The Call usually publishes its Most Misguided Quotes of the Year Column every January.

Because 2015 is off to a very strong start for Most Misguided Quotes, we thought we’d offer on a quarterly basis some contenders for the annual tradition, in which we chronicle the most misguided, misinformed and misleading statements of the year.

The Crestwood Board of Aldermen last year adopted a 2015 budget that projects a deficit of more than $600,000. Asked in a candidate questionnaire if cuts should be made to reduce that deficit, Ward 2 Alderman Tim Trueblood said, “I would argue that there was not a budget deficit. When the projected end-of-2015 balance for all funds is over $4 million, not a negative balance and therefore the city did not have to borrow money.”

The last time we checked, a deficit occurs when expenditures exceed revenues — but it is an election year.

Mehlville Board of Education member Larry Felton’s quest for the top spot of the Missouri School Boards’ Association, or MSBA, has raised a few eyebrows, as some contend he should be more focused on Mehlville and not a statewide organization.

Felton is MSBA vice president and asked Mehlville board members to endorse him during the application leading up to his potential election this June to the MSBA president-elect post, which would position him to become president the next year.

“… This wasn’t my idea. I got recruited by a bunch of past leaders. I’m trying to figure out how I can get out of this so I can basically play with my grandkids a bit,” Felton said.

For Felton’s sake, we’re sorry that he couldn’t get out of leading the MSBA to be able to spend more time with his grandchildren. Apparently, it’s not a volunteer position.

Sunset Hills Mayor Mark Furrer gave us so many contenders this quarter that we may devote a future column to his Most Misguided Quotes.

Tesson Ferry Republican Committeeman John Judd emerged as a surprise candidate to challenge Ward 1 Green Park Alderman Tony Pousosa for the Republican nod to seek the 6th District County Council seat vacated by Steve Stenger after Stenger was elected county executive.

When the Call asked Judd when he decided to seek his party’s nomination, he said, “I’m not going to comment on that — I’ve got to talk to my advisers and decide what I should say in regard to that.”

Really? Apparently we were mistaken that it was a simple question.