The city of Arnold has three City Council races on the April 7 ballot, with one of the seats being contested for a one-year term. Full council terms are for two years.
The contested races for two-year terms are in Ward 2, where Michael P. Rother is challenging incumbent Brian McArthur, and Ward 4, where Brad Cary is challenging incumbent Gary Plunk.
The other contested race is for the one-year term in Ward 3 to complete the unexpired term of Jessica Bess, who was elected in April 2025 and resigned in July 2025.
Peggy Allen and Matthew Saller are running for the one-year term in Ward 3. Allen was appointed to fill Bess’ seat in August 2025.
Incumbents EJ Fleischmann (Ward 1) and Rodney Mullins (Ward 3) are running unopposed for those seats’ full two-year terms.
Mark Hood, who was a Ward 3 councilman from 2017-2025, is running unopposed for the two-year term as the city’s treasurer.
Arnold City Council members elected on April 7 will be paid $778.78 monthly, or $9,345.36 a year. The treasurer is paid $278.52 monthly, or $3,342.24 a year.
Ward 2
Rother, 74, retired in 2015 as the director of contracts, industrial relations and security at Prairie State Generating Co. He has been principal of Rother’s Consulting Co. since 2015. He was lead construction supervisor for Ameren Missouri from 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. He has served on the State Board of Mediation since 2017. Since 2020, he has served on the InfraGard National Board of Directors. Since 2025, he has served on the city of Arnold Police Personnel Board. His partner is Nancy, and he has two children and four grandchildren.
McArthur, 64, is a retirement and wellness specialist. He has a high school education. For most of his career, he has owned and worked for his family’s bakery and other businesses. He has served as a Ward 2 councilman since 2014. He was a Ward 2 Planning commissioner from 1993-2014, including five years as chairman. He was a Cub/Boy Scout leader from 1994-2004. He served on the Arnold Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 1990-1995. McArthur and his wife, Linda, have two children and two grandchildren.
What would you do to rebuild trust with residents following the abandoned Arnold Parkway Road project?
Rother: The Parkway Road project damaged trust because residents felt unheard and uninformed. Rebuilding that trust begins with transparency, accountability and clear communication. As a council member, I will ensure that major projects include early community input, regular public updates and open forums so residents understand costs, timelines and impacts before decisions are made. I will also support a transparent project-review process to prevent the breakdowns that led to frustration, confusion and unnecessary conflict.
Arnold deserves leadership that listens and communicates honestly. My commitment is simple: no more surprises from City Hall. Residents should always know what is happening, why it is happening and how their tax dollars are being used. By restoring open dialogue, responsible planning and consistent oversight, we can rebuild trust and ensure that future projects strengthen – not divide – our community.
McArthur: To rebuild trust following the abandoned Arnold Parkway Road project, I would start by ensuring residents have a direct voice in major decisions of this scale. Significant infrastructure projects should not rest solely on a council vote without meaningful public input. From the beginning, I supported bringing the original proposal to a full vote of the people rather than abandoning it outright, but that position did not prevail. I remain committed to expanding opportunities for residents to participate in decisions that shape our community.
I would also work to find common ground with developers so projects can be presented to the public earlier in the process. At the same time, we must balance transparency with the city’s ability to attract and retain commercial investment, as premature disclosure can affect negotiations. My priority is creating a process that respects both public trust and responsible economic development.
What is your assessment of City Council’s performance in the past year?
Rother: The City Council has made progress in several areas, but there is significant room for improvement in communication, transparency and long-term planning. Residents deserve clearer explanations of how decisions are made and how tax dollars are allocated. The handling of the Parkway Road project highlighted the need for stronger oversight and more proactive engagement with the community.
Moving forward, the council must focus on rebuilding trust, strengthening public safety support and prioritizing infrastructure needs with responsible budgeting. Arnold is a strong community, but residents want leadership that is more accessible, more accountable and more focused on listening. With better communication and a renewed commitment to transparency, the council can regain public confidence and move the city forward.
For the residential community, the city should clearly define how tax funds are being used to enhance the corridor transportation district and ensure those investments benefit residents directly.
McArthur: Over the past year, the City Council has made meaningful progress in areas such as public safety funding, infrastructure improvements and expanding community services. Efforts to address housing affordability and support small businesses have shown awareness of residents’ most pressing concerns. However, there have also been moments when decision-making felt reactive rather than strategic, and communication with the public could have been clearer and more consistent.
While some initiatives moved forward efficiently, others stalled due to political divisions or limited follow-through. Greater transparency in budgeting, decision-making and more proactive community engagement would strengthen public trust.
Overall, the council’s performance reflects steady effort but uneven execution. Moving forward, a sharper focus on measurable outcomes, collaboration across districts and open dialogue with residents will be essential to ensure policies translate into real improvements in moving the city forward.
Why should voters elect you to this position? What are your goals?
Rother: Voters should elect me because I bring decades of trusted leadership, integrity and hands-on experience in public safety, infrastructure and community service. My goals are to restore transparency in city government, strengthen public safety and ensure responsible budgeting that protects taxpayer dollars. I will support our police and first responders, prioritize infrastructure improvements and maintain open, honest communication with residents.
I am committed to rebuilding trust by listening, being accessible and making decisions based on what is best for the community – not politics. Strong leadership begins with listening before speaking, making informed and accountable decisions and fostering open dialogue. Arnold deserves steady, commonsense leadership focused on measurable results. My goal is to serve with integrity and ensure our community thrives through balanced, thoughtful and transparent decision-making.
McArthur: Voters should elect me because I have delivered on my promises. I committed to running the city like a business, and we have retired millions in debt, strengthened our financial standing and balanced the budget without cutting essential services. We have also enhanced public safety by adding police protection while managing costs responsibly.
Beyond city operations, I prioritize listening to residents and addressing their concerns directly. I attend HOA meetings whenever invited to stay connected, answer questions and ensure concerns are heard at City Hall. Open communication and accessibility matter.
My primary goal is to continue conducting the city’s business in a fair, open, transparent and professional manner. By maintaining fiscal responsibility, supporting public safety and strengthening community engagement, we can build on our progress and ensure our city remains financially strong, responsive to residents and positioned for long-term success.
Ward 3
Allen retired from the city of Arnold Parks and Recreation Department. She worked for 36 years with UNIGROUP companies. She earned an associate degree from Jefferson College. She has represented Ward 3 since August 2025. She served two terms on the Arnold Police Personnel Board and is a former member of the Arnold Parks and Recreation Board, Arnold Community Betterment, Jefferson College Foundation Board and Arnold Jaycee Wives. She has a daughter and two granddaughters.
Saller, 40, is a sales manager at St. Charles Hyundai and has worked in the automotive industry for nearly 20 years. He served five years in the United States Marine Corps, including a deployment to Fallujah during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a Fox High School graduate. He is a veterans senior officer with VFW Post 2593 and a senior vice commandant with the Jefferson County Marine Corps League Detachment 707. He is a wrestling coach with the Fox Jr. Warriors and a cross country coach with Rockport Heights Elementary School. He is a member of the Arnold Police Personnel Board. Saller and his wife, Kristen, have three sons.
What would you do to rebuild trust following the abandoned Arnold Parkway Road project?
Allen: The council has hired a new city administrator, who has years of experience, and he has hit the ground running.
Saller: Trust is rebuilt through transparency, accountability and communication. Residents felt unheard and uncertain throughout that process. If elected, I will advocate for clear public communication before major projects are approved – including town halls, detailed cost breakdowns and realistic impact assessments.
No family should feel blindsided or forced into decisions without having their voice respected. I will support an independent financial review of large-scale projects and ensure residents understand long-term debt obligations before votes are cast.
Most importantly, I will be visible and accessible. I will continue walking neighborhoods, meeting residents face-to-face and providing honest updates – even when conversations are difficult. Arnold deserves leadership that listens first and acts responsibly.
What is your assessment of the City Council’s performance in the past year?
Allen: Since the last election in April 2025, two new councilmen were elected and a new councilwoman has been appointed. New and seasoned council members have brought new ideas to the table, such as how to develop the old football field near the Meramec River; how to offer more pickleball options; getting the Woodbridge project up and running; and continued funding of the Farmers Market, Christmas in the Park and Arnold Days. The current council is doing a good job for the citizens of Arnold.
Saller: The City Council has faced challenging issues, particularly surrounding infrastructure and development. While there have been efforts to move projects forward, many residents feel communication and transparency have fallen short.
Arnold is a strong community, but trust must be prioritized alongside progress. When residents question decisions, it signals a need for better engagement and clearer explanations of long-term impacts. Moving forward, I believe the council must focus on fiscal responsibility, open communication and rebuilding confidence with residents. Decisions should reflect community input, not just administrative goals.
I am running to ensure Ward 3 has a strong, independent voice that prioritizes residents first.
Why should voters elect you? What are your goals?
Allen: If elected, I will propose and/or support: Free monthly health and wellness events, at the Arnold Rec Center, for seniors who reside in the city of Arnold; a permanent food truck park; free concerts in the park; term limits for mayor and council (if approved by the state); resurfacing tennis courts at Arnold Park into pickleball courts; free notary services for citizens residing in the city of Arnold and reconstructing the boat ramp at Flamm City.
Saller: Voters should elect me because I am rooted in this community and committed to service. As a Marine Corps veteran, business leader, youth coach, father and husband, I understand responsibility and accountability.
My goals are simple: protect taxpayers, increase transparency, strengthen public safety and ensure responsible development that benefits residents – not special interests.
I will focus on open communication, smart budgeting and preserving the character of Arnold while supporting sustainable growth.
This campaign is self-funded because I believe local leadership should answer only to the people. I cannot be bought. I am running to serve Ward 3 with integrity, discipline and common-sense leadership.
Ward 4
Cary, 43, is a licensed real estate broker and owner of Unrivaled Realty. He is a Northwest High School graduate. After graduation, he became a licensed electrician and worked on pneumatic conveyor systems in large distribution centers. In 2008, he became the head electrician and project manager at Casino Queen. Since 2018, he has served on the Arnold Chamber of Commerce board and is currently president. He was president of the Arnold Kiwanis Club in 2020. He is a Michael V. Langsdorf Memorial Golf Tournament board member. He enjoys playing the Grinch for the Arnold Police Officers Association’s Shop with a Hero event. Cary and his partner, Marlene, have one son.
Plunk, 80, is a retired automotive salesman with Southtown Dodge, 1982-2007. He worked at the Chrysler truck plant in Fenton for 15 years. He is a Missouri Army National Guard veteran with 21 years of service. He retired as an E6 staff sergeant. As one of the top sales managers in the nation, Plunk was chosen to represent the Dodge brand from 1996-1999 on the Chrysler Corporation Sales Board. He is a Poplar Bluff High School graduate. He is in his 12th year representing Ward 4 and has previously served as mayor pro tem in 2023 and 2024. Since 2007, he has served with the Southern Baptist Missouri Disaster Relief and Chainsaw Crew. Since 2014, he has served as the council liaison to the Arnold Veterans Commission and has served on the Arnold Park Board since 2010. Plunk and his wife, Linnie, have one daughter.
What would you do to rebuild trust with residents following the abandoned Arnold Parkway Road project?
Cary: Many residents understandably feel frustrated about the Arnold Parkway project. To be clear and honest, the parkway isn’t entirely “abandoned,” the TDD is still purchasing willing properties on Christy Drive and others, even after the original plan to build the road was shelved amid public backlash and legal challenges last year.
Rebuilding trust requires transparency and consistency. That means ensuring accurate, timely information about this project and others is publicly available and clearly communicated through official city channels. Residents deserve straightforward clarity about what is and isn’t occurring.
One practical step a few persistent council members advocated for was live-streaming meetings, so the public could see discussions in real time. Before that was implemented, I streamed meetings as a resident because people deserved access. That’s progress. I will continue pushing for open communication, clear updates and accessibility, so residents feel informed, respected and confident in their local government decisions.
Plunk: By doing the job that I was elected to. Seeing that our city is a safe place to live, we have parks and recreation facilities to enjoy. Providing and attracting new shopping and housing developments, ensuring our streets and roads are maintained. Councilman Claude “Butch” Cooley and I pushed for the sidewalks, curbing and widening of Lonedell Road for many years and now it is coming to completion. This project, along with a new bridge this summer at Pomme and Lemay Ferry intersections, will enhance Ward 4 as a great place to live.
What is your assessment of the City Council’s performance in the past year?
Cary: Following the fallout from the Arnold Parkway, residents made it clear they wanted change. From my perspective as a resident who has been actively engaged, I would contend that, for the most part, the council has continued business as usual. Beyond positive personnel shifts over the last year and live streaming meetings, the one meaningful policy change was Ordinance No. 500.114, which I personally advocated for over six months. That progress came because this resident stayed engaged and pushed for it. It demonstrated that improvement is possible, but it also highlighted that progress has largely been community driven rather than internally initiated. There is still a clear opportunity for improvement.
Plunk: Despite all the changes, the council, along with the city staff, has worked together to ensure our budget is balanced, the roads and streets are maintained and the parks are open and ready for enjoyment. As always, our police continue to do a fantastic job making sure the city is safe for the people we all serve. I believe the council has done well; it has been a learning experience for some, to be sure; it always is for a couple of years with new members. That is why it is good to have experienced people still on the council.
Why should voters elect you to this position? What are your goals?
Cary: I believe Arnold deserves steady, common-sense leadership rooted in transparency, fiscal responsibility and respect for our residents.
I don’t currently serve on the council and believe that can be a strength. While experience matters, not all long-term time in office automatically translates to good outcomes. Fresh perspective, independent thinking and a willingness to ask hard questions are just as important. As a small-business owner, real estate professional and community leader, I’ve held roles that require budgeting, collaboration and accountability. Our government should operate with accountability and common sense.
My goals are to restore trust through clear communication and early public input, protect property owners through responsible planning, practice smart fiscal oversight and support local growth. I’m running to serve my community with practical experience, integrity and accountability. Ward 4 deserves leadership that listens, evaluates carefully and puts residents first and makes decisions that strengthen Arnold for the long term.
Plunk: Sitting on the City Council is more than just meetings. It is about being a dedicated voice for the people who elected you, a bridge between citizens and the administration. My job and goal is to continue to serve by advocating for those in my ward and the city by being approachable and a good listener. Lastly, my commitment, as always, is to serve; not to be served. My objective is to continue to support the city of Arnold to be prosperous and on a sound financial footing. Another aim of mine is to work with city staff and council to attract the development of villas and condos wanted by many seniors.
