Council narrows finalists for empty seat

Springfield City Council yesterday narrowed the field of candidates to fill a seat left vacant by Thomas Bieker's November resignation.

The finalists are Tom Barr, director of business development for Ozark Mailing Service LLC; Mike Carroll, controller at Andy’s Frozen Custard; and Dean Young, co-founder of Heim Young & Associates Inc., according to a news release.

During the special council meeting yesterday, 15 applicants were allowed five minute interviews to give their qualifications and their reasoning for wanting to fill General Seat D.

The three finalists will answer a series of questions Feb. 11 in front of council, which then is expected to make a final decision. The new council member would be sworn in during that night's council meeting, the release said.

Carroll already has thrown his hat in the ring for General Seat B, a position to be voted on in the April general election. If Carroll is selected by council for General Seat D, attorney Craig Hosmer - a partner with Hosmer King & Royce LLC and a former member of the Missouri House of Representatives - would run unopposed April 2 for General Seat B.

For General Seat D, Bieker resigned Nov. 2, citing an ineligibility to serve on council due to moving outside city limits.