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1^st of 2-part Series on Candidates’ Viewpoints

By Carol Arnett

Several topics were discussed at the mayoral candidates’ debate  on March 9 put on by the League of Women Voters, and sponsored by the Greater North County Chamber and the City of Florissant. This article will cover the candidates’ public service, their priorities for the city and ways they would balance the budget. (see commentary on page 2) Another article next week (March 31st issue)  will have more from the debate on other topics of importance to voters in the  April 5th election.

All of the candidates have held an elected position, either currently or in the past. When asked what they were most proud of in their years of public service, the answers varied.

Mark Behlmann, who  serves on the Hazelwood School Board, cited his work on the board. He said he was instrumental in the board mandating a service requirement for students. “Fifty hours of service are now required for students to graduate,” he said.

Andrew Podleski currently serves on the city council. “I’ve stimulated conversations,” he said, “I’ve asked the hard questions that citizens want asked.”

Susan Geerling previously served on the council. “I tried to keep residents informed,” she said. “I published a ward newsletter and had a hotline residents could call.”

Michael Spreng previously served as a State Representative. “I worked on legislation pertinent to the city and to north county, including legislation limiting payday loans,” he said.

Robert Garrett also previously served on the city council. “I was a driving force for improvements of streets in the Old Town grid and preserving historic structures. I also was behind the Cross Keys redevelopment,” he said.

Tom Schneider is currently on the city council. “I’ve worked on Project Liftoff, worked on paving creeks and the  creek bridge replacement program,” he said.

When asked about their most important priority as mayor, most candidates mentioned the budget and finances and continuing

“We need to straighten out the budget, format it in a way people can understand, and have all department head report in the same way,” Podleski said.

“I’d like to create a sense of pride and a sense of community satisfaction in the city,” Geerling said.

In addition to balancing the budget, Spreng said he would like to make sure “the police chief is the police chief.”

“The budget is the number one priority,” Garrett said. “There is less margin for error than ever before.”

“Police protection and promoting programs especially for our seniors,” Schneider said. He said he would promote the Neighborhood Watch program.

“The budget is the biggest and most important issue in the city,” Behlmann said.

The candidates were asked how they would balance the budget without dipping into the reserve fund.

“That depend on the revenue income for the year,” Spreng said “I would sit down with the department heads and involve them.”

“I’d have to look at the budget in its entirety,” Garrett said. “We must make hard decisions.”

“We have to make tough decisions,” Schneider agreed. “The Police Department is the last place that should be touched.”

“We should certainly not cut the Police Department,” Behlmann agreed. “There is room in the departments, and the department head need to be accountable.”

“We don’t have a big reserve,” Podleski said. “We need to look at every program and department, and ask city employees to come up with ideas,” he said

“We may have to make some sacrifices and eliminate what is not necessary,” Geerling said. “It will be do-able, but not necessarily easy.”

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