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Candidates Include Mark Behlmann, 2 Florissant Councilmen & State Rep.

By Carol Arnett

The Florissant Mayor’s race continues to heat up as six potential candidates picked up election packets Tuesday at City Hall. Each candidate must collect 500 signatures from registered voters and return them to the City Clerk, who will certify them by Jan. 25. City Clerk Karen Goodwin said that she wanted to stress that candidates are not officially running and on the ballot until the packet is returned with signatures.

Four candidates have formerly announced their intentions to run: Mark Behlmann, Tom Schneider, Andrew Podleski, and Michael Spreng. Glenn Lindeman and Donald Houston also picked up packets. Lindemann and Podleski ran unsuccessfully against Mayor Robert Lowery in 2007.

Mark Behlmann said that his biggest reason for running was “to bring accountability to the city government.” He said there were some inefficiencies in many departments that could be improved.

Behlmann cited two challenges facing the city: hiring and the budget.

“The city needs a full-time Human Resources director that can put together proper hiring processes like you see in the corporate world,” he said. “We need proper pay steps, policies, hiring and firing

practices, like in the corporate world. There are a lot of people who don’t have an understanding of their job because there is no description.”

As far as the budget, Behlmann said, “council members should know what is being spent at every council meeting. They should know what checks went out monthly.” Behlmann used his experience on the Hazelwood School Board as an example. “On the school board, no check was paid unless the board approved.” Behlmann said that although this was not required in the city, it should be done. “It’s a true form of transparency.”

Behlmann said the biggest challenge facing the city is the economy. “This is obviously not just isolated and affecting the city,” he said. “We have to manage with the money we receive.”

Behlmann said there were two way to handle the loss of income.  “We need an accurate budget and we need to work within its means. I’m big on accountability, and all the city departments need to be accountable. The second way, he said, was “increasing the city’s income in a variety of ways, whether annexation, commercial growth, or changing the tax structure.”

He said if he were elected, he would put together a citizen group to study the problem and help drive the result. “Citizens are shareholders,” he said. “We have to get their input and answer to them.”

Despite the economy, Behlmann said the city had several things going for it. “The size of the city, the people of the city. We have a tremendous amount of people who care about this city. We’re not a new city with people who have no ties here. We have people who take action and voice opinions.”

The city has opportunities for growth, he said. “The economy will eventually turn around. Until then, we can become more efficient and get lean so we can grow when the economy grows.”

Behlmann also cited the city’s parks and employees as important assets of the city.

When asked why someone should vote for him, Behlmann replied that he has been active in the city for years. He was born and raised here, has served on a number of non-profits and has volunteered extensively. “I’ve run a successful business for 22 years, been married for 34 years, and I’m always open to speak to anyone.”

Councilman Tom Schneider is also running. “I feel like duty is calling,” he said. “I’d like to keep the city safe and continue our progress.”

The challenges facing the city are similar to problems facing every city, Schneider said. “We have reduced income. The challenge is delivering services on less income and doing the best we can with the resource we have.”

“We have to tighten our belts,” Schneider said. “We may have to postpone some capital improvements until the economy gets better.”

Schneider said the city had great strengths and opportunities. “We have a great location, and great history. The people have shown great affection for each other and the community. We have great facilities and housing stock. It’s an affordable, convenient place to live.

Schneider said there are more opportunities coming. “The record center on 270 will create thousands of jobs, the Ford site is being redeveloped, and if the state can get agreements for international trade, our proximity to the airport is a real asset.”

Schneider said people should vote for him because of his experience. “I’ve worked with two mayors and 33 different council members. I’m on the executive board of the St. Louis County Municipal League. These resources are invaluable when you’re facing difficulties like we are now with the economy.”

Schneider has a degree in Civil Engineering and is a Certified Financial Planner. “I’ve learned to manage by objectives rather than crisis,” he said.

Councilman, Andrew Podleski from Ward 6 is also running. Podleski ran against Mayor Robert Lowery in 2007 and received over 40% of the vote.

Podleski has been a resident of Florissant for over 45 years. He is a veteran of the Air Force and Missouri National Guard.

While on the council, Podleski has openly disagreed with Lowery on several issues, including the proposed charter review and budget issues. He has repeatedly pressed for more open communication regarding the budget. Podleski will not be running for Ward 6 councilman, as he cannot run for both that position and mayor.

State Rep.  Michael Spreng is also running. His term as state representative comes  to a close. He has been a state representative for eight years, and will be succeeded in the position by his wife. He could not run for state representative again because of term limits.

“Florissant is a great community, and I want to continue that,” he said. “I’d like to maintain the safety of the city, and work with the Economic Development director to bring in new businesses to all of North County, not just Florissant.”

The biggest challenges facing the city are financial, Spreng said. “Our economy is based on the sales tax, so a bad economy hurts us.”

The city has several strengths, Spreng said. “The city has always been very safe, and I want to maintain that. I’d like to work with the police and neighborhood watch.” Other strengths are location and stability, he said. “We have neighbors and businesses that have remained here for years.”

Spreng said voters should vote for him because he will bring in an outside view. “I’ve been a representative for eight years and have experience in elected office, but I haven’t been on an elected board in Florissant, so I can bring a different perspective.”

Thus far, The Independent News hasn’t received any campaign information from the other two persons who picked up packets on Tuesday.

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