The race for the Ward 1 seat on the Warrenton Board of Aldermen features two individuals who previously have not held elected offices. Karen Casserly and Ron Jurgesmeyer are both seeking election to the seat currently held by Phil Tallo, who did not file for re-election. They each have distinct reasons for running for office. Casserly believes the city has lost some trust from its citizens through some of its procedures and decisions. Jurgesmeyer would like to improve the relationships between Warrenton and other surrounding governmental entities. However, the two candidates offered similar opinions when asked about a controversial decision made by the board of aldermen last April to offer employment contracts to only two members of the city’s staff. Ironically, both candidates chose the same slogan, “Working for You,” for their respective campaigns. Profiles of the candidates appear in the order in which the candidates’ names will be on the ballot next Tuesday.

KAREN CASSERLY

Casserly said she filed as a candidate for the board of aldermen, in part, because she would like to contribute to the community in which she was raised and where her family continues to live. “I am a firm believer that public service is important as a citizen of our community,” Casserly stated. “Many times I have heard that it is time for the ‘next generation’ to step up and take an active role in our community. As a mother of two with a successful career, I feel it is time to give back to this community which I have been a part of my entire life and which my family has been a part of for generations. “There is a sense of distrust in our community, and I want to bring back the faith of our residents that those people whom they elect are working on their behalf for the best interests of the community and not for those special interest groups who want to run our local government to meet their own personal needs.” Casserly also noted that she personally funded her campaign and did not accept donations which were offered.

Communication If elected, Casserly said building and improving relationships between the city and its residents through better communication and other forms of communication would be two of her priorities as a member of the board of aldermen. “I want to open the lines of communication with the citizens of Warrenton,” she stated. “The best way to build trust among the community is to open the discussion on topics which are important to the residents. “There are various ways to do this, and I would start by having all the open meetings of the board to be taped like the regular board of aldermen meetings,” she continued. “Currently too many meetings are held outside of those regular meetings and the board of aldermen meetings seem to be more of a formality.” Casserly stated that she also would seek out additional means to communicate with the city’s residents, including town hall meetings, newsletters and a blog relating to matters of interest to citizens in Ward 1. “Everyone gathers information differently and we need to do everything we can to make sure we are communicating with the citizens,” she remarked. Casserly also believes the city should improve its relationship with the Warren County Commission and other county offices. “We must do our best to work together for our mutual benefit,” she said. “I have a lot of experience working with people with varying points of view and opinions. We can find mutual ground to work with and build our relationship of trust and partnership.”

Regaining Trust, Expanding Tax Base Over the course of the coming year, Casserly said the city’s top priority should be regaining the trust of its citizens. Growing the city’s employment base and attracting new businesses also is important, she remarked. “We need to work with our economic development staff to attract new businesses and fill the vacancies at the outlet mall property,” Casserly said, adding that she would like to survey residents and find out what types of businesses they would like to see in Warrenton. “Our city also could use a good cleanup,” Casserly said. “We have a lot of properties which are eyesores because they haven’t been kept up and junk has been allowed to accumulate in people’s yards. We should all take pride in our community and care about how visitors to our town view us by the looks of our homes. The value of everyone’s property is affected by the upkeep of the homes around them.” In terms of economic development, Casserly pointed out that the past few years have been difficult as far as spurring new business growth, but added that the economy is showing signs of improvement. She also said it is important for the city to revitalize the Warrenton Outlet Center. “It was great to see new businesses like Aldi’s and O’Reilly Auto Parts come to town,” she said. “It is important that we find businesses which bring employment opportunities as well as increased sales tax revenue.”

Employment Contracts Casserly said the city’s decision to award employment contracts to only two of the city’s employees “had terrible consequences to the trust levels of our citizens and this has been the main focus of public opinion since the action was taken.” She stated that she would support an effort to repeal that decision if the citizens of the first ward feel it should be a priority. “However, I think we have lost sight of who really should be held accountable,” she remarked. “The board of aldermen make decisions regarding all personnel issues, and the two individuals holding those contracts should be held accountable by the board. “Any performance issue should be handled with proper human resources standards,” she continued, noting that all employees should undergo performance reviews regularly. Casserly said she would support repealing the contracts, but added that a system of proper procedural reviews would ensure that all city employees — regardless of their positions — would be treated fairly and that there would be no need for the employment contracts.

RON JURGESMEYER

Following his retirement nine years ago, Jurgesmeyer returned to Warrenton. “During these past nine years, I have observed the growth of the city and the decision made by our city leaders,” he stated. “Some of the decisions I agreed with and some I disagreed with. “I think we will need to make several decisions in the next two years that will have a longtime effect on the city structure and the citizens themselves,” he added. Jurgesmeyer, who worked most of his professional life as a Shelter Insurance agent, but who also spent a decade as owner and president of Mid-America Piering, pointed to his business experience and community involvement as qualities which would enable him to offer leadership and wisdom to issues which will be decided by the city over the next two years. “I am retired, so I have the time to devote to the job and I feel the timing is right for me to take on this responsibility,” he remarked.

A Desirable, Friendly City When asked about his priorities, Jurgesmeyer said Warrenton needs to become “a desired place to locate new homes and businesses and we need to be a friendly city willing to work with other government entities within our county and region.” Additionally, he feels the city needs to become more “environmentally aware.” To that end, Jurgesmeyer said he would like to see the city develop a “revenue-producing recycling program” which would be offered free of charge to the city’s residents. Issues which Jurgesmeyer feels the city should focus on during the coming year include the proposed transportation development district (TDD) which will fund the planned Interstate 70 overpass west of Highway 47 and continued infrastructure development. “Before going forward with the taxing district (for the overpass), we need to make certain of the need for a new overpass as well as the best location,” Jurgesmeyer noted. “We need to continue the development of our infrastructure in order to attract new businesses, and we need to work with the regional economic development council to help determine what is best for our city and region,” he continued. “We should not forget that, as citizens of Warrenton, we also are citizens of Warren County. Isolating our city is not the approach we need to focus on.”

Economic Development In terms of economic development, Jurgesmeyer conceded that without having firsthand knowledge, it is difficult for him to assess the city’s efforts to attract new businesses and spur economic development. “As a citizen, it doesn’t appear we are attracting new businesses at a rate or numbers that we would like,” he said. “We see other cities growing at a fast rate, even in an economic downturn, and wonder, ‘Why not us?’ ”

Eliminating Contracts Jurgesmeyer stated that he would support elimination or repeal of the two employment contracts which were approved by the board of aldermen in April 2012, adding that he would be willing to offer the proposal to do so.“I believe no city employee should be in fear of job termination without just cause,” he asserted.