De Soto City Council incumbent Autumn Blanchard is being challenged by Randi L. Scharf for the seat up for election on April 8. The term is for three years.
Council members are paid $800 a year.
Blanchard, 54, is currently serving on the City Council. She is married to Paul and has three children.
Scharf, 45, is an Enterprise Bank and Trust assistant branch manager. She graduated from De Soto. She is married to Scott and has one child. Her husband is a volunteer captain at De Soto Fire Department.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Blanchard: I’ve served seven years on the De Soto City Council and have been part of the Main Street phase 1 project and also phase 2 that is upcoming for Valley Place to Williams Street. I’ve volunteered in various community roles, such as soccer coach and division leader; Vineland Elementary parent organization volunteer, vice president and president; DHS Safe Prom organizer; De Soto Green Team volunteer; library board member; and a member of Get Healthy De Soto/Farmer’s Market.
Scharf: I am committeewoman on the Central Committee of Jefferson County and have attended Chamber of Commerce meetings and put in endless volunteer hours in support of first responders.
What are the biggest problems facing the city and how would you address them?
Blanchard: We don’t seem to have enough parking for all of our businesses. That also shows how busy they are. We are working on ideas to improve the parking for current and future businesses.
Scharf: Main Street development is very challenging. Revitalizing 2nd Street parking for Main Street businesses could help tremendously.
The city has a history of flash flooding and stormwater problems. Do you think there’s more the city can do to address the problems?
Blanchard: We continue to help those citizens in the flood areas and have been able to get several buyouts. The city then purchases the derelict homes and demolishes them. The improvements to our stormwater system are ongoing and our city manager is diligently working on that.
Scharf: I have spoken with members of the council, and they have assured me this is a top priority. This is a top concern of mine for the safety of our citizens.
Why should voters elect you to this position?
Blanchard: I love all of the improvements we are able to make for our citizens. Our relationship with the school district has enabled us to have a multi-purpose field that both the school and the community will use. I want De Soto to be somewhere people want to move to or visit, and I look forward to our Amtrak stop. Countless hours and work have and will be put in to see the finished product. I am excited for the future of De Soto. I have enjoyed being part of our City Council and look forward to continuing serving our town.
Scharf: I love my hometown, and I want to make it even better than it is now. I want to be involved and give back to my community.
List your goals, if elected.
Blanchard: I want to continue making improvements that benefit our citizens. I will continue to work on getting our Amtrak stop and more businesses that will provide employment opportunities. And I want to support all of our employees so they can do their best job possible.
Scharf: We need to continue to make the safety of our citizens and visitors a top priority. We also need to help our businesses continue to grow and flourish. One thing that will help is fixing the parking problem on Main Street for new and existing businesses.
