Candidates Make Closing Argument In Council Races

With just over a week left until voters go to the polls in local municipal elections, candidates for Creve Coeur's City Council seats are starting to make their closing arguments.

At a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters Friday night, four candidates played "15 questions" in front of a few dozen city residents at the Creve Coeur Government Center.

During the hour and a half event, Ward 1 candidates David Caldwell and Cynthia Kramer, Ward 2 candidate Ellen Lawrence and Ward 4 candidate Scott Saunders answered questions on topics related to attracting new businesses, how to manage the city's budget surplus and other issues. Ward 2 candidate Jay Steinback and Ward 3 candidate Charlotte D'Alfonso were unable to attend. D'Alfonso and Saunders are running unopposed.

How To Spend The Surplus

On the issue of how to spend a budget surplus that runs into double digits of millions of dollars, there appeared to be agreement that the current plan of action--a plan Caldwell took credit for initiating--paying off Millennium Park debt and addressing unfunded city pensions, were along the right track, although Saunders left open the possibility of refinancing the park debt and Kramer said the surplus funds are not "bottomless", and noted the road and other capital improvement projects which have not been addressed.

Attracting New Business

A pair of questions dealt with how the candidates would help bring new businesses into the city, and specifically, the long sought-after hardware store. While there was wide support for bringing a hardware store to the area, Saunders pointed out the limits a city council member has in actually making it happen, noting the market forces that impact costs for a business.

Lawrence wondered if the work city staff does to locate outside funding sources to pay for projects couldn't be used to help the private sector find resources which might help fund a new business's investment in moving to Creve Coeur. She also voiced interest in making the permitting process easier for businesses.

Residential vs. Business Development & East Olive Blvd.

For years, residents have raised concerns over how business development should co-exist with nearby residential areas, and there were no shockers in the answers to the question Friday. Caldwell spoke of a need to give both sides "certainty" when it comes to planning development, especially in the area of Olive Boulevard east of Interstate 270. Kramer put emphasis on making sure all parties are heard. Lawrence said the guidance of the Comprehensive Plan was key, while also voicing support for an east Olive Boulevard corridor which looks more like the area West of Interstate 270.

Closing Statement Highlights (In the Order of Presentation)

Saunders

Scott Saunders spoke of what he said was an "immensly bright future" for the city, thanks in part to the work being done by a pair of city volunteer committees he works on--Economic Development and the Arts Commission. He said the arts have an ability to enhance the city's position in the region and grow the city's economic development.

Lawrence

Ellen Lawrence called herself "a goal-drive consensus builder" who wantso to maintain the ward's residential character while also having a "business-friendly environment." She said she would work with Ward 2 Councilman A.J. Wang to bring back ward meetings, as part of a way to reach out to residents to get their feedback. She pledged that her vote on council would be a reflection of how Ward 2 residents wanted her to vote.

Kramer

Cynthia Kramer pointed to her 17 years in the city and how she chose to stay, and focused on her work as a collaborator and working together. "We deserve the ability to work together, to be open, to lifelong learn. To never say "I know everything.' I'm open to hearing you."

She also acknowledged a mistake in failing to complete a voter's guide for the League of Women Voters. 

Caldwell

David Caldwell pointed out that he did complete the LWV guide and that in it, he promised to bring "common sense financial management with low taxes and fees but without reducing the high level of services provided." He pledged to protect neighborhoods from commercial encroachment while implementing a plan to encourage high quality development, saying the existing rules have led to "inconsistent and inadaquate protections for neighborhoods."

Note: Later this week Patch will publish questions given to each City Council candidate along with their answers.