City Council candidates talk jobs, economy

COLUMBIA – Columbia City Council candidates want the jobs. Not only do they want the City Council job, they want to bring employment opportunities to Columbia.

About 40 residents gathered at the Columbia Chamber of Commerce to hear the views of Barbara Hoppe and Rod Robison, candidates for the Sixth Ward Council seat, and Jason Thornhill and Allan Sharrock, candidates for the Second Ward seat being vacated by incumbent Chris Janku.

Job growth resonated throughout Chamber members' chosen topics, including how should the city provide incentives for new businesses, the proposed construction of the second Callaway nuclear plant and neighborhood involvement in development projects.

While none of the candidates would admit he or she is against job growth, some were more direct about how they would bring businesses to Columbia.