Columbia mayoral candidates share views on key issues

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Five candidates are vying to become Columbia's mayor in the April election, hoping to fill the seat being left vacant by Brian Treece.

ABC 17 News conducted live interviews of the candidates, with one each day this week. Each candidate was asked the same questions and had the opportunity to express their visions of Columbia if they were to be elected.

Homelessness

David Seamon

• Current school board member David Seamon says he would like to provide mutiple locations for the homeless. Seamon says he's had discussions about opening up a permanent warming center. "Opening that center and allowing folks to be able to come whether or not they are permantely homeless or in transition, is going to be key to solving the issue," Seamon said.

Barbara Buffaloe

• Barbara Buffaloe, the city's former sustainability manager, says it's crucial to put resources to work on this issue in Columbia. Buffaloe supports the idea of an "opportunity campus," which would combine service agencies together to provide resources for the homeless. "From those who need zero entry, to those who just need a bed to stay in, just a little leg up, and maybe some training ..." Buffaloe said.

Maria Oropallo

• Maria Oropallo, a community activist and finance committee member, says homelessness amplifies poor mental health. Oropallo feels that she has the responsiblity to bring agencies together along with the city's own experts on public health and housing authority. "Critical resources are needed whether its a building, leveraging city funds with partners maybe, wrap around services. Someone who can help staff and operate the homeless shelter," Oropallo said.

Tanya Heath

• Tanya Heath says she believes Columbia needs to look at long term solutions. One solution is a 10-year plan that was started in 2006 that would help put chronic homelessness to an end. Heath believes that the shelters should provide the homeless with job skills, life skills, and finacial training. "And then we need to look at longer term challenges such as mental health, drug addicition," Heath said.

Randy Minchew

• Randy Minchew says the people that do the best work with the homeless need additional resources. Minchew says he's reached out to the shelters to try and get a grasp on whats not being covered in the shelters such as people having trouble fitting into the other programs. "One way the city could help is to provide the resources so that those people get professional help, because its not just a normal situation," Minchew said.

ABC 17 News also asked the candidates about vacancies in the solid waste department and gun violence.

Check back and watch ABC 17 News at 6 to find out what they said.