Andy's controller selected to fill vacant council seat

Mike Carroll, controller at Andy’s Frozen Custard, yesterday was selected to fill a Springfield City Council seat left vacant by a November resignation.

Carroll was chosen during a special council meeting yesterday at noon, beating out Tom Barr, director of business development for Ozark Mailing Service LLC, and Dean Young, co-founder of Heim Young & Associates Inc. Carroll was sworn in last night during council's regularly scheduled meeting, according to a news release.

Immediately following the meeting last night, Carroll said his diverse business and legal background is likely the reason he was selected to fill the seat.
 
“I have experience in economic development. I have a law degree, and I have a significant accounting, tax and financial background. I think those skills are valuable on council, and I think they add to the overall functionality and decision-making of council,” Carroll said.
 
After the meeting and with the Wal-Mart Stores Inc. rezoning proposal top of mind, he said the first experience as a councilman was a whirlwind.
 
“I did a lot of listening. I’m trying to take it all in. Obviously, I am getting thrown into the fire immediately. I think they called it, ‘a baptism by fire,’” Carroll said, adding that he is anxious to begin reviewing city staff recommendations and materials related to the proposed Wal-Mart zoning change. “I think I’ll be doing a lot of reading (during) the next couple of weeks.”

Carroll succeeds Thomas Bieker, who resigned from General Seat D on Nov. 2, citing an ineligibility to serve on the governing board due to purchasing and moving to a house outside city limits.

Carroll had filed to run in the April general election for General Seat B, which is currently held by John Rush. However, since Carroll was selected for General Seat D, attorney Craig Hosmer - a partner with Hosmer King & Royce LLC and a former member of the Missouri House of Representatives - will run unopposed April 2 for General Seat B.