Voters elect Hindman, Skala, Wade

Columbia voters re-elected Mayor Darwin Hindman for a record fifth term on Tuesday.

Hindman, 73, won 75 percent of the votes to defeat community activist John Clark for a second time. Clark ran for mayor in 2004.

During his next three-year term, Hindman will focus on the redevelopment of downtown, expansion of city hall and implementation of pedestrian-friendly streets and trails, he said.

“I’m excited about the next term,” Hindman said. “I’m anxious for constituents to send me their thoughts and ideas.”

Karl Skala, a proponent of smart growth, won a close race for Third Ward city councilman, garnering 52 percent of the vote.

Skala beat Gary Kespohl, a 60-year-old property manager and owner of Central Missouri Computer Center.

Skala emphasized controlled growth and safer neighborhoods in the Third Ward during his campaign. Skala, 60, is the director of MU’s Swine Hormone Research Core and a founding member of the Hominy Branch Neighborhood Association.

Voters elected Jerry Wade to represent the Fourth Ward on the City Council. Wade, 66, beat fellow Planning and Zoning Commission member Mike Holden to win 61 percent of the votes.

During his campaign, Wade emphasized his belief that City Council decisions should reflect citizen input and called for an overhaul of the city’s zoning codes. Wade has served as planning and zoning commissioner since 1999. He is retired and was a state specialist with MU Extension for 21 years, working with communities to foster economic growth and expand employment opportunities.

In other issues on the ballot, Boone County Library District voters rejected a property tax increase to fund new branch libraries north of Columbia and in Ashland.

Voters approved a $60 million bond issue for the Columbia School District which earmarks money for building improvements and technology in classrooms.

Karla DeSpain, 49, and Jan Mees, 58, won seats on the school board. DeSpain has served one year as board president, and Mees is a retired media center director at Hickman High School.