The city of Arnold has four City Council races on the April 8 ballot.
In Ward 1, Troy Blacksher is challenging incumbent Jason Fulbright. In Ward 2, Tim Seidenstricker and Michael P. Rother are running. In Ward 3, incumbent Mark Hood is being challenged by Spencer Rice and Jessica Ann Bess. In Ward 4, Michael William Rethmeyer is challenging incumbent Claude “Butch” Cooley.
Each of the terms is for two years. Arnold City Council members are paid $756.29 monthly, or $9,075.48 a year.
Ward 1:
Blacksher, 63, is manager of the Gateway Food Pantry. He retired from Spire as a service technician. He graduated from Ranken Technical College and earned a stationary engineers license. He is married to Sherry and has one child.
Fulbright, 51, is a Realtor and a general contractor. He is a Fox High School graduate. He earned an associate degree in business from Jefferson College and a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business from Missouri Baptist University.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Blacksher: I participated in the Fox Elementary School Parent’s club for seven years and was an Arnold ambassador. I served as a Gateway Food Panty board member along with being a consistent volunteer with the organization. Currently I am on the Arnold Parks and Recreation board.
Fulbright: I have been honored to serve on the City Council since 2013. I have also served on various boards and committees in our community, allowing me to gain experience in working with people in hopes of improving our community.
What are the biggest problems facing the city and how would you address them?
Blacksher: Trust is the biggest problem. The Arnold Parkway recently frustrated many citizens of Arnold. Transparent decision-making should be a priority. Benefits and potential drawbacks should be communicated to citizens along with project plans and decisions. My plan is to bring back that trust by making citizens aware of the decisions the council makes. Creation of growth needs a solution as well. My goal is to provide businesses with what they need to stay and grow in Arnold.
Fulbright: Our most challenging issues are ensuring the safety of our community and finding better ways for positive economic development. I will continue to ensure our Police Department receives the resources it needs to keep our community safe. I am committed to seeing our community grow by working with others to find the best possible opportunities for economic development in Arnold. A key piece of this is making sure Arnold is open to the public in every way possible and that we are always open to new ideas and ways to improve engagement with the public.
Should the city pursue any new road projects funded with sales tax revenue charged in the Arnold Retail Corridor Transportation Development District (ARC TDD)? Why or why not?
Blacksher: Projects bringing new business to Arnold are a great idea, as long as the projects do not use eminent domain to take someone’s property or business. Prior to initiating large-scale projects, the city should conduct public forums to gather input from citizens and address concerns. Citizen participation should be the number one consideration before moving forward with projects.
Fulbright: Yes, but I am not saying the original project should just be brought back. I am in favor of Arnold using TDDs and other such programs because in many ways we are competing with other cities. I don’t want to pay more taxes, but I also don’t want to drive 20 miles away to eat at a great new restaurant, where I will probably be paying the tax anyway to another city. Wouldn’t we be tying our arms behind our backs?
Why should voters elect you to this position?
Blacksher: I have lived in Arnold for more than 30 years and this is the city where I have raised my family. I will work to improve the city I care so much about. Arnold citizens have lost trust and I am looking to help the city of Arnold earn this trust back. I believe Arnold can improve through clear communication, correction of overspending of tax dollars and increased safety. Arnold needs real solutions, such as easy access to City Council meetings and streetlights for safety.
Fulbright: I hope my experience in working with people is my biggest qualification. I don’t have all the answers to every problem, and I am always open to hearing from others and having frank discussions about moving our city forward. I always try to make the best decisions I can based on the information available at the time. I am not afraid to accept new information and change my opinion if there is a good reason to.
List your goals, if elected.
Blacksher: My goals on the council are to encourage businesses to establish themselves in Arnold without the city uprooting families through eminent domain. I will work with the Arnold Police Department to help reduce crime and promote safer neighborhoods. I will ensure that our streets and sidewalks are maintained for increased accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. I will strive for greater accountability for tax dollar spending, easier access to public meetings for citizens and encouragement of citizen participation.
Fulbright: The mayor’s new economic development commission, made up of city staff, businesses and our citizens, is just getting started. Having more community engagement within our city is one of my largest goals. In the past, I worked to make sure our city was operating efficiently, taking care of the things that matter, like plowing the roads when it snows and fixing them afterward. I would also like to see even more website improvements that allow for people to find the information they need when they want it.
Ward 2:
Seidenstricker, 45, is a long-term substitute teacher for the Fox C-6 School District. He has a bachelor’s degree in theology from Concordia University in Wisconsin. He has two children.
Rother, 73, retired in 2015 as the director of contracts, industrial relations and security at Prairie State Generating Co. during construction of a $5 billion coal-fired power plant. He has been principal of Rother’s Consulting Co. since 2015. He was lead construction supervisor for Ameren Missouri, 2018-2023. He has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri. He graduated from the FBI Citizens Academy, St. Louis Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy and InfraGard National Leadership Member Alliance Academy. His partner is Nancy, and he has two children and four grandchildren.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Seidenstricker: Current Arnold Planning Commissioner and Board of Adjustment member on Planning and Zoning. I have served on the Arnold Police Pension Review board and was a founding member of the Arnold Beautification Committee. I was a previous Arnold Ward 2 City Councilman and was mayor pro tempore from January 2019-April 2023.
Rother: Appointed by the Missouri governor and confirmed by the Senate as a board member for Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations State Board of Mediation, 2017-present. National board member-director of InfraGard National Members Alliance, FBI Affiliated, 2020-present. Founder of Mike’s Tae Kwon Do Academy of Martial Arts in 1994. Achieved the certified rank of sixth degree black belt and inducted into the U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2002.
What are the biggest problems facing the city and how would you address them?
Seidenstricker: It’s a great time to be an Arnold resident, but every great city can always find ways to improve. I plan to keep Arnold thriving by continuing to support and grow local businesses and to improve our infrastructure as needed. I will continue to work with law enforcement to keep crime extremely low. I also love working directly with our neighborhoods to get their feedback on how to make them the best they can be.
Rother: Our responsibility is to serve the people. I will commit to transparency and fostering a culture of open dialogue to strengthen community relationships and lead Arnold toward a future built on collaboration and accountability. The terminated Parkway Project serves as an example of what happens when transparency is challenged, resulting in frustrated residents, disgruntled businesses and potential legal challenges. Such outcomes represent a breakdown in communication and leadership. Each city has challenges. Open and honest lines of communication are the cornerstone of effective leadership and success. I will engage with residents, business owners and local organizations to address challenging issues.
Should the city pursue any new road projects funded with sales tax revenue charged in the Arnold Retail Corridor Transportation Development District (ARC TDD)? Why or why not?
Seidenstricker: My understanding is that no “new” transportation projects are scheduled for the area. The city should, however, continually evaluate its transportation needs as development, traffic patterns and demographics change.
Rother: What the city needs to do first for residents is to clearly determine what the tax funds are being allocated toward in order to enhance the transportation district. I believe there can be other means to fund future projects besides taxing. A suggestion might be designing a city of Arnold Challenge Coin to be used as a fundraising tool to generate a revenue stream. The city can charge a reasonable cost for this patriotic coin with all proceeds to go to city infrastructure improvements. Develop levels of membership that includes a challenge coin, as well as volunteer business discounts.
Why should voters elect you to this position?
Seidenstricker: I’m passionate about the city in which I live and serve, and my two terms as a city councilman has reflected that. I have a proven and solid record of working hard for my constituents. I’m always available to speak to, meet with and answer any questions from residents. I love hearing any suggestions they have for improving our city. I’m also committed to transparency in our city government.
Rother: What the voters, the residents of Arnold, need and want is strong leadership which begins with listening before speaking; making informed and accountable decisions; and fostering open, honest, and transparent communication. My goal is to serve with integrity, ensuring that our community thrives through balanced, thoughtful leadership. My extensive career has resulted in many project successes, and these success stories will be the tools I would bring to the City Council. Experience, leadership and building/maintaining partnerships and integrity will be the attributes that will instill open and transparent lines of communications as a “means to an end.”
List your goals, if elected.
Seidenstricker: My first goal will always be public safety. I will continue to support our great Police Department and officers so residents can feel safe in their neighborhoods and all around town. I will strive to ensure all residents have an excellent quality of life. I will be open and transparent in my actions and communications. I will safeguard public resources and be fiscally responsible. I will collaborate with community partners to address issues of mutual concern.
Rother: Rebuilding trust and relations with the residential community by introducing an informal Coffee with a City Councilman to listen to and discuss any concerning issues. Challenging our residents to get more engaged. Ensuring full transparency in all major city projects by engaging the public early, encouraging participation and providing clear and consistent updates. Inviting trustees from all subdivisions to attend special arranged meetings at City Hall to discuss ideas to help better the city. Conduct a survey of Ward 2 and identify what is most important to the residential community.
Ward 3:
Hood, 63, is a Shelter Insurance agent in Arnold. He earned an associate degree in business administration from St. Louis Community College at Meramec and is a financial services certified professional. His significant other is Vicki, and he has four stepdaughters and seven step-grandchildren.
Rice, 42, is a supervisor at Brenntag. He graduated from Fox High School. He is married to Angela and has four children.
Bess, 38, is a senior design and execution specialist at Edward Jones. She graduated from Notre Dame High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She is working on her master’s certification in project management from St. Louis University. She is married to Andrew and has two children.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Hood: Eight consecutive years as councilman for Ward 3; former chairperson for the Arnold Tourism Committee (current council liaison); past president and secretary of Arnold Rotary Club (voted Rotarian of the Year 2014-2015), council liaison to the Aging and Disability Committee and helped make Arnold an official AARP Age-Friendly Community; current head coach of the Vianney High School Bowling Team; and current director for the St. Louis Bowling Association and chairperson of Hall of Fame Committee.
Rice: I have served in the military. I have served in management at Brenntag. This has allowed me to be mindful of budgets and collaborate daily with my teammates.
Bess: I have been engaged in civic participation and see a need to step into a more active role to bring transparency and trust back to our city. I vote. I got involved when I heard of financial issues within the Fox School District. I learned what I could about TIFs and actively learned about Prop P, which brought me to my engagement with Arnold Parkway and attending council meetings.
What are the biggest problems facing the city and how would you address them?
Hood: We have families who want to live in Arnold, but the number of homes for prospective buyers is not at the level I like. We need to find more opportunities to add housing developments to grow or we will continue to lose people to areas south. We need to work on access to public transportation. If we don’t improve, many of our seniors will move away from the city as they get older. We need to make sure our public buildings and facilities are accessible. We need to make our streets and sidewalks safer, more connected and accessible for wheelchairs, mobility devices, bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers.
Rice: The city of Arnold’s biggest problem is not being open and honest with its citizens. I plan to bring transparency to the city. I also plan to hold people who work for the city accountable.
Bess: I want our city to move forward so we don't continue to allow our past to dictate our future. We need a fresh perspective in our city government and need to prioritize transparency; community; and economic development through enhancing local businesses, promoting tourism based on the community’s unique opportunities, improving infrastructure, ensuring access to quality education for our community and fostering a strong sense of community. In Arnold, we have to consider the limited resources available and ensure we are prioritizing sustainable opportunities.
Should the city pursue any new road projects funded with sales tax revenue charged in the Arnold Retail Corridor Transportation Development District (ARC TDD)? Why or why not?
Hood: A TDD is a state political subdivision with an independently elected governing board. ARC TDD was formed in 2007, and all ARC TDD matters that require a vote are voted on by property owners in that TDD (not the council). The council gets involved if new bonds are needed for project funding. With the Parkway Project, the TDD owners approved it. When ARC TDD found out the majority of the council, including myself, wouldn’t vote to approve funding, the project was halted. For new projects, I would consider it if the citizens were given the opportunity to be heard.
Rice: The TDD should be fully paused until it can be reviewed. I do not believe the road proposed by the TDD is needed.
Bess: TDDs have their upside, but they should have community engagement and oversight and not be used in perpetuity and should be combined with private funding. With smaller cities like Arnold, we have unique needs and if the infrastructure is scalable and we are able to expand as the city grows, it makes it sustainable. We have scalable options for developments that are walkable and would be ideal for a city of our size with our unique makeup, a plaza where you can shop, eat and visit with a sense of community, while attracting tourism and revenue.
Why should voters elect you to this position?
Hood: Years ago, an older couple decided to replace their old fence with a new vinyl fence. They learned city code had changed and the majority of the fence needed to sit much farther back from the road. It would have cut their backyard almost in half. They called me and I met with them and their son. We requested a variance and they went to a planning and zoning meeting to request it. I spoke on their behalf. The variance was approved. I have always been transparent to citizens I have helped. I work for and serve the needs of citizens.
Rice: I am a working person who wants other working people to have a voice.
Bess: Politicians represent the people, make decisions and influence the formulation of public policy; I live in the city and care about the city and community. My children go to school in the city, and I want to see the city thrive. I want to create trust in our local leadership through transparency, and I would be humbled to have the ability to speak for those I represent with a fresh perspective to create a bright future for this community.
List your goals, if elected.
Hood: A top priority is to keep residents safe and keep Arnold a destination visitors feel comfortable coming to, patronizing restaurants and businesses. I am proud to have both the Arnold Police Officers Association and the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police Lodge’s endorsements. I will continue to use my financial experience to help keep our financial portfolio strong. I will work toward continuing efforts to modernize areas that still need it, with the hope this could not only bring businesses to Arnold, but also could create destination areas, such as squares, plazas, parks, streets and waterfronts.
Rice: Transparency.
Bess: I want to work on scalable projects that would be reasonable improvements to make the city an economical and enjoyable place to live. Also, I want to focus on those scalable projects that can be attractive and inviting to our city for tourists, the community and developers. I want to be a place people want to be. I also want to prioritize education in our city; that is really important to me.
Ward 4:
Cooley, 85, is a retired crane operator and a longstanding member of Operating Engineers. He graduated from Herculaneum High School. He has two children and three grandchildren.
Rethmeyer, 67, retired as corporate security advisor at Anheuser Busch Companies in 2015. He is a graduate of South Kubaski High School in Japan. He is married to Edna and has three children and six grandchildren.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Cooley: I have served on the Arnold City Council representing Ward 4 for 22 years. My experience and knowledge of heavy equipment and the overall construction process is beneficial. This knowledge is especially important when the council discusses road maintenance and at budget time when it is time to order equipment for the public works department like salt spreaders, snowplows, dump trucks, bobcats and road graders.
Rethmeyer: I have never been involved in any kind of politics.
What are the biggest problems facing the city and how would you address them?
Cooley: I think the biggest problem we face is preventing crime, and my solution has always been to hire the best police anywhere in the metropolitan area. I am proud to say we have for the most part all worked together to keep violent crime out of our city. Another problem is delivering services the people expect in road maintenance and street repair, animal control, mosquito spraying, brush removal, along with trash pickup within budget as prices rise. I am proud to say we have tightened our budget by cutting out waste and produced results without raising taxes.
Rethmeyer: The city of Arnold needs leadership with confident people who are going to be transparent, honest, loyal and, most of all, have good character. I feel the present administration no longer has the public’s trust, and it is time for change. Our mayor has already served four terms, and we are ready for a new mayor and a new council. Arnold needs to make it a four-year term and you may only be reelected one more term.
Should the city pursue any new road projects funded with sales tax revenue charged in the Arnold Retail Corridor Transportation Development District (ARC TDD)? Why or why not?
Cooley: More than 50 percent of the sales tax collected in the city is paid by nonresidents coming into our city to shop. It is better when people outside the community come into our city to eat in our restaurants, shop in our stores and pay most of the sales taxes collected. It is common knowledge we are the economic engine for the county with all our retail businesses. During COVID, stores were closing, especially restaurants all over St. Louis and St. Louis County, and our business community thanked us for making sure they stayed open.
Rethmeyer: Yes. But before we start new road projects, we need to fix and repair the roads in the subdivisions and main roadways first. We need to do a much better job patching pot holes. Arnold is a fast-growing city and we need to keep up our maintenance on all roadways.
Why should voters elect you to this position?
Cooley: I should be reelected because I have supported keeping violent crime out of our city by making sure our Police Department has the equipment to do their jobs. I have tried my best to deliver top-notch services, like cheaper trash collection without increasing taxes. We make sure our city continues to replace snowplows on a regular basis so our citizens can get back and forth to work. I get compliments from people in the restaurants and in the banks that our people snowplow the streets better than the Missouri Highway Department, and I agree.
Rethmeyer: First, I have a lot of leadership skills from the Marine Corp, working at Anheuser Busch Companies in both Brazil and St. Louis, also from owning my own companies. I am a person who gives 110 percent from the beginning to the end. I will fight not only for Ward 4, but for all of the people of Arnold. New leadership is in great need right now.
List your goals, if elected.
Cooley: We received a $300,000 crime prevention grant through the efforts of state Rep. Phil Amato for streetlights in the older neighborhoods. I want to make sure we get free streetlights for the subdivisions that want them. We must also attract more sales tax-driven businesses into the city; that is our lifeblood. It would keep our people from driving to other communities to do their shopping. I would also like to reach out to subdivisions that have monuments at their entrance to make sure they know there is a 50 percent city grant if they need upgraded or replaced.
Rethmeyer: My goals are to be totally transparent with the public and most of all honest; to work for the people and get positive results; to make it a safer city, always working with the police, fire and ambulance departments; and to keep our families and children safe at all times.
