Columbia City Council Candidates

By Ryan Schmitz

Published April 2, 2009

Second Ward

Name: Allan W. Sharrock Jr.

Age: 29

Website: allansharrock.com

Education: Presently pursuing a master's degree in education at MU; has a bachelor's degree in science for agriculture education from MU.

Professional experience: Industrial technology teacher, Lange Middle School since August 2007.

Military experience: Joined Army National Guard in 1997; commander of 880th EN Haul team, 2007-2008; platoon leader, 2005-2006.

Viewpoints: Increase the size of the Columbia Police Department to foster positive relationships with the community. Find companies to replace jobs lost during the economic crisis. Promote and fund youth programs.

Name: Jason Thornhill

Age: 38

Website: thornhillforcouncil.net

Education: Bachelor's degree in science for business administration, William Woods University.

Professional experience: Partner, Weichert Realtors, working with firm since May 2004. Real estate professional since 2002.

Viewpoints: Work with the Columbia Police Department to improve Neighborhood Watch programs, and encourage community policing. Reach a more effective territorial agreement for overlapping fire districts. Attract new jobs and expand business to provide relief to taxpayers. Provide ward-specific input on the northbound extension to Providence Road. Improve streets and sidewalks in west Columbia. Promote a lower dependence on energy and optimize public transit.

Sixth Ward

Name: Barbara Hoppe

Age: 58

Website: hoppecitycouncil.com

Education: Juris doctor from the MU School of Law; bachelor's degree in education, history and political science, University of Michigan.

Professional experience: Hoppe has represented the Sixth Ward on the Columbia City Council since 2006, during which time she attended training sessions and meetings with the Missouri Municipal League, the National League of Cities and New Partners for Smart Growth.

Viewpoints: Supports expansion of Discovery Ridge Research Park, rezoning to expand ABC Labs, creating economic and sustainability director positions for the city, Boone Hospital improvements, keeping the State Historical Society of Missouri in Columbia and finding a permanent home for the Columbia Farmers Market. Additionally, Hoppe wants to improve traffic congestion in the Lenoir Street area in southwest Columbia, invest in renewable energy, encourage community policing and advocate for neighborhood watch programs.

Name: Rod Robison

Age: 54

Website: rodsixthward.com

Education: Robison graduated from Hickman High School in 1973.

Professional experience: Robison has worked at Riback Supply in Columbia since 1993.

Viewpoints: Robison wants to attract and retain quality employers to Columbia to drive the economy toward prosperity. To reduce crime, his plan is to bolster support for the Columbia Police Department and intervene with at-risk youth so they avoid turning to crime. To bring the Sixth Ward back to the center of the political spectrum, Robison pledges to examine issues from all sides by taking each item on its own merit without a preset agenda.