COLUMBIA — A crowd of about 20 bundled-up supporters gathered behind mayoral candidate Sid Sullivan as he announced his campaign platform Tuesday morning.
Despite what he described as a “cold, chilly morning,” Sullivan chose the location — the amphitheater outside the Roger B. Wilson Boone County Government Center — because it’s an open, public space in downtown Columbia. One of Sullivan’s goals is to involve more residents in the civic process and to represent all the citizens of Columbia, “not just the few.”
“We need to bring more people into the process,” he added.
Sullivan said he worries about the rising number of requests for assistance at the Central Missouri Food Bank, the the number of homeless in the community and the lack of mental health resources.
“We’re all hurting,” he said.
Sullivan also said he wants a community filled with strong neighborhoods where children are able to walk to school.
“I come from a planning family,” he said. “I know what it means to build a city of neighborhoods.”
Sullivan said his experience in the business and civic worlds make him a strong candidate. He previously worked for Hoffman-La Roche, a pharmaceutical company, and as an administrator for the circuit court in Cook County, Ill.
“It’s going to be a vigorous campaign,” Sullivan said as he ended his speech.
Arthur Nunn, Sullivan’s campaign manager, said the candidate's campaign volunteer base is still being formed and that he should have a better idea of volunteer numbers by the time of Sullivan’s fundraising event, which is from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Orr Street Studios.