Candidates finalized for Columbia Ward 2, 6 elections. Ward 1 recall to go before council
With no last-minute candidate petition filings Tuesday, the ballot now is finalized for Columbia City Council Wards 2 and 6. Election day is April 2.
Lisa Meyer, a real estate professional, and Robert Schreibers III, who works at the University of Missouri, both seek the Ward 2 seat and previously had applied to fill the seat in the interim after the resignation of Andrea Waner. The interim position ultimately went to Rachel Proffitt.
Incumbent Ward 6 council member Betsy Peters announced her reelection campaign in November. She is running unopposed.
A recall campaign has advanced against Ward 1 Council member Nick Knoth. The council will take up business Monday on a recall election.
Lisa Meyer
When Meyer moved to Columbia in 2004, she fell in love with the community, she said. She has lived in Ward 2 since 2013, her previous council application notes.
"I want to work to improve the connection between Ward 2 citizens and the (city) government. Deepening those relationships, listening and expanding involvement," she said Tuesday, noting while there are more than 10,000 people in the ward, only a small percentage of those participate in the election by casting a vote. "It is really my hope to increase participation, not only by people who vote, but people who are involved and connected with what is happening in local government."
Meyer has previous volunteer leadership experience with the Heart of Missouri United Way, Rotary Club of Columbia Northwest and most recently the faith-based community service organization For Columbia. She has interests in affordable housing, cottage housing and short-term rental regulations, as noted in her previous council application.
Robert Schreibers III
Schreibers, who has lived in Ward 2 for the last two years, said he feels he can do some good for the city with a seat on the council.
"I have been thinking about this for the last 10 years anyway," he said Tuesday. "I would like to focus on helping with the affordable housing issue we have in Columbia and the homeless population issues we have and every city needs work on its infrastructure. I'm a union member here at the university, so I definitely want to see the city work with the unions in whatever they do."
He noted similar goals in his previous council application. He has volunteer and leadership experience with the True/False Film Festival; the defunct Treeline Music Festival, formerly Roots and Blues and BBQ; and Scout Troop 134 in Ashland.
Betsy Peters
With no other challengers, unless from a write-in campaign, Peters, a retired physician, will secure a fourth term on the council in April. Peters has served for nine years and now is the longest-serving member on the council when compared to other current council members.
"I feel like I have a pretty good idea of how the city works and that I can get things done. Right now we have a really good council and that is helpful to moving projects forward. That is why I wanted to run again," she said.
Projects Peters has her eye on through April and beyond include finalizing the last steps needed for the city's automated trash system, recycling infrastructure and the city's No. 10 fire station.
"We finally have the land for that Sixth Ward fire station, but we need to get it built now. Just sort of finishing things up and then making sure the city continues to move forward," Peters said.
Ward 1 recall
Legislation will appear on the Columbia City Council agenda Tuesday related to the recall election effort by Ward 1 residents, who see Nick Knoth's role as a lobbyist with the Missouri Board of Realtors as in conflict with his role on the council.
Ward 1 residents needed at least 336 signatures on a recall election petition and received 370, wrote Columbia City Clerk Sheela Amin in an email Wednesday to the Tribune.
City ordinances require the council "shall call an election on said recall at the next election provided for by state law which is consistent with applicable notice provisions and available for municipal elections purposes."
Since Columbia is a charter city, the council could call the election for March 5, a date provided to Missouri charter cities and counties only. Otherwise, the recall election will happen April 2.
Should Ward 1 voters choose to recall Knoth, the council could go through a similar process after Waner's resignation, but still would need to make provisions for a special election to fill the seat as two years remain on Knoth's term.
Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Candidate names finalized for Columbia municipal election in April
