Newcomers to office, Megan Gadallah and Steven Liddy, are seeking to fill the open Ward 4 seat on the Crestwood Board of Aldermen. The seat is currently held by Tony Kennedy, who did not file as he is term-limited. The seat carries a three-year term.

Election Day is April 8.

Megan Gadallah is a conflicts specialist at Armstrong Teasdale Law Firm. She is married to Marwan Gadallah, and together they have three children: Maya, 6, and Mila, 5, who attend Long Elementary School, and Malec, 4, who attends Guidepost Montessori in Kirkwood.

When asked why she is seeking office, Gadallah said: “Being a mother of school-aged children and a professional in our community gives me a unique perspective from others currently on the board. A variety of perspectives are needed in public offices and lead to a more vibrant community.”

Steven Liddy works in the Office of the Inspector General.

When asked why he is seeking office, Liddy said: “Committed to a life of service, (I) see a position as an Alderman as a way to communicate needs and wants of others in the community.”

The candidates gave the following responses to The Call’s candidate questionnaire: 

Editor’s note: The following questions and answers appeared in the March 13 print edition of The Call. They may have been edited and shortened for grammar, clarity and space. Keep reading for web-exclusive responses from the candidates.

What issue do you consider the single most important issue in this race and why?

Gadallah: “Connection and communication between our city and our residents. I believe that our residents want to be more involved. Our current options for doing so are limited. My goal would be to make meetings more accessible via online streaming, to create more lines of communication regarding when, where and what decisions are going to be made and have been made at the city level so our residents are able to become more active participants.”

Liddy: “Promoting government efficiency. As a public servant, we work for the citizens of the community. It is crucial to ensure transparency, reducing waste and being open to public scrutiny.”

Other issues you perceive in your race and your position on each?

Gadallah: “Increasing safe, physical access (raised crosswalks with enhanced lighting and highly maintained reflective markings on crosswalks) for all children and families, particularly in school zones and high foot traffic areas. I would work to create community volunteer days to give residents the opportunity to help neighbors who are struggling to maintain their properties for various reasons, helping to facilitate a stronger sense of community. Other cities are doing this.” 

Liddy: “Engage residents and encourage dialogue. Focus on quality of life and public safety for residents.”

Should the public be allowed to speak at city meetings? 

Gadallah: “Absolutely. It is great that this is already happening in Crestwood, and that the guidelines for speaking are laid out in the agenda. I think with greater access to meetings, we would increase input from a greater variety of citizens.”

Liddy: “Absolutely. The community voice must be heard.”

In your opinion, have the Board of Aldermen and other city officials complied fully with the Sunshine Law? What will you do as an elected official to ensure compliance with the Sunshine Law?

Gadallah: “Yes. As an Alderperson, I would work for any citizen who expressed they were denied access to obtain the documents they have a legal right to.”

Liddy: “In my opinion, the Board of Alderman have complied with the Sunshine Law. Records for the city of Crestwood are accessible for viewing and are available for copies. As an elected official, I would ensure government meetings are open to the public, individuals have access to public records and, where necessary, seek to improve records management.”

Are you satisfied with the Crestwood Crossing development? 

Gadallah: “It is great that the City of Crestwood worked to achieve a multi-use development on this property. It is important for the future of our city to create a vibrant city center. While I am happy with this development, I would love to see more safe pedestrian connectivity to and from Crestwood Crossing.  Additionally, a great addition would be a family friendly area where families can sit on a patio and enjoy a coffee or bite to eat while kids run around on a green space, or their dog can sit with them while they stop for a coffee during a morning stroll.”

Liddy: “After years of dormancy, it’s refreshing to see advancements in this property inviting new growth and businesses to the area.”

Do you support the use of eminent domain for redevelopment projects? Why or why not? Please be specific.  

Gadallah: “The use of eminent domain in redevelopment projects should create a win-win solution for the City of Crestwood and residents. Eminent domain is useful in certain situations, when necessary, with consensus and fair compensation. 

Liddy: “Yes, as outlined in the 5th Amendment. It provides for a reduction in administrative costs when building infrastructure. Eminent domain can be used to repair land be used to repair land that has been poorly maintained, and it gives taxpayers a say in how communities are developed.”

Do you agree with the direction the city is moving under Mayor Scott Shipley?

Gadallah: “I respect our mayor and I look forward to working with him and the rest of our council to improve the lives of all Crestwood residents. I support the success of Crestwood Crossing, our community center and parks.”

Liddy: “Yes, Mayor Shipley has the ability to look at processes from multiple vantage points. His leadership style reflects wisdom and strength while being compassionate to the needs of the public.”

What is your vision for the city of Crestwood?

Gadallah: “My vision for the City of Crestwood is to listen to all residents and respond respectfully in a timely manner, to collaboratively work as a team, to improve the quality of life of all residents, of all ages, and of all abilities, to make the City of Crestwood the best it can be.”

Liddy: “I see growth in Crestwood by continuing to recruit business.”

Keep reading for web-exclusive questions and answers from the candidates

Editor’s note: The following questions are as they were submitted to The Call by the candidates in their entirety. They have not been edited in any way, other than to ensure appropriate language and no direct attacks on opponents or other candidates. 

Do you support the use of eminent domain for redevelopment projects? Why or why not? Please be specific.  

Gadallah: “The use of eminent domain in redevelopment projects should create a win-win solution for the City of Crestwood and its residents. Eminent domain is useful in certain situations, when necessary, with consensus and fair compensation.”

Liddy: “Yes, as outlined in the 5th Amendment. It provides for a reduction in administrative costs when building infrastructure. Eminent domain can be used to repair land be used to repair land that has been poorly maintained, and it gives taxpayers a say in how communities are developed.”

Is the city of Crestwood business friendly? What do you propose to keep current businesses in the city and attract new economic development? 

Gadallah: “The more bikeable and walkable we make Crestwood, the more conducive it becomes for fostering community &   economic development, therefore generating more revenue, and establishing financial stability (new businesses) to effectively plan for future generations to come.”  

Liddy: “Crestwood has done a great job in bringing new business in to the community. I would propose regular visits to the existing businesses to ensure they are included in decision making processes.”

Should the city of Crestwood be more bicycle friendly? If so, what do you propose? 

Gadallah: “Most definitely, our city should be more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. We need to utilize and implement a protected bike lane and/or multi-shared-use path network providing safe physical connectivity to our schools, businesses, parks, stores, churches, recreation center, and Grants Trial-GRG trail system. Covered bike racks should be provided at above locations for residents and citizens to park their bikes. An incredible 700,000 people use Grants Trail every year, we (the City of Crestwood) should collaborate with MoDOT and GRG to proactively establish this Safe Connected Bicycle Network, that will increase economic development and revenues to the City of Crestwood for years to come. This will also create an increasingly vibrant sense of community.”

Liddy: “Crestwood should look to advance the opportunities for cyclists and pedestrians alike. Consideration of walkways and paths should be considered as-properties are developed.”

Are you satisfied with the performance of City Attorney Lisa Stump?  

Gadallah: “I look forward to working with Ms. Stump who has expertise in governmental and education law, areas essential to our city governance.”

Liddy: “I have no concerns with the performance of the city attorney.”

Are you satisfied with the performance of City Administrator Kris Simpson? 

Gadallah: “Kris Simpson’s Citizens Academy is a great example of ways we can increase resident involvement. I look forward to collaborating with Kris to create additional avenues to reach the community, using social media outlets and introducing students to local government with new city field trips.”

Liddy: “I have no concerns with the performance of the city administrator.”

Do you support a city-county merger? 

Gadallah: “My number one goal is to strongly improve the quality and level of services to all Crestwood residents and families. I support ongoing collaboration with all neighboring jurisdictions to improve necessary and effective efficiencies.  At this time, I do not support a city-county merger.”

Liddy: “I see both advantages and disadvantages to the city-county merger. While returning the city to a configuration of nearly 150 years ago may provide for the elimination of duplicate efforts and costs, I am not sure the potential savings have been fully determined and the issue requires more study.”

Traditionally, Crestwood has had a close relationship with Lindbergh Schools. Do you believe the city should maintain a positive relationship with the school district? 

Gadallah: “Absolutely. The City of Crestwood benefits tremendously from the fact that we have a great school district to send our children to. When people are deciding where they want to live and work, one of the first things they consider is the quality of public schools. Whether or not you have children in the Lindbergh School System, or don’t have children at all, a strong public school system elevates our entire community. It is essential that we continue to support this cornerstone.”

Liddy: “The education of our youth and the positive relationship with the school district is paramount for the future of Crestwood.”

Should Crestwood continue to partner with Sunset Hills for SunCrest Fest or other events? Should Crestwood partner with other neighboring municipalities for similar events? 

Gadallah: “Yes. It is imperative to maintain an ongoing collaborative relationship with Sunset Hills, the Lindbergh School District, and all contiguous communities.”

Liddy: “Just like the relationships of good neighbors on a street in a subdivision, cultivating the relationships of neighboring municipalities can have far reaching results.”

How did you vote in the April 2024 election on Proposition A?

Gadallah: “I strongly supported the development of our parks and community center, and I believe we need to continue to develop multi/shared-use paths for increased connectivity and safe access to our parks and the community center. The proximity of Grants Trail to our Community Center and other Crestwood venues is a major asset and should be put to greater use.”

Liddy: No response.

What are your thoughts on short-term rentals? Should they be permitted in Crestwood?    

Gadallah: “It is important to maintain the integrity of our community.  Enforceable regulations for home rentals are necessary and should be adhered to.” 

Liddy: “Further study needs to be done to determine the effect on neighborhoods.”

Do you believe the city provides the public adequate notice of development projects? 

Gadallah: “Our city communicates with citizens regarding development projects. That said, there is room for improvement and better transparency. People have a lot to say regarding development projects, but not everyone feels as though they can attend all of the meetings in person, or that they know when those meetings are happening. Utilizing technology such as streaming, along with harnessing social media and other tools, will increase participation leading to a more inclusive and vibrant community.”

Liddy: “Yes.”

How many board meetings have you attended in the past year? In what other ways have you been involved with the city of Crestwood? 

Gadallah: “I have attended two meetings in person and have followed along with agenda meeting notes and meeting minutes as they are made available by the City of Crestwood. It is important for me to know what will be discussed and what decisions are made by our City Council and our committees. Our family regularly attends functions organized by our city. We regularly use city amenities, Crestwood Park in particular. My children attend summer camp at Whitecliff, and I look forward to increasing involvement over the next several decades.”

Liddy: “I make every effort to attend all Board of Alderman meetings. Additionally, I sit on the Public Works Board and the Board of Zoning Adjustment for the city of Crestwood.”

What would you do to get community members more involved with and/or interested in city government? 

Gadallah: “I would make meetings more accessible by streaming meetings. In doing this, people with restricted mobility, lack of a vehicle, young children at home, those who travel for work, or otherwise can access the meetings on-line. Additionally, I would post simplified versions of the agenda items beforehand, and any applicable previous minutes from past meetings in as many places as possible so residents know if a particular issue is being addressed that matters to them. I would also like to make it easier for residents to connect with our city’s decision makers and would propose potential office hours with the city administrator for citizens to ask specific questions.”

Liddy: “I would look for opportunities to communicate/remind residents of various meetings within city government.”