Hindman milestones

By Chris Canipe

August 27, 2009 | 10:11 p.m. CDT

During his five terms as Columbia mayor, parks and trails were a major priority.

Mayor Darwin Hindman will announce Thursday if he will run for a sixth term. ¦ BENJAMIN REED/Missourian

Some milestones during Darwin Hindman's tenure as mayor:

April 1995 – Hindman wins his first term as mayor by beating out five other candidates with 52.2 percent of the vote.
April 1998 – Hindman wins a second term after running unopposed.
April 2001 – Hindman is elected to a third term, again unopposed.
Nov. 15, 2001 – Phase I of Flat Branch Park is dedicated.
Dec. 16, 2002 – The Activity and Recreation Center officially opens to the public.
July 2003 – Hindman undergoes surgery to remove portions of his esophagus that had shown signs of precancerous growth.
April 6, 2004 – Hindman is elected to a fourth term by defeating John Clark and Arch Brooks. He wins with more than 70 percent of the vote.
March 17, 2005 — City Council votes to annex and zone the 489-acre Philips tract on the southeastern fringe of the city after negotiating to have the lake and surrounding land donated for a park.
June 26, 2005 – Stephens Lake Park is dedicated.
July 2005 — Columbia was chosen to receive a federal grant to promote projects to encourage bicycling and walking. The grant was reported as $25 million at the time.
July 6, 2005 — City Council votes to annex the 805-acre Billy Sapp property along Route WW east of town.
August 2006 – The Mid-Missouri Mavericks baseball team gives away 500 Hindman bobblehead dolls at its final home game of the season.
Oct. 10, 2006 – City Council approves a smoking ban 4-3 in the late hours of a special meeting.
Jan. 9, 2007 – The smoking ban takes effect.
February 2007 – Hindman undergoes treatment for early-stage prostate cancer.
Feb. 26, 2007 – City reaches an agreement with Crane family to buy 320 acres of land south of town.
April 3, 2007 – Hindman is elected to a fifth term by defeating Clark again, this time with 75 percent of the vote.
March 6, 2008 – Phase I of Daniel Boone City Building renovations is dedicated. Soon after, construction begins on a five-story, $26 million expansion and renovation of City Hall. Phase II is expected to be completed this fall.
May 3, 2008 – Phase II of Flat Branch Park is dedicated.
Aug. 27, 2009 — Hindman announces he will not seek a sixth term.