Council Candidate Adi Surti Wants Ellisville to Get 'Back to Basics'

Patch sent all local candidates for office identical questionnaires to compile candidate profiles prior to the April election. Each candidate who returned the survey will be featured on the site in order of his or her response.

Adi Surti, Ellisville City Council District 2 Candidate

Age: 65
Address: 305 Dover Way Court
Occupation: Self-employed CPA
Education: Certified Public Accountant
Family: Spouse, Janice
Years lived in Ellisville: 19 years at Canterbury Estates on Old State Road

Background

• Educated in India, London, U.K. and U.S.
• I have worked for Ernst & Young for 10 years in the U.K., U.S. and India.
• Emigrated to the USA in 1981 
• Worked for major corporations in the U.S. 
• For the past 20 years, I have worked as an independent practitioner.  
• Trustee of my subdivision for the past 10+ years

Reasons for Running

I believe in giving back to the community and truly enjoy doing community service. In order to bring about change, one has to get actively involved in what happens in our community.

Questions

What excites you about living in Ellisville? What do you want to change?

When I moved here in 1994, Ellisville was a quaint little city that appeared to function well. The recent events and the publicity is most unfortunate. I want to bring about meaningful change. I will represent the people, use my knowledge and experience to serve the people of Ellisville.   

What are your views on the past year's recall efforts, mayor impeachment discussion and Walmart development proceedings?

It is unfortunate that elected council members chose not to listen and disregard what is important to the people who elected them. This led people to seek legal counsel and attempt to throw out certain members.

I was not privy to the events that occurred. However, if and when the mayor acted in a manner that certain council members found offensive/improper, they should have addressed them as they occurred. The mayor had a different vision for the city contrary to what certain council members thought was in the best interest of the residents and decided to throw out the mayor.

Walmart issue should never have been allowed to proceed as far as it did. The city failed to sufficiently involve the residents earlier on before any definitive plans were made. This is their third location on Manchester Road. 

Are you pro-TIF, anti-TIF or believe there are situational uses of TIF in Ellisville?

I am against TIF, end of conversation. Walmart will wipe out many businesses as they normally do. Let us get back to basics and look after our residents and our city.

What do you view as Ellisville's greatest accomplishment(s) in the past five years?

I believe Walgreens, CVS and McDonald's have improved the looks of the intersections of our city.

Assume you win the election. What single thing do you want to accomplish during your term?

Work with the mayor, City Hall and council members to promote fiscal responsibility and prudence to ensure resources are put to the best possible use.

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