Two City Council members to retire

By James Patrick Schmidt

Published Nov. 28, 2006

The Columbia City Council will see at least two new faces after the next election.

Third Ward Councilman Bob Hutton and Fourth Ward Councilman Jim Loveless have both decided not to run for re-election this April.

"I just feel that 12 years is enough," Hutton said.

Hutton was first elected in 1989 and served two three-year terms. In 2001, he ran again, and he will conclude his fourth term this spring.

Loveless was elected in 2001, and his second term ends this spring.

"I've served for six years. I think it's time for someone else in Ward 4 to have a chance to serve," Loveless said.

Mayor Darwin Hindman praised both of the retiring council members.

"They are both excellent council people, and they carry with them a lot of experience," Hindman said. "They're level-headed, they use good judgment, and the council will miss them."

Hindman's term also ends in April, but he has not yet decided if he will run for re-election.

City Clerk Sheela Amin said that no one has filed the necessary paperwork to run for council member for either of the seats.

"In order to pick up their paperwork, they have to come up here to the City Clerk's Office, and I would give them a packet, and I would explain the information in the packet and what they have to do," Amin said. "To run they would need to meet certain requirements and submit a valid petition with at least 50 signatures of registered, qualified voters of that ward."

The final day to submit paperwork to run to be a council member is Jan. 18.

Both retiring council members feel that their replacements, along with the rest of the City Council, will need to deal with development issues.

"I think that one of the greatest needs of our council is to establish really good communication between developers and the rest of the citizens," Loveless said. "There's a disconnect there, and it so frequently leads to a lot of animosity that doesn't need to be there."

Hindman agreed that development would be an important issue, but also focused on trails and parks.

"Columbia is such a dynamic city that we're going to be dealing with many issues," Hindman said. "Many are going to be revolving around planning and growth, but many will be infrastructure such as keeping up with the roads, the parks and the trails as the city continues to grow."

Hindman also said it will be important for the city to preserve its scenic sections and to review land clearance and tree ordinances, especially allowing for the planting of more trees.

Loveless feels confident that he has contributed to the improvement of Columbia.

"There have been a number of things that I wanted to see accomplished, and they are either accomplished or so close to being finished that I am sure they will be completed," Loveless said.

The city's move toward green energy, the widening of Scott Boulevard and the renovation of city buildings are some of the issues that Loveless has supported.

Hutton doesn't have a specific issue that he feels represents his efforts as a member of the council.

"I don't know that I would say any one thing," Hutton said. "I think it's just a matter of being able to offer a perspective that is kind of a middle-of-the-road perspective on most issues and help provide a sort of balance to the council."