Chamber of Commerce endorsement
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Don Laird President Columbia Chamber of Commerce
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 17, 2012 (573) 874-1132 or (573) 817-9109 [email protected]
CHAMBER ENDORSES CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS Columbia, MO – February 17, 2012 – The Columbia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted today to endorse Bill Pauls for the 2nd Ward and Bill Tillotson for the 6th Ward race for the April 3 election. In December 2011, Chair Vicki Russell appointed a task force to research the candidates running for the 2nd Ward and the 6th Ward City Council seats. This effort was chaired by Cathy Anderson of Raymond James Financial. In January, all candidates for the 2nd and 6th Ward races were sent a candidate questionnaire. Those answers were reviewed by the task force. On February 2, all candidates running for office attended the Chamber candidate forum. Members of the Endorsement Task Force were present at that forum. Questions were posed from the Chamber and also from the audience. On February 3, the Endorsement Task Force met to discuss the candidates and identified the characteristics that they felt were imperative to be a city council member: be pro-business, be a big picture thinker or visionary, and be good stewards of our finances. With those characteristics in mind, the candidates were reviewed based on their answers to the questionnaires, their participation and responses at the Candidates Forum, and other research gathered through the local media and other sources. Based on the recommendations of the Task Force, the Chamber Board of Directors decided to endorse Bill Pauls for the 2nd Ward race. Each of the three candidates did a very good job and should be commended for their interest in public service. The task force agreed unanimously that Mr. Pauls proven track record and dedication to public service set him apart from the other candidates. The task force appreciated his active participation as a citizen prior to his desire to run for public office. The task force also felt that his commitment to serve our community full-time was a very appealing factor. They felt he had a keen sense of the nuances of local government and stated the priorities for our city very well.
300 South Providence Road •PO Box 1016 •Columbia, MO 65205 (573) 874-1132 •FAX (573) 443-3986 www.ColumbiaMOChamber.com
In the 6th Ward race, the Task Force made the recommendation that the Chamber Board of Directors endorse Bill Tillotson. While the task force commends Ms. Hoppe for her dedication to the City of Columbia, they believe that Bill Tillotson would better represent the business community. Mr. Tillotson has spent his career in the private sector and specifically understands the challenges facing small businesses and the business community of today. His service on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the New Century Board and the Community Foundation give him the experience that they believe is important when serving on the council. The Chamber Board recognized and thanked members of the Endorsement Task Force including Chair Cathy Anderson (Raymond James Financial), Kris Bezenek (Trabue, Hansen and Hinshaw, Inc.), Russ Duker (MasterTech Plumbing Heating Cooling), Kee Groshong (Retired), Joe Newberry (Spyder Technologies), Melissa Smith (Boone Hospital Center), Lee Terry (Columbia Board of Realtors) and Scott Ward. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce was established in 1905 and is a voluntary, member-supported organization of business, industrial and professional people who are dedicated to developing, promoting and maintaining a sound and healthy economic climate for Columbia. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce has been recognized as a 4-Star Accredited Chamber by the United States Chamber of Commerce, and was awarded the Missouri Chamber of the Year for 2010.
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300 South Providence Road •PO Box 1016 •Columbia, MO 65205 (573) 874-1132 •FAX (573) 443-3986 www.ColumbiaMOChamber.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 17, 2012 (573) 874-1132 or (573) 817-9109 [email protected]
CHAMBER ENDORSES CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS Columbia, MO – February 17, 2012 – The Columbia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted today to endorse Bill Pauls for the 2nd Ward and Bill Tillotson for the 6th Ward race for the April 3 election. In December 2011, Chair Vicki Russell appointed a task force to research the candidates running for the 2nd Ward and the 6th Ward City Council seats. This effort was chaired by Cathy Anderson of Raymond James Financial. In January, all candidates for the 2nd and 6th Ward races were sent a candidate questionnaire. Those answers were reviewed by the task force. On February 2, all candidates running for office attended the Chamber candidate forum. Members of the Endorsement Task Force were present at that forum. Questions were posed from the Chamber and also from the audience. On February 3, the Endorsement Task Force met to discuss the candidates and identified the characteristics that they felt were imperative to be a city council member: be pro-business, be a big picture thinker or visionary, and be good stewards of our finances. With those characteristics in mind, the candidates were reviewed based on their answers to the questionnaires, their participation and responses at the Candidates Forum, and other research gathered through the local media and other sources. Based on the recommendations of the Task Force, the Chamber Board of Directors decided to endorse Bill Pauls for the 2nd Ward race. Each of the three candidates did a very good job and should be commended for their interest in public service. The task force agreed unanimously that Mr. Pauls proven track record and dedication to public service set him apart from the other candidates. The task force appreciated his active participation as a citizen prior to his desire to run for public office. The task force also felt that his commitment to serve our community full-time was a very appealing factor. They felt he had a keen sense of the nuances of local government and stated the priorities for our city very well.
300 South Providence Road •PO Box 1016 •Columbia, MO 65205 (573) 874-1132 •FAX (573) 443-3986 www.ColumbiaMOChamber.com
In the 6th Ward race, the Task Force made the recommendation that the Chamber Board of Directors endorse Bill Tillotson. While the task force commends Ms. Hoppe for her dedication to the City of Columbia, they believe that Bill Tillotson would better represent the business community. Mr. Tillotson has spent his career in the private sector and specifically understands the challenges facing small businesses and the business community of today. His service on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the New Century Board and the Community Foundation give him the experience that they believe is important when serving on the council. The Chamber Board recognized and thanked members of the Endorsement Task Force including Chair Cathy Anderson (Raymond James Financial), Kris Bezenek (Trabue, Hansen and Hinshaw, Inc.), Russ Duker (MasterTech Plumbing Heating Cooling), Kee Groshong (Retired), Joe Newberry (Spyder Technologies), Melissa Smith (Boone Hospital Center), Lee Terry (Columbia Board of Realtors) and Scott Ward. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce was established in 1905 and is a voluntary, member-supported organization of business, industrial and professional people who are dedicated to developing, promoting and maintaining a sound and healthy economic climate for Columbia. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce has been recognized as a 4-Star Accredited Chamber by the United States Chamber of Commerce, and was awarded the Missouri Chamber of the Year for 2010.
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300 South Providence Road •PO Box 1016 •Columbia, MO 65205 (573) 874-1132 •FAX (573) 443-3986 www.ColumbiaMOChamber.com
