Fisk chosen for vacant City Council seat

The second time was the charm for Jan Fisk, co-owner of J. Howard Fisk Limousines.

During a special City Council meeting June 12, Fisk was selected to fill council’s vacant General Seat A. She also ran for the Zone 2 seat in 2011 but lost the election to Cindy Rushefsky.

Fisk is scheduled to take her oath of office June 18, according to a city news release.

The council seat opened up when Jim O’Neal resigned as mayor and Bob Stephens moved from his council seat into the mayor’s post.

Finalists for the vacant seat were Michael Carroll, controller at Andy’s Frozen Custard, and Arthur Hodge, a Springfield substitute teacher who is retired from the U.S. Army and Springfield Public Schools.

During Fisk’s interview before the full council, she emphasized her small-business experience starting Fisk Limousines with her husband, Howard, when she was 25 years old. She said customer service was her top asset and noted the job situation was the most important issue facing Springfield.

“We have to provide quality jobs to make our economy grow,” she told council. “We need to focus on generating tax revenues and quality jobs.”

Fisk said city government should be transparent and available to answer questions. She credited City Manager Greg Burris for conducting listening tours and public surveys to collect feedback.

Fisk is a 37-year Springfield resident and a graduate of Missouri State University. She has been involved with several organizations, including Junior League of Springfield, Boys and Girls Club, and American Cancer Society.[[In-content Ad]]