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Published March 29, 2008 09:44 pm - There is one common theme found in the messages of the current slate of Joplin City Council candidates. Most of them cite economic issues and expansion of the local job market as their key concerns. Council candidates cite economic issues as priority By Debby Woodin dwoodin@joplinglobe.com There is one common theme found in the messages of the current slate of Joplin City Council candidates. Most of them cite economic issues and expansion of the local job market as their key concerns. Five people, including the two incumbents, are seeking two, four-year seats in the April 8 election. Incumbents Morris Glaze and Bob Harrington are asking voters to return them to the general seats they hold. They are challenged by two newcomers to the local election effort: Keenan Cortez and Veda Boyd-Jones; and by a former city employee and council member, Bill Scearce. Public safety, customer service and a local government that is transparent, open and accessible to residents also are issues cited by several of the candidates as underpinning their interest in serving on the council. Economic issues Continued redevelopment of downtown is one of the issues cited by Glaze, 57, a salesman for Standard Transportation, who was appointed to the council in 2006 to fill the unexpired term of a council member who died in office. The same issue was cited by the other incumbent, Bob Harrington, who was first elected in 2004 and is seeking his second term in office. Glaze’s interest in seeing the local economy expand is exemplified by his work since 1995 on the Joplin Industrial Development Authority and as chairman of the Joseph Newman Innovation Center for seven years. “It is very important to me that the economic growth of Joplin be part of the City Council agenda and support of its development,” Glaze wrote in a questionnaire distributed to candidates by the Globe. Harrington, 60, cites his past association with Main Street Joplin as well as his council service in demonstrating that he is willing to work on downtown-development issues. “When businesses or industries look at Joplin as a possible site to locate, they want to see a community that is vibrant, successful and demonstrates pride in the community. I have always felt an attractive downtown that has a strong retail, business, entertainment and residential core demonstrates this community pride and vitality,” Harrington wrote. Harrington listed new business and industry and higher-paying jobs as a category of economic issues separate from downtown redevelopment. “We need to actively work to bring new business and industry to this area and at the same time nurture and help develop our existing businesses,” he wrote. Scearce, 67, an estate planner who served on the council from 1982 until 1990, said that a job for everyone is part of his vision for Joplin. “Job creation through expansion of existing companies and creating an atmosphere where companies will want to locate in Joplin” is one of the objectives he cites. Cortez, 43, an executive manager, cited jobs and downtown revitalization as two issues he wants to work on, with public safety being the third specific issue he listed. 
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