Schneider May Be Back in the Race for O'Fallon City Council, Judge Rules

A judge has ruled that Vicki Schneider's name can go back on the April ballot for O'Fallon City Council, the Suburban Journals reported today.

St. Charles County Circuit Judge Richard Zerr ruled Monday in Schneider's favor in Schneider's lawsuit against City Clerk Pam Clement. Clement had refused to certify Schneider's candidacy for the Ward 5 city council seat, citing a Missouri statute that states that "persons in arrears for municipal taxes or fees shall not be candidates for municipal office."

READ MORE:

• Update: Two O'Fallon Candidates Removed From Ballot for April Election
• Ex-O'Fallon Candidate Files Lawsuit To Put Her Name Back on the Ballot

The "taxes or fees" Clement was referring to were water, sewer and trash bills for rental properties that Schneider owns in O'Fallon. Those charges have been combined into a single bill since June 2012. Schneider said her tenants were responsible for the trash fees.

Schneider told the Journal that she did not expect the city to appeal the ruling.

With her name back on the ballot, Schneider will face Michael Snowden and Jeff Houston for the Ward 5 seat. Snowden was appointed last January to fulfill the term of Mark Perkins who resigned. 

Schneider served eight years as a state representative. Her term in the legislature ended in January, and term limits prevent her from running again.

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