The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Carthage, Jasper County

Discussion

March 28, 2008

Candidates assess growth in Carthage

By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Only a few candidates got the focus Friday in a forum aimed at introducing those running for Carthage City Council and Carthage R-9 School Board seats in the April 8 election.

Six candidates — including two running unopposed — spoke at the event sponsored by the Carthage Chamber of Commerce.

Despite a joking admonishment from John Bode, chairman, to avoid the word “growth,” ways to serve an expanding school population and to encourage business and residential development in Carthage were among topics by the contenders.

Those speaking at the event were Jeff Jones and Alan Snow, two of six candidates running for Carthage School Board, and council candidates Timothy Teed, seeking a 2nd Ward post, and Vince Scott, a 3rd Ward position. Larry Ross and Claude Newport also spoke; both are council incumbents, running unopposed.

Other candidates had commitments and could not attend the event, Bode said.

Also running for school board are Tony Diggs and Danny Lambeth, both incumbents, and Kent Hogan.

Other candidates in contested City Council races are Ronnie E. Wells, also seeking a 2nd Ward post, and John Studebaker, running in the 3rd Ward.

Both Jones and Snow cited advances in the school district and said they wanted to help the district continue to improve.

Jones said the high school under construction will allow grade shifts to make more room available in all schools. But, eventually, he said the district will have to build a new elementary school to accommodate the growth the district is seeing in those age groups.

Both Jones and Snow cited the importance of parent and community involvement in the success of the district and in preventing problems such as teenage drinking.

A parent-teacher organization at the high school has increased parent involvement there, Jones said, but only about 90 parents are members of the group and about 25 are actively involved.

“It’s a good thing; but there’s 900 kids there,” he said.

Snow said he would like to see the level of parent and community involvement evident during last year’s football season spread to academics and other types of activities.

Scott and Teed both emphasized their time and willingness to serve on the council and council committees.

Scott, a real estate developer, said growth is important but the city must balance economic-development incentives against the need for tax support for the school district and other entities.

Teed, who works for Wells Fargo and is studying to be a pastor, said he would like to help Carthage encourage more retail development.

“That way, people could stay here to shop,” he said.

All the city candidates said they would support regional cooperation for economic-development and tourism-promotion programs.





Attendance

About 30 people attended the forum held at the First Assembly of God Church, 1605 Baker Blvd.

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