Monday, April 6, 2015

Twenty Questions for City Council Candidates: Wards Four, Five and Six.

Tomorrow the voters of Rolla will elect individuals for city council.  Over the past few weeks we contacted all candidates running for city council and asked them to answers twenty questions pertaining to their ward and issues across Rolla.  This week will be be looking at Wards Four, Five and Six.  Below are the unedited questions and answers for the candidates running in Ward Four, Five and Six.

Remember, the individuals we select to represent us on City Council are our closest connection to government.  Their decisions have greater impact on our lives than most national decisions.  Your vote is very important.  That is why Rolla Preservation Alliance decided to contact the candidates, so voters can be informed and to take time to cast a ballot and act on their best judgement.

Ward Four

John K. Meusch who is running unopposed.

No response

Ward Five

Ward Five shown in orange.


Brian Woolley (Incumbent)

Carrolyn Bolin

Q&A with Mr. Wooley

Name?
     Brian Woolley

Where are you from? 
     I was born in Jefferson City.

How long have you been a resident of Rolla?
     I’ve lived in Rolla for 10 years.

What is the single most important issue in your ward?
     Jobs and Economic Development.

What is the worst thing to happen in your ward in the last five years?
     ***Unanswered***

What is the best thing to happen in your ward in the last five years?
     ***Unanswered***

What does Rolla do well?
     Rolla is a great place to live and raise a family.

What could Rolla do better?
     We must focus on bringing new jobs into the Rolla area.

How can you/the city support small business development and expansion?
      By creating a business friendly environment for current and future small businesses. 

What should we do to encourage others to relocate here?
     Provide a business friendly environment and actively recruit businesses to relocate to Rolla.

What should we do to encourage graduates from Missouri S&T to stay in Rolla?
     By growing the local economy we will be able to provide more economic opportunities to encourage graduates to stay in Rolla.

Do you support the Rolla West Master Plan and the Westside Transportation Plan?  Why or why not?
     Yes.  Both are key to Rolla’s continued economic growth.

Do you support the Forum Plaza Community Improvement District? Why or why not?
     Yes.  It was needed to reinvigorate a declining Forum Plaza.

What is the proper use of tax increment financing (TIF)?  Is there a proper use?
     In today’s economy, TIF is a necessary tool to attract new businesses and to encourage existing businesses to expand.  However, every TIF project should be looked at very closely to insure that it is a proper use of the program.

Is eminent domain ever warranted?
Yes. 

Due to the growth of the student population at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, more student housing is needed.  With the recent proliferation of student housing construction by private investors, do you think stronger regulations and building codes are needed from Planning and Zoning Department?  Why are why not.
     The current building codes are sufficient.  They are doing exactly what they were intended to do, provide safe housing for residents of Rolla.  The last thing we need to do is burden private industry with more unnecessary government rules and regulations. 

Do you support the overall campus master plan of the Missouri University of Science and Technology?  What do you like? What changes would you like to see?
     Yes.  The continued growth and expansion of Missouri S&T is vital to the Rolla economy.

Do you support the Rolla Preservation Commission and their efforts to retain and reuse the historic built environment?  Why or why not?
     Yes.  I think the Rolla Preservation Commission does a great job.  It is important that we try to save and reuse Rolla’s historic buildings. 

What are your thoughts regarding Rolla’s historic heritage and historic assets?
     Rolla has a rich history that dates all the way back to the Civil War.  It is very important that we preserve as much of that history as possible for future generations.

What do you think is the best way to stabilize the core residential neighborhoods of Rolla?
     Two things.  Proper zoning to protect our neighborhoods and job creation.

Q&A with Ms. Bolin

No Response

Ward Six

There are no candidates running in Ward Six.


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