FIRST CANDIDATE DECLARES: For First Ward CoMo City Council race

Cheers and concerns greet a serious first-time candidate

COLUMBIA, Mo 11/19/13 (Beat Byte) -- First Ward resident Ginny Chadwick has declared her intention to run for the Columbia City Council seat presently held by Fred Schmidt. 

"Anyone in the First Ward can sign my petition," Chadwick -- a Columbia resident for 16 years -- announced on Facebook, referring to signatures from First Ward residents she must have to file.   "I live at 305 Alexander Ave and will be actively collecting signatures this weekend."

A self-described "advocate for sustainability," Chadwick, 36, has never before sought public office.  With a Bachelor of Science degree in family and consumer science, she is currently pursuing a masters degree in public health and strategic communication at the University of Missouri.  Chadwick recently directed a Mizzou-affiliated, student-run advertising agency called MoJo Ad. 

Named a Columbia Business Times 2008 Person You Should Know, Chadwick ran a similar venture called Colors, a coalition of locally owned businesses that emphasizes buying local goods.  

 

She may be more widely known for helping convince City Hall to install traffic calming asphalt humps along Alexander Ave. in 2009.  Chadwick testified before the City Council with her two daughters, then 6 and 9, (video at link, 27:34) after working with fellow residents for 4 years to secure the street work. 

Supporters have expressed excitement about Chadwick's prospects, but others worry her close association with Councilman Schmidt -- Chadwick served as his campaign treasurer -- could influence her positions, which she has yet to describe. 

 

The subject of a defunct recall effort, Mr. Schmidt has come under fire for several unpopular moves, most notably his support of Blight and recently, a proposal to curtail public testimony at City Council meetings. 

 

Mr. Schmidt announced he will not seek a second term.

 

-- Disclosure:  Heart Beat publisher Mike Martin owns a rental home on Alexander Ave.