Meet the Candidates: City Council Ward 1

Editor's note: This article has been edited from the original version and now includes a website for candidate A.C. Dienoff. 

Thirteen candidates filed for six open seats on the .

The terms of Bill Gardner, Rose Mack, Bob Howell and Mike Pheney end in April, leaving one seat open in each of the following wards: 1, 2, 4 and 5.

Ward 3 has one two-year position and one three-year seat open. The two-year seat is left by Dan Haney's resignation in October. The three year seat is left by John Haman Jr.’s term ending in April.

O'Fallon Patch sent each of the city council candidates a questionnaire. Candidates submitted answers by e-mail. O'Fallon Patch will feature the candidate Q&A's each Tuesday throughout the month of March. 

This week, we meet Ward 1 candidates, challenger A.C. Dienoff and incumbent Bill Gardner. 

Name:  A.C. Dienoff

Where do you live? Candidate requested O'Fallon Patch not to list his address. His campaign mailing address is: P.O. Box #1535 O’ Fallon, MO 63366-9335

What is your current job/position? Community Property Manager/Business Consultant

Why are you running for City Council? I am running for the City Council because I want to make a difference in the community and improve the quality of life in all of the neighborhoods in a team effort with other members of the City Council. The public’s trust and accountability with my opponent and the current Mayor and his Administration have been severely broken with the citizens. There is a lack of leadership and accountability of the ward and at City Hall in Administration and the Municipal Courts.

I will restore integrity, honesty, trust and common-sense responsibility back to our city government for and by all 80,000 residents. I will work very hard to listen to all parties and issues with an open keen ear and will vote for the best interests of the City’s future with out any influence from any special outside special interest groups.

I will always read all of the council packets, supporting documents, will do my research and ask the important questions of all parties involved and will always have reasons and the data to back up my decision on any issue or vote before the City Council.

Relevant Experience:

I have a college education in business administration/management. I have worked and been appointed to several positions at the state, county, municipal, district and township levels of government in the past.

I have been involved with the city and have lobbied and testified before the City Council on several issues. I am the chairman of the Petitioners Committee “Stop Tax Break” that spearheaded a Referendum Drive of 843 Registered Voter Signatures to stop the $40-Million taxpayer bonds and tax abatement for the Centene Corporation that will only create six jobs to our community, while Centene has generated $4.2 billion in sales in 2009 and over $100 million in record profits.

 What do think you can you bring to this position?

I am running because I feel that the people of the ward deserve a much better representative and the best of public services. I feel that the people need a voice that hears the citizens and works for them instead of playing political games on the backs of residents.

 I am a problem solver and negotiator, with keen skills of tenacity for communications and customer public service, key ingredients needed in any successful government organization. I am a passionate leader, envisioner and stabilizer, always making the right decisions and choices for people of my ward. I will always be there for every resident and will stand up strong for them.

 Please tell us about one goal you have for this position:

1.  Public safety, adding additional police officers on the road and patrolling our diverse neighborhoods with community based-policing initiative for establishing and fostering lasting relationships city-wide. Enhanced DWI traffic enforcement with a “No Tolerance Policy.” Police officers deserve a pay raise for the important and dangerous work that they do. Police staff and the community need to work together in ensuring that we become the safest city in America.

 2.  Road capital improvements and street repair program. Cutting budgets in other areas and adding funds for longterm street repairs on our aging infrastructure. Better traffic control plan and additional street lights. Current street light bulb replacement and maintenance program with tracking documentation to make sure that it gets completed. I will work on improving our Citizens First Response Bureau.

3.  I will hold the line on our out of control debt service. I will mandate balanced yearly budgets, annual audits and will work very closely with the city auditor to find savings and indentify waste of tax monies. I will also work hand in hand with the purchasing agent, finance and budget staff and will call for the establishment of a finance and operations oversight committee of the city council.

I will be the peoples “watchdog” over all city finances and will question out of line expenditures, watching out for and keeping a keen eye on tax-dollars. I will eliminate all waste; provide efficient public services and no increases in taxes.

Contact information: 314-440-9000 or DienoffCityCouncil.Webs.Com

_______________________________________________________

Name: Bill Gardner

Where do you live? 1122 St. Matthew O’Fallon, MO 63366

What is your current job/position? St. Louis County Highway and TrafficMaintenance Driver 1 in the Special Services.

Why are you running for City Council? 

Time and commitment--what better asset to give back to the city my family calls home for over 25 years? I have the same drive and motivation in 2011 that I had in May 2006 when I was appointed.

Relevant Experience: Councilman since May 2006; Four years liaison to the Parks Board; one-year Liaison to Planning and Zoning; Citizen Member of the O’Fallon’s Veterans’ Commission; 18 years volunteer service for the City of O’Fallon; two-year member of the O’Fallon Recreation Board; member of the All Inclusive Playground Committee.

 What do think you can you bring to this position?

A voice of reason, I make it a point to get both sides of every issue. Being a resident since 1985, I have seen the growth and expansion of this city. I’ve seen what worked and know what still needs to be addressed.

Please tell us about one goal you have for this position:

The city needs to catch up with its rapid growth with improvements in streets and infrastructure, continue with the expansion and improvements in our parks system and address our storm water issues across the City. The Neighborhood Preservation Team program has been copied by other municipalities; we need to continue to bring programs forward that will keep the values of our neighborhoods up and keep our City in the forefront in St. Charles County.

Contact Information: 314-616-7509 or BGardner55@aol.com

Editor's note: Candidate Bill Gardner submitted a photo for publication. Candidate A.C. Dienoff requested that O'Fallon Patch not publish his photo.