Applicants make case to Joplin City Council
Nearly a dozen people made their case to the Joplin City Council Monday night in an effort to fill the open position left by Jim West who resigned last month due to personal reasons.
Tom Rogers told the council he’s the right candidate because of his investment in the community over the years. He says he is a professional listener and he says the solution to most of the city’s problems is God. He adds that he knows how to attract people to the city. He says the trust of the community is a major issue that needs to be solved.
Michael Seibert, the former mayor of Joplin, says he wants to offer council a candidate with prior experience because of the short time left until the vacant term expires in April 2020. He says the ten years of relationships he’s built with community leaders and political leaders will be key for the council. He says the top issue before council is the situation of sustainable city funding.
Troy Kinast says he is the best candidate for the position because he wants to see Joplin as a place where people want to raise their families. He says his master’s degree in mathematics will help during budget talks and that his experience will be beneficial.
Leonard Miller spoke to the council and noted that he takes pride in being a citizen of Joplin and he would strive to be a team player on the council using common sense. He pledged to diligently work to help the citizens of Joplin and to help the city grow by getting more business in town.
Matthew Robertson tells the council that his love of customer service and that he wants to serve so the average citizen doesn’t have to. He says the role of local government to support the constitution and laws of the US, Missouri and city charter and to keep citizens safe with proper emergency services
Charles Copple said he would be the best fit for the council because of his experience with operations within the city and that he can evaluate them as an employee and administrator. He says that he is very concerned with employee turnover. He adds that he can be a ‘uniter’ for Joplin to bring different groups together and break down barriers between different organizations in the city.
Sarah Hinkle made her case to the council by saying the people of Joplin need someone who is for all 52,000 people. She says she can sit on both sides, weigh the arguments and give an opinion as needed and make an informed decision. She says she is concerned with police and fire pay as well.
William Goodwin says we need to stay current with the issues and fix them swiftly. He says his experience with the parks and health departments in the city would help with the role. He says he not only wants to give back to Joplin for what the city has done for him, but he says it’s also about his concern for his children growing up in the city. He says funding his also a big issue in the city right now.
Achala Tiwari-Pandey says her teaching experience would help her fill the council seat. She wants MSSU students to get more involved in the council and the issues around the city.
Rocky Biggers was not in attendance.
Keenan Cortez was unable to speak due to an illness. He will be given time to speak at the beginning of the council’s next meeting.
The council will vote on and announce their appointee on March 18th.