Businesspeople in the running for City Council seats

Several businesspeople are in the running for Springfield City Council seats that go up for public vote during the April 2 general election.

Yesterday was the deadline to file for the five seats up for grabs, according to a news release.

Mayor Bob Stephens, who worked professionally in human resources management, is running unopposed for the position. The former mayor pro tem, Stephens stepped into his current role after the abrupt resignation of Jim O'Neal in May.

Also running unopposed is Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Seifried for the Zone 1 seat. Seifried, regional development manager for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, was selected to succeed Nick Ibarra after he resigned early last year.

For General A seat, J. Howard Fisk Limousines co-owner Jan Fisk is running against Arthur Hodge, a Springfield substitute teacher who is retired from the U.S. Army and Springfield Public Schools. Both Hodge and Fisk were in the running for the seat left vacant by Stephens' move to mayor; Fisk ultimately won out and was selected by council during its June 12 meeting.

Two are in the running for General Seat B, which is currently held by John Rush. Michael Carroll, controller at Andy’s Frozen Custard, is running against attorney Craig Hosmer, a partner with Hosmer King & Royce LLC and a former member of the Missouri House of Representatives.

For the Zone 4 seat - currently held by Scott Bailes - Fishel Pools owner Craig Fishel is up against Stephen Makoski, director of human resources for Rapid Robert's Inc., and Rodney Geurin, a delivery driver for Blue Bell Creameries.