Dueling candidate forums on Thursday, March 12, gave voters multiple chances to hear from those running for the Sedalia City Council.
In the council chambers, the Sedalia Business Women started the night with its forum, as moderator Lori Wightman welcomed the participating candidates.
“Let's introduce our candidates, and then we will hear an opening statement from each,” Wightman said. “First Ward 2-year terms are Adam Porter and Jack Robinson, Second Ward is Tina Boggess, and we just learned Christene Meyer has dropped out of the race due to her mother's health situation. Third Ward David Covington did not appear tonight and Bob Hiller, and Fourth Ward Rhiannon Foster and Spencer Redford.”
Excerpts of opening statements and answers were selected by the Democrat for brevity.
“My name's Adam Porter, I'm running for the First Ward City Council,” Porter began. “Married, five children, I know that's a large amount of children, but that just helps me to deal with people. So, public safety is probably going to be my talking point. I think public safety is the most important thing that we need here, and I think we need to make Sedalia safe and secure again, for not only our women and children, but for our citizens.”
Robinson said he had received two invitations for forums that evening, but had only one statement he intended to read at both.
“The first time I ran, I don't know if I considered whether I was qualified or not, nor exactly what the position entailed,” Robinson said. “Now I've discovered that, like the normal function of board membership, the position requires management input to a large organization through a staff, not direct control. You don't directly supervise people, you serve them, and the results are their effort.”
declined to give an opening statement, but thanked the forum’s organizers.
“Good evening,” Boggess said. “Thank you to the Sedalia Business Women group for inviting me tonight. I'm not going to give a two-minute opening statement, but I do want you to know that we appreciate you and we appreciate the citizens of Sedalia who are attending here tonight.”
Hiller touted his start working in the Sedalia automotive sector.
“I went to work for Larry Foster,” Hiller said. “I worked for Larry, ran his plant for seven years. That's where I learned city business. The reason he could be out and about is because I was there running his plant. So, I’ve got goals that I have set for myself. I'm going to finish projects that we've started, especially on the east side of Sedalia. I want to see growth on that side.”
Foster spoke of the opportunity to serve for three terms.
“I am seeking reelection because I believe experienced, thoughtful leadership and a deep commitment to public service matter,” Foster said. “My background includes a degree in political science, which has helped me understand how government works and how local decisions connect with state policy and resources. During my time in office, I have focused on responsible decision-making, collaboration and ensuring that our community’s voice is heard. I am proud of the progress we have made together and would be honored to continue serving the people of our community.”
Spencer Redford introduced himself as a newcomer to politics with a fresh perspective.
“I'm running for Fourth Ward City Councilman,” Redford said. “No politician, I don't really have a speech to give, but I would like to come forward and just try to be proactive in the community; listen to people, really get things moving towards growth in Sedalia, and get a lot of these issues lined out and taken care of.”
Wightman asked about the new rules for council meeting conduct that have many crying foul.
“Let's talk about the whole change in the public comment portion of the council meetings,” Wightman said. “For the incumbents, do you think it has accomplished its intended purpose, and for our challengers here, would you make any changes and if yes, please describe.”
Hiller jumped onto the side of reasonable restrictions for public comments.
“There's been a lot of talk that the right to speak is infringed on,” Hiller said. “But all they had to do is come in and sign up ahead of time. When you go to the doctor, don't you make your appointment ahead of time? That's just to keep our meetings, we're trying to conduct business affairs, trying to keep our businesses flowing and so we can continue to conduct business and not get the same crap, and that's what it is, same crap thrown at us every day for hours after hours after hours.”
Foster said similar public comment rules are standard practice in other local municipalities and have proven necessary in protecting city employees.
“The city also has a legal obligation to protect our employees,” Foster said. “Some of the comments were often derogatory and attacking our employees, calling them specifically by their name, attacking them and their families. Not only is this uncalled for, but it has directly hurt employee morale. We have over 250 employees who work hard to keep your water running, your trash picked up, and ensure your safety, and we must protect them. The ordinance has helped minimize those attacks on our employees.”
Redford believed in free speech and expected most people to be respectful.
“People should be able to come in and talk. I think that they should all realize that they should be respectful.” Redford said. “If the people feel shut out, that's an issue. They should be able to have their voices heard, and they should be able to come in and talk and things like that. I think coming to council meetings and being able to speak and things, you should be able to. Obviously, the respect thing is huge. If you start getting loud obviously you should probably calm down and maybe exit.”
Porter said he read Supreme Court decisions regarding public comments and was on the side of full transparency.
“Public comments are an important part of transparency and understanding in the intent behind the changes to the good and welfare may have been for structure and efficiency, and I understand that, and I'm sure everybody else does,” Porter said. “But citizens should never feel discouraged from speaking. If elected, I would review how it's functioning in practice, the adjustments needed to balance order and openness, and I would support reasonable improvements.”
Robinson was absent when the public comments ordinance passed and has repeatedly expressed his disapproval.
“Except for maintaining a little decorum, I don't really think it's contributed much,” Robinson said. “I haven't learned anything from anybody that's spoken since then, nor did I learn much before. People come in and complain, which is not offering solutions. They just come in and complain. I believe if they want solutions, they can come see any of the council people.”
Boggess had also investigated other towns' meeting rules and said Sedalia’s rules are reasonable and help keep meetings on task.
“You may have an individual that really doesn't have anything that they want to bring forth, but they're wanting to draw you into a debate back and forth,” Boggess said. “I don't believe that our citizens that come to these meetings want to sit through all of that. If you really have a situation or you really have something that you need to tell us or ask us to share with us if we're not giving you enough time, put it in writing and give it to us and let us get back to you.”
Following the Sedalia Business Women Forum,the Pettis Pachyderm Club hosted a Mayoral and City Council candidate at State Fair Community College.
Chris Howell can be reached at 660-530-0146.
