Council hopefuls share views with voters

Columbia City Council candidates gathered Thursday afternoon at the Chamber of Commerce for the first forum discussion ahead of the April 3 election. Mayor Darwin Hindman, who is seeking a fifth term, could not attend the meeting for reasons related to his treatment for prostate cancer, his representative Craig Brumfield said.

Mayoral candidate John Clark, Third Ward candidates Gary Kespohl and Karl Skala and Fourth Ward hopefuls Mike Holden and Jerry Wade answered questions about issues including a future vision for the city, expansion and payment of the council, and recruitment of new businesses.

Brumfield read a statement from Hindman which gave a general overview of the mayor’s platform. Hindman said in the statement that the election is about leadership and experience, and that the city needs to build on its quality of life, education and research.

Hindman had treatment for early-stage prostate cancer in February, and doctors said he has an excellent chance for a full recovery.

Brumfield said the mayor will miss some of the scheduled forums because of his treatment.

Clark said he greatly supports a council-city manager form of government because he said it fits Columbia’s size. He also said the council deserves support, which includes increasing the number of wards and offering councilmembers a stipend.

“We’ll thrive if we can do these things,” Clark said.

Clark, a frequent face at council meetings and a proponent of planned growth, ran for mayor in 2004 against Hindman and Arch Brooks. He won 26 percent of the vote.

What are your thoughts on the visioning process?

Holden said he feels the city should embrace its plans for creating a long-term vision for the city. He said it has become the most important issue of the last 15 to 20 years.

Wade agreed the visioning project has great potential.

“(The project) can catalyze and energize this community to move forward,” Wade said.

Skala said it is a tremendous opportunity to empower residents, but added, “We can’t suspend policy for what will happen in the future. We don’t have that luxury or amount of time.”

Kespohl said he wishes the process could be slowed down and that it should span the next two years, as opposed to just one. He also said more citizens should be involved in the project.

Should the council expand?

Holden said the council should be expanded to have two members per ward, or by adding two members to represent the entire city.

Wade said he did not know whether to expand and said that a study group needs to analyze the issue.

Kespohl said he supports the expansion of council and greater citizen involvement.

Skala said the public should decide whether to expand the council. He added that the council should remain smaller than 11 members because “with too many people, the group is less functional.”

Should councilmembers be paid?

Holden and Wade voiced support for paying the council a stipend to cover expenses.

Kespohl strongly opposes paying council members because he said there is “nothing as strong as the hearts of volunteers.”

Skala said it is “absolutely critical to improve the support city council gets” by increasing the number of staff members or increasing staff capabilities.

“I am not absolutely opposed to (paying the council), but I do not favor it in general.”

Should incentives be used to recruit new businesses?

Wade emphasized the importance of Columbia’s place in global competition. He supports bringing in businesses that will improve the capabilities and skills of residents, and he does not believe that tax cuts are the best way to draw in those types of businesses.

Kespohl supports incentives on a basis of three to five years, but is strongly opposed to long-term incentives.

Skala said he wants to seek better understanding of the issue and said it must be raised with the public.

Holden said he is generally not in favor of monetary incentives and suggested that increasing the quality of life in the city is the more important issue.

“Our parks, trails, festivals and fairs are what attract people to Columbia, and that is what I like about Columbia,” Holden said. “We should bank on that.”