Where do your candidates
stand on the issues?

Rod Robison, Sixth Ward candidate

Job creation and unemployment

  • Will work to remove "roadblocks" on new development during the planning and zoning process.
  • Will look for opportunities to improve the local workforce by emphasizing improvement to high school graduation rates.

The role of neighborhood associations

  • Thinks they are good ways to communicate with constituents but is wary of whether they represent neighborhoods in their totality.
  • Will push for greater resident involvement in associations.

Smart growth/business interests

  • Believes smart growth is a good idea but is wary of its practice.
  • Thinks infilling is a good idea but won't force developers to do it.
  • Will look at development from a "hands-on" perspective and rely on constituents to form stances.

Energy, including nuclear power

  • Will support a second Callaway County nuclear plant contingent upon available energy from the plant coming to Columbia.
  • Believes the plant will provide an economic boost for Columbia.
  • Will emphasize the use of energy-efficient household practices.

Crime/public safety

  • Won't propose cuts to the Columbia Police Department's budget.
  • Will push for greater crime-prevention programs for youths.
  • Wants to focus on improving the economy in hopes of lowering crime rates.

Budget shortfalls and sales tax revenue

  • Will not propose cuts to public safety.
  • Thinks all departments will have to share cuts but will look to individual department heads to determine the extent of cuts.

Ward redistricting after the next census

  • Thinks additional council members will only lengthen current council proceedings.

TIF/TDDs/CIDs/other incentives, etc.

  • Will move slowly with the use of tax increment financing.
  • Will look carefully at community improvement districts.
  • Worries that tax incentives combined with dwindling tax revenue will hurt schools.

Parks

  • Will look at GetAbout projects on a one-by-one basis.
  • Satisfied with GetAbout progress but wary of whether Columbia has been oversaturated with it.
  • Will support placing a renewal of the quarter-cent park sales tax on the 2010 ballot

 

In Robison's own words - Click below to listen

 

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