Wright City voters will choose a mayor and two aldermen on the April 3 ballot.Dan Rowden was appointed mayor after the sudden death of David Heiliger July 6. Rowden was to complete Heiliger’s term and then the mayor’s seat would be up for election. Rowden is running for the seat and being challenged by Jim Logan. It is a two-year term.Two candidates, incumbent Kerry Lambright and Dwayne Paul, are running for an open alderman seat in Ward 1. This is a one-year term.A second Ward 1 seat for a two-year term only had a single candidate file, incumbent John O'Connor.Two candidates, James Toothman and incumbent Tom Dixon, are running for the open seat in Ward 2. It is a two-year term.Below are the candidates’ profiles for the competitive races. Jim Logan did not provide a candidate profile or photo.
MayorDan RowdenRowden is the Fire and EMS division manager for St. Charles County Emergency Communications. He’s running for mayor because he believes in giving back to the community.“I possess the leadership skills, experience and commitment to help our city continue to progress for the better,” he said. “I will be retiring at the end of April 2018 from my full-time job with St. Charles County. Retirement will allow me more time to commit to serving our citizens and helping our city employees.”Rowden has experience as a police chief and a county department head in dealing with multi-million dollar budgets, and being a good steward of funds.“I have had the opportunity to take a leadership role in our city budget as a member of the board of aldermen and in guiding the preparation and balancing of our city budget this year,” he said. “I have been a leader in acquisition of our new city hall building with the renovations currently underway, and working to assure we are building infrastructure such as sidewalk projects on Bell Road and Wildcat Drive adjacent to schools.”Rowden is a 19-year member of Faith Chapel Church. He has served on the pastor’s advisory board for the last 10 years. He is past president and life member of the Missouri Police Chiefs Association, a senior member of APCO International, a member of Missouri APCO, Missouri Nena, and the Missouri 911 Directors Association.He has served as president, vice president and secretary of the Missouri APCO and as a member of the Statewide 911 Oversight Committee. Locally, he has served on the Wright City Planning and Zoning Commission, as Wright City Ward I alderman, president of the board of aldermen and was appointed to fulfill David Heiliger’s unexpired mayoral term.“I would ask that the citizens give me the opportunity to lead the city into the future by voting for me on April 3 for mayor of Wright City,” he said.His wife, Carolyn Rowden, is a legal assistant.
Alderman Ward 1Kerry LambrightLambright, the incumbent, is project lead for IT Call Center Solutions and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Applications.Lambright was appointed alderman in Ward I to replace Rowden after Rowden was appointed mayor.“As the two-year co-chair of planning and zoning, then appointed alderman for the past eight months, I wish to continue serving the community that I love and moving Wright City forward. As the city grows, we will need community leaders that present positive outcomes,” Lambright said. “The face of Wright City is changing and I want to be engaged and involved in that change, representing Ward 1, as well as the entire community.”He said the most significant action he’s been involved with is updating Wright City building codes to 2015 International Building Code standards.“This results in the city maintaining a positive insurance rating while keeping new homes safer and insurance rates on them low. I have also been engaged with the board in updating the long-term growth plans for the city,” he said.He wants to work with the board to put long-term growth plans for the city into action.“I will continue to work hard for our community and support future opportunities seen as positive for Ward 1, for Wright City and our residents and for the region as a whole,” Lambright said.Lambright is a volunteer and supporter for the Wright City Community Food Pantry, a Properties Committee member for the First Baptist Church in Wright City, and a supporter for other charities in and around Wright City including Strong Tower Ranch and Blue and Gold.Lambright’s wife Cheryl is the director and client coordinator for the Wright City Community Food Pantry.
Dwayne PaulPaul is a sheriff’s deputy with Warren County Sheriff’s Department.“I am running for alderman in Ward 1 because I want to make Wright City a better place to live and to bring business to Wright City,” Paul said.Paul is persuing his bachelor’s degree in business administration at Lindenwood University.“I believe that this will help me to bring businesses to Wright City. Knowing how they operate and what they are looking for will help Wright City grow as a city,” he said.As a member of the board, he would work toward growth.“I will want to expand the city limits and to get more businesses in Wright City. I would like to see the Strassenbash be more entertaining, like it was when I was a kid,” he said.He would like to see more things for families to do.His wife Cynthia Jean Paul works at State Farm in bank auditing and quality control.
Alderman Ward 2James ToothmanToothman is running for alderman because he wants to serve the community.“(I want) to maintain a balanced board with a perspective of seeing Wright City expand with new jobs and service opportunities,” Toothman said.He has previously held a board position.“During my previous terms on the board of aldermen, we saw an increase in new business, such as Scott’s Miracle Grow, EPC, Subway and the newest, much needed addition of Legacy Drugstore. Also, the new Scenic Regional Library is becoming a reality,” he said.“In the coming years, I hope to encourage the sensible growth of new businesses and services. We are having a big spurt of growth in housing and jobs. I know we will enjoy a dynamic future,” Toothman said.He has been married to Jeanne for 53 years.
Tom DixonDixon, the incumbent, is a retired truck driver. His experience played a part in traffic relief in the city.“We implemented a comprehensive truck route ordinance and with this in place we have seen a significant improvement to the problem to the flow of truck traffic,” he said.Going forward, “The most pressing issue to me is to complete the (new) city hall by this spring/summer.”He is running for re-election because of his desire to serve.“As a career truck driver I was never able to participate in public office. This is a way I can give back,” Dixon said.His wife Margaret is retired.
Dan Rowden is running for wright city mayor.
Kerry Lambright is running for wright city alderman, Ward 1.
Dwayne Paul is running for wright city alderman, Ward 1.
James Toothman is running for wright city alderman, Ward 2.
Tom Dixon is running for Wright City alderman, Ward 2.
