leader

 

1. Should Council play a role in helping businesses in the city? If so, what role?

Yes: Making sure businesses that are relocating or expanding get adequate infrastructure help, such as street work and utilities connections, along with public safety protection.

 

I am leery of overuse of property tax reductions for private sector economic development. This erodes the tax base, jeopardizing revenue for crucial public service such as schools and other local government agencies. It also creates property tax inequality by putting more burden on others payers who don’t get such rewards.

 

As a member of City Council, I would not rule out all business tax incentives, but I would ask:

• How many net new jobs will the business create (not just shift from elsewhere)?

• Will they be high-quality jobs that offer livable wages and decent benefits, or will they be low-paying jobs that force hard-working people onto food stamps and Medicaid just to make ends meet?

• Does the business have a track record as a good corporate citizen and community partner? Will it make a long-term commitment to Springfield, or will it leave as soon as its tax incentives expire?

• Will the proposed incentives give the business an unfair competitive advantage that would hurt other established businesses in our community?  

• Is there a potential negative impact on area residents?

• What bottom-line return-on-investment can the City expect?

 

The Council must keep in mind that the real goal is enhancing opportunity, prosperity and quality of life for everyone in the community.

 

2. The City faces challenges in offering competitive pay for all employees, including public safety workers. Should officials prioritize wage increases? Give everyone the same?

In order to attract and retain qualified, motivated employees, the city should  offer pay and benefits that are competitive with those of other municipalities in our area, and with private sector jobs. Police officers and firefighters, who have riskier jobs than office workers, should be well compensated. In the short term, I would favor prioritizing raises for employees who are at the lower end of the pay scale.

 

At some point, however, the city must address its budget inadequacies so that it can offer competitive pay at all levels. The city’s heavy reliance on sales tax as its primary revenue source, which sometimes produces volatile fluctuations, make it difficult. Property tax is more stable. To boost property tax receipts, the city should review all tax abatements that have been granted to commercial property owners and discontinue those that do not produce a positive return on investment.  

 

 3. Do you think the expanded non-discrimination ordinance, to include sexual orientation and gender identity, should be repealed? Why or why not?

No, it is a necessary human rights protection. In employment, housing and public accommodations, every person should expect equal rights and protections under the law, regardless of age, sex, disability, religion or creed, race or color, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation or gender identity. Our city should strive to become a fair and inclusive community where everyone feels welcome, not only the current population but prospective businesses and industries.

 

4. Officials have said a lack of affordable housing and emergency shelter are both problems in Springfield. What should be done to help?

The city and the Community Partnership of the Ozarks have taken a positive step in opening the Springfield Affordable Housing Center, which seeks to provide one-stop housing and homeless prevention resources.

 

Unfortunately, there is still a shortage of adequate housing stock in the city. Programs that work to rehab older homes and stabilize neighborhoods (from Community Development Block Grants to OACAC’s Housing Assistance and Weatherization programs) are chronically underfunded.

 

As with any complex problem, a multi-pronged solution is needed — one that involves public agencies, nonprofit organizations, property owners, businesses, faith institutions and community volunteers all working together toward well-defined goals. The Habitat for Humanity model is a good one and should be expanded upon.  

 

5. City leaders learned recently that Springfield has the highest percentage of people in poverty among Missouri’s larger cities. Should Council try to address that? How?

Compared with state and national averages, our city has significantly higher rates of poverty, hunger, homelessness, domestic abuse and crime. Although our unemployment rate is relatively low, many local jobs are part-time, minimum-wage, with no benefits. 

 

Our ability to attract businesses, professionals, college students, tourists and retirees to our city all boils down to the quality of life that we as a community create. In its policy decisions, City Council should consider how they affect education, health, jobs, wages, business and industry, and environmental quality in terms of economic life of the community. Do the decisions stimulate upward mobility or stifle it?      

 

 

Current occupation/past professional experience:

My experience includes eight years as a state representative, 14 years teaching at local colleges and universities and 17 years as a journalist in print and broadcast media. Each of these jobs has involved researching complex issues, analyzing data and what it means to people’s lives, communicating effectively and working with others to generate practical solutions. My experience in public service and leadership will be an asset in representing my neighbors on City Council.

 

Education:

Graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in journalism. 

 

Current/past public service:

Springfield has been my home for nearly 34 years and I’m invested in this community. I currently serve on the board of the Excel School Community Partnership. In the past I have been a member of the boards of the Ozarks Literacy Council, Ozark Greenways; and West Central Neighborhood Association.

 

 

League of Women Voters April 2015 Municipal

Elections Voters' Guide

 

• Why are you seeking this position?

My desire is to help our city make wise decisions in providing and improving the services necessary for our economic, educational and social well-being. As the representative of my Zone 3 neighbors, I will focus on priorities that impact our daily lives: providing strong police and fire protection; updating transportation and utility infrastructure; promoting economic development that provides livable wages; supporting balanced commercial growth that protects the integrity of residential neighborhoods; ensuring property tax fairness and sound fiscal management; and creating a vibrant and healthy community.

 

• What are the major issues facing the position you are seeking?

Compared with state and national averages, our city has significantly higher rates of poverty, hunger, homelessness, domestic abuse and crime. We must launch an all-out effort — mobilizing our schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, churches, public agencies and individual citizens working together — to reverse this alarming trend. Our ability to attract businesses, professionals, college students, tourists and retirees to our city all boils down to the quality of life that we as a community create.

 

Our natural environment and our health also are at risk from hazards ranging from stormwater pollution to toxic coal ash. This is an economic issue as well as an environmental and health issue. An area that is known as an outdoor recreation and tourism mecca cannot afford to “foul the nest” with sewage and poisons. The city must find a way to finance costly stormwater cleanup and a safe storage alternative for coal ash from the City Utilities power plant.

 

City leaders have expressed concern about our ability to fund essential public services. Our budget is heavily dependent on volatile sales taxes. Property taxes are more stable, but comprise only about 6 percent of the city’s revenue stream. It makes sense to review special property tax abatements enjoyed by some commercial properties and to discontinue those that do not provide a reasonable return on investment to the community. 

 

• What strengths will you bring to this position?

My experience in public service and leadership will be an asset to the city. My background includes eight years of legislative experience as a state representative, 14 years teaching at local colleges and universities and 17 years as a journalist. Each of these jobs has involved researching complex issues, analyzing data and what it means to people’s lives, communicating effectively and working with others to generate practical solutions.    

 

• Is there any other information you would like the voters to know?

My election has been endorsed by the Springfield Police Officers Association and the Sierra Club of Missouri. Springfield has been my home for nearly 34 years and I’m invested in this community. I have served on the boards of the Ozarks Literacy Council, Ozark Greenways and West Central Neighborhood Association and currently serve on the board of the Excel School Community Partnership. I have seen that people working together can accomplish great things, and I look forward to working for and with my neighbors as their Zone 3 City Councilman.