LETTER: Scott Christianson has the leadership skills to be a great presiding commissioner

COLUMBIA — As citizens of Boone County, we are fortunate to live in an environment that provides us with a great quality of life and many opportunities for growth. These are precious attributes for any vibrant community, but they can be easily lost without enlightened leadership during very stressful times.

The leadership that Scott Christianson could provide as presiding commissioner of Boone County will enable us to continue to be among best places to live without sacrificing the traditions and values that have made the county great.

I have known him in many capacities.  Not only is he a successful small-businessman, he has been a long-time contributor to the community, a respected teacher in the MU master's in business program and one who appreciates the balanced, cooperative approach needed to work with both urban and rural populations for many mutual benefits.

More than any single quality, Scott has demonstrated an unusual ability to identify common interests that will make life better for all members of the community. He appreciates the need to make maximum use of our resources, to work proactively with all the agencies that impact so many decisions and to frame the issues facing us in light of the thriving community that we’d like to create for our children. These are the management skills that we need now and for years to come.

I urge you to join me in supporting his candidacy. More than ever we need Scott’s enlightened leadership to advance the issues so important to us.

Michael T. Christy lives in Columbia.