Politics & Government

Meet Arnold Mayoral Candidate Doris Borgelt

Borgelt is one of two candidates running for the Arnold mayor's seat in the April 2 election.

Patch sent all local candidates for office questionnaires in order to compile candidate profiles prior to the April election. Each candidate who returned the survey will be featured on the site.

Doris Borgelt, 57 (Candidate for Arnold mayor)

  • Address: 653 Louisa Dr., Arnold, MO
  • Occupation: Real Estate Agent, Gateway Real Living Real Estate
  • Education: 1974 Graduate of Roosevelt High School, some college
  • Family: Divorced/4 children ages 17-30
  • Years lived in the Fox School District: Off and on since 1987 then from 2003 to present
  • Please provide a brief summary of your background, highlighting community involvement if applicable
    • City Council Ward 1 since 2011, Finance, Economic Development, Farmer's Market Committees. 
    • Attended most council meetings since 2005, participated in meetings for Arnold Comprehensive Plan, some Hometown meetings, the Rock Community Fire District community planning meeting, Economic Summit. 
    • Serve on the Jefferson County Veteran's Wall Tribute Committee and have actively studied and reported the politics in Arnold since 2005. 
  • Please provide a brief summary of your reasons for running: City Hall and its processes need to be open to the citizens and businesses. Nothing should be hidden from the people, yet it is a constant battle to extract information. My main goal is to get the citizens in the community informed and involved in their local government. The people should have the most influence over our local government, not the political cronies, corporations and developers that are getting millions in subsidies the citizens pay. 

Questions

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1. What do you currently see as the biggest issue facing Arnold?  

Sewer and storm water problems plague many residents. Many still on septic systems have been promised sewer hook-ups for over 10 years. Recently $200,000 was allocated to expand the sewer for Metal Container. People are suffering with collapsing foundations from storm water eroding the grounds around them, yet we paid over $200,000 for a salt dome. Priority should be given to solving residents' problems and fixing what's broken before adding new improvements. 

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2. How do you plan to ensure the best use of taxpayer dollars?  

I will not rush council into making decisions and  fully study and discuss openly the advantages and disadvantages to taking on a particular project. Thorough research on purchases will be done and general and payroll warrants will be reviewed.

 3. In what area does the Arnold need to improve? Are you satisfied with the way the city has been operating? 

The city needs to improve communication between staff, administration, council and the public. We have had too many cost overruns due to lack of oversight. We have spent way too much developing properties. The city is not in the real estate or development business as we have proven we are not good at it. 

4. Assume you win the election. What single thing do you want to accomplish during your time as mayor?

When Mayor, I will open up a line of communication with the citizens and business owners by having a meeting once a month where people can ask questions, express their concerns and get answers in an informal setting as opposed to the formal council meetings. The city government should be open and accessible to the people it serves. I will have an open door policy. Everyone has my number and email address now, that will not change. 

5. Many in the community have expressed discourse over the manner in which the city council recently has conducted business. Specifically, community members have asked councilmembers to stop "bickering" and "do the jobs they were elected to do." How to you plan to address this moving forward as mayor?

Contrary to what is reported in the media, business is being conducted. The bills are being paid and projects are moving forward. I would chair meetings fairly and would not allow the personal attacks that are currently a mainstay of our meetings. The lengthy orations some are prone to deliver would cease. Establishing guidelines for proper etiquette at meetings would ensure decorum would be practiced, the Chair has a gavel for a reason! Citizens and council members will treat each other with respect. 

 


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