Columbia school board, City Council candidates discuss issues Thursday

UPDATE: Four of the five candidates vying for the two seats discussed a number of topics from redistricting to tax levies.

The board candidates seemed to agree on many points, while also adding their own views to the table.

Much of the conversation centered on having open lines of communication and collaboration with staff and the community about what is happening within the district.

Candidates offered their thoughts on being proactive with parents and staff, as well as making sure people are heard when they have issues or complaints.

City Council candidates took the hot seat next and it turned out more contentious than the school board candidate forum.

Paul Love, a candidate running against incumbent Mike Trapp in the second ward, blasted Trapp on several points, including his contracting work with the city of Columbia. He said it was a conflict of interest, and that he had decided to run because he wasn’t happy with how Trapp was “running things.”

He said it was time for leaders in Columbia to stand up and ask questions to challenge the leadership to make better decisions.

Trapp said that he had a right to make a living, and that his work with different groups around the city was ethically sound and didn’t affect his decision making.

In his closing remarks, Trapp said that it’s easy to attack and criticize, but harder to craft real solutions.

Ward 6 councilwoman Betsy Peters is also up for re-election. She is running unopposed.

ORIGINAL STORY: Candidates running for spots on the Columbia Board of Education and City Council are set to participate in a forum Thursday evening at the Columbia Board of Realtors building.

There are five candidates running for two open spots on the board of education. The spots held by Christine King and Board President Darin Preis are up for election. Preis is not running again. The five candidates are:

Christine King James “Ben” Tilley Tyler Francis Lero Susan Blackburn Teresa Maledy

For City Council, Ward 2 incumbent Michael Trapp is looking to get elected for a third term against Paul Love. Ward 6 Councilwoman Betsy Peters is running unopposed.

The public is welcome to attend the event and ask questions of the candidates. The candidates for school board will be available at 5:30 p.m. and City Council candidates will be available at 7:00 p.m.

Elections are April 3.