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Long-time Florissant City Councilman Tom Schneider announced on Tuesday at the Veterans Memorial in Florissant and the POW/MIA flags at the James J. Eagan Center that he will seek the office of mayor of  Florissant  in the April 5^th election.

“I chose that site because it is dedicated to the honor and sacrifice of all the men and women who have served in war and peace to secure our way of life. This election is not about me, it is about the future direction of our city, and I waited until after the last council meeting of the year (Monday night)  to announce in order to avoid any unnecessary distraction to  city business.”

Schneider will now be part of a growing field of candidates for the job held the past ten years by Robert Lowery, Sr. At least three other persons with political experience have indicated they will join in the race.

Schneider said a number of Florissant residents and business owners have  encouraged him to run for mayor in 2011,  and that number has “increased dramatically” over the past year. He stated that  “if duty calls,” he has an obligation to fulfill that promise.”

“I want to make it perfectly clear that I feel that ten years is enough for the current mayor.  My support comes from good citizens who want a leader who can professionally gather a consensus for progress without creating drama or division in the community.”

Schneider said he feels that he has the experience, education, and enthusiasm that Florissant needs in the mayor’s office. Schneider has been on the Florissant Council for almost 32 years, serving with two mayors and with 33 different council members. He currently serves on the executive board of the St. Louis County Municipal League.

“I have always put the highest priority on police protection and have always been on the side of progress,” he continued in a statement he released on his candidacy. “I know that the men and women of our outstanding police department make it possible for us to live in one of the safest cities anywhere, and I will continue to give them my full support.”

“There are many advantages to working in harmony with our neighboring cities in the county and state, and I will encourage our police department to participate,” Schneider said. “I would like to establish a Neighborhood Watch captain on every block in Florissant to encourage all citizens to watch out for one another to prevent crime.”

Schneider said his greatest satisfaction comes from supporting efforts to benefit the youth of the community and cited accomplishments that range from playground equipment for toddlers to better-lighted ball fields. He founded the Project Lift Off Youth Holiday party in 1989 to promote the police D.A.R.E. program.

Schneider noted that when he was the city engineer he instigated the bridge replacement program and later, as a councilman, insisted that it be continued. He stated that he will continue to initiate, promote, and support prudent and time tested methods and projects for the best maintained bridges, streets, and sidewalks in Florissant.

Schneider cited his support for Florissant business, including in recent years, Dierbergs complex, the Cross Keys complex, and many other commercial developments over the past 32 years.

“I promoted the Lindbergh Improvement Project and that success helped to make the Ward 3 section of Lindbergh a showcase for progress.”

Schneider earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla in 1975. He was hired by former Mayor James J. Eagan in 1976 and served two years as the city engineer. In 1979, he    won the Ward 3 council seat in a six-candidate open race and has been reelected 10 times.

In 1992, Schneider obtained the designation of Certified Financial Planner. He currently is working in the field of employee benefits. “It is time to manage our city finances by objective as opposed to management by crisis,” he said.

Schneider is the second of three generations to serve in the US Navy, serving for nine years, half of that time on active duty including two tours in Vietnam with the Seabees.

He and his wife Rachel have been married for 41 years have six children and are members of St. Ferdinand Parish.

Schneider is on the executive board of North County Inc. and the St. Louis County Municipal League and was recently appointed by the county executive to serve on the executive board of the Mid-East Area Agency on Aging. He’s been a long time member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Florissant Rotary and belongs to the Florissant VFW, Vietnam Veterans and the American Legion.

He said he looks forward to hearing citizens’ views on the campaign. To contact his campaign, email to:  “schneider4mayor@gmail.com”

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