Election Profiles: Nancy Greenwood, Candidate for Chesterfield City Council

Biographical Information

• Name, age and address: Nancy Greenwood, I am still deciding, 14441 Corallin Drive/Chesterfield
• Occupation: Retired College Professor
• Education: BS and MS degrees, Pittsburg State University
• Family: Stephnee Leathers who lives in Austin, MN and Carrie Swaney who lives in Olathe, KS 
• Years lived in Chesterfield:  26 years

Brief Background

• Chesterfield Ward 1 Councilmember
• Mayor of Chesterfield
• Professor Emeritus, Computer Science, St. Charles Community College
• Former small business owner.
• PTO President, Parkway Schools: Bellerive Elementary and Parkway North
• BS and MS Degrees, Pittsburg State University

Reasons for Running

I'm running to bring focus back to our neighborhoods and taxpayers.  I am a strong advocate of business paying  their own development costs versus taxpayers paying increased sales taxes. This was done with the discount malls in the Valley.  Second, Bring back a fully staffed police force so we have the best possible service for our neighborhoods. Finally prevent Olive/Clarkson, Chesterfield's "main street" from becoming another Manchester Road.

Questions

What do you think are the biggest issues addressing the city of Chesterfield? As a member of the council, how would you address them?

The sales taxes that were granted to the discount malls in the Valley is a terrible precedent. The new sales taxes will be given to the developers to reimburse them for infrastructure costs. If we do it for these developments, why not the next one? This has to stop. Builders should pay the costs to develop - not the taxpayers. I will be a vocal advocate for neighborhoods and taxpayers.

In what area do you think the city of Chesterfield needs to improve? Are you satisfied with the way city government has been operating?

Chesterfield has lost it's focus. We need to get back to putting neighborhoods and taxpayers first in all decisions.

What role do you think city government should play in promoting economic growth?  

Economic development is vital to every community provided it is not at the expense of the taxpayers and homeowners.  A viable community must have economic growth.

When considering the city's budget, what programs do you think should be prioritized? How would you decide what should be cut, if such a move was needed?

Public safety is a smart place for resources and should be our priority. We should restore the police officers the current city council cut in 2010. Chesterfield is growing, not shrinking. More people are coming here to live, work and shop. And we are all concerned about safe schools. While school safety is not the City's sole responsibility, we can be part of the solution. A fully-staffed police force is a step in that direction.

What contributions have you made to the community and how do you see yourself using those experiences if elected?

Successfully served as Ward 1 Councilmember four years and then elected Mayor of Chesterfield, serving for four years. Convinced the state highway department (MODOT) to install all the landscaped islands along Olive/Clarkson as a cooperative project; participated in actions to bring Chesterfield government buildings we needed without raising taxes; initiated a 6-month Moratorium on development which gave us the "breathing room" to set standards for architecture, zoning and landscaping; consistent supporter of a strong reserve fund that gives Chesterfield our AAA bond rating - the only city in the state to have it. These and other contributions prove I can help get things done for Chesterfield.

What's your favorite place to eat in Chesterfield?

As long as it is a Chesterfield restaurant, I like it! You can get almost anything in Chesterfield which is one of the fun parts about living here.