South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Call makes endorsements for contested city offices

‘Call the Tune’ by Mike Anthony
Jerry Miguel
Jerry Miguel

With the April 5 election fast approaching, the Call makes endorsements for the Crestwood Board of Aldermen and the Sunset Hills mayoral post and Board of Aldermen.

In Ward 3, former Alderman Jerry Miguel and newcomer Spencer Talbott are looking to unseat incumbent Bill Boston, who was elected in 2013.

Boston declined to answer a Call questionnaire. Of the two responsive candidates, Miguel’s nine years of outstanding service as an alderman make him the best and most-qualified person. The Call endorses Miguel.

In Ward 4, four candidates — Ismaine Ayouaz, Tony Kennedy, former Alderman Steve Nieder and Ryan Pascoe — are vying for the seat currently held by Cindy Minor, who did not file for re-election.

Nieder’s dedication to serving the city and his past aldermanic experience make him the obvious choice for voters. We would urge voters not to waste their vote on Ayouaz, as mathematically he does not qualify to be on the ballot and likely would be unable to serve if elected.

It’s disappointing that Nieder’s opponents declined to answer some of the Call’s questions, as the post they seek involves making difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions. As such, Nieder is the clear-cut choice for alderman. The Call endorses Nieder.

Four candidates — Larry Chorosevic, Ward 4 Alderman Pat Fribis, Nathan Lipe and Gregory Nelson — are vying to succeed Mayor Mark Furrer, who did not file for re-election.

Fribis towers above her opponents.

Her service as an alderman since 2008 and her knowledge of the workings of city government make her the best and right person for the job. The Call endorses Fribis.

In Ward 1, incumbent Rich Gau is being challenged by former Alderman Frank Hardy. Hardy, who served three terms before being defeated by Gau in 2012, should be applauded for his dedication to the city, as he rarely misses a board or committee meeting.

However, Gau’s financial acumen, business knowledge and common sense, combined with his track record as an alderman, make him the superior candidate. The Call endorses Gau.

In Ward 4, Thompson Price and Stephen Shady are vying for the seat being vacated by Donna Ernst, who did not file for re-election.

While we believe either candidate would serve the city well, we believe Price has a slightly better grasp of the issues. The Call endorses Price.

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Call makes endorsements for contested city offices

Call makes endorsements for contested city offices

With the Tuesday, April 2, election approaching, the Call makes endorsements for the Crestwood and Sunset Hills boards of aldermen.

In Crestwood, former Alderman Richard Breeding is unopposed for the Ward 1 seat held by Mimi Duncan, who did not file for re-election.

In Ward 2, Bill Schelinski and Mary Stadter are vying for the seat currently held by Bob Deutschmann, who did not file for re-election.

Both Schelinski and Stadter should be applauded for stepping up and wanting to serve the city. Of the two candidates, however, we believe Schelinski has the best grasp of the issues facing the city at a critical juncture in its history, particularly with regard to the proposed redevelopment of the mall.

The Call endorses Schelinski.

Bill Boston and Grant Mabie filed for the Ward 3 seat held by Alderman Jerry Miguel, who is unable to seek re-election because of term limits.

While either candidate would serve Crestwood well, we believe Boston’s views on issues facing the city best reflect those of residents. Therefore, the Call endorses Boston.

In Ward 4, four candidates are vying to fill the seat being vacated by John Foote, who did not file for re-election. Seeking election are Timothy Anderson, Cindy Minor, Richard Rutledge and Mike Tsichlis.

Of the four, Anderson and Tsichlis are the best qualified and best prepared to serve residents, but we believe Tsichlis holds a slight edge on the issues. The Call endorses Tsichlis.

In Sunset Hills, Ward 2 Alderman Scott Haggerty and Ward 3 Alderman Jan Hoffmann are unopposed.

In Ward 1, former Alderman Frank Hardy is challenging Alderman Dee Baebler, who was appointed by Mayor Bill Nolan in 2010. Baebler was elected to a two-year term in 2011.

Hardy was elected to the board in 2006 in the aftermath of the Main-Street at Sunset shopping center debacle and defeated last year by Alderman Richard Gau. As an alderman, Hardy’s continual efforts to micro-manage city affairs were a disservice to Sunset Hills’ dedicated and professional staff.

Baebler has done an exemplary job and merits re-election. The Call endorses Baebler.

In Ward 4, Larry Chorosevic is challenging Alderman Pat Fribis, who was elected in 2008. She defeated a challenger in 2009 to retain her seat and was unopposed in 2011.

Both would serve residents well, but we believe Fribis has the edge based on her experience and the fine job she’s done. The Call endorses Fribis.

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Call makes endorsements for contested city offices

Endorsements made by Call in contested municipal races

With elections set next Tuesday in Crestwood, Green Park and Sunset Hills, the Call makes endorsements for contested races in those cities.

Crestwood has contested aldermanic races in Ward 2 and Ward 4 while Darryl Wallach is unopposed in Ward 1 and Paul Duchild is unopposed in Ward 3. Robert Deutchsmann also is unopposed for a Ward 2 aldermanic seat that carries a one-year term.

In Ward 2, Tim Trueblood and Mary Stadter are vying for the seat currently held by Chris Pickel, who did not file for re-election.

Both Trueblood and Stadter should be commended for wanting to serve their community, but Trueblood’s prior aldermanic experience makes him the best candidate by far.

Trueblood’s service as a Ward 2 alderman from 1993 to 2006 was exemplary. Returning him to office will give the board the veteran leadership that it needs to move the city forward in these challenging times. The Call endorses Trueblood.

In Ward 4, Dan Tennessen, and former Alderman Steve Nieder are seeking election to the seat held by Deborah Beezley, who did not file for re-election.

While either candidate would serve residents well, Nieder’s past aldermanic experience from 2006 to 2009 gives him a superior grasp of the issues Crestwood faces. The Call endorses Nieder.

Green Park has contested aldermanic races in Ward 1 and Ward 2 while Fred Baras is unopposed in Ward 3.

In Ward 1, write-in candidate Ron Kramer is challenging Alderman Carol Hamilton. Hamilton first was appointed to the board in 2007 and then elected in 2008 and 2010.

Hamilton’s service on the board has been outstanding as she has given both her ward and the city the representation they deserve. The Call endorses Hamilton.

In Ward 2, Alderman Jackie Wilson is being challenged by Mark Friederich, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor last year.

Wilson, who has served on the board since 2004, merits re-election based on her superior service to residents. The Call endorses Wilson.

Sunset Hills has contested aldermanic races in Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 4 while Stephen Webb is unopposed in Ward 3. Also unopposed is Mayor Bill Nolan.

Many of the candidates who were swept into office in the wake of the Sunset Manor debacle have become the source of problems they once pledged to resolve.

In Ward 1, Alderman Frank Hardy is being challenged by Richard Gau.

As an alderman, Hardy’s continual efforts to micro-manage city affairs are a disservice to Sunset Hills’ dedicated and professional staff.

On the other hand, we believe Gau will bring fresh ideas necessary to move Ward 1 and the city forward. The Call endorses Gau.

In Ward 2, Nancy Goldkuhl and Thomas Musich are seeking to fill the Ward 2 seat being vacated by Tom Hrastich, who did not file for re-election.

While either candidate appears qualified to serve residents well, we believe Goldkuhl is more in tune with the needs of Ward 2 residents and those citywide. The Call endorses Goldkuhl.

In Ward 4, Art Havener and former Mayor Mike Svoboda are vying for the seat held by Svoboda’s wife, Claudia, who did not file for re-election.

Mike Svoboda apparently still is bitter over his defeat in the mayoral race two years ago by Nolan.

Given remarks he has made on his blog about the very residents he supposedly seeks to represent, the only conclusion we can reach is that Mike Svoboda is unsuited for any type of elected office.

Residents would be far better served by Havener, who has a superior understanding of the issues facing the city than Mike Svoboda, and who has expressed a desire to serve all the residents, unlike Mike Svoboda. The Call endorses Havener.

Two very capable candidates — Michael McGilligan and former Ward 1 Alderman Mike Sawicki — are seeking election to the city collector’s position being vacated by Phillis Hardy.

While either candidate would serve the city well, we believe Sawicki’s aldermanic background and his service on the city’s Finance Committee give him the edge in the race. The Call endorses Sawicki.

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