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

Two Crestwood candidates run unopposed

Newcomer McGee awaits election in Ward 1; incumbent Miguel to be re-elected in Ward 3

Six candidates are seeking seats on the Crestwood Board of Aldermen in Tues-day’s election.

While Steve Knarr and Danielle Oettle square off in Ward 2 and John Foote and former Alderman Bob Parsons face each other in Ward 4, one political newcomer and the Board of Aldermen’s incumbent president are unopposed and will take the oath of office in April for three-year terms.

Harold “Mac” McGee, who has never held elective office, is unopposed and will replace Ward 1 Alderman Richard Breeding. Breeding has served as an alderman since first elected in 1998 and is unable to run for a fourth term because of term limits.

Miguel will be sworn in to fill his second consecutive term as a Ward 3 alderman. He was first elected in 2004 and was appointed board president by Mayor Roy Robinson in 2006 after aldermen reached a 4-4 tie between Miguel and outgoing Ward 4 Alderman Pat Duwe for board president.

Like Breeding, Duwe is also stepping down in April due to term limits.

Asked to identify the most important issue in the race, the candidates responded:

• “The fiscal stability of Crestwood,” Mc-Gee said. “Maintaining a stable financial position as well as encouraging the establishment of new businesses, benefits residents and business operators equally, by funding the city services that define Crestwood as a fine place to live, work, shop and do business.”

• “At the end of the day for me, it comes down to fiscal responsibility,” Miguel said. “While much has been accomplished during the past three years, we still have a lot more work ahead. While we have a balanced 2007 budget, we need to remain financially focused as the cost of services continues to increase while sales-tax revenue remains uncertain. Money will be tight until 2012 when our aquatic center will be paid off along with the TIFs (tax-increment financing) on our Kohl’s and Shop ‘n Save shopping centers.”

McGee, 72, 9210 Arban Drive, 63126, is a retired superintendent with General Mo-tors. He and his wife, Carol, have grown children.

McGee said he is seeking office “because Crestwood is a great place to live. It’s convenient, comfortable, safe and clean.

“Fiscally responsible practices pay for this quality of life and drive my desire to serve as alderman. By carefully scrutinizing proposals and expenditures, I intend to assure Ward 1 voters, they and the city of Crestwood will be getting the best value for their tax dollars.”

Miguel, 70, 7942 Camelot Lane, 63126, is a retired computer professional with Anheuser-Busch. He and his wife, Judy, have four grown children.

Miguel said he is seeking re-election “to continue the work I started three years ago, namely to get the city on a solid financial foundation.

“Over the past three years, we have made some solid strides. For example: In 2006, the city had its first balanced budget of the decade; the multimillion dollar police building project was stopped and $9 million of borrowed money was returned to bond holders; long-term debt was reduced from $22.6 million to $6.6 million; $800/month automobile allowances have been eliminated; Prop S taxes will pay for the multimillion deficit that the city ran up between 1999 and 2005; a new city administrator was hired and new police chief was appointed; construction on several projects, including an assisted senior living center, has started.”

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