COMO | The Politics Issue 2022

T HE PO LI T I CS I S S UE | A PU B L ICATION OF TH E B U SIN E SS TIM E S H OL D IN G S

MEET COMO'S NEW MAYOR

Barbara Buffaloe

TH E

POLITICS IS S UE

COMOMAG.COM

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To Do

ment s ncial state a in f ly month Prepare nline Books O k ic u Q to Convert entry ction data a s n a tr m on Train tea acy or accur f s m te s y our s ols Evaluate nal contr and inter or xpenses f e y n a p com ey Analyze save mon to s ie it n opportu payroll Process al taxes nd feder a te e ta s File insuranc t n e m y lo mp state une Manage evenue arter’s r u q t x e n Forecast nses and e xpe ltant ing consu n n la p s s usine Find a b

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To learn how to contribute, visit: joemachens.com/community

Letter from the Publisher

I

Politics 101

have been thinking about this letter for quite some time. I have just recently spent six months running for city council in Ward 4. I certainly have a lot to say about the matter. There’s so much to say, and I only have this small space. I’ve settled on giving you the highlights of what I have learned if you want to also try running for office which I highly recommend. In no particular order, they are as follows: Keyboard thugs are a real thing. The good news is that they are a small group of people that most will view as extreme and disregard anyway. However, people that have never even met you will talk about you as if they are an authority on the subject. It feels awful especially if you hate to be misunderstood. It’s perfectly fine with me if you don’t like me for who I am, but it really irritates me to have people make opinions about me that aren’t founded in fact. Guess I really should have thought that one through before joining the race.

Be OK with refining your friend circle. Due to the reasons cited above, some people who you thought were your friends and knew you better will believe the keyboard thugs. It will hurt.

However, better to know now than to think they were true blue. Th is is a blessing in disguise.

You’ll meet amazing new friends. I absolutely loved meeting new people.

I have made new friends with the candidates that were running at the same time as me and through the many speaking engagements, forums, and knocking on doors.

You will learn more about our city than you ever thought possible. You’ll suddenly be immersed in an education on

“As much as they may complain about this or that, they likely won’t even vote.” all things sewer, trash, social issues, power transmission, composting food, parks, police, fire, transportation, medical care, housing, and so much more. It’s a lot. But, if you love COMO as I do, you’ll be fascinated.

Most people just don’t care about any of that stuff you have to learn. Just make sure their trash is picked up. They don’t want to talk about violence in our streets.

They don’t want to talk about an aging infrastructure that doesn’t have a plan.

In fact, as much as they may complain about this or that, they likely won’t even vote. Most people don’t understand that the local government affects our lives on a daily basis more than the national government.

People that choose to not run because it’s really hard are right. And, I’m so glad I did. I hope you will, too. If you are thinking about it, let’s have coffee and I’ll tell you the rest. We need you in the game.

ON THE COVER Barbara Buffaloe, the newly elected city mayor, in downtown Columbia.

Photo by Keith Borgmeyer

THE POLITICS ISSUE | A PUBLICATION OF THE BUSINE S S T I M E S H O L D I N G S

MEET COMO'S NEW MAYOR

Barbara Buffaloe

THE

PO L I T I C S ERICA PEFFERMAN PUBLISHER

ISSUE

COMOMAG.COM

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Letter from the Editor

Your Vote — and Voice — Matter. So Use Them.

“I have voted in every possible election since I became of voting age, and I will encourage anyone who will listen to exercise their right to vote.”

F

olks … this one is hard for me.

When the Politics Issue was pitched as a potential theme for 2022, I’ll just say I was less than thrilled. When we came together to actually plan out the issue — I was even less thrilled.

I would not consider myself a “political person.” Now, don’t get me wrong. I have voted in every possible election since I became of voting age, and I will encourage anyone who will listen to exercise their right to vote. I have heard so many people say they don’t vote because they don’t feel like their single vote matters. Locally, that idea was recently disproven when the Ward 3 city council seat election ended in a tie for the fi rst time ever — so I do know that every vote matters.

When I say I am not political, I mostly mean that you will never find me engaged in a Facebook brawl over my personal beliefs. I, like most people, have the side that I tend to lean toward. I will never understand how people choose to like or not like someone due to their political party of choice. The division of people is what I hate about politics. It takes all types to make the world go round!

If I ever were to give any political advice it would be to NEVER let your best friend/boss run for city council!

HA! Kidding, not kidding. That was an experience for all of us, to say the least.

I did learn things through that process that I never imagined learning. I listened to topics that mattered, heard debates from all parties, witnessed the ins and outs of what it is like running a political campaign. It’s brutal! And rewarding.

And every emotion in between. I am very proud of her — but never again, Peff !

I am sure some will think I am naive for wishing we could live in a peaceful, united, and happy world. I understand that people are passionate about the things and topics that matter to them.

And I admire that. I just wish these sometimes sensitive topics could open eyes and bring people together instead of the “cancel culture” we live in today.

A girl can dream.

Th is issue turned out to be a complete learning experience for me. I had to put more research into these topics than I do with most others. A lot of these things were foreign to me, and I hope that each of you relate with something in this issue, and hopefully learn a thing or two.

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes that further explains my wish for a happier and simpler world and way of life: “I miss 9/12….

I would never ever want another 9/11, but I miss the America of 9/12.

Stores ran out of flags to sell because they were being flown everywhere.

People were Americans before they were upper or lower class, Jewish or Christian, Black or White, Republican or Democrat.

We hugged people without caring if they ate Chick-Fil-A or wore Nikes.”

As always, I love hearing from you! What should we talk about in upcoming issues?

Feel free to share, Kim@comomag.com.

XO,

KIM AMBRA EDITOR

COMOMAG.COM

13

PRESENTS

TRUE NORTH STAR FUNDRA ISER

True North is seeking talented individuals to participate in our second annual True North Star singing competition fundraiser.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

True North Star 2021 winners; Ava Morgensen and Allie Bruns!

•

Vocalists submit a preliminary round audition recording.

•

Submitted vocalist tracks will be published on the True North website and Facebook page 8/15-9-15.

•

Preliminary round voting will occur by donation.

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The top five fundraisers will move on to the live finals at

• OCTOBER 15, 2022

for more information and to sign up please or call sarah butler at (573) 875-0503 visit truenorthofcolumbia.org SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE. True North Star is a fundraising event benefitting True North of Columbia, Boone County’s only domestic violence and sexual assault victim services program. Services provided include 24/7 hotline and emergency shelter 365 days per year, as well as a variety of advocacy and counseling services.

Advisory Board

Representing Voices from All Different Walks of Life.

We take pride in representing our community well and we couldn’t do what we do without our COMO Magazine advisory board. Thank You!

Beth Bramstedt A ssociate Pastor C h r i s t i a n F e l l o w s hi p C hu rc h

Heather Brown

Kris Husted Senior Content Editor N PR M i d w e s t N e w s ro o m

Amanda Jacobs Owner J a c o b s Pro p e r t y M a n a g e m e nt

Strategic Partnership Of ficer

Darren Morton

H a r r y S Tr u m a n VA H o s p i t a l

Program Direc tor Tu r n i n g P o i nt

Chris Cottle Wa l k M a n a g e r A lzh e i m e r ’ s A s s o c i a t i o n G re ate r M i s s o u r i C h a p te r

Nickie Davis E xe c u t i v e D i r e c t o r T h e D i s t r i c t , D o w nto w n C I D

David Nivens, C h i e f E xe c u t i v e O f f i c e r M i d w e s t C o m p u te c h

Suzanne Rothwell Vice President A d v a n c e m e nt D i v i s i o n Columbia College

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Author

Chris Horn Reinsurance Manager S h e l te r I n s u r a n c e

Barbra Horrell

La Toya Stevens Director of Communications for the Division of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Universit y of Missouri- Columbia

Consultant

Nathan Todd

H o r re l l A s s o c i a te s

Business Services Specialist F i r s t S t ate C o m m u n i t y B a n k

Jeremiah Hunter A ssistant Police Chief Commander I nv e s t i g a t i o n s B u r e a u

Wende Wagner Direc tor of Philanthropy T h e M i s s o u r i Sy m p h o ny

C o l u m b i a P o l i c e D e p a r t m e nt

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ADJUSTING

YO U R H E A LT H IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

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OUR MISSION To inspire, educate, and entertain the citizens of Columbia with quality, relevant content that reflects Columbia’s business environment, lifestyle, and community spirit.

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FEATURES

77 HONORING COMO’S SMALL BUSINESSES Columbia Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards Class of 2022.

46 WARD 3’S A CROWD Ward 3 makes history with a tie vote between opposing candidates with divergent backgrounds and world views.

The Politics Issue

51 ON THE RECORD

11 Publisher’s Letter

13 Editor’s Letter

15 Meet COMO’s Advisory Board

LIVING 23 ART & CULTURE Election Season’s Must-Have Accessory

25 PET FRIENDLY Paw Patrol

29

WELLNESS With COVID-19 cases rising, what are Boone County’s vaccine rates?

39

GUEST VOICES Columbia Deserves a Centrist Government

42

GOURMET hotDOG!

WORKING 61

CLOSER LOOK

62

BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

65 MOVERS & SHAKERS

66 NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT Comforts of Home

68 BUSINESS UPDATE A New Horizon for Sundvold Financial

71 CANDIDATES YOU SHOULD KNOW Connie Leipard and Kip Kendrick

98 THE LAST WORD

Hear firsthand from the two Ward 3 candidates.

85 CITY OF COLUMBIA’S BOARDS & COMMISSIONS Boards and commissions help advise the city council and make recommendations for the betterment of the City of Columbia.

91

NEW KIDS ON THE CITY BLOCK New Mayor and City Council Ready to Carry COMO Into the Future.

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16TH ANNUAL COASTAL ELECTRIC BJ PALMER MEMORIAL GOLF INVITATIONAL

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Balloon Fundraiser

SEPTEMBER 12, 2022 • 5PM

Country Club of Missouri 1300 Woodrail Avenue • Columbia, MO BENEFITTING Each golf ball purchased directly impacts the lives of those in Woodhaven’s care and creates opportunities for independence and choice. Thank you for embracing all abilities!

It’s not too late to have a team! Contact Jes Baldwin (jbaldwin@woodhaventeam.org) to inquire.

For more information, visit woodhaventeam.org or scan the QR code.

You do not have to be present to win. Disclaimer: Winner is responsible for all taxes and fees that may occur.

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THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

Last year’s winner: Lance Brown

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The owner of the golf ball that lands closest to the hole

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WINS $5,000!

After 500 golf balls have been sold, the prize pool will increase by $1,000 for each additional 100 golf balls sold.

Living

23 ELECTION SEASON’S MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY Battle High School freshman Hailey Mendez Roca wins Boone County’s 2022 ‘I Voted’ sticker contest.

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Living

Election Season's Must-Have Accessory Battle High School freshman Hailey Mendez Roca wins Boone County’s 2022 ‘I Voted’ sticker contest.

BY MOLLY RHODES

Mockup set by Vectorium - freepik.com

E

very two years, the Boone County Clerk’s office holds an ‘I Voted’ sticker competition that’s open to high school students. Contestants can submit their own sticker design, and the winner will see their design adorning the next election’s stickers.

This year’s winner was Hailey Mendez Roca, a freshman at Battle High School.

“I wanted to represent the voters of Boone County, and that’s what the hands represent with the diversity of skin tones,” said Hailey.

Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon shared that the inaugural contest in 2019 was very successful, yielding a lot of positive feedback from the educators and students.

“This competition is a good way to introduce students to the voting process before they are even old enough to vote,” Brianna said.

Hailey was 1 of 5 finalists selected from more than 75 submissions. Her winning artwork will be featured at Boone County’s polling places during the 2022 and 2023 elections.

“We had such a hard time deciding this time on finalists, like last year we had top four and this year we had top five,” Brianna said.

Students can submit their designs to the contest by downloading an entry

form from The Boone County Clerk’s website. Contestants under 18 must also have a signed consent form from a parent. The sticker must include the words ‘I Voted,’ and can be mailed in or sent as a PDF. Judges pare the field down to three to five finalists, then the vote is opened up to the public to determine a winner. People are only allowed to vote once, and the judges overall scores when selecting finalists will be used to determine the winner in case of a tie. The panel of judges consist of many professors, artists, and political figures.

One of the professors on the panel of judges, Deborah Huelsbergen, who teaches graphic design, worked with both winners from the past two years to make their work crisp and clear when they printed the designs on the actual stickers.

Hailey has always enjoyed doodling since she was young and could potentially see herself do something with it in the future. That said, the results did come as a shock to her.

“I didn’t expect to win,” Hailey said.

The other finalists from this year’s competition were Hickman students Cody Bridgewater, Cordelia Maltsbarger, and Amelia Velaquez and Rock Bridge’s Ellery Miller.

ART & CULTURE

“This competition is a good way to introduce students to the voting process before they are even old enough to vote.”

— Brianna Lennon, Boone County Clerk

COMOMAG.COM

23

Paw Patrol

Living

PET FRIENDLY

The triumphs and challenges that accompany working in animal control make the victories truly special and bring the officers together.

BY TEAGAN KING PHOTOS BY JAEDYN COLVIN

T

hough many people think they know what it’s like to work in animal control, it’s a role that is often plagued with misconceptions. COMO’s team of animal control officers want to clarify what’s fact and what’s fiction.

Columbia Animal Control Supervisor Molly Aust has worked in the department for 37 years. She was drawn to the job because of her interest in law enforcement and love of animals, as well as the exciting chance to work for the city.

Molly said she fears many people form their perception of animal control from movies, especially children’s movies that often portray dog catchers as evil and dangerous. She hopes people can begin to understand that animal control officers are not bad people. They just want the best for the community and its pets.

Kevin Meyers is another member of COMO’s animal control team, and he agrees that most people misjudge the job.

“Most people have no clue what we do.

They think we just go out, pick up dogs, and then take them back to the shelter and put them down,” Kevin said.

On a daily basis, the team handles a variety of tasks. Molly said they frequently receive complaints about animals that got loose, though they also encounter bite complaints, conflicts between landlords and residents, and scuffles between dogs where one owner may accuse the other’s dog of attacking theirs. When they do have to take a pet from someone, it is typically taken to the shelter to later be adopted.

COMOMAG.COM

25

Living

PET FRIENDLY

“You get a really good feeling when you’ve done something to get an animal out of that kind of situation.”

- KEVIN MEYERS, COLUMBIA ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

Columbia Animal Control Off icer Tiffani Wiesenhan uses an inf rared thermometer to check the temperature of an unattended vehicle with a dog left inside.

26

THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

Jean Easley has been with Columbia Animal Control for 38 years. She said the job’s biggest challenge comes from working with difficult and uncooperative people.

“It’s really hard to get the people [involved in an incident] to be objective and actually tell you what really happened,” Jean said. “So, a lot of our job has to do with dealing with people, and not as much dealing with the animals.”

While an officer's shift can involve a multitude of cases, most of the their time is spent investigating cruelty cases ranging from a dog kept outside without proper covering or water to someone hoarding animals. Kevin said animal control is very similar to the police in these situations. While they can't make arrests or carry firearms, animal control officers can seek out a warrant. The officer who handled the cruelty case and wrote the summons must testify in court regarding whether an owner can keep their pet.

The officers say the most challenging part of the job comes from seeing animals endure cruelties at the hands of humans. That said, they also agree they must focus on positives to do the job effectively.

“You get a really good feeling when you’ve done something to get an animal out of that kind of situation,” Kevin said. “You can see them transform into a totally different dog.”

After encountering a wide range of situations and people, COMO’s animal control officers are bonded together over their shared experiences and love of helping animals. This connection is incredibly important to them.

“The relationship that we’ve built with each other [is special],” Molly said. “We’re a pretty tight-knit group, we get along well. There isn’t anything that any of us would not do for the other one.”

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Celebrating 15 Years of Service!

Chiropractors that treat you like family.

Chiropractic care is an amazing option for addressing many conditions including the desire to have improved vitality and optimal health. Our team is made up of individuals that want your life to be better. We want to be your complete health and wellness provider in Columbia and vicinity.

These amenities are complementary to our members: • Massage tables available before or after adjustment

• Ample parking

• Email, text, or phone appointment reminders. You can also reply to our text messages and our office will receive your reply.

• Beverage Station with Nutrient-infused fruit water, hot chocolate, Keurig coffee station, Orange Tiger Family cups (take some home for the family!)

• Posture training instruction at key points in your care plan

• Make an appointment through the website, by texting, or by calling

• Family friendly – with a dedicated toy room for your children to enjoy • Free WiFi

• Convenient hours, including early mornings, lunch breaks, and evenings

Feel like yourself again. tigerfamilychiropractic.com | 573.443.1414 3700 Interstate 70 Dr SE #110, Columbia, MO 28

THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

Living

WELLNESS

With COVID-19 cases rising, what are Boone County’s vaccine rates?

Despite vaccines and boosters being available to more age groups, COMO COVID-19 diagnosis remain high.

BY MOLLY RHODES

C

oronavirus (COVID-19) cases have been rising, both in Missouri and across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Columbia/Boone County Health Department recommend that individuals get vaccinated and boosted to continue fighting the virus’s spread.

The health department is offering COVID-19 vaccinations by appointments in its clinics. Anyone age 5 or older is eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, while only individuals 18 and older can receive the Moderna and the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccines.

“There hasn’t been much change in vaccination rates in Boone County, but [there] have been changes in recommendations recently,” said Trina Teacutter, the nursing supervisor at Columbia/ Boone County health department.

The CDC recommends that children aged 5-11 should receive a booster dose five months after their initial vaccination series. Also, the CDC is suggesting that immunocompromised people 12 and older should receive their second booster dose at least four months after their first dose.

“A strongly worded recommendation for people over the age of 50, are advised to get their second booster dose with recent data showing an increase in COVID-19 cases within that age group,” Trina said.

According to the CDC’s Data Tracker for COVID-19, 72.8% of Boone County residents have at least

one dose, 62.3% have been fully vaccinated with the primary doses, and 43.1% have their first booster dose.

“It is more important now than ever to get vaccinated since we know the immunity can waiver over time, and if it’s been 5-6 months from[the] previous dose, then people should schedule to get another dose,” Trina said.

There is no definitive news about any new boosters or vaccines currently. There is anticipation for the approval for children aged 6 months through 4 years to receive the vaccine since there has not been a vaccine available yet for the age group.

According to the CDC, 45% of Boone County children 12 and under are vaccinated. People who are at least 18 years old and have at least one dose of the vaccine represent 46.5%, while those under 65 with one booster dose represent 66.1% of the population.

The CDC’s preferable recommendation for vaccines is the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

“Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccines can cause rare side effects in some cases and has shown to not be as effective. However, if someone isn’t going to be vaccinated at all and is willing to get one dose then the Janssen vaccine is better than to leave them unvaccinated. Some protection is better than no protection,” Trina said. “I would encourage people to go get vaccinated since the cases are going up and to watch out for updates or new news on recommendations.”

Since this article was written, CDC guidelines may have changed.

Please check cdc.gov for the most current COVID-19 vaccination information.

COMOMAG.COM

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THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

ASecretPlaceEvents.com 15663 Graff Drive, Jamestown MO | Phone: 816-833-6505

WHAT THE

HOME

PROS KNOW

BRENDAN ROST

ROST LANDSCAPING

JAKE BAUMGARTNER

BAUMGARTNER’S FURNITURE

JEREMY SPILLMAN

ANNE TUCKLEY

LOMBARDO HOMES

ANNE TUCKLEY HOME

SHAUN HENRY ATKINS

BUILDING A COHESIVE MATERIAL PALETTE

BRENDAN ROST

ROST LANDSCAPING

WHAT THE

HOME

PROS KNOW

Brendan Rost is a Columbia native and son of Rost Landscaping owners Tim and Toby Rost. He grew up playing at the garden center and nursery and has worked in all divisions of Rost Inc. Brendan received his degree in horticulture and design from MU and now works as a designer in the landscaping division. He thrives on building relationships and creating unique landscapes that complement their space.

By Brendan Rost Find more at rostlandscaping.com

(573) 445-4465 ROSTLANDSCAPING.COM

W

hen building out our hardscape material palette, we need to evaluate the surrounding architecture.

The first step is to determine if we want to match the existing materials on the structure, work within an established scheme, or build something more unique with complementary colors and textures.

Many homeowners get trapped into thinking that every surface of an outdoor space has to match exactly. It’s like running the carpet up the walls of that sweet van you had in high school. It’s easy to make everything match but regrettable in ten years. In reality, cohesion creates interest more than mimicking and there are many ways to achieve that.

Modern designs tend to be minimalistic and incorporate straight lines and simple color palettes. This, more so than other styles, relies heavily on high-quality materials to pull off the look. With a simple design and color palette, much more focus is drawn to the material itself which makes flaws and appeal equally apparent.

Knowledge of the industry and hands on experience with materials is a must.

Higher end, wet-cast pavers, porcelain, and certain natural stones can give you glossy look and provide nice contrast from other mid-tier products. Altering texture is also a must. A smooth paver pairs well with a more elaborate vertical element like

kitchens or walls. Mixing types of materials can deliver the same color palette but the variety of finishes provides interest and enhances the look to avoid feeling too sterile and boring.

Combining cool and warm colors correctly can also create pops of color and draw the eye to key areas but needs to be used sparingly.

A warm-toned patio can mesh well with a cool-toned structure as long as some elements are pulled through the hardscape. Conversely, slight variations in tone or texture yields a sleek, modern look that Photos provided by Columbia Pool and Spa can still draw the eye.

There is more than one so if we add bold elements in one area, it’s right answer for every best to counterbalance it with simplicity design, it just comes down to the client’s in another. Regardless of style, the perfect taste and the architecture. Building the material palette is crucial to ensure the perfect material palette is a feeling-out dream design becomes the perfect reality. process. Each material is interconnected

BUYING FURNITURE ONLINE VS. IN-STORE

WHAT THE

JAKE BAUMGARTNER BAUMGARTNER’S FURNITURE

HOME

PROS KNOW

Jake essentially grew up in the furniture industry, as he is the fourth generation involved in Baumgartner’s Furniture. Working very closely with his father, Alan, Jake has been devoted to the stores full-time since 2004. His greatest enjoyment, however, still comes from working closely with the customers. He is married to Sarah, and they have two active boys, Noah and Laine. Jake received his degree in finance from Saint Louis University.

By Jake Baumgartner Find more at baumgartners.com

(573) 256-6288 BAUMGARTNERS.COM

E

-commerce is more popular now than ever before as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It seems that everything is available for online ordering, from food to furniture. Given that it is possible to order almost anything from anywhere with little effort other than finger movement, online shopping will always be more convenient. But where does that leave in-store shopping?

One benefit of in-person shopping is that customers can interact with products directly as they shop. Though we do post items on our website, visiting in person makes all the difference. Shopping in person allows you to feel the quality of each item. You can sit and test if it’s comfortable, and you know the true scale of an item without breaking out a measuring tape. Although you can read internet reviews and see what other people have to say, you won’t know how you feel about a piece purchased online until it’s in front of you. Instead of worrying about a potential return, you are purchasing something you know you adore.

Customer service is a timeless concept, and something we pride ourselves on at Baumgartner’s Furniture. Having an expert assist you in finding everything

you need, as well as items you didn’t know you wanted, is one significant benefit of the in-store experience.

Additionally, it enables you to get what you want exactly when you want it. You won’t have to worry about delivery costs or wait for a shipping date (Though we do offer delivery throughout the state of Missouri). If you so choose, you get to take your items with you when you leave.

At Baumgartner’s Furniture, we are dedicated to providing the best service to our customers, no matter their shopping preference. For a more handson experience, we do suggest visiting us in stores, but if you prefer to shop online, visit our website to see what we offer.

You can always call for our best price and more information. Either way, we’ll help you find the perfect product.

5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BUILDING ON YOUR LAND

JEREMY SPILLMAN LOMBARDO HOMES

By Jeremy Spillman Find more at lombardohomes.com

Y

ou’ve found the perfect land – now it needs the perfect home. Before you grab a shovel and start breaking ground, there are some questions you need to answer: What type of financing do you need? How long will it take? What are the hidden costs?

That’s where I come in! (Don’t worry, I know someone who will dig the land and build the home, too.) Below, find five essential items to ask yourself about building a home on your own land.

1. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO BUILDING ON MY OWN LAND? There are so many benefits to building on your own land! Oftentimes, you don’t have the same Homeowners Requirements that you do when you build in a new community.

You can pick a homesite within a desired school district with a lot of good acreage, or one in sought-after areas such as near a golf course or a bustling downtown.

2. WHAT STEPS DO I NEED TO TAKE TO BUILD ON MY OWN LAND? The construction process for building on your own land versus within a community can be similar, but with some notable differences. When building on your own land, your first two steps are to secure financing and find the perfect homesite.

Once you’ve done that, your homebuilder should take over! At Lombardo Homes, we start with a site evaluation to determine how your home will fit on the land. Then, we collect lot-specific information such as permits, utilities, topography, and more.

After the due-diligence period is complete and you’ve signed your construction agreement, it’s time to permit your home, pick your colors, and begin construction.

3. WHAT TYPE OF FINANCING IS REQUIRED? Building on your own land typically requires you to have a construction loan. We encourage our clients to secure financing before meeting with a sales manager, but if you don’t have a lender, don’t fret! Most builders have a team

WHAT THE

HOME

PROS KNOW

With a fascination of architectural design and his own knack for design, a young Jeremy Spillman started Spillman Contracting to focus on smaller projects and remodels. Fourteen years later, Spillman Homes was born, allowing Jeremy to expand his team and his knowledge of remodels and new home builds. Thanks to expert design and craftsmanship, business grew exponentially, and Spillman Homes caught the attention of regional homebuilders. Jeremy joined forces with a regional partner in 2021. Now, Jeremy is the division president of Lombardo Homes Columbia, where he oversees the sales and construction of luxury, custom homes in the Columbia market.

LOMBARDO HOMES OF COLUMBIA 573-542-0605 LOMBARDOHOMES.COM

of lenders they’ve worked with in the past that they can recommend.

4. WHEN SHOULD I MEET WITH A SALES MANAGER? Meet with one as soon as you’re approved so you can start the site evaluation and due diligence on your land before you purchase it!

5. WHAT ARE THE HIDDEN COSTS OF BUILDING ON MY OWN LAND? It’s best to find a builder who is upfront about the base price of your home and what it includes. But there may be costs associated with building on your land that are not reflected in the initial purchase price. Tree

clearing, grading, driveway length, utilities, and municipality requirements can add to the land’s overall price. At Lombardo Homes, we strive to uncover these costs during the duediligence period so you know what to expect when signing a construction agreement.

Building on your own land can feel overwhelming, but finding a reputable builder that is familiar with the on-your-land building process will help ease the stress and allow you to focus on the items throughout the build that are most important to you. The end result will be a beautiful, quality, and efficient home on a site you love.

TURNING TASKS INTO CRAFTS

By Anne Tuckley Find more at AnneTuckleyhome.com

W

e live in a chaotic world. There never seems to be enough time in a day. Most people are sleep deprived, overworked, underpaid, and balancing multiple stressors while struggling to find any real quality time to spend with family and friends.

It’s exhausting.

I work with my exhausted clients to help them create a home that reduces their stress rather than increases it. Whether it is helping to organize, paint, decorate, or simply reassure them that they can create a fantastic space with what they already own, I want them to feel a little more empowered and a little less exhausted.

One of the fabulous things about design is that it is essentially one large art project. And like any art project, design can easily be turned into a fun family activity. Anytime you can take a need-to-do and turn it into a want-to-do, stress is reduced.

The following list provides a few examples of interior design projects that are fun, impactful, and doable with friends, loved ones, and even your little ones. Plus, children love to see their hard work proudly displayed in their home!

ANNE TUCKLEY

WHAT THE

HOME

PROS KNOW

ANNE TUCKLEY HOME Anne has been in the interior design industry for more than 20 years and has resided in metropolitan cities ranging from NYC to Houston while honing her skills. Her specialties are interior design and home staging with a focus on unique perception. Anne graduated with a BFA in fine arts with a concentration in design and illustration. She has extensive experience in designing new construction as well as remodeling and conceptualizing out-of-the-box ideas. She ensures cutting-edge design and superb customer service.

108 CORPORATE LAKE DRIVE COLUMBIA, MO, 65203 (573) 639-1989 ANNETUCKLEYHOME.COM

1. Go shopping for eclectic fabric and reupholster your dining chairs. Have a kid’s table set? Let your child paint fabric to cover the cushion or paint the chairs directly.

2. Paint the internal backside of bookcases and cabinets for a visual color pop.

Feeling creative? Add some stencil work, your own drawings, or texture.

3. Have a beautiful frame but no picture? Paint a piece of thin wood with chalkboard paint and turn that beautiful frame into a useful memo display.

4. Let the kiddos paint and glue mosaic tiles to plain vases or plant pots.

5. Purchase lamp kits and turn a wine bottle, mason jar, woven basket, or vase into a unique lamp.

Happy decorating!

WHAT THE

COOL SEASON VS. WARM SEASON GRASS

SHAUN HENRY

A Columbia native, Shaun Henry found a home at Atkins in 2000 when he started his career as a turf technician.

Shaun holds a commercial applicator’s license through the Missouri Department of Agriculture and is a member of the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the Mid-America Green Industry Council, and the Missouri Green Industry Alliance. Shaun strongly believes in the importance of a great customer experience where the Atkins staff knows their clients and anticipates their needs accordingly.

Shaun is an MU alumnus and has a degree in plant science.

Find more at AtkinsInc.com

I

DOWN TO THE “ISSUES” • Cool season turf thrives during those cooler months, but it can turn brown and go dormant during the hot Mid-Missouri summers. Typically, these grasses will green back up once the fall rains start up again.

• Warm season turf goes dormant in the fall and brown all winter. It greens back up when soil temperatures hit 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the spring.

• Both cool and warm season grasses are susceptible to fungal disease. Cool season

PROS KNOW

ATKINS

By Shaun Henry

n the lawn and landscape industry, we have to pay attention to USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zones and how well plants adapt to their environments. COMO falls into zone 6A, which means our average coldest temperatures fall between minus 5 and minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit. When buying new plants for your property, their hardiness zone rating will tell you how likely the plant is to survive our winters. It’s pretty disappointing to put in a new plant only to watch it freeze and die during one of our early fall or late spring cold snaps.

As for turf, we talk about cool season grasses versus warm season grasses. Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, bentgrass, fine fescue and perennial ryegrass make up the list of cool season grasses we see here, and they grow best in the spring and fall seasons. Zoysia and bermudagrass are the predominant warm season grasses, but we occasionally also see some Buffalo grass as well. These grasses can survive the heat and dry spells we get.

Similar to the USDA Hardiness zone map, there is a map defining turf management zones. We fall into what is called the Transition Zone, which means neither warm nor cool season grasses will do well every year here. So which way do you lean?

HOME

573-874-5100 ATKINSINC.COM

•

•

•

•

•

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•

grasses usually brown during the late spring and summer months, while the warm season grasses get hit in the cooler months. You have to know what grass you have in the lawn to better understand what disease damage you’re seeing.

Cool season grasses should be fertilized in the early spring and fall. Fertilizing over the summer can cause stress and promote disease issues.

Warm season grass can be fertilized over the summer months while it is actively growing. Fertilizing during its dormant period is not a good idea.

For you golfers, Creeping Bentgrass (cool season) makes for a great putting surface while zoysia (warm season) works really well for your fairway shots.

Cool season grasses can produce a much darker green color than warm season grasses.

Warm season grasses are typically more efficient photosynthesizers than cool season.

To stay green all summer, cool season grasses require lots of irrigation or rainfall water.

Warm season grasses like Buffalo tend to require less input (fertility and water) and can perform better in “low maintenance” situations.

• Cool season grass, if maintained appropriately, can crowd out weeds, but often requires some sort of weed control to totally get rid of them. Seeding can also help fill any thin or bare spots to reduce the space for weeds to move into the lawn.

• If maintained appropriately, warm season grasses can grow in a dense mat that doesn’t allow weeds ever to come up. It can also spread, some faster than others, to repair damaged spots without any seeding.

• Planting cool season grass ideally would be done in the early fall when temperatures and available moisture are more favorable.

• Planting warm season grasses typically would be done late spring to early summer and be ready to water regularly to help with establishment and growth.

• Cool season grasses usually require a taller mowing height than warm season turf to look their best. The lower you cut, the more input and maintenance the lawn will require to stay in good health.

Many COMO lawns have a mixture of both cool and warm season grasses mixed in. No matter which side of the turfgrass aisle you find yourself, we love taking care of your lawn and landscape. If you ever have a question about turf, trees, and the pests that damage them, you know what to do!

SAVE THE DATE

2ND ANNUAL SMALL BUSINESS FESTIVAL

September 22, 2022 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM Clary-Shy Park MU Health Care Pavilion 1769 W. Ash Street Columbia, MO 65203

This event is FREE to attend with activities for the whole family, live music, food trucks, and more!

If you are interested in showcasing your small business at the fest, contact Chad Massman, Director of Membership, at chad@ColumbiaMOChamber.com.

PRESENTED BY

COMOMAG.COM

37

YO U R P R E -CON S T RU CT I ON PART N E R

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THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

Living

GUEST VOICES

Columbia Deserves a Centrist Government

BY ST EVE SPELLMAN

I

recall years ago, as a member of a local civic organization, a policy vote was taking place in a committee I was on. I was thinking the proposal at hand was by no means terrible, but in Steve’s perfect world, this was not the direction to ideally go.

However, it struck me that I was not there for my own kicks and grins, but instead at the behest of my committee.

And, in fact, this vote was about what was most appropriate for this committee and its community organization.

In fact, my vote was not for Steve’s perfect world, but what was best for the community at large. In this light, my “No” vote necessarily became a “Yes” vote.

As a local election season rounds out (well, except for a pending second round for COMO’s Third Ward), and another midterm lurks this fall, the importance of voting gets talked up extra often.

We citizens have been trained to vote for what we perceive is in our own best interests, to push for what we each imagine to be our own perfect world. Party politics intensify this collectively as “us vs. them.” The common insinuation being that not only are “they” wrongheaded, their bad ideas must also arise from evil intentions and might as well have horns coming out of their heads.

Thank goodness Columbia’s City Council elections are nonpartisan, as party affiliation would add a whole other dimension to COMO’s contention. And though council candidates don’t have a ‘D’ or ‘R’ by their name, everybody knows what’s up. Often, the local political rhetoric can get swept up in the polarizing national public discussion.

There’s an old saying that people get the government they deserve. This usual-

ly comes across in a sarcastic tone like, “Them darn voters, serves ‘em right getting what or who they elected!”

What Government Does COMO Deserve?

Depends on who you ask, huh? Well, maybe that’s part of the problem.

COMO has lots of different kinds of folks based on age, background, profession, income level, lifestyle, cultural preference, etc. Should all these varied lives be run by the forced-through preferences of whatever political movement succeeds on this or that Election Day or city council meeting?

Should we in COMO be for trash bags or roll carts? For green energy or not?

Pro-police or anti-police? For or against public parks?

Neither entirely, but likely some of both.

Instead, this town deserves a balanced, centrist approach from City Hall.

That is not Steve’s perfect world, nor likely yours.

The Trash Wars The dumbfounding controversy over what residential trash collection method shall be for the whole city cries out for any solution. Leaving bags on the curb is convenient for many residents, but it’s hard on the workers who pick them up.

Others want a rollout of roll-carts, which many other communities seem to perform adequately.

Both have benefits and drawbacks, some of that is preference. It’s OK. Roll carts seem to get the tiebreaker overall with the Spellman clan, considering our household habits and garage space. Our family, like many area households, will actually shoulder-shrug and go along with whatever.

COMOMAG.COM

39

Living

GUEST VOICES

Some opinions say that the city ought to just privatize the whole thing, which combats the ethos of others who would refuse to even put privatization on the table of options — an equally doctrinaire, biased insistence.

Full privatization should at least be on the table, as should at least opening up trash collection to competition from private providers. Or the city could maintain its current trash monopoly, but explore offering customers the option of bags or a roll cart.

To Green or Not to Green?

New COMO Mayor Barbara Buffaloe is certainly eco-minded, and now climate activists are proposing the local electric grid go 100% renewable by 2030 — a short eight years from now. This new push, following a national and global movement, presumably comes without concern about possible sharp increases in our electric bills.

Defund the Police or Back the Blue?

Since the brutal murder of George Floyd in Minnesota, national concerns about local policing everywhere became front and center. COMO has zero consensus to defund or decommission its police department, nor do we want to ignore oversight of law enforcement tactics or outcomes.

Even seasoned law enforcement professionals see that the disturbances they run into anymore aren’t just killers, robbers, or wild drivers, but domestic disputes and the mentally imbalanced.

So maybe adding expertise in the social work and mental health professions would help, as long as it in addition to existing strained officer staffing.

Community policing in targeted neighborhoods seems to have wide support to help residents put a face and name to their public safety servants. The Citizens Police Review Board, if composed of a balance of perspectives and lived experi-

COMO desperately deserves leadership and a government that is fair and beneficial to ALL its citizens.

expanded greatly. At the same time, city streets seem more potholed and congested, police are chronically understaffed, and the fire department has clearly not been expanded to keep pace with the growth of the city footprint. Plus, there is the backlog of other infrastructure, with major deferred maintenance to sewers, water lines, and the electric grid.

Supporting parks and recreation opportunities should not be a binary decision between aggressive expansion eternally vs. have none at all. But the fiscal reality is that this ratio of municipal priorities has grown into an obvious imbalance.

By the People, For the People Proper consensus that is appropriate for our city cannot be determined only by the 10-20% of registered voters who usually come out on the first Tuesday of each April. Nor should it be in the hands of 20-30 organized citizens who pack the city council chambers on Monday night stumping for their favorite cause. There are tens of thousands of equally important citizens who never enter city hall or even know who their council member is.

Rotary International maintains an ethical guide for its members for their personal and professional lives, called “The Four-Way Test”: Of the things we think, say or do: 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

The municipal electric utility has had tiered renewable energy targets over many years already, so we should already be on our way. Few complaints abound as there is a very moderate provision of a 3% cost increase constraint.

A more centrist take that fits our community in general would be to update the targets of this existing strategy, and immediately offer a checkbox option so any household can opt to buy 100% renewable energy from the city.

Many passionate people want to do something, while others just want to keep costs low. Who often don’t get heard are everyday people who would kind of like a reasonable balance of those two priorities, and not necessarily overnight.

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THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

ences, could ideally be a trusted intermediary body between the clashes of public rhetoric and real-life examples of citizen complaints and bad PR.

Lots of Parks or Not At All? As someone who rides a bike and frequents local green space, I have a personal interest in bike trails and park space in general. Any town worth its own salt is going to have city parks, and with COMO being a college town with an above average income, it’s to be expected we’ll have an above average share of green space. Many of us find real value in these amenities.

Because voters approved extra park funding 20 years ago, that network has

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? https://my.rotary.org/en/guiding-principles Likewise, COMO desperately deserves leadership and a government that is fair and beneficial to ALL its citizens. That means refraining from anybody’s perfect world by focusing on what we all need instead of pushing our own political preferences on everybody else.

Steve Spellman is a lifelong Columbia-area resident and political observer.

Meet the Eagle Bluffs Wealth Management Advisory Board!

Doug, Andrew, and Jeff have incredibly strong backgrounds in banking and investments; we are excited to continue to work with them as we grow and navigate the future.

DOUG MOORE

ANDREW BEVERLEY

For over 40 years, Doug Moore has diligently served clients as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional, investment portfolio manager, and Chief Investment Officer at regional financial institutions, including Boone County National Bank/Central Trust Company and Landmark Bank, where he served as both the Chief Investment Officer and later, the head of the Trust and Investment Division. He retired in 2020, following the acquisition of Landmark Bank by Simmons Bank. During his career, Doug worked closely with and mentored many of the Eagle Bluffs’ team members and is delighted to continue working with the team by serving as a member of the Eagle Bluffs Wealth Management Advisory Board. Beyond his work in the financial services industry, Doug has served on the boards of several local organizations and continues to volunteer with the Great Rivers Council of Boy Scouts of America.

He is the father of four daughters and has ten grandchildren, and he enjoys spending time outdoors camping, bicycling, a little fishing, and, since retirement, playing pickleball.

Andrew Beverley has served the banking community for almost 40 years, at local, regional, and national banks, including Bank of America, Central Bank, Landmark Bank, and Neighbors Bank. He left community banking in 2016 to start Neighbors Bank, an online commercial bank affiliated through common ownership with Veterans United. Since becoming President & CEO of Neighbors Bank, Neighbors Bank now makes mortgage loans in 49 of 50 states and continues to grow rapidly. Andrew retired from Neighbors Bank in December 2021 but remains involved as a Director. Andrew has spent almost 20 years either managing or overseeing various Trust/Investment Departments/Divisions at local banks. As a member of the Eagle Bluffs Wealth Management Advisory Board, he brings extensive expertise in community banking, managing Trust/Investment Departments, and centering the client experience to best serve not just his own clients, but the community as a whole. Andrew and his wife, Cynthia, have lived in Columbia since 1999; their two grown children and their families live on the West Coast.

JEFF M ac LELLAN For the past 38 years, Jeff has amassed extensive and varied experience in the banking industry, where he has served as President and CEO of several local/regional banks, including First National Bank and the Landrum Co., bank holding company for Landmark Bank. Under his leadership, the Landrum Co. became a billion dollar plus bank with operations in three states and with over 35 locations. Jeff brings a deep and nuanced understanding of the banking industry to the Eagle Bluffs Wealth Management Advisory board, including raising and selling capital, and performing mergers and acquisitions, financial analysis, risk management and mitigation, regulatory compliance, financial and strategic planning, among a host of other skills. Jeff and his wife have two married children and eight grandchildren. He spends his time spoiling the grandchildren and traveling. Since retiring, he has stayed current with business and economic conditions, writes relevant and regular articles with a local paper, and occasionally teaches. Jeff has always been active in the community and has served on many boards, including serving as President for seven of those boards.

E AG L E B LU F FS.C O M | 573-507-9 084 Eagle Bluffs Wealth Management LLC is a registered investment advisor.

Living

GOURMET

hotdog!

How a series of coincidences led Just Jeff's owners down the path of delicious success.

BY AMANDA LONG | PHOTOS BY ANTHONY JINSON 42

THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

A

lthough Just Jeff ’s started as a oneman show — hence the name — Jeff Spencer and his wife, Nicole, now work with an incredible team to keep up with the ever-growing customer demand.

“I pretty much had a mid-life crisis — I just wasn’t happy,” laughs Jeff Spencer as he remembers when he started. “I could have gotten a Corvette or a girlfriend, but I settled for a hot dog cart.”

In 2013, Jeff left truck driving behind to sell hot dogs from a cart on the MU campus.

But not just any hot dogs. Jeff says the first of many “coincidences” that led him to where he is today was the choice to serve Vienna All-Beef, authentic Chicago-style hotdogs, to a student population that, at the time, was approximately 60% Illinois-based. “As soon as I put my Vienna Beef sign out, the line was a mile long every day.”

Born and raised in COMO, Jeff has fond memories of cooking from an early age. He recalls spending time at a family-owned livestock auction in Boonville. “Mrs. Harvey, who ran the restaurant, babysat me because I was too little to go in the back. I was 10 years old and stood on a chair and flipped burgers,” recalls Jeff.

“I remembered the seasonings that lined the shelf above her head, so when I started making burgers on the side grill of my hotdog cart, I tried to replicate the same combination she used.”

Within two years, Jeff ’s campus hot dog cart success allowed him to open his first permanent location on The Loop. The new restaurant offered a drive-through, walk-up window, and patio seating. Plus, it featured Just Jeff ’s already famous variety of hotdogs, cheeseburgers and expanded menu options such as chicken tenders, a pork tenderloin sandwich, tater tots, crinkle-cut fries and locally made Backer's Potato Chips.

“During COVID-19, the Business Loop location stayed busy because we were able to continue to serve people; they just had to maintain social distance while they stood in line.

We were used to doing a lot of to-go orders prior to the pandemic where other restaurants had to quickly figure it out – it was actually one of the best years we had,” says Jeff.

Just Jeff ’s great success led to the opening of a second in 2019 south COMO location.

The new restaurant featured an elevated, open kitchen design that Jeff prides himself on being one of the cleanest in COMO. “Customers can see their food being cooked and think that’s pretty cool,” says Jeff.

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Living

GOURMET

shocked

“I’m still every morning when I wake up how much business we did the day before.”

- JEFF SPENCER, JUST JEFF'S OWNER

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THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

Living

GOURMET

The Green Meadows Just Jeff ’s is managed by Nicole, Jeff ’s wife, whom he met on a blind date 13 years ago. According to Jeff, neither of them wanted to go on it, another “coincidence” on the path to success.

“When I met her, she was an elementary school principal in Pilot Grove. Neither of us had ever even worked in a restaurant. Nicole was smart enough to figure it all out and lead me in the right direction. I couldn’t do it now without her.”

Jeff says they work hard to provide the highest level of customer service at the two locations, which are both open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. “I’m still shocked every morning when I wake up how much business we did the day before.”

Jeff still utilizes his two hot dog carts for on-site caterings, including a recent event at Warm Springs Ranch in Boonville where he fed over 750 per day.

Over Memorial Day week, Jeff fed the MU football team and hopes to be feeding the Kansas City Chiefs in the near future.

“It’s our customers that make our success possible — the people of Columbia really want local and show a huge amount of support. As a startup, if you can be local and be good, they will come to you.

Sometimes I think our customers think they are just as successful as I am. They feel like they are a part of our success and excited for it.”

Today, Just Jeff ’s has 17 full-time employees, and some would argue, the best burger in town. The most popular menu item according to Jeff, is the double cheeseburger. “Our burgers are smash burger-style and I use high-quality, 80/20, certified Angus ground chuck.” Jeff says most menu items are sprinkled with the homemade seasoning blend of his childhood.

In an effort to help other restaurant startups, Jeff became involved in the Business Loop Community Improvement District. That organization, along with the Regional Economic Development Group Inc. and The City of Columbia, founded COMO Cooks, a shared commercial kitchen available for rent. The project provides food producers in the greater COMO area with an affordable space to scale up their businesses without the high cost of construction or ownership.

Jeff loves being a part of the strong support network of local businesses in Columbia. “The cost of starting a restaurant can be a barrier, and I wanted to find a way to help those folks,” says Jeff.

As for the future, Jeff plans to work hard to sustain his two current locations, along with their menus and catering. “With the state of the economy and the increasing price of food and supplies, I am trying to maintain what we have now. We just don’t know what is going to happen — you’ve just got to dig your heels in and hold on to what you have.”

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WARD 3'S A CROWD STO RY A N D PH OTO S BY M I K E M U R PHY

I

f City Councilman Karl Skala hasn’t changed much in his more than two decades of public service to COMO, than the city itself certainly has. When he first ran for a third-ward seat back in 2007, Skala’s progressive views on responsible growth and development clashed with business interests. But it resonated with a concerned electorate, and his victory established a new left wing to the council’s partisan politics.

But with the election of Pat Fowler from the first ward in 2020, the foremost concern of the council’s most progressive members and likeminded citizens had evolved to the pursuit of equity and social justice for the city’s most disadvantaged.

Now 75, Skala is the longest-serving member of a city council known for its dysfunction and ineffectiveness. Facing re-election, headwinds of change, and voters who may view his considerable experience as more liability than asset, he met with potential successors last year. After determining there were no other qualified or suitable candidates willing to run, he decided to stand for a fifth three-year term.

One of the spurned potential successors was 38-year-old Roy Lovelady, who rose to prominence organizing peaceful protests and appearing before the city council amid outrage over the May 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. Lovelady felt he was being ignored by council members and decided to run for Skala’s seat. The result was a stunning tie in the April municipal elections with 1,102 votes each. A second election just for Ward 3 voters will take place during the regular Aug. 2 primary election. With stark differences between the candidates, the outcome will have consequences for the entire city — in particular, how the city council continues to grapple with issues involving its police department.

Columbia’s six wards each have more than 20,000 residents — about the same as cities like Sedalia, Warrensburg or Rolla — and take on their own personas. The third ward may be the most eclectic. It’s largely northeast over I-70. Route B extends through the middle, connecting many of Columbia’s industrial jobsites with aging, working-class neighborhoods. There’s uncomfortably high poverty and crime in pockets throughout the ward, particularly around Clark Lane west of Ballenger Lane. But east of Ballenger has bloomed with new construction of middle-class homes. Families and young professionals are moving into new homes in the growing area around Battle high and elementary school. And old neighborhoods like Benton-Stephens, Columbia County Club and tree-lined Woodridge have maintained their historic identities.

So, it’s no surprise the ward would produce a pair of opposing candidates with such divergent backgrounds and world views.

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Skala, a septuagenarian, white, raised in suburban Chicago, adopted son of a tooland-die maker and stay-at-home mom; comfortable childhood, summered in Wisconsin; formally educated, chose the sciences over music; retired MU researcher; Vietnam-era Marine, served stateside; three kids, 30 years with second wife; big D Democrat, participates in the local party; recognizable in travel vest over Aloha shirt with an ear stud.

Lovelady, not yet 40, black and gay; moved to Columbia from Kennett to live with his aunt when he was 13, mom followed a year later; knows poverty; Gentry Middle School, Hickman High School; started earning money doing hair at 13, opened his own salon at 20, later added a dance studio; single, focused on his businesses; small D Democrat, has not been active in party politics, says he has some Libertarian views; founded Peoples Defense to speak out on injustice; renown performing drag artist.

Yes, drag queen. The nationally famous Mahajanay Demornay. And he thinks Skala is trying to use it against him, so he’s happy to talk about it and answer any questions.

“I’ve been doing drag since I was 21,” Lovelady said. “It has allowed me a lot of opportunities. I’ve travelled all over the United States doing it. And it’s been lucrative for me. I make money. And I love it because it allows me to put all of my talents and my abilities into one art form. I do hair, I do makeup, I dance and sing, I sew, I communicate. That’s everything that I do, all in one art form.”

Lovelady said when he decided to run for office, he also made the decision to be transparent about his lifestyle.

“So, there have been lots of people who say ‘You’re going to have to try to hide this,’” he said. “Why would I try to hide it? I still host shows locally. I’m unapologetically me.

When it comes to sexuality, I don’t hide it.

One thing you have to be, to be leader, is proud of who you are. I can’t represent anybody in the ward if I’m not comfortable with who I am. More so, I’m proud of who I am.”

Skala, who ran unopposed in his last election, admits he may have underestimated Lovelady, the candidate.

“I’ll admit, I was in a bubble,” Skala told members of the Benton-Stephens Neighborhood Association during a campaign talk recently. “People told me I was going to win by two-thirds. I thought, well, that sounds good. That makes sense.”

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WARD THREE

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Skala’s path to the city council began shortly after moving into the Meadowlands subdivision when a planned commercial development threatened to change the character of his new neighborhood.

He helped organize the Hominy Branch Neighborhood Alliance, brokered a compromise with the developers, and ended up with an appointment to the city’s planning and zoning commission. Seven years later he won his first election to the city council. He also served on the city’s former Environment and Energy Commission. He believes that’s the appropriate experience for a city council member.

“One of the things that bothers me the most is I would be perfectly willing to turn this over to somebody if there was somebody who at least showed interest in getting involved in some of the board and commissions and show some interest in third ward issues,” Skala said. “But nobody surfaced.”

Lovelady said his leadership during the George Floyd incident and his experience before the city council speaks for itself. An unfortunate encounter with Columbia PD some years ago has also helped shape his perspective.

“When George Floyd was killed, all I could think of was that could have been me,” Lovelady said. “I had gotten pulled over and the police beat me crazy. Had it not been for somebody there recording, I could have been a George Floyd right here in Columbia.”

Lovelady said he was headed home from his salon, at the time near Rangeline and Business Loop, in his vehicle about 2 a.m. one night, when he cut across a parking lot with the car lights inadvertently off.

“It escalated because I didn’t want to take my side satchel off and they accused me of having a gun and the police office reached in my car,” Lovelady said. “I made a bad decision and crossed the parking lot with my lights not on, but it escalated from there.

They beat me black and blue. But I lived to tell it. So, when George Floyd came out, I was so empathic I put myself in those shoes and thought that could have been me.

“Immediately people took to the streets and wanted to protest, to be violent and tear up,” Lovelady continued. “I’ve never been one that wants to destroy things. I just see it as ignorance. We have to have a better strategy. So, I got out and I knew these people. I’m part of the community.

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I talked to those people and they trusted me. They respect me. It went from tearing things up to be able to make a peaceful protest and get the attention of the council. And when we got the attention of council, I was asking ‘what’s next.’”

But when Lovelady appeared in front of the city council to talk about getting the city’s chokehold policy changed, he was disappointed.

“Every time I got before council, it seemed as if somebody was writing, somebody wasn’t paying attention, like my story just fell on mute ears because I didn’t look like them, or maybe because I may not talk like them,” Lovelady said. “I wasn’t a prevalent person in the community. It was like, ‘oh, here he come again.’ So, I decided if they are not listening to me, I’m going to run for this seat so that I can make sure that my voice is heard and that we can see some change.”

Policing issues have been among the most contentious on the city council. The council members are often divided on issues such as police department funding, the power and reach of citizen oversight, and racial disparity in traffic stops.

Councilpersons Matt Pitzer and Betsy Peters are generally considered the more conservative members of the council, and their votes have often been supportive of police positions. New Mayor Barbara Buffaloe came to office with well-known progressive views, but pragmatic and generally supportive of the police department.

Skala, whose daughter is a retired cop from another city, is making it clear he’s a supporter of law enforcement.

“I’m a big advocate of supporting our police department,” Skala said recently at a campaign talk. “My complete support is behind Police Chief Geoff Jones and the police department. There are some issues.

There are traffic stop issues. There are some issues with racial sensitivity. But I think we’re making great progress and I’m very encouraged by that. I’m a little dismayed that there is so much criticism, particularly from the city council dais, about some of our disappointments rather than trying to support the police department.”

He was referring to Councilperson Fowler, who’s not averse to asking hard questions of city staff and is also openly supporting the election of Lovelady. Fowler is the energy behind the council’s social justice consciousness and is often joined

by likeminded councilpersons Nick Foster and Andrea Waner. Their views loosely align with the Columbia-based advocacy group Race Matters, Friends, which seeks to end racial inequities, promote equity and inclusion, and is deeply involved in Columbia’s policing issues. Columbia resident Kendra Jackson is treasurer for Race Matters, Friends and for the Lovelady campaign committee.

Lovelady said he believes we need police, but they should be held more accountable.

“When I think about policing, I think all the way back to why we even got police officers, and they were slave catchers,” he said. “I think that the mentality of the police department has not changed. It’s still catching slaves in my opinion. But I feel that we would have way more crime if we did not have police.

“I am not opposed to the police,” Lovelady continued. “I have said this over and over again. Chief Jones says what he thinks community policing is, and then what he thinks is happening, and he doesn’t see that the police are doing anything wrong.

I see that as there’s no accountability for the police. You give them more and more money. They say they’re going to do this, this and this. But yet, it’s the same process.

Where does the accountability lie? I believe, yes, we need the police. I do not think we need to defund them. But I think that when handing them more money, we need to hold them more accountable.

“They already police themselves,” Lovelady said. “When somebody makes a complaint, it goes to the chief first. Then he gets to make a decision if he feels like it needs to go to the Citizens Police Review Board, so it’s all the police policing themselves. Where do we get a guarantee that citizens have a voice and there is some accountability?”

Skala said he’s frustrated with the ongoing acrimony.

“I’ve made the joke that I’m not sure who I’m going to vote for in this election,” Skala said. “After a while, you get kind of tired of being beaten over the head. But I’m definitely in it to win it. It’s frustrating because it’s not normally the way it used to be. I’m a little bit nostalgic for some of the earlier councils that seemed to gel a little better.

Everyone seemed to be pulling in the same direction, including the public. They would try to encourage you to do certain things.

It’s not that way anymore. It’s different.”

ON THE RECORD Hear f irsthand f rom the two third-ward candidates.

BY L AUR EN S A BL E FR E I M A N | PHOTO S BY L A NA E K LU ND

The April 5 election for Columbia City Council’s Third Ward seat ended with challenger Roy Lovelady and four-term incumbent Karl Skala both collecting 1,102 votes. A special election to f ill the seat will take place during Missouri's Primary Election Day on August 2.

What is each candidate’s vision for the city’s future? How do they feel about this election ending in the city's f irst-ever tie? Get to know the candidates, and learn more about what drives their passion for strengthening COMO’s future.

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Roy Lovelady HOMETOWN? Born in Kennett, Missouri

and moved to COMO at the age of 13.

YEARS LIVED IN COMO? 25 years PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND? I own

and operate 360 Star Styling Studio.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL? I’m running because of the

lack of representation. I’d like to see change in Ward 3. I’ve learned in my few short years of going to city hall the importance of the position, and anytime I get the opportunity to learn, that inspires me. I’m a people person, and I help behind the scenes, but this is an opportunity to be out in front, inspire others, and make sure all voices are heard.

FEELINGS ABOUT THIS LAST ELECTION ENDING IN A TIE?

No comment VISION FOR COMO? Fair, equitable,

unified, unbiased growth for all.

BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING COMO? Rising violence, lack of

communication from city to citizens, and, of course, trash.

BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMO?

Equitable growth from the smaller issues to the larger issues. Viewing the city and its growth with an equitable lens allows everyone to feel wanted, welcomed, and appreciated.

WHAT YOU DO FOR FUN? Wake up

and live. Life is fun, and I’m going to have fun doing everything I do. Some of my hobbies include sewing, dancing, hair, make-up, reading, relaxing with friends, performing, and hosting shows.

GREATEST STRENGTH? I'm a great

listener. In order to be a leader, one must listen, understand, and then apply great problem-solving skills to what once was a problem. My mother taught me that 52

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life is problem and solution, and that's simply what I apply to everything.

GREATEST WEAKNESS? I’m an overthinker. I think things through, and I play out different outcomes in my mind, sometimes leading to stress. Most of the time, it leads to me being prepared for the situation or outcome.

FAVORITE VOLUNTEER/COMMUNITY ACTIVITY? I teach dance as one of my community givebacks. It allows me to spend time with the youth teaching them a skill and keeping them motivated while imparting knowledge that will help them in their future. I also founded

People’s Defense with a few others and the help that we did, with school supplies, helping with home assistance, food giveaways and more, are things and opportunities I look forward to and thoroughly enjoy.

FAVORITE PLACE IN COMO? My home - it’s my safe haven and where I’m most at peace. Second would be my church, then any place I am with friends and family.

ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF? Being a business owner for 19 years, running for council, and making history. I appreciate the small things and the people around me.

Karl Skala HOMETOWN? Berwyn/Brookfield,

Illinois YEARS LIVED IN COMO? 42 years PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND? I am a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, husband, father of three, grandfather of two, four-term third ward city councilman, and COMO’s former Mayor Pro Tem. I am the former vice-chair, a seven-year member of the Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission, and a former chair and 13-year member of the Columbia/ Boone County Environment and Energy Commission. I am also a 12-year member of Columbia Chamber of Commerce and its Government Affairs Committee.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL? I care about COMO, and I

want to make sure the third ward receives its share of city services as we continue to grow and progress. I bring leadership experience, institutional memory, continuity, community connections, and competence to achieve results for the city and the ward.

FEELINGS ABOUT THIS LAST ELECTION ENDING IN A TIE? Surprise and

recommitment.

VISION FOR COMO? Realizing the

principles of the 2021 Columbia Strategic Plan Mission Statement: To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent, and efficient government and strategic priorities — organizational excellence, resilient economy, reliable infrastructure, safe neighborhoods, and inclusive communities. These are the high-level buckets through which we organize our work.

BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING COMO?

Public safety, affordable housing, public transportation, and workforce development are among our biggest challenges. We are also challenged to engage in constructive community dialogue and ease the coarseness of public discourse.

BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR

GREATEST WEAKNESS? The challenge of

COMO? We can make a real difference in

describing complex issues in simple terms.

peoples' lives by making good decisions on the use of federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Build Back Better Act. We need to improve mental health and homeless services, public transportation, and development of good job opportunities.

FAVORITE VOLUNTEER/COMMUNITY ACTIVITY? Public Service and MU

Choral Union.

FAVORITE PLACE IN COMO? Stephens Lake Park (among the many fine third ward parks and trails).

WHAT YOU DO FOR FUN? I’m a

classical music DJ on KOPN and previously served on the board. Family, travel, photography, singing with our church choir, and with the MU Choral Union are my other passions.

GREATEST STRENGTH? Preparation and

attention to detail.

ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF? I am proud that I was the first councilperson to host Saturday morning coffee shop “Office Hours” (ongoing for 14 years). I’m also proud of my role in establishing Columbia’s Comprehensive Plan, Strategic Plan, and Unified Development Code.

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REGISTER TO VOTE! It’s your right, your responsibility, and your future.

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71 CANDIDATES YOU SHOULD KNOW Connie Leipard and Kip Kendrick.

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A NEW HORIZON FOR SUNDVOLD FINANCIAL Accepting the role of president, Eric Morrison returns to Sundvold Financial.

91 NEW KIDS ON THE CITY BLOCK New Mayor and City Council Ready to Carry COMO Into the Future.

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CLOSER LOOK

five isometric saunas for activities like yoga, Pilates, and core exercises. Owners Jason Sims and Melissa Orrell say HOTWORX is meant to be welcoming and not intimidating, and that there are many health benefits from the 13 different workout sessions at HOTWORX, including stress reduction, pain relief, increased calorie burn, and detoxification. Jason relocated his career to COMO and Melissa came up from Arkansas so the couple could be together. Melissa is an RN and previous member of HOTWORX in Arkansas, giving her an inside understanding of the benefits of HOTWORX’s services. In the future, they hope to educate the community on the gym’s benefits and expand HOTWORX in the Midwest region.

2703 E BROADWAY, SUITE 127 573-777-WORX(9679) HOTWORX.NET/STUDIO/COLUMBIA-THEBROADWAYSHOPS

Elwood Cabinetry

Pasta La Fata What began as a pop-up business in 2015 and evolved into a Columbia Farmers Market vendor in 2018 finally has its own storefront. Pasta La Fata, a local vendor known for handmade pastas, sauces, and Italian desserts opened its store in June.

The owner is Shelly La Fata, a 35-yearold passionate Italian-American chef. She says she wanted to open this business to work with local farmers, honor her Italian heritage, and connect with the community. Additionally, Pasta La Fata prides itself on its ingredients. The meals use locally sourced meat, organic eggs for the pasta, and local tomatoes – Shelly’s team planted 320 tomato plants this year to use

for sauce. In the future, Shelly hopes to host cooking classes and private dinners, as well as provide other special offers and menu items that bring “a connection to handmade Italian food and local ingredients” to the COMO community.

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HOTWORX

HOTWORX is a new 24-hour infrared fitness studio that features 3-D training and virtual instructors. The facility includes four saunas for HIIT sessions and another

Elwood Cabinetry, founded by Zach Baier and Genaro Cabrera in March, began taking on jobs in mid-May. The business specializes in trim carpentry and cabinetry, and its work involves installing base trim, crown molding, and custom built-ins, among a variety of other available services.

As a relatively new business, Zach and Genaro feel that Elwood Cabinetry is not well-known yet, but they look forward to using their passion for finish work to eventually match the other talent in the industry. Both born and raised in COMO, Zach and Genaro are proud of their hometown, and they want to continue connecting with the community while producing high-end finish work for its residents. In the future, Elwood Cabinetry hopes to grow its team of trim carpenters to become the go-to option for high-end custom work in COMO. 573-928-2505 ELWOODTRIMANDCABINETRY.COM ELWOODTRIM@GMAIL.COM

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Briefly in the News

ED UCATION

Columbia Public Schools Foundation Celebrates 25th Anniversary The Columbia Public Schools Foundation (CPSF) celebrated its 25th anniversary by awarding each area school with a $2,500 grant. The foundation visited all CPS elementary, middle, and high school buildings throughout the month of April to award the funds. “We’re celebrating our 25th anniversary, and we’re also celebrating our schools and our teachers,” said Cindy Mustard, president of the foundation's board of directors. The funds come directly from a $1 million donation from the estate of Kay McLeod, a lifelong public school teacher who began her career in CPS. GIVING BAC K

EquipmentShare, Heart of Missouri United Way Partner for “Read Across Columbia” EquipmentShare’s employee-led Giving Back Committee committed $15,000 to provide backpacks for approximately 650 CPS students for Read Across Columbia. Each backpack contained four books and one coupon for a free book from Daniel Boone Regional Library to students at Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary, Blue Ridge Elementary, Benton Elementary, Derby Ridge Elementary, and Parkade Elementary. With EquipmentShare’s help, United Way purchased the books through the local bookstore, Peace Nook. Each student will receive a copy of these four books: “We Are Water Protectors,” “Place Inside of Me,” “Whoosh,” and “Lift.” Andrew Grabau, President/CEO of Heart of Missouri United Way, said, “By reaching kids that need the most support, United Way is excited to work with EquipmentShare in Read Across Columbia. By removing barriers to literacy, we are helping 1st and 2nd grade students to learn not only how to read, but to fall in love with reading!”

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Working

BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

COM M UNITY

Socket to Expand Residential Fiber Internet to Northern Boone County Socket announced its plans to expand fiber internet service to homes in northern Boone County and Harrisburg. “With this expansion into the rural areas of northern Boone County, Socket is proud to be the largest provider of residential fiber,” said Socket President and COO Carson Coffman.

In addition to coverage areas in Columbia, Socket currently serves the towns of Hallsville, Centralia and Sturgeon, and the surrounding areas.

This grant will allow them the company to build out in Harrisburg in the future. The total number of homes served will be nearly 4,000, and construction on the fiber lines has already begun.

company’s augmented and virtual reality solutions blend storytelling, neuroscience, and game design to promote self-management of stress, sleep, and human performance. Realtime feedback empowers discovery of healing powers inside consumers by shifting electroencephalogram (EEG) brain patterns, heart rate and other biometrics. For its win, Healium received $25,000 in player marketing services from the NFLPA; $25,000 in services from licensing, marketing, and multimedia powerhouse OneTeam Partners; business resource contributions from Truist, a purposedriven financial services company; and consultation from Allied Sports and Allied Global Marketing.

HEA LT H

St. Louis Food Startup Rootberry Coming to MU Dining Halls C ELEB R AT IO N

Mental Wellness App Healium Wins NFLPA Pitch Day The NFL Players Association announced that Healium, an interactive immersive media company that specializes in biometrically controlled content powered by the user's wearables, won the 2022 NFLPA Pitch Day presented by Truist. Founded

by CEO and Chief Storyteller Sarah Hill, Healium reimagines mental wellness by allowing people to train inside virtual worlds with their body's electricity via any wearable. The

Rootberry, the plant-powered food company launched in June 2021 in St. Louis, announced that it will now serve its line of chef-and-nutritionist developed healthy meals at the Emporium Cafe on the MU campus (900 Virginia Ave, Columbia, MO, 65201). The expansion comes after increased demand for rootberry’s freshly prepared plant-based meals, salads, shareables, and desserts.

Customers can buy rootberry products at nearly 50 St. Louis-area retail stores, universities, hospitals, and they can also get products delivered to homes and offices. COMO is rootberry’s first expansion outside of St. Louis. “Rootberry was made to provide access to delicious food that

just happens to be healthy, and to make those options more accessible in the community,” said rootberry co-founder, Marc Connor. “Making our convenient and healthy meals easily available to students is the first step to offering rootberry products to the larger area. We’ve seen great success at Mizzou through our early tastings on campus and hope to expand our retail availability throughout Columbia and beyond.”

HEALTH

Boone Hospital Center Earns Top Award From The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Boone Hospital Center has earned a distinguished three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for its patient care and outcomes in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures. The threestar rating, which denotes the highest category of quality, places Boone Hospital Center among the elite for heart bypass surgery in the United States and Canada. The STS star rating system is one of the most sophisticated and highly regarded overall measures of quality in health care, rating the benchmarked outcomes of cardiothoracic surgery programs across the United States and Canada.

The star rating is calculated using a combination of quality measures for specific procedures performed by an STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database participant. Approximately 20% of participants receive the three-star rating for isolated CABG surgery.

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JE SSICA TRAVLOS

Old Hawthorne is excited to welcome back Jessica Travlos as its new director of events.

Jessica previously worked as Old Hawthorne's food & beverage service manager from 2019 to 2021. In her new role, Jessica will be directing all club-hosted member, private, athletic, and youth events.

G ARY ANSPACH

OATS, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Anspach to its management team.

Gary has been hired as the mid-Missouri regional director in COMO, where he will oversee day-to-day transportation operations in 15 counties. He was with the City of Columbia and State of Missouri before joining OATS Transit. Gary replaces Dion Knipp, who was promoted to operations director at the OATS Transit home office.

OPT IMIZED CFO & CONT ROLL ER SERVI C ES

Optimized CFO & Controller Services (OCFO) is pleased to announce its move to a new location and the addition of Pete Stansberry and Jordyn Christensen to the team. OCFO moved to its new location at 3601 Endeavor Ave., Suite 121 this spring. The new location provides additional space to meet with clients.

Pete Stansberry joins the OCFO team as a senior accountant, where he'll provide accounting services to clients and prepare financial statements and tax returns.

Pete holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in accounting from MU. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Valuation Analyst.

Jordyn joins OCFO as its new office administrator. Her responsibilities will include billing clients, coordinating client tax information, and managing office activities.

Jordyn has a bachelor’s of social work from William Woods University.

TI NA WO O DS

The Columbia Board of Education has appointed Tina Woods as the principal at Derby Ridge School for the 2022‐23 school year.

Tina will take over for outgoing principal, Tonya Henry, who will take on an assistant principal position at Rock Bridge High School.

Tina recently served as a program director for the district’s Quest Program, which serves students with special needs. Prior to her role with the Quest Program, she was the administrative assistant at both Smithton and Oakland middle schools.

She began with the district as a special education teacher in 2007 and has taught at multiple schools across the district. Tina holds an

MOVERS & SHAKERS

educational specialist degree in educational leadership from St. Louis University and a master’s degree in teaching from Columbia College.

T R AVLO S

C I N DY M U STA R D

After careful consideration, the Boone County Historical Society’s Endowment Trustees elected Cindy Mustard to the Boone County Hall of Fame.

Cindy is the former executive director of Voluntary Action Center and is currently the president of the Board of Directors for the Columbia Public Schools Foundation. A COMO native, she attended the University Lab School, Jefferson Junior High School, Hickman High School, and graduated from the MU. She serves on the board of the Community Foundation of Central Missouri, is active as a Chamber of Commerce ambassador, and is a member of the Columbia Downtown Rotary Club. Cindy has been honored for her service and volunteerism with the Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award, Athena Award from the Chamber of Commerce, MU Outstanding Faculty-Alumni Award, the League of Women Voters Citizen of the Year, and the Columbia Public Schools Foundation Hall of Leaders, among many others. Among a record number of Hall of Fame candidates, the Boone County Historical Society’s Endowment Trustees also elected Henry Kirklin (posthumously), and Columbia College.

A N SPACH

STA NSB ERRY

C H R ISTENSEN

WO O DS

M U STA RD

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Comforts of Home Mid-Missouri Fisher House will provide temporary housing for military and veteran families while loved ones receive medical care at the Truman VA Hospital.

BY TAYLOR AMBRA

T

he Fisher House Foundation is a notfor-profit organization that knows the importance of family. So when a family member must stay in the hospital, the house is here to offer a helping hand.

The foundation builds homes that house military and veteran families while their loved ones receive care at a VA or veteran’s hospital, all free of charge to the families.

The Fisher House Foundation currently has over 90 houses in operation and has served over 430,000 families. The foundation has a goal of continued growth in the future, including putting roots down in COMO.

HISTORY Zachary Fisher opened the fi rst Fisher House in 1991 in Washington, D.C. to serve family members of patients at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Along with his wife, Elizabeth, Zachary immediately saw the benefits of providing housing to military and veteran families and wanted to keep building these houses across the country.

Zachary dedicated his life to providing for others and was recognized for his contributions multiple times, including being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998. Zachary died in 1999, and his nephew, Ken Fisher, now oversees the foundation as CEO and chairman. He continues to lead with his great uncle’s original vision in mind.

THE HOUSES Each house is located within walking distance of a hospital, and transportation is provided if it is not. While the number of suites within each house differs, they all provide a private bedroom and bathroom for the individual family.

Inside every house is a kitchen, laundry room, dining room, and living room.

Every Fisher House tries to make the facility a “home away from home” by providing personal touches and everything a family might need during their time staying at the house.

Stephen Gaither, Board Chair of the Mid-Missouri Fisher House, says, “The small things like a coffee-scented candle, a handmade quilt, or a favorite

Mid-Missouri Fisher House Mission The mission of the national Fisher House Foundation is to provide a free “home away from home” for military and veteran families while loved ones receive treatment at a nearby VA or military hospital.

Board Members • Stephen Gaither, Board Chair • John Cassels, Vice Chair • Bev Semar, Secretary • Mary DiBlasi, Treasurer • Blaine Alberty • Laura DeVenny • Sylvia M. Jackson • Larry Long • Chad Massman • Mary Paulsell • Gary Powell • Richard Rice • Jackie Rodgers, Jr. • Eileen Scrivner • Nevada Shelkey • Rebecca Stafford • Cynthia “Cindy” B. Suich

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THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

The Mid-Missouri Fisher House will be located at 800 Hospital Drive.

cookie can bring comfort to a family facing hardship.”

While meals are not provided, families can use the kitchen whenever they want; sometimes, volunteer groups will bring in dinners for the entire house.

The length of stay at a Fisher House depends on an individual family’s situation.

If a Fisher house is completely full, someone at the foundation will still help families make other arrangements.

Once the Fisher House Foundation finishes construction, the house is gifted to the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

BRINGING COMFORT TO COLUMBIA With houses already in both St. Louis and Kansas City, the foundation is excited to bring a house to COMO. Just steps away from the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, construction recently began on the Mid-Missouri Fisher House.

Construction can take anywhere from 9-15 months. Th is particular Fish-

er House will be a three-story facility with 16 suites providing up to 32 family members a close, comfortable place to stay while a loved one is receiving medical care at Truman VA Hospital. Stephen has seen fi rsthand the need for this facility in COMO. As the former public affairs officer at the Truman VA, he was asked to help with the project shortly after his retirement in 2018. The Fisher House Foundation relies on the community’s support to be able to provide housing for military and veteran families through funding and volunteer opportunities.

Stephen says there are six ways to help make a difference for Fisher House.

“You can become a partner through donations; sponsor or conduct a fundraiser that benefits the Mid-Missouri Fisher House; share information about the future Fisher House by identifying potential organizations or individuals that might consider donating; attend upcoming events; or volunteer your time.”

The Truman VA services 43 counties in Missouri and one in Illinois, however veterans can be treated if

they live in a different county. Th is creates the demand for housing — often those with a medical need will avoid seeking care due to their family having no place to stay.

Stephen says, “Fisher House provides benefits not only for the veteran but their entire family as well.”

The Mid-Missouri Fisher House has plans to hold its annual trivia night and a golf tournament later this year for community members who want to support the construction of this new facility. With a passion to serve those who have sacrificed so much for us, the Fisher House Foundation and the Friends of Mid-Missouri Fisher House, Inc. are enthusiastic to bring a Fisher House to the Columbia community.

MID-MISSOURI FISHER HOUSE 800 Hospital Drive; PO Box 30681 MidmoFisherHouse.org 573-723-1092 Facebook: Friends of Mid-Missouri Fisher House, Inc

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BUSINESS UPDATE

A New Horizon for Sundvold Financial Accepting the role of President, Eric Morrison returns to Sundvold Financial.

BY HANNAH ROBERTSON PHOTOS BY ANTHONY JINSON

D

on’t call it a comeback, but after a 12-year stint in the banking industry, Eric Morrison has returned to Sundvold Financial. His return comes with a new title and host of responsibilities, as he is now president of the employee benefits advisory fi rm.

Sundvold Financial was founded in 1997 by former MU All-American and NBA veteran, Jon Sundvold. The fi rm's mission is, “Helping high net worth individuals, corporations, and foundations 68

THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

reach their financial goals.” The company helps clients achieve this through what Eric describes as a “very proactive process of reviewing investment options and of trying to visit individually with people to try to understand their risk tolerances, their experience with financial planning and investments.”

Eric goes on to describe how each client is consulted and advised individually because, “So much of it is based on personal interaction. Not one thing is the right thing for everyone. There’s a suitability that we have to determine with all those companies we work with as well as the individuals.”

Sundvold Financial has three divisions within it. The 401(k) management division, which manages assets for companies' 401(k) plans and educates participants on what those plans provide; the group health benefits division, and the personal financial planning division.

Eric joins an experienced and tenured team of roughly 10-15 employees. The unit is close-knit, and it shares the goal of top-tier client service, an objective that Eric believes is the catalyst for the team and brand's success.

Eric graduated from MU with a degree in Communication in 1998. He extended

his time as a Tiger through his fi rst job with the university’s athletics fundraising and administration department. Over the course of nine years, Eric worked in various positions with the Tiger Scholarship Fund, including suite operations and facilities & external operations.

In August 2007, Eric began his fi rst stint at Sundvold Financial as an investment advisor. After a little over three years in that position, he transitioned into the banking industry as the vice president of business development at Providence Bank in December 2010. He ascended to the position of Senior Vice President & Columbia Market President in April 2015 before being named the regional community bank president at First Mid Bank & Trust in 2021.

Eric attributes his reasons for returning to Sundvold to "timing," or rather "time of life." He had nothing but positive things to say when reflecting on his time at First Mid Bank and Trust, saying, “I certainly appreciated the way they [First Mid Bank and Trust] treated my family and the COMO team. They were great people to work with and for.”

Still, Eric was eager to rejoin Sundvold in a leadership role and work with Jon once again. “My familiarity with Jon and

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his business and realizing the value of representing his fi rm really drew me in. Also, the opportunity to work in the world of small business was an exciting challenge I wanted to take on. I love that in a small business, everybody has a hand in everything all the time”.

Though the friendship and professional relationship between Jon and Eric began while Eric worked at MU, they did meet once before; and Eric is fairly positive Jon has no idea. Eric remembers fi rst meeting Jon when he attended Norm Stewart’s basketball camp in 1990. Jon was there with other former MU players who returned to support the camp. They did a shooting drill together, and Eric walked away with a signed pair of basketball shoes, neither party aware of how their path’s would align in the future.

Eric feels that the experience he gained in the banking industry will be very beneficial in his new role. There, he had the opportunity to work closely with a variety of different businesses, belonging to numerous industries and of all sizes, giving him a broad perspective and behind-thescenes look of what it’s really like. From that, he learned that there are lots of ways to “run the railroad,” or manage the complex operations of a business.

He remembers the important lessons he learned from a former boss in banking who was at one time a former business owner. “Because of his past experiences, my former boss was great at connecting with business owners because he could say ‘I’ve had the Thursday night sweats when Friday is payday.’” From him, Eric learned more about understanding and relating to people.

During his time at the bank, Eric was also able to become involved in the community in various ways, including joining the Job Point board in 2015. Job Point is “Missouri’s premier employment center and Community Development Corporation.” The organization helps prepare individuals to enter the workforce and connects people with jobs by providing career planning and job placement services. Just last year, Eric won the 2021 Impact COMO Award for “Most Impactful Board Member” for his contributions to Job Point.

Th is October, Sundvold will celebrate 25 years of business. When reflecting on the fi rm’s journey so far, Eric gave credit to COMO's community.

“The fi rm at large is another wonderful example of small businesses born in COMO, grown in COMO, and now transitioning beyond its founder," Eric said.

"There are so many examples here because small businesses are supported so well here. Sometimes when you’re in the community you don’t necessarily realize the value of what the community brings

BUSINESS UPDATE

to small business because you’re so used to those businesses being there.”

SUNDVOLD FINANCIAL 1000 W. NIFONG BLVD., #104 573-443-1000 SUNDVOLD.COM

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CANDIDATES YOU SHOULD KNOW

CYSK CANDIDATES YOU SHOULD KNOW

For The Politics Issue, we thought it only f itting to include two 'Candidates You Should Know' running for Boone County Commissioner.

PH OTO S BY S A D I E T HI B O D E AUX

Connie Leipard

Kip Kendrick

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Connie Leipard President, Quality Drywall Construction JOB DESCRIPTION

Overseeing budgets, staff, project estimating, project management and the overall success of the company. As a small business owner, wearing multiple hats is part of the job.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

I am an experienced professional with extensive executive experience in the construction industry. My skill sets include interpreting blueprints, estimation, project management, and construction contract document specialist. I conduct construction safety training for various local companies and am an OSHA-authorized outreach trainer for construction 10- and 30-hour courses. My voluntary service experience includes serving as the National President for the National Association of Women in Construction, where I received national level training in legal and fiduciary responsibilities for boards and commissions, strategic planning, and organizational management.

HOMETOWN

COMO. I’m a Midway kid and Hickman High graduate.

Go Kewps!

YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA

51 years.

QUOTE YOU LIVE BY

“People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

– Chuck Swindoll 72

THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

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FAVORITE VOLUNTEER/ COMMUNITY ACTIVITY

Serving on multiple nonprofit boards, it is impossible to pick my favorite as they each have a unique purpose and special place in my heart.

FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT

Participating in Boone County’s Upward Mobility Action Plan with the Jobs and Workforce Development Workgroup led by Alvin Cobbins. It was an excellent experience.

A COLUMBIA PERSON YOU ADMIRE AND WHY

Shamon Jones, candidate for Boone County Recorder of Deeds. Shamon is someone I have recently met.

Shamon has a compelling personal story that opened my eyes to the importance of recording family history. I admire her tenacity, fearlessness, and spirit of service to the community she loves.

WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN COLUMBIA/ BOONE COUNTY

Increase in home ownership for lower income families. Home ownership is a key to building community pride and generational wealth.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER

It sounds so cliché, yet true — I love Boone County! I want to serve for no other reason than ALL citizens of this county deserve superior service from hardworking, committed elected officials. I am enthusiastic about quality economic development with quality jobs, improvements in infrastructure and public safety. All issues that are the foundation for a county where everyone can live, work, learn and grow.

WHAT EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE THAT MAKES YOU SUITABLE FOR THIS ROLE

Executive experience on the local, regional, and national level through my business and executive level volunteer service opportunities.

As a Boone County construction

business owner for 40-plus years with a working knowledge of county planning and zoning laws, being plugged into county business through volunteer service on the Boone County Children’s Services Board has given me unique insight into county business and operations.

WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU

Since mid-January, I have attended twice weekly commission meetings.

The process of understanding county organization, responsibilities, processes, and business is an important pre-commitment I have made. I am not a politician by trade.

I am a woman in construction, business owner, average, everyday citizen that believes in the importance of local elections and public service. Politics aside, our county government will benefit from elected officials committed to service in a customer service-oriented way.

Communication and collaboration with citizens are an essential element I would bring to county government with an emphasis in encouraging people to participate in the process.

THE NEXT CHALLENGE YOU'RE FACING

Winning the seat of presiding commissioner of Boone County!

YOUR NEXT PROFESSIONAL GOAL

Utilize my network and outreach within Boone County to increase communication and participation in county government to the benefit of our citizens.

BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED

Focus on WHAT is said rather than how and who is delivering the message. The best and biggest lessons I have learned have been from my harshest critics.

HOW YOU WANT TO IMPACT THE COLUMBIA/BOONE COUNTY COMMUNITY

As presiding commissioner, I pledge to be a loyal, committed servant

CANDIDATES YOU SHOULD KNOW

for the people. I will serve with enthusiasm and passion, bringing a positive influence for county government giving a voice for ALL citizens of Boone County.

GREATEST STRENGTH

Listening for leadership on “pinch point” issues. Being 100% committed to finding workable solutions for the people and organizations that I serve. When you are “all in,” there is no such thing as us vs. them, city vs. country, old vs. young, rich vs. poor.

All it means is that my commitment is to ALL the folks in Boone County.

GREATEST WEAKNESS

One of my best attributes can be my greatest weakness. I am by nature a very committed, hard worker; it is difficult for me to maintain a healthy work/life balance. Accountability partners are important to keep this weakness in check.

WHAT YOU DO FOR FUN

Socialize with family/friends and go camping in beautiful Missouri State Parks.

FAMILY

My husband, Mike; three adult children with spouses: Leslie (Brian), Amanda (Bill), Micah (Chelsea); and grandchildren, Eleanor (toddler) and Allen (infant).

FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA

Are you kidding me? To pick one favorite is impossible! If I had to choose one, it would be on my deck enjoying a cup of coffee with my husband, Mike. I am blessed beyond measure.

ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF

My children. Each gifted uniquely.

I love watching beautiful contributions for the betterment of the corner of the world they occupy.

MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT YOU

I play guitar and love to sing.

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Kip Kendrick Chief of Staff, Missouri Senate

JOB DESCRIPTION

I work as a chief of staff in the Missouri Senate.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

I spent five years as a state representative in the Missouri House. During that time, I served in ranking positions on several committees, including the House Budget Committee and the Special Committee on Government Oversight.

HOMETOWN

Monroe City, Missouri.

YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA

19 years.

QUOTE YOU LIVE BY

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

- Gandhi FAVORITE VOLUNTEER/ COMMUNITY ACTIVITY

My wife, Sarah, and I met through the Community Garden Coalition when I started a neighborhood garden, and she was making rain barrels for an AmeriCorp project.

FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT

I was appointed by the governor in 2020 to the Federal Cares Act Task Force. This was a committee composed of executive legislative leaders to help provide guidance on how Missouri should spend the $2.4 billion in federal CARES Act funding. This allowed me to put my budgeting experience to good use and alleviate some troubling problems the state was experiencing during the pandemic.

A COLUMBIA PERSON YOU ADMIRE AND WHY

David Russell has had an extraordinary career in both the military and higher education. He has stepped out of retirement twice to help steady the ship at two important higher education institutions in Columbia.

He leads humbly and quietly. He’s a true servant leader.

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WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN COLUMBIA

Columbia must continue to focus on affordable housing (both homeownership and rental properties) and workforce development over the next decade. These two issues will be critical to our ability to keep pace in this economy. We must grow our own skilled workforce, but we must also remain an attractive place to move and raise a family. Part of recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce will be a focus on remaining an affordable place to live.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER

I was raised in rural Missouri. I moved to Boone County for educational and economic opportunities and, like for so many others, Boone County became home. I want to ensure that my son’s generation sees Boone County as the place to live and raise his family. Public service is where my heart lies. My relevant experience, my demeanor, and my relationships built on trust and respect make me the right person at the right time to be the next Presiding Commissioner.

WHAT EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE THAT MAKES YOU SUITABLE FOR THIS ROLE

I understand the importance of fiscally disciplined and balanced budgets. I served on the House Budget Committee for five years, with four years as the ranking Democrat. My appointment by a Republican governor to the Federal Cares Act Task Force demonstrates my willingness to work for the greater good, not promote partisan politics.

The relationships that I have built across the state based on mutual trust and professional respect will be tremendously important in my ability to lead Boone County. My leadership style is to listen, learn, then lead. I value and respect diverse opinions and divergent viewpoints. I understand the importance of public accountability. As Ranking Minority Member of the Special Committee on Government Oversight and Vice-Chair of the Ethics Committee, I didn’t hesitate to hold officials accountable, regardless of political affiliation.

CANDIDATES YOU SHOULD KNOW

delivers the biggest bang for the buck will be challenging, but my experience in the Missouri Legislature has well prepared me for this very moment.

YOUR NEXT PROFESSIONAL GOAL

To be part of the next generation of experienced leaders who help move Boone County forward.

BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED

Disagreement is healthy for any democracy. Listen to others who have differing opinions.

HOW YOU WANT TO IMPACT THE COLUMBIA COMMUNITY

I want to help Columbia and all of Boone County become more proactive in growing economic opportunities, broadening a well-trained and well-compensated work force, and increasing access to affordable housing, healthcare, and the essential services required for a safe, healthy, and happy citizenry.

GREATEST STRENGTH

I consider my ability to listen first and to learn from the divergent opinions of others, before leading forward to a unified goal as my greatest strength. Involved in social work early in my career, I spent a lot of time listening to the issues and struggles of those with intractable problems, then finding pathways forward to workable solutions. That process and that experience has served me well in life.

GREATEST WEAKNESS

Knowing when to step away from work and focus on myself and my family is a challenge. I struggle with finding that balance that’s critical for mental/physical well-being.

WHAT YOU DO FOR FUN

Hiking with Sarah and Abram.

FAMILY

Sarah, a professional ornithologist, and I met in Columbia and have been married for 11 years. We have a six-year-old son, Abram Andrew.

FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA

Three Creeks Conservation Area.

ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF

I find it frustrating to see the narrow issues that often consume the legislature at the state level. Politics doesn’t have to be hyperpartisan. At a county level it is the day-to-day needs of our citizens that define the agenda. My interests lie where I can make a difference, solving the problems of a rapidly growing and diverse county.

I am very proud of my role in modernizing telehealth statutes and regulations in the state of Missouri. This was a top priority for me during my time in the Missouri House. Our telehealth laws were outdated and not keeping pace with technology.

Little did I know at the time just how important those changes would be during the COVID-19 pandemic. Missouri is now a respected leader in telehealth around the country.

THE NEXT CHALLENGE YOU'RE FACING

MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT YOU

Helping Boone County appropriate and spend federal ARPA funds in a responsible and timely fashion in a manner that

I have never not had a job since I first started working at age 13 as a dishwasher at Circle H Steakhouse.

WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU

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We believe that learning at City Garden nourishes our student’s entire well-being, a love of learning and a deep connection to their community and the natural world.

We reach beyond content to free the human spirit.

ENROLL NOW for Kindergarten through 6th grade!

The new kindergarten program is designed as a sensory-rich environment for children to discover what lies in the world and to grow all the capacities within themselves, cultivating the foundations for lives of sustained learning and purpose in young children.

le a Schedu ay! tour tod citygardencolumbia.org | 573-326-9268 | director@citygardencolumbia.org | 606 Ridgeway Ave., Columbia, MO 65203 76

THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

Honoring COMO’s Small Businesses Columbia Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards Class of 2022.

F

or more than 30 years, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce has aimed to acknowledge and appreciate vital contributions, economic impact, and cultural influence of small businesses in COMO. “Approximately 80% of our Chamber membership, as well as Columbia-based businesses, are comprised of small businesses,” says Matt McCormick, President of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. “They are an important part of the community.”

Nominations for the Small Business of the Year award are made by application and letters of recommendation from fellow businesses and local community members. To be considered, a business must be a chamber member in good standing, have less than 25 full-time employees, and been in business since at least Jan. 1, 2020.

A selection committee of past winners and Chamber members curate a final list of the top five candidates. During National Small Business Week in May, each finalist hosts a reception where Chamber members can learn more about their operation. The week culminates with an awards presentation and the announcement of the winner.

The winner receives a plaque, print and digital media coverage, and an invitation to participate in the following year’s selection committee.

“This award signifies that a company that has shown growth or sustainability of their business with strong employee relations and a record of giving back to the community,” says Matt.

BY AMANDA LONG PHOTOS BY ANTHONY JINSON

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W

FINALIST

A2D Events 78

THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

hen stay-at-home-mom Adonica Coleman was asked by a friend to plan a surprise birthday party back in 2011, she had no idea it would launch her journey towards business ownership and event planning.

Today, A2D Events is a full-service event planning company coordinating corporate events such as company meetings, holiday parties, and social events like baby showers and milestone celebrations. Adonica says hiring an event planner provides the support of a team of professionals and relieves the stress that comes with making sure an event is set up to run smoothly.

But events for nonprofit such as galas and golf tournaments are near and dear to Adonica’s heart. “I’ve planned successful fundraisers for local nonprofits including Granny’s House, Love Columbia, True North, Christian Fellowship School, and United Way,” says Adonica.

“I am also on the board of Bold Academy, Granny’s House, and the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. I love being a small business in Columbia and that I get to work with people that I also do community with — helping them with whatever their event goals may be.”

Adonica has big plans for the future of A2D Events. She is currently in the process of creating a variety of courses in event planning that she will offer online. “I used to teach the event planning program at Stephens College, but not everyone who wants to be in event planning takes the college route. I’m going to compile the knowledge I learned over the last 10 years and put it out there online,” says Adonica.

Being one of the five finalists for the Small Business of the Year Award was a huge honor, shares Adonica. “The experience of that week was amazing and really something I’ll never forget. With the help of an amazing family, great friends, and a community that values what I bring, I am always a winner."

F

ounder Lara Pieper started Bloom Bookkeeping in 2016 “as a side gig just to help a couple of clients.” She soon realized there was a much greater need for bookkeeping services in COMO. “When I decided to start the business, I had been let go from my job and finalized my divorce all within a couple of days and it felt like a low time in my life. But instead of focusing on the negatives, I wanted to have it be a life-altering moment. I happened to come across the saying, ‘When you’re in a dark place, you sometimes tend to think you’ve been buried. Perhaps you’ve been planted. Bloom.’”

Bloom Bookkeeping is a boutique bookkeeping firm that offers crucial, customizable bookkeeping services that help small businesses build a solid financial foundation. Services include monthly bookkeeping, financial organization, and QuickBooks 101.

Lara has a Master of Accounting from Columbia College but says it’s her marketing degree from MU that sets her apart from other bookkeepers. “I definitely have a creative side which helps me communicate with certain business owners,” she says. “I have a lot of creative clients such as Sager Braudis Gallery, and numbers are just not their thing.”

Word spread quickly about Bloom Bookkeeping and as her business continued to grow, Lara soon hired three additional bookkeepers to help keep up with new clients.

Partnerships were an integral part of that growth, including local CPA Cheryl Edington. Lara says Cheryl would refer clients looking for bookkeeping to her, and in turn, Lara would refer tax clients to Cheryl.

Getting involved in local organizations like 1 Million Cups, BNI, the Chamber of Commerce, and The District were integral to Lara’s success.

“I have always been amazed by the entrepreneurial spirit in Columbia and all the assets in this town to nurture small businesses – and now we are a part of that. Bloom Bookkeeping has helped more than 200 businesses with some piece of the financial puzzle, so to be seen as a part of that community has really helped a lot,” says Lara.

“I was very pleased to be selected as one of the finalists for this award. It was a surprise and a huge honor.”

Bloom Bookkeeping continues to grow with another location opening in Colorado that Lara’s sister will manage.

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ouse of Brokers Realty prides itself on being a different kind of brokerage. Originally founded in 1981 by seven women focused on providing a concierge-type experience, House of Brokers currently has 65 real estate agents, almost half of which have their broker’s license.

“A broker is a step above a real estate agent – they have taken additional licensing courses and have a more well-rounded understanding of the real estate space,” says Dawn Daly, Director of Operations.

“We offer a very wholesome environment – our culture lends to knowledge and experience. We are teachers, trainers and helpers. For someone who wants to take real estate seriously, we are the choice.”

With the company since 1999, Dawn says House of Brokers built their reputation focusing on superior, high-quality service for both their clients and the community.

“It is special to be a part of Columbia’s business community, the majority of which is comprised of locally owned, small businesses. We are a hard-working community with big goals – we really rally around each other. It is important to us to be a pillar in the community,” says Dawn.

Dawn shares they were shocked and humbled by their nomination for the Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year award. “We were appreciative, and it was a wonderful experience. We like to work really hard behind the scenes without recognition, focusing on providing excellent service. We want the excitement to be for the consumer. What we do for our clients is so much bigger than what we are doing.”

House of Brokers supports a variety of volunteer organizations in the community including Pascals Pals, The United Way, Central Missouri Food Bank, and this year’s winner Coyote Hill. “I cannot think of a better organization to have been awarded first place. They’re amazing,” says Dawn.

“Each of our agents volunteer their time and money to an organization that is special to them, and as a brokerage we offer many opportunities collectively so we can give more back to our community.”

A

fter graduating from medical school at MU and completing the Cox Family Medicine Residency Program in Springfield, Missouri, Dr. Bridget Gruender knew she wanted to offer a different kind of primary medical care to her patients. In 2016, she opened Liberty Family Medicine, the first Direct Primary Care (DPC) clinic in Columbia.

Liberty Family Medicine is a membership-based clinic and for a low monthly fee, patients have unlimited access to their doctor. The clinic does not accept insurance in exchange for the services offered, but rather allows the patient’s healthcare experience to be unique and personalized without copays, building a relationship directly between the patient and the physician.

“Our doctors carry approximately 600-800 patients on their panel.

This is one-third of the number of patients in a traditional practice — usually 2,000 to 3,000 — so we can really focus on the patient-physician relationship,” says Dr. Gruender.

Dr. Gruender and her team can address almost 90% of medical issues, charge no procedural fees, and provide lab work at wholesale prices and dispense generic medications at cost. The clinic offers referrals for cases outside of their scope.

“The focus is on accessibility, keeping wait times for appointments for non-urgent issues three weeks or less, as well as appointments available for the same or next day for acute concerns,” says Dr. Gruender.

Dr. Gruender says she and her team at Liberty Family Medical were grateful to be nominated for the Small Business of the Year award.

“Liberty Family Medicine is very active in the small business aspect of Columbia. We believe in the support found through networking in the community — it’s what Columbia is all about. To be nominated among so many deserving and hardworking businesses was such an exciting honor. We do what we do because we believe in changing lives with better healthcare, not for recognition, but we are extremely appreciative,” says Dr. Gruender.

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WINNER

Coyote Hill “We were all sitting at a table together at the awards banquet, and I remember hitting Joe’s arm and saying ‘That’s us! We did it!’” remembers Kari Hopkins, Chief Marketing Officer for Coyote Hill.

Working hard to give children stability and safety, Coyote Hill has been providing secure homes and support for foster families, both at their fostering community in Harrisburg and in their licensed foster homes throughout mid-Missouri, for 31 years.

“The generational impact ripples,” says Kari. “It’s a cycle. We work to heal kids today and change our community tomorrow.”

In 1991, founders Larry and Cathy McDaniel recognized the need for a stable environment that was able to address the social, emotional and physical issues of children in the foster care system and launched Coyote Hill from their home.

The donation of a 300-acre property in Harrisburg in 1995 provided the space to build their first foster family home named “Cathy’s House” in memory of Cathy McDaniel, who lost her battle with cancer in 1994.

Today, the Harrisburg Coyote Hill location is a foster care community with seven family homes.

“They do life together as a community,” says Kari. “We provide stable homes and less moves for the children, working to keep siblings together.” Larry recently stepped down as Coyote Hill’s CEO, but he still runs the company’s equine program geared toward foster kids, home-schooled children, and trauma victims.

In 2020 Coyote Hill launched foster care services in COMO including licensing specialists, advocate offices, and free counseling to foster parents and kids, with the mission to bring the support and advocacy to community families across Mid-Missouri.

“This next step aligned with our goal to help foster parents in the community and not just at Coyote Hill. That was the heart of all of our staff for years,” shares Kari.

Additionally, Coyote Hill facilitates supervised family visits, a vital step in the reunification of children with their biological family, which is the ultimate goal. “Kids are staying in care too long because there aren’t

enough caseworkers to handle the visits,” says Kari. “We just purchased a home on Moss Street, with the help of funding from Veterans United, where we can hold the visits. The more visits that happen, the faster they can be reunified.”

“During National Small Business Week, we reached the milestone of supporting more than 100 families across Missouri. We celebrated by delivering goody boxes to each one," says Kari.

“Winning Small Business of the Year means we are counted as peers among the businesses who have won in the past and that means a lot. We have always strived to operate with excellence, and it feels like it was recognized this year.”

Coyote Hill is almost 100% supported by donations from the community, local churches, and businesses, with no state or federal funding.

“It’s an amazing program,” Kari says. “The personal growth and healing as a result of the counseling and support services we provide has been instrumental for these kids.”

"We have always strived to operate with excellence, and it feels like it was recognized this year." — Kari Hopkins

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THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

CITY OF COLUMBIA’ S

Boards & Commissions A little something for everyone.

Boards and commissions help advise the city council and make recommendations for the betterment of the City of Columbia. Most members, but not all, are appointed by the council to serve a predetermined term length, but every member must meet certain qualifications to be appointed.

Each member must attend scheduled meetings and carry out their assigned duties.

BY TAYLOR AMBRA

For more information, visit como.gov/boards *All information was current at time of writing.

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AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD This group studies the airport’s demands, then makes recommendations about the airport’s usage and development to the council. The city council appoints five of the board’s voting members, and everyone serves a 3-year term.

BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION This commission generates a master bike plan, then develops and submits annual grants. The group also carries out plans for bike routes as needed, educates on proper bike use and registration, and advises the city council on matters concerning sidewalks, walkways, and trails. All nine members are council appointees, with one acting as a contact to the parks and recreation commission. Members serve 3-year terms with openings for new members occurring in July.

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT This board hears and makes decisions upon all appeals and matters referred to under the city’s laws and ordinances. All members must be COMO residents and serve a 5-year term. Openings for new members occur in May for regular members and Nov. for alternate members.

BOARD OF HEALTH Advises on public health and animal control matters to the Columbia City Council, Boone County Commission, and the health director. The board consists of 11 members with seven of them being appointed by the city council and the other four appointed by the County Commission. Members serve 3-year terms.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CODES COMMISSION This group reviews building, electrical, plumbing, and fire codes to make changes if needed. It also considers appeals made toward the decisions of the code official or fire marshal. The commission consists of 11 regular members and 11 alternate members, all appointed by the city council. Members serve 3-year terms with openings for new members occurring in August.

CITIZENS POLICE REVIEW BOARD This reviews actual or perceived police misconduct, arranges educational programs, encourages policies, procedures, and trainings, and also audits police department records to ensure compliance. The board consists of nine members with eight of them being appointed by the city council. Members serve a 3-year term with openings for new members occurring in October/ November.

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CITY COUNCIL The council creates policy and law and consists of seven members from six city wards and the mayor. All members must be elected by the citizens of COMO, and the ward council members must live and be qualified to vote in the ward they represent.

Each member serves a 3-year term with elections staggered each April by ward. Upcoming elections for council members are: April 2023 for ward 1 and ward 5; April 2024 for ward 2 and ward 6. and April 2025 for wards 3, 4, and the mayor.

CITY OF COLUMBIA NEW CENTURY FUND, INC. BOARD This seeks contributions to put toward the advancements and betterment of the City of Columbia. The board consists of seven members, all appointed by the city council. Members serve 3-year terms with openings in September, except for the city council representative, who has a 1-year term that begins in May.

CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION Advises city staff on the Climate Adaptation and Action Plan (CAAP) progress report. It also educates the public, analyzes the annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory, and does other work related to COMO’s climate. The board consists of 15 members, all appointed by the city council. Members serve a 3-year term with openings for new board members occurring in November.

COLLABORATIVE ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT (CAM) Enhances the water quality in the Hinkson Creek and narrows down the most effective approaches to combat water

quality challenges. There are three subcommittees involved in CAM, including the stakeholder committee, the action team, and the science team.

COLUMBIA AND BOONE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT BOARD This board appoints the library’s CEO, controls library fund expenditures, purchases leases, sells real property, and extends privileges for nonresidents to use the library.

The board consists of nine members, with five of them being appointed by the mayor, and the other four members appointed by the Boone County Commission. Members serve 3-year terms with openings for new members occurring in June.

COLUMBIA ARTS FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE Recommends and monitors grant distributions from the fund and is accountable to the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation.

COLUMBIA AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY ORGANIZATION (CATSO) Serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to ensure coordinated transportation plans. The Transportation Plan contains elements covering roadways, transit, bicycles, and pedestrian facilities.

COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD Acquires, leases, and operates housing projects; contracts for furnishings and services; invests funds; investigates living, dwelling and housing conditions, and issues a report of the annual audit of all operations and activities undertaken. The board consists of five members all appointed by the mayor.

Members serve staggered 4-year terms.

COLUMBIA SPORTS COMMISSION Advises and makes recommendations to the Convention and Visitors Bureau with regards to sporting events, sporting-related projects, and promotions while also advising the city council on any sports-related efforts. The commission consists of 11 voting members and three non-voting members, with seven of them being appointed by the city council. Members serve a 2-year term with openings for new members occurring in December.

COLUMBIA PARKS AND RECREATION FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE Recommends and monitors grant distributions from the fund and is accountable to the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation.

COLUMBIA POLICE CHIEF’S VEHICLE STOPS COMMITTEE Examines data, identifies factors affecting the decision to stop a vehicle, finds ways to fill data gaps, creates a timeline for research, and examines police training that requires change to address the disparities in the vehicle stop rates by the Columbia Police Department.

COLUMBIA VISION COMMISSION Advises the city council on matters of community engagement regarding the implementation of the current and future city strategic plan. The commission is composed of nine members serving a 3-year term with openings for new members occurring in December.

COMMISSION ON CULTURAL AFFAIRS Advises on all matters pertaining to the arts and cultural environment of the city of Columbia and makes recommendations on funding for arts programs and services. The commission is composed of 12 members serving a 3-year term with openings for new members occurring in October.

COMMISSION ON CULTURAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ART Assists the city council in considerations of public art to recommend the type and location of public art to be commissioned as well as whether an artist’s competition should be held and the extent of that competition.

Works closely with and involves members from the Commission on Cultural Affairs. The committee consists of at least five members, with three members being appointed by the city council and two members by the Commission on Cultural Affairs. Members serve 3-year terms with openings for new members occurring in July.

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Creates educational programs to minimize or eliminate discriminatory practices, investigates complaints alleging discriminatory practices, provides mediation to resolve incidences of alleged discriminatory practices, and advises the city council on human rights issues. The committee consists of seven members who serve a 3-year term with openings for new members occurring in March.

COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ORGANIZATION BOARD Not-for-profit corporation that preserves the long-term affordability of housing units formed through public subsidies. The board consists of nine members that are appointed by the city council.

CONLEY FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE Recommends and monitors grant distributions from the fund and is accountable to the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation. Current members include the City of Columbia’s directors of finance, public health and human services, and law.

CONVENTION AND VISITORS ADVISORY BOARD Advises the city council, city manager, and department director on the use of funds from hotel and motel tax, provides annual report to the city council regarding the convention and visitors department budget, and projects and promotions

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referred to the board for review. The board consists of 12 members serving a 2-year term with openings for new board members occurring in September.

DISABILITIES COMMISSION Holds public hearings to review concerns of residents with disabilities, advises the city council, reviews or monitors the accessibility of public and private facilities, and education as to the concerns of residents with disabilities. The commission consists of twelve members serving 3-year terms with openings for new members occurring in June.

DOWNTOWN COLUMBIA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Reviews the boundaries of the expanded downtown development concept plan and study area and makes recommendations on development guidelines and physical attributes for downtown Columbia. The board consists of 16 members with six of them being appointed by city council.

Members serve a 3-year term with openings for new members occurring in May.

FINANCE ADVISORY AND AUDIT COMMITTEE Advises and makes recommendations to the city council on financial matters. The committee is made up of five members serving 3-year terms with openings for new members occurring in December.

FIREFIGHTERS’ RETIREMENT BOARD Advises the city council on the administration of the firefighters’ retirement plan and fund. The board consists of five members with two of them being appointed by the city council.

Members serve a 2-year term with openings for new members occurring in December.

GROWTH IMPACT STUDY WORKING GROUP Assists the consultant hired by the city to examine the fiscal ramifications of growth in construction, population, and territory in Columbia. Provides recommendations for allocation of growth-related costs for fiscally sustainable growth, establishing an analytical model to adapt to Columbia, and reviewing and commenting on the consultant’s work as it progresses. The task force consists of five members appointed by the council. There are no term limits.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Investigates and recommends the adoption of ordinances designating protection areas as having special cultural, historic, archeological, community, or architectural value as “notable property,” “landmarks,” or “historic districts;” keeps a register of all properties and structures which have been designated; educates citizens of COMO concerning the historic, archeological, and architectural heritage of the city. The

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commission consists of seven members serving 3-year terms with openings for new members occurring in September.

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Advises in all matters pertaining to affordable housing and community development, considers the annual application for expenditures of federal funds under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, and makes recommendations to the city manager and city council. The commission consists of nine members with eight of them being appointed by the city council. Members serve 3-year terms with openings for new members occuring in November.

HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION Determines human service needs of citizens, assembles a plan that outlines the needs and services essential in meeting those needs, and recommends the appropriate providers of the approved services to the city council.

The commission consists of ten members all appointed by the council. Members serve 3-year terms with openings for new members occuring in December.

MAYOR’S TASK FORCE ON THE U.S.S. COLUMBIA Maintains positive relationships between the City of Columbia, the U.S. Navy, and the crew of the U.S.S. Columbia, as well as the cities of Columbia, Illinois, and Columbia, South Carolina as it pertains to the U.S.S. Columbia. The task force consists of eleven members with nine of them being appointed by the Mayor There are no term limits.

PARKING ADVISORY COMMISSION Studies, plans, and advises the city council on parking resources.

The commission consists of nine members with six of them being appointed by the city council.

Members serve 3-year terms with openings for new members occurring in February.

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE Establishes and reviews the policy for investments. The committee consists of voting members of the firefighters’ and the police retirement board as well as the director of finance.

LOAN AND GRANT COMMITTEE Reviews and determines loan applications for the city’s housing programs, loan terms and requirements, and other various duties assigned. The committee consists of five members all appointed by the city manager.

MARIJUANA FACILITY LICENSE REVIEW BOARD Reviews appeals regarding marijuana facility licenses to affirm or deny the appeal through the business services administrator. The board consists of three members with one of them being appointed by the city council. Members serve 3-year terms with openings for new members occurring in September.

MAYOR’S COUNCIL ON PHYSICAL FITNESS AND HEALTH Educates about the importance of regular physical fitness activity, encourages local physical fitness and sports programs in the community, assists local businesses, schools, and community organizations in establishing fitness programs. Members serve 3-year terms with openings for new members occurring in November.

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Advises on matters pertaining to public recreation, makes budget recommendations, and assists in planning recreation programs The commission consists of seven members and must include representation from each of the six wards of the city.

Members serve 3-year terms with openings for new members occurring in May.

PERSONNEL ADVISORY BOARD Advises on the status of the personnel system, reviews changes in personnel policies, hears appeals from corrective/disciplinary actions and answers questions on guidelines of conduct for municipal employees.

The board consists of seven members serving 3-year terms with openings occurring in May for regular members, and November for alternates.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Submits and makes recommendations for the interpretation of a comprehensive development plan for adoption by the city council; acts as a zoning commission; prepares and recommends rules controlling subdivision of land; recommends approval or disapproval of plats for land subdivision and legislation to further city planning. The commission consists of nine members serving 4-year terms with openings for new members occurring in May.

POLICE RETIREMENT BOARD Advises the city council on the administration of the police retirement plan and fund. The board consists of five members serving 2-year terms with openings for new members occurring in December.

PUBLIC TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMISSION Advises about transit policy and safety matters concerning transit issues affecting the City of Columbia.

The commission consists of thirteen members with ten of them being appointed by the city council.

Members appointed by city council serve 3-year terms with openings for new members occurring in February.

RAILROAD ADVISORY BOARD Advises the city council on the operation and needs of the Columbia Terminal and shippers to ensure sound and efficient management of said rail line.

The board consists of seven members serving 4-year terms with openings for new members occurring in July.

ROCK QUARRY ROAD SCENIC ROADWAY STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY GROUP Works with the Planning and Zoning Commission to determine the values and preferences regarding the scenic preservation and roadway design within and along the Rock Quarry Road Scenic Roadway corridor and provides roadway design input regarding the level of service needs of all intended roadway users against the scenic roadway district preservation goals in proposing specific design

options. The council appoints up to fifteen members to this group, and there are no term limits.

ST. CHARLES TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT BOARD The St. Charles Transportation Development District (TDD) is a political subdivision. The city council appoints one member to the board.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE ADVISORY COMMISSION Advises the city council on matters pertaining to substance abuse and promotes the coordination of programs intended to prevent and eliminate the abuse of alcohol and other controlled substances. The commission consists of 10 members with seven of them being appointed by the city council. Members serve 3-year terms with openings for new members occurring in October.

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING COMMISSION Advises the city council as it relates to the consideration of tax increment financing proposals submitted. The commission consists of 11 members with six of them being appointed by the mayor with consent of the council.

Members serve 4-year terms.

THE DISTRICT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD An independent organization dedicated to keeping COMO’s downtown vital. The board consists of 15 members and consists of property owners, business owners, and residents throughout The District.

THE LOOP COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD

Improvement District-financed programs, provides outreach and advocacy to members, public officials, and the community at large. The board consists of seven members appointed by the mayor with approval from the city council serving 3-year terms.

TOBACCO RETAILER LICENSE REVIEW BOARD Hears appeals of decisions regarding the denial, suspension or revocation of tobacco licenses and either affirms the action taken by the business services administrator or directs the business services administrator to grant or reinstate the license. The board consists of three members, with one of them being appointed by the city council. Members serve 3-year terms with openings for new members occurring in March.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION COUNCIL OF BOONE COUNTY The University of Missouri Extension Council makes recommendations to the university regarding its Extension Program and administers Boone County’s share of the cost of extension services in the area. The city council appoints one member who serves a 2-year term with openings for a new member occurring in March.

WATER AND LIGHT ADVISORY BOARD Performs duties according to the charter and code of ordinances of the city and reports their findings and recommendations at least annually to the residents of COMO and the city council. The board consists of five members serving 4-year terms with openings for new members occurring in June.

YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL Advises the city council in all matters pertaining to youth and youthrelated issues. All members must be 14-19 years old and appointed by the city council. Members serve a 3-year term with openings for new members occurring in May.

Develops and recommends an annual budget and work plan, oversees revenue and administration of funds, monitors performance and provision of services, ensures assessments are TREE BOARD being utilized in Addresses issues regarding trees accordance with the legislative of public and private land, advises intent of the the city council on urban forest Community resources and the Columbia UrImprovement ban Forest Master Plan, provides District. Also information to the public, and supervises the relays information from citizens to management the city council regarding tree isof Community sues. The board consists of seven members appointed by the council. Members serve 3-year terms.

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City Block NEW KIDS ON THE

New mayor and city council ready to carry COMO into the future.

BY LAUREN SABLE FREIMAN | CITY HALL PHOTO BY CHARLES BRUCE, III COMOMAG.COM

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Photo by Keith Borgmeyer

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B

arbara Buffaloe graduated from MU and began her career at a St. Louis-based architecture firm. She worked on various projects, and she was good at her job. But, as she spent more time in architecture and design, she says she had a revelation. When it came to her skills as a designer, she got the job done. However, when she had the opportunity to encourage people to think outside of the box and consider issues from a broad perspective, she was really energized, excited, and effective. She was a decent designer, but she was a great influencer.

“I had a skill for helping my colleagues think about other factors affected by the project, like the neighborhood surrounding, and transportation and energy needs of the clients,” she says. “I went back to MU for a Masters Degree in Environment and Behavior, where my area of research was studying what factors influence the decisions people make for their built environment and what role the government plays in providing a safe and healthy environment.”

Prior to her mayoral run, Barbara put these skills to work in her role as the City of Columbia's sustainability manager. Her championing of citywide sustainability goals included reducing carbon by 35% by 2035.

She first considered the idea of running for mayor after meeting the late Mayor Darwin Hindman, often referred to as the “Father of the Katy Trail.” Under his leadership, COMO and three other cities received $25 million in federal funding to power a pilot project that promoted bicycling and walking as an alternative to driving. Seeing the impact he had on how the city developed its local trails and biking infrastructure was both inspiring and intriguing for Barbara. The realization of all the ways the mayor helps set the tone and direction for the city as it grows was enticing.

As COMO’s newest mayor, Barbara has earned that same opportunity to help the town grow and strengthen while supporting the vision of helping COMO remain as the best place to live, work, learn, and play.

“Because of my background in sustainability and the built environment, I want to help guide us in a direction that grows thoughtfully and with an emphasis on measuring the long-term impacts on decisions we make today,” she says.

A CH A RT ER CI T Y COMO is one of 36 Missouri cities gov-

“EV ERY ONE OF OUR MEMBERS WA N T S TO HELP COLU MBI A ACHIE V E ITS V ISION OF BEING THE BEST PL ACE FOR EV ERYONE TO LIVE, WORK, LEARN AND P L A Y.” — Barbara Buffaloe erned by a charter (i.e. a unique set of laws that forms the legal foundation of the local government). Under a council-manager form of government, the mayor and city council establish policy and law while a city manager, appointed by city council, handles the day-to-day management of the city.

City Manager De’Carlon Seewood is responsible for the implementation of policies and programs adopted by the council.

He is also responsible for all daily operations of the city, including appointing all officers and city employees.

As COMO’s mayor, Barbara leads a council made up of six representatives from each ward serving staggered 3-year terms. To run for office, potential council members must be registered voters of the city and be residents of the ward they are selected to represent. As with any new team, Barbara says that the city council is learning how to best work together to carry COMO into the future.

“Every one of our members wants to help Columbia achieve its vision of being the best place for everyone to live, work, learn

and play,” Barbara says. “We sometimes have different ideas on how to get there and will continue to have work sessions on important topics like American Rescue Plan Act funding, utility investments, and community safety. We're figuring out each other's working styles so that we can make our meetings efficient and productive.”

A DJ UST ING FOR GROW T H Due to the 2020 U.S. Census showing growth in various areas of the city, the city council appointed a Ward Apportionment Committee to make recommendations for updating ward boundaries to city council earlier this year.

“Since the last ward map was adopted in 2011, the city’s six wards had grown at different rates and were not equal in population,” Barbara says. “The city charter states that ward boundaries shall contain as nearly as possible an equal number of inhabitants.”

With slight changes to balance the populations between wards, the new ward boundaries are similar to previous boundaries.

“There are parts of the fifth ward and sixth ward, near the University of Missouri, that are now both in the fourth ward,” Barbara says. “We also saw a section of the first ward be transferred to the second ward.”

The new wards went into effect in April.

POISED FOR SUCCE S S As the new city council continues to work together to ensure a vibrant future for COMO, Barbara says there is unlimited potential for the city to grow in many ways.

“Columbia is a growing community, and we have an opportunity right now to plan for how we grow and make decisions as a local government,” she says. “We have received American Rescue Plan Act funds that can be used to help our residents and business recover from the impacts of the pandemic. Those funds are an opportunity to invest in our community members.”

While ARPA funds have the potential to make an immediate impact in the community, other initiatives will be implemented over a longer period of time.

“Some of the ideas I've heard, such as improving housing affordability with funds for renovations and implementing an equity lens into how the City of Columbia evaluates policies, programs, and projects have the potential for having a long-lasting impact in our community,” Barbara says.

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City of Columbia:

WA R D S & C I T Y C O U N C I L M E M B E R S

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Ward 1

Ward 3

Ward 5

Ward 2

Ward 4

Ward 6

THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

M AYOR Barbara Buffaloe TERM EXPIRES:

April 2025

E M A I L Mayor@CoMo.gov P H O N E 573.874.7222

WA R D 1

WA R D 4

Pat Fowler TERM EXPIRES

April 2023

E M A I L Ward1@CoMo.gov P H O N E 573.256.6841 Pat holds of fice hours on Sundays from 3 - 4 p.m. in the lobby of City Hall.

WA R D 2

April 2024

E M A I L Ward2@CoMo.gov P H O N E 573. 321.9219 Appointments with Andrea can be scheduled at calendly.com/ward2.

WA R D 3

April 2025

E M A I L Ward4@CoMo.gov P H O N E 205.420.8102 Nick is available by appointment.

Matt Pitzer TERM EXPIRES

April 2023

E M A I L Ward5@CoMo.gov P H O N E 573.823.7037 Matt is available by appointment

WA R D 6

Karl Skala TERM EXPIRED

TERM EXPIRES

WA R D 5

Andrea Waner TERM EXPIRES

Nick Foster

April 2022

E M A I L Ward3@CoMo.gov P H O N E 573.474.2195 Karl holds bi-monthly of fice hours at The Cof fee Zone from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays preceding each Monday City Council meeting.

Betsy Peters TERM EXPIRES

April 2024

E M A I L Ward6@CoMo.gov P H O N E 573.874.7812 Betsy is available by appointment.

Columbia ward map and city council headshots acquired from como.gov.

Editor's note: At the time this story was written, Karl was appointed to remain in of fice until an Aug. 2 special election following a tie with Roy Lovelady. Visit como.gov/boards/city-council for the updated results of that special election.

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“If I had to choose a single word to define Joe Gilbert, I would have to zero in on ‘mentor’. While ‘teacher’ was the first one to come to mind, Joe has proven to hold a much larger role in my path. A natural leader, protector, and man of integrity. However, let us not discredit him as a teacher. Joe has to be one of the smartest, most capable people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. His ability to convey his knowledge and experience to another in a manner that is applicable, regardless of how the student best receives the material, is exceptional.”

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Working

THE L AST WORD

What is something you would legalize in COMO?

DARREN MORTON

I would like to legalize work days as Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and have 4-day weekends every weekend in COMO! ALEX GEORGE

I’m pretty sure the world would be a better place if the city sent every COMO resident a voucher for Sparky’s every month or so.

Kind of like with the trash bags, only for ice cream.

JEREMIAH HUNTER

We may be biased, but we think COMO is the greatest city on Earth.

But of course, there’s always room for improvement! So, we asked our Advisory Board what law they’d love to see put into place in our city (besides weed and rollcarts).

law” required all single men between the ages of 21 and 50 to pay an annual $1 tax to the state government.

They should make it due on Valentine’s Day as an added reminder you are single, haha!

What I want to see legal...Uh... um...have to pass on that?

BARBRA HORRELL

More shopping opportunities in COMO! HEATHER BROWN

I would legalize free parking downtown. I love going downtown, but avoid it if I can because parking is such a hassle.

MEGAN STEEN

NICKIE DAVIS

Abortion.... and buying liquor before 9 a.m. on Sundays. What is that? Do we live in Kansas?!

I want to legalize a pedal bar for COMO…exercise and drinks, what an awesome combo!

CHRIS HORN

CHRIS COTTLE

Psilocybin for treatment of anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse issues, migraines, and cluster headaches.

Require CPD officers to live in COMO and pay salaries accordingly. This would better facilitate relationships between the community and those that police it.

KRIS HUSTED

I would legalize no-excuse absentee voting. I’m originally from California, and it was so convenient mailing in my ballot ahead of time there.

For some reason, I’m always super busy on election days.

SUZANNE ROTHWELL

I plead the 5th. I’m in the business of making and keeping friends…nice try, though! Ask me when I retire in about 10 years.

AMANDA JACOBS

Abortion…and 2-hour free parking in downtown seven days a week.

BETH BRAMSTEDT

I would legalize outdoor meetings on days it’s sunny and 75!

NATHAN TODD

I’d have to do some checking, but “the bachelor

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THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

WENDE WAGNER

I concur with free downtown parking. I also think you should be able to buy alcohol at any time.

Sale restrictions on a legal substance are silly.

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“We switched everything to Hawthorn Bank.”

“We weren’t looking to switch banks when Hawthorn helped us with our PPP loan, but it was obvious from the start that Ryan and Hawthorn were committed to helping our school. Their guidance has meant everything to us.

Because of Hawthorn, we’ve been able to expand, and we’re still growing.”

– Kara and Benjamin Hook The Atelier School

Ryan Clifton

Senior Vice President Commercial Lending (573) 449-9933 NMLS #1006206

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THE POLITICS ISSUE 2022

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