Voters in half of the four wards in Festus will have decisions to make when it comes to choosing members of the City Council in the April 2 election.
In Ward 2, Brian Wehner is running for a fifth two-year term but faces challenges by Allen McCarthy and Aaron Pashia.
In Ward 4, if Jim Tinnin is to serve an eighth consecutive term, he’ll have to first defeat Larry Schmidt and Charles Underwood.
Jim Collier faces no challenge as he tries for a second term in Ward 1 and Robert “Bobby” Venz is unopposed in his try for a third consecutive term after previously serving 14 years on the council.
Also up for re-election is Lori Eisenbeis, who faces no opposition in her bid for a seventh straight two-year term as treasurer.
The pay for council members elected in April will be $500 a month. The treasurer is paid $250 a month.
WARD 2
McCARTHY, 62, is retired after working 20 years for the city of Festus. He is married to Cathy McCarthy. He is a 1980 graduate of Herculaneum High School.
Brian Wehner
WEHNER, 69, has owned Wehners Awards Inc. on Festus Main Street for more than 50 years. He and his wife, Robin, have two children. He is a 1973 graduate of St. Pius X High School. He earned an associate degree from Jefferson College in 1974 and two bachelor’s degrees from Missouri State University (in accounting in 1976 and in political science and a minor in math in 1977).
PASHIA, 48, is a sales lead at Tacony Corp. in Fenton. He and his wife, Cassie, have two children. He is a 1994 graduate of Festus High School.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
McCarthy: As a retired employee of the city of Festus and a 27-year resident, I would represent the residents in my ward to the best of my ability.
Wehner: I have served for eight consecutive years in the Festus City Council. I am a former Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader, I helped to start the Twin City Days festival, I am a member of Tanglefoot and the Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce and have worked with Powered by HOPE, an organization that helps people through cancer treatments.
Pashia: No experience.
What are the biggest problems facing the city and how would you address them?
McCarthy: Projects need to be prioritized. I would make sure a project is completed before moving on to the next.
Wehner: Festus has grown from a small town into a bustling city. We have to balance the future prospects of growth while maintaining a safe and secure quality of life for our residents. I have consistently supported our police officers with pay that is equitable for our area.
Other important areas are the maintenance and improvement of our sidewalks and roads. Safe water is also a priority and our parks continue to be important for all to enjoy through improved services and facilities.
Pashia: Updating infrastructure, management of finances, allocation of tax dollars and being a conduit for residents.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
McCarthy: My goal is to represent the residents in Ward 2 to the best of my ability.
Wehner: I have a broad, diverse background that the City Council needs. I bring a perspective that gives me insight important for this position. I have more than 50 years as a small business owner, cancer survivor, marathoner, scout leader, baseball coach, traveler, husband and dad. I have also served on the City Council for eight years, which gives me experience my opponents don’t have. I know how the council works and how to get things done.
Pashia: I am eager and intrigued to serve the public.
WARD 4
Jim Tinnin
TINNIN, 64, is a self-employed owner of Tinnin Homes and Construction Co., which has been based in the Festus area for 37 years. He and his wife, Angela, have two daughters. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology and business administration with a minor in art.
Larry Schmidt
SCHMIDT, 73, is a certified mediator with Schmidt Mediation in Festus, primarily facilitating settlements in divorce, custody and civil matters. He and his wife, Janet, have two children and five grandchildren. He graduated from La Crosse (Wis.) Aquinas High School in 1969. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1974, and a law degree in 1977 from the University of Tulsa.
UNDERWOOD, 54, is a laboratory technician at the VA Medical Center at Jefferson Barracks. He and his wife, Jacqueline, have four children and two grandchildren with one on the way. A 1987 graduate of Festus High School, he served in the Army as a medical specialist from 1988-1992, graduated from the U.S. Army Academy of Health Sciences in 1989 and received an emergency medical technician certificate from Jefferson College.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Tinnin: I have served on the City Council for 14 years. During this time, I have been able to share my knowledge based on my construction, business and finance experience. I apply a common-sense approach when dealing with various projects and issues for the city.
Schmidt: Public service includes being a former officer in the U.S. Army, a former prosecutor at the state, municipal and military levels; a former chief public defender for Jefferson County, a former Festus municipal judge, a former city attorney, a former member of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity. I am a volunteer member of the Jefferson County Adult Treatment Court in addition to pro bono work as a practicing attorney.
Underwood: I grew up in Festus and have lived here for more than 40 years. I’ve watched it grow from a small town with a small population and a couple of stores and restaurants to what it has become today: A thriving, family oriented community. I also have been a volunteer on the city’s parks and recreation board for the last five years.
What are the biggest problems facing the city and how would you address them?
Tinnin: Aging infrastructure, the water and sewer lines. We are currently replacing all of the water lines in the Edgewood area and we also are addressing road improvements all around the city. We need to have a scheduled rotation for consistently replacing infrastructure to be proactive in avoiding extreme burden on residents and the city’s budget for emergency repairs.
Schmidt: The presence of unsightly (brown) water in certain areas is the city’s biggest problem. I would place resolution of this matter as the highest priority as the potential for liability cannot be overstated. Other welcome city amenities (walking paths, concerts) will be an afterthought if we become mired in litigation resulting from claims of dangerous water. While the street department efforts are appreciated, as it does more digs than Indiana Jones, I would seek to improve the safety of the northbound 1-55 exit and the exasperating strip of road between White Castle and Phillips 66 on West Gannon Drive.
Underwood: ■ The quality of the drinking water.
■ Projects are not being completed within budget or on time. We also have several incomplete projects.
■ The city is in desperate need of another fire station.
■ Lack of resources and people in the Parks Department.
■ Sewer lines need to be inspected and maintained or replaced where problem areas are identified.
■ There needs to be a strategy showing how to use our city’s library effectively.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Tinnin: I am a well-rounded individual with a common-sense approach to projects and issues. I apply my knowledge and experience in construction, business and finance when working to address issues to improve our city. I have worked alongside previous and current council members over the past 14 years to welcome new businesses, work on improving infrastructure, to upgrade the police and fire departments, improve the library, support our schools, add many wellness amenities, revitalize our downtown area and create activities for our residents. If elected, I hope to continue working to help our city grow and thrive.
Schmidt: My occupation as a mediator requires listening to and understanding opposing sides of an issue while facilitating an accommodation, not unlike the charge of a councilman. Serving as a lawyer (and Festus municipal judge), I routinely resolved scores of issues for local residents, large and small, while gaining insight into the city’s ordinances and criminal justice issues. My training as an Army officer honed my ability to prioritize, budget and ultimately, to perform. My goals are public safety first and foremost, along with fiscal responsibility and the encouragement of business and economic growth.
Underwood: It is time for growth in our city government and I have that in mind. Basic services such as improved sewer infrastructure will allow us to bring in new development, which will increase our population while also putting the community’s needs first. I am committed to partnering with the right people to bring more businesses and entertainment to Festus. We need more activities for our children and teens to participate in.
