For the first time in more than two decades, voters in Pevely on April 7 will choose a new mayor.
John Knobloch, who had been the city’s mayor for 21 years, resigned in July, citing health concerns.
In his final year in office, Knobloch was entangled in controversy after it was discovered the city had been paying for his wife’s cell phone, along with his own, for more than a decade.
In December, the Board of Aldermen appointed Rick Arnold to fill in as mayor until the election could be held.
Voters will choose a permanent successor from a field of two:
■ Ed Walters, who was elected as Ward 2 alderman last April and was chosen soon after to serve as mayor pro tem, duties he performed until Arnold was appointed as mayor.
■ Stephanie M. Haas, the former city clerk who was fired by a 5-1 vote of the Board of Aldermen on Sept. 2. At the time, Walters, speaking as mayor pro tem, gave no specific reason for the termination. Haas previously worked as the city’s utilities clerk.
The winner will serve a two-year term and will be paid $275 per month.
HAAS, 37, lives at 502 Old State Road North. She and her husband, Joe, have five children and three grandchildren.
She worked as a utilities clerk for the city from 2007-2013 and was appointed city clerk by Knobloch in 2013. She recently was appointed to the city’s Parks Board.
A graduate of Fox High School, she attended Jefferson College, where she studied business management, accounting and public administration. She also has attended 120 hours of municipal government education courses through the Missouri Municipal League and Missouri City Clerks and Finance Officers Association.
WALTERS, 58, lives at 672 Riverview Drive with his wife, Jannie. He is a retired member of Roofers Local No. 2 in St. Louis and worked in the roofing industry for 32 years, the last 16 years for Western Construction, St. Louis.
What are the biggest problems facing the city and how would you address them?
Haas: Stabilizing the financial future of the city. There are many projects and maintenance issues that have been looked over for years due to the lack of revenue. We also need to find some solutions for the city and its residents who live in the Neighborhood Improvement District.
Walters: The city needs to find ways to attract new businesses along Hwy. Z, especially now that we are in the process of widening and improving it. The debt on the Neighborhood Improvement District for the Southern Heights subdivision, which currently is at $3,375 million, needs to be paid off before 2024. I have sat in on many meetings and we might have a solution for homeowners and developers. In addition, the infrastructure needs to be rebuilt, including replacing streets and water lines.
How would you assess the performance of the Board of Alderman over the past year?
Haas: The current board has worried about petty issues, playing the blame game and never holding themselves accountable for their own actions, causing a very negative perception of Pevely.
Walters: We have done what we set out to do for the most part. We have had a few roadblocks along the way, but we have worked past them for the most part. We hired a certified public accountant in April and now have actual dollar amounts before us. We were able to implement the findings from the state auditor and work beyond that. Not everything that was promised came to life, but time is on our side to continue working for all.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals if elected.
Haas: I have knowledge and education to lead this city into the future. Pevely is a great community with a lot of potential and we just need someone to move us in forward in a positive manner with the city’s best interest in mind. I can do this.
Walters: I have no axes to grind and only want what’s best for the residents and employees of Pevely. I have lived here for 58 years and have no plans on leaving anytime soon. I want to work with the board, find solutions to make Pevely a better place to live and be proud to be a part of. I would work hard to bring new businesses along Hwy. Z, industry to fill both parks and get all businesses to pay delinquent taxes and licenses. Pevely has lots of property available on three corners of I-55. We need to find businesses to fill these prime corners.