Zone 1 candidates concerned with future

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Growth, quality of life|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|David Brown: We all know that growth is essential to maintain a healthy community. With the help of Vision 20/20 and long-range planning, we are seeing industrial parks develop away from concentrated residential areas. |ret||ret||tab|

The quality of life in these neighborhoods is preserved by avoiding heavy traffic that the industries would otherwise inevitably bring. |ret||ret||tab|

I support this trend. One area that I would like to see redeveloped is the Park Central area. Many of the older abandoned buildings left over from industries many years ago could still be of service to our community.|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Denny Whayne: We are needing to look for more ways to develop northwest Springfield. We must assure that all students are getting equal education, as well as equal services such as fire protection, police protection, storm sewers, street lighting, etc.|ret||ret||tab|

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Crime|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Brown: Retain more of the police academy graduates. It is a well-known fact that Springfield has a fine police academy. Graduates are offered higher paying jobs with better benefits in other parts of the country. Our police force needs better compensation for a highly stressful job. |ret||ret||tab|

Retain career law enforcement officers. |ret||ret||tab|

Not only does the seasoned officer know the city and its intricacies but also trust and communication can be better facilitated between the citizens and the force. |ret||ret||tab|

Encourage community involvement. As citizens become more aware of their neighbor and the bonds of neighborhood associations are realized, people become empowered to help each other and their community. |ret||ret||tab|

Encourage communication with law enforcement and the general public. How about an enhanced e-mail system whereby subscribers are notified via e-mail of Crimestopper reports, suspicious activities, emergency weather or disaster communications? This would encourage the public to be more aware of problems or potential problems in their area of the city.|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Whayne: Organize an ad-hoc committee from each section of Zone 1 to study the types of crime so the Police Department can determine the best form of protection.|ret||ret||tab|

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Business attraction|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Brown: I feel the current systems already in place are effective in attracting new business.|ret||ret||tab|

I think that as a result of the new industrial parks and the development of the Jordan Valley Creek project new businesses will also be attracted. |ret||ret||tab|

Springfield is a family-friendly town and I would like to see family-friendly businesses attracted to our area. I can recall the Doling area theme park from my childhood days and I would like to think that something along this line would not only enhance our city, but also benefit Branson as well. |ret||ret||tab|

I support the locally owned businesses in Springfield and I would like to ensure their longevity by encouraging businesses that would not compromise the locally-owned companies' survival.|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Whayne: (We should) continue to work with the chamber of commerce. The types of businesses should be diverse, so we are not depending on one particular industry.|ret||ret||tab|

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Urban redevelopment|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Brown: I believe the Jordan Valley Creek development will help to attract businesses to this area, as people traveling through will become aware of its potential. |ret||ret||tab|

I would like to see certain incentives for privately owned businesses in the downtown area. |ret||ret||tab|

This area is already seeing a resurgence in small restaurants and shops incentives would encourage more of the same. |ret||ret||tab|

A park-and-ride service (similar to what SMS already has in place) in the downtown area would encourage visitors to the area.|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Whayne: Offer tax abatements from both the city and county government to business developers in partnership with the chamber of commerce.|ret||ret||tab|

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Transportation|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Brown: While traveling in the northwest side of Springfield, it is apparent to me that the intersection of Kansas Expressway and I-44 is similar in congestion and confusion to the Sunshine and Highway 65 intersection five years ago. |ret||ret||tab|

As the city continues in its growth, long-range planning will need to assess where heavy traffic flow develops. |ret||ret||tab|

I think we need to continue current strategies put in place by Public Works. This includes 15 to 20 more intersection modifications made possible by the eighth-cent sales tax. |ret||ret||tab|

Continued communication and cooperation between the city and state transportation departments will be crucial through these next few years.|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Whayne: (The issue is) air transportation not enough airlines coming into Springfield. (I would) work with the Airport Board and encourage other airlines to relocate here. |ret||ret||tab|

Public transportation, even though it isn't profitable, we still need to subsidize it through the tax base and the rate payer base. |ret||ret||tab|

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