Sixth Ward Race: Candidates disscuss city growth issues
Published March 21, 2006
With two weeks left before the City Council elections, two candidates are competing to fill a vacancy left by Councilman Brian Ash in the student-populated Sixth Ward, which includes East Campus. The election is April 4, and the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Maneater is looking into some of the candidates' main platform ideas in the issues leading up to the election.
This issue, The Maneater asked the candidates and Ash about the city's continuing growth.
City Manager Bill Watkins and the City Council plan to start working on an expansive planning project, which includes input from residents. The plan is called "community visioning" and is the first time Columbia has mapped out specifically how and where the city will grow.
Valerie Barnes, real estate agent:
Barnes said that with the expanding growth of Columbia, it is important to have a system in which buses stop where students are located.
She recommended expanding hours on a trial basis to see how many riders the bus system would have if it ran later at night.
Barnes said another important part of city growth is knowing where and how the city plans to grow.
"We want to know what type of demographics we want included in our city and what type of jobs we want to bring to the community," Barnes said.
She also said she is not worried about developments on the outskirts of the city because they end up financing the core of the city.
"We want to continue the quality of life with events such as the Twilight Festival," Barnes said. "Local businesses are the heart of the community, and our community has always strongly supported small businesses, and I don't think that will change any time soon."
Barbara Hoppe, attorney for the state public defender:
Hoppe said one of her greatest concerns with Columbia's growth is that the city's infrastructure is not conducive to people taking advantage of local businesses, especially students who want to travel by foot or bike.
Hoppe said she is on a variety of committees that are working to connect the current trails and pedways, which are 8- to 10-foot-wide bike and walking trails along roads, throughout the city.
"Columbia needs to promote active living by creating a community that encourages walking and biking," Hoppe said.
Hoppe said it is also important to have a more effective bus system, especially because Columbia is a college town.
She would like to see a more appealing bus system with smaller buses, possibly in the shape and style of trolleys.
Hoppe also said the council should look into making businesses outside the city pay more for the infrastructure to keep the city core vibrant.
Sixth Ward Councilman Brian Ash:
Ash said he would like to see a balanced approach to city growth. Ash said he has tried to put his personal feelings about small business aside.
As the owner of Bambino's Italian Café, Ash said he is a small business advocate and thinks it is an important aspect of Columbia.
"On the council, I have to treat everyone the same whether you are a mom-and-pop shop or a huge conglomerate as long as they meet the rules and regulations of the city," Ash said.
Other council forums:
The NAACP will host a forum at 7 p.m. today at Second Baptist Church, 407 E. Broadway.
The Boone County Smart Growth Coalition will host a forum at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the county commission chambers at the Roger B. Wilson County Government Center, 801 E. Walnut St.
The Boone County Muleskinners will host a forum at noon Friday in Stamper Commons on the Stephens College campus.