Hindman cites leadership, experience

Most of the people who have gathered for the fundraising dinner at Jack’s Gourmet Restaurant tower above Darwin Hindman. But it’s easy to find the mayor amid the crowd. All you have to do is listen for his infectious and energetic laugh. It’s the way he greets everyone, with the energy of someone half his age. It’s that enthusiasm — and his years of experience — that Hindman thinks will bring him a victory in his bid for a fifth term as mayor in the April 3 election.

“Nothing replaces experience,” Hindman said.

Everyone at his dinner seems to agree. Hindman’s biggest supporters, who include friends, fellow council members and other community leaders, listen intently to Hindman, as if they’re hearing words of wisdom from a grandfather.

“He loves Columbia. It’s just that simple,” said Vicki Pockett, a member of the Committee to Re-Elect Darwin Hindman.

After Hindman’s nearly 12 years as Columbia’s mayor, most residents know a thing or two about him. It’s hard not to; he’s been a visible figure in the city for nearly his entire life. His resume lists a lifetime of accomplishments, including 36 awards primarily for citizenship and service.

“A lot of people can’t help but know about me after 12 years (as mayor),” Hindman said. “I think a large part of the population who is going to vote knows who I am and what I stand for.”

Hindman said the chance to win a record fifth term as mayor “has nothing to do with my running.” Rather, his reasons for running now are much the same as they were when he first ran in 1995.

“I really enjoy people and working with people, and politics is a great way to do that,” he said.

Hindman at one time considered running for the legislature. Just as he had decided to continue practicing law, Hindman said, the mayoral seat became open. Friends and supporters encouraged him to run.

“People kept urging me to run, and maybe the flattery got to me,” Hindman laughed. At the core of his desire to run, he said, was a desire for a different approach to city government.

In addition to the typical city concerns, such as economic development, Hindman said his interest in environmental issues set him apart.

“I also wanted to stress other things that I wasn’t so sure other people would, like trails, and push for the parks and the beautification,” Hindman said. “I think I’ve been doing these things ever since I’ve been here, and it’s my opinion, right or wrong, that it’s made a big difference.”

Hindman has been a supporter of nature and the outdoors, the arts, education, downtown development and more.

He said it is experience, both with these issues and in life, that has prepared him for another term.

“People ask me: ‘What’s the best preparation?’ To have experiences,” Hindman said. “As broad and as wide of experiences as you can.”

Experiences as a husband, father, grandfather, Air Force pilot, lawyer, student and teacher have all made him the man he is today, Hindman said. One experience that has especially prepared him, he said, is marriage. Hindman has been married to Axie Hindman for almost 47 years.

“There’s compromise,” Axie Hindman said.

Nancy Badger, a friend of the Hindmans since their childhood, supported the couple at a fundraising dinner.

“We’re so lucky to have him, and we’re equally lucky to have his wife, Axie,” Badger said.

Even after 12 years in office, Hindman said his work as mayor is far from finished. He remains passionate about moving the city forward, he said.

“I’m in favor of taking a look at possibilities, looking at new ideas,” Hindman said.

The highlights of Hindman’s vision for Columbia include an interconnecting trail system, a strong partnership with MU and the two colleges, a focus on the arts, mixed-use neighborhoods and further development of downtown.

“My goal is that as Columbia grows, the growth will be positive,” Hindman said. “We’ll keep the things we like best about Columbia and add even better things to Columbia.”

Hindman’s love for the outdoors and for physical activity, such as walking and bicycling, started when he was a child. Because he was the son of an MU physical education teacher, he “became very aware of the value in life of activity,” he said.

With his family, Hindman often went on canoe, hiking and camping trips to places such as Colorado, northeast Minnesota and Hudson Bay. Here in Columbia, Hindman did most of his traveling by walking or bicycling, a habit he developed because of the gasoline rationing during World War II.

“Everybody got three gallons a week; that was all the gasoline you got,” Hindman said.

Hindman lived a mile away from his elementary school at MU as a child. During his lunch break, he said, he would walk the mile there and back and eat lunch in just an hour.

“There were times when we would make that one-mile walk and not see a single car on the street because everybody was saving their gasoline,” he said.

Fewer cars meant safer streets, and Hindman said he was allowed to go anywhere in Columbia. Today’s streets are designed for cars and not pedestrians or cyclists, Hindman said. He aims to change that.

“That’s why I’ve been so intent on this system of walking paths, bicycle paths, safe intersections,” Hindman said.

His own lifestyle still involves riding everywhere he can on his early-model mountain bike. He’s changed the tires and added lights and fenders, making it what he calls a commuter bike.

When he and his wife raised their family, they tried to cultivate the same values he grew up with, he said.

“It was a wonderful experience for our children, and now our children are doing the same for their children,” he said. “It makes a better life.”

He also wants to “preserve areas of Columbia that are irreplaceable.” Rezoning, enacting stream-protection ordinances and planting more trees can all help achieve that, he said.

He also hopes to address Columbia’s crime rate and affordable housing if re-elected. Though optimistic about making progress in both areas, he conceded “there isn’t any easy answer.”

Hindman is confident in his ability to meet the challenges facing the city.

“These things are complex issues,” he said, “and I think my experience helps me understand that they can only be resolved by compromise from extreme positions.”

Hindman has also faced some personal challenges, both recently and in the past. In February, he underwent treatment for prostate cancer in which doctors implanted radioactive seeds directly into the prostate gland to eliminate the cancer cells. The problem was diagnosed early, and Hindman says his prognosis is good.

In 2003, Hindman underwent surgery to remove the beginning signs of esophageal cancer.

Hindman said he feels strongly that his most recent illness has not affected his campaign and will not affect his ability to serve as mayor.

“It’s the same procedure Rudy Giulianni used,” Hindman said, “and he’s now running for president.”

Fatigue is one of the few side effects of Hindman’s treatment, and he said he isn’t about to let it keep him down.

“I’ve been to the doctor, and they say I’m just doing great,” he said. “I will soon be back to doing absolutely everything with just as much vim and vigor as before.”

At the end of the day, supporters say, it’s Hindman’s passion for people that will win him the election.

“Darwin is one of those wonderful people with whom you may disagree, but you cannot be disagreeable,” said Fourth Ward Councilman Jim Loveless. “You’ll find many people who don’t agree with Darwin’s vision but cannot help but like our mayor.”

Four terms as mayor hasn’t left Hindman tired. He’s more than ready to serve the city once again, he said.

“I don’t think this campaign is really about issues,” Hindman said. “I think it’s about who the leaders should be.”