Editor’s Note: As a public service to the voters of Grundy County, the Republican-Times will be printing information this week concerning candidates in contested races for the Trenton City Council, the North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees and the Trenton R-9 Board of Education. Today’s stories focus on the Trenton City Council candidates. Stories appear in the order candidates filed for office.
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Editor’s Note: As a public service to the voters of Grundy County, the Republican-Times will be printing information this week concerning candidates in contested races for the Trenton City Council, the North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees and the Trenton R-9 Board of Education. Today’s stories focus on the Trenton City Council candidates. Stories appear in the order candidates filed for office.
Second Ward
Kenneth Ewing
Kenneth Ewing of 714 W. 15th St. is seeking re-election to the Trenton City Council as a second ward councilman. He is a 1957 graduate of Trenton High School and attended various vocational classes following graduation. He has owned and operated Ewing Alignment and Repair since April 1966. He and his wife, the former Laura Barnett, were married in 1960 and have three sons and daughters-in-law as well as seven grandchildren. He is active in the Tenth Street Baptist Church. He and his wife are involved in a support group to help families with developmentally disabled children.
1. Why are you running for this position?
I want to give back to the community that Laura and I have raised our family in – a community that cares about each other. I also believe I am fair and open-minded; not afraid to stand alone on an important issue. I will vote with my convictions.
2. What do you feel are the concerns facing the residents of Trenton that you would like to see addressed as related to the position for which you are a candidate and how would you deal with them if elected?
In this day of high taxes and decreased revenue, we must work together to take care of the businesses we now have as well as seek new ones. Continue to take care of our streets, pride in our neighborhoods by keeping up property. We must take care of our employees with adequate wages and benefits.
3. Discussions have been held in the past several months concerning economic development, with the city and county looking at developing a countywide effort to attract new businesses while retaining those we have. What do you feel is the best approach to be taken and how, as a city councilman, could you contribute to this effort?
I think the city-county relationship is much improved over past years, but there is much room for improvement. We must work together to pass a one-half cent sales tax for a joint law enforcement center. The present council has pledged support and its help to get this done. I hope the next council will do the same. The city and county can and should work together, pooling resources for economic development. I will do my part if I am elected.
Lannie Harkins
Lannie Harkins of 300 W. Crowder Road is seeking his first term as a second ward councilman. He is part of a three-generation Trenton family, graduating from Trenton High School and earning an associate degree from North Central Missouri College. He retired on Oct. 31, 2003 from Hoffman-Reed, where he worked for 30 years. He and his wife, Linda, are the parents of two sons, Michael, who lives with his wife, Krista, son, Gordon, and daughter, Chloe Dawn, in Queen Creek, AZ, and Dan, who lives with his wife, Cindy, and son, Kyle, in Trenton. He is a member of the American Legion Post No. 31, the Trenton Lions Club and is currently president of the Trenton Area Master Gardeners.
1. Why are you running for this position?
Trenton is my home, so I am interested in making improvements. Linda and I moved to the second ward in 1979, having moved five years ago. We remained in the second ward. I have an interest in the concerns of the residents of my ward. I feel that I would now have the time to devote to this job. I feel that everyone has an opinion, but sometimes I think they feel that their voice is not heard. I think listening and treating each person equally without already having formed an opinion would make a difference. Sometimes change is difficult, but in some cases with change comes new ideas and improvements. This is my goal if elected.
2. What do you feel are the concerns facing the residents of Trenton that you would like to see addressed as related to the position for which you are a candidate and how would you deal with them if elected?
Some of the concerns of the residents of the second ward and how I would address them include:
1) Jobs – I think all residents of Trenton have this concern with the downsizing of some local industries. I have no magic bullet here. Trenton has an economic developer and has an industrial park. I think we need to be alert to all opportunities.
2) Curb Appeal is something I think should be given more thought . First impressions are very important. I think it goes along with economic development. A community that has pride in its appearance stands out in visitors’ minds.
Those are the first things that come to my mind. I’m sure I will get to hear more once I start visiting with my second ward neighbors.
3. Discussions have been held in the past several months concerning economic development, with the city and county looking at developing a countywide effort to attract new businesses while retaining those we have. What do you feel is the best approach to be taken and how, as a city councilman, could you contribute to this effort?
I feel we need to attract new business to our area. If working with the effort already in the works, we should be sure we are aggressive in promoting Trenton. Maintaining what we already have is very important. Trenton has a great park system. Jason (Shuler) does an outstanding job maintaining these for the community. We have good public buildings, low crime rate. Let’s concentrate on keeping these up and do more improvements like the new aquatic center under construction. Contributing to my community is already something I feel I do in a small way with working with the Master Gardeners to maintain the city entrance signs and trees at Moberly and Eastside parks. I would like the opportunity to represent the residents of the second ward.
FOURTH WARD
Troy Smith
Troy Smith of 3917 Little Woods Drive currently serves as councilman in the fourth ward, completing his third term. He is a graduate of Drury University in Springfield with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration. He is a real estate broker with Century 21 Smith and Associates. He and his wife, Cathy, to whom he has been married for 35 years, own Century 21 offices in Trenton and Lawson. The Smiths have lived in Trenton for 26 years, with each of their three children graduating from the Trenton school system. Angie, her husband, Mike, and son, Chase, live in Leawood, KS and she works as director of marketing for Yellow Corp. Amy lives in Silver Springs, MD with her husband, Louis, and son, Daniel. She recently completed a position with the “Make a Wish” Foundation. Matt is a recent graduate of Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield and is working on the re-election staff for Congressman Sam Graves.
Smith has been very involved in church, school and community activities. He has served 12 years on the Trenton R-9 Board of Education, was president of the Missouri School Boards Association, serves as chairman of the city council’s economic development committee and is a member of the council’s finance and storm water drainage committees. He is also a member of the Trenton Rotary Club, the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce and the First Baptist Church. He is a member and former board member of the Grundy County Farm Bureau, former president of the Trenton Lake Association and president of the Trenton Investment Club.
1. Why are you running for this position?
There are many projects that I would like to see continued and/or successfully completed. I want to continue my work toward the development of the new industrial development park. This is a slow process, but if we continue to persevere we will gain jobs for Trenton. I also want to see Trenton become the friendliest place in north Missouri to build new construction. I was the facilitator for a meeting with builders, contractors and the city staff. This meeting was to foster a means of cooperation and communication between those involved. I want to continue to promote a positive image of Trenton and work for the progressive growth of our community for all citizens of all ages.
2. What do you feel are the concerns facing the residents of Trenton that you would like to see addressed as related to the position for which you are a candidate and how would you deal with them if elected?
There are always concerns about services provided by the city, such as water, sewer, streets, police and fire protection, etc. These are ongoing concerns and always have to be updated, repaired and maintained. I also feel it is my duty as a city councilman to make sure our city is always financially sound by using good business practices to manage the daily operation of this city. Seeing the development of the farm north of town into an industrial park, a research park or a tourism park would be a wise use of an asset our city owns. There are areas that were pointed out by the audit that we can improve on in the way the city conducts business. The council and staff are addressing these points with a timeline to get them accomplished. I feel a city councilman’s job is to make the very best decisions for all of the residents of the city. I feel I am qualified to make those decisions because of my business experience, my community service experience but, more importantly, because I feel I ask for input from citizens on issues when I must make a difficult decision.
3. Discussions have been held in the past several months concerning economic development, with the city and county looking at developing a countywide effort to attract new businesses while retaining those we have. What do you feel is the best approach to be taken and how, as a city councilman, could you contribute to this effort?
The Economic Development Committee is going through a strategic planning process to identify the direction in which our city should proceed. The committee has met with the Chamber of Commerce and has a meeting planned with county, school, college and other organizations to obtain input on the direction our community should go. Even though my main goal is to develop the industrial park, there is a real thrust toward providing more tourism opportunities in Trenton and Grundy County. I think there is a real desire for a cooperative effort between city and county groups to work toward maintaining jobs we have and to attract new jobs for our community. There are many good ideas for development in our area. I have contributed in the process by facilitating the economic development summit and serving as chairman of the Economic Development Committee. If re-elected I would continue in this process.
We have such a rich community with a very modern public school system, a great college, the best airport in this area of north Missouri, the land for a new industrial park, a very good medical facility, a great workforce and the greatest people anywhere. I feel we should remember to appreciate the quality of life we have here in Trenton and be progressive in promoting this lifestyle to others. I will continue to do this and I encourage everyone to get involved and participate.
Carolyn Garcia
Mrs. Garcia did not return her questionnaire.
