NEW BLOOMFIELD - Two Ward 2 alderman candidates are on the ballot for New Bloomfield's April 2 municipal election.
This is part of a series of profiles on the candidates running in contested races across the county. More profiles are coming soon.
Michael Lowe Sr.
I was born and raised in Valley City, North Dakota, and lived there until after high school, then was drafted into the Army in 1969 and spent 20 years there. Then I moved to Missouri and I've been here since 1985. I went to work at the Fulton Diagnostic Center as a nurse for 24 years. I ran for mayor and was elected, spending just under six years as mayor. Then I took a job with the 13th Circuit Court's juvenile division in Fulton and resigned as mayor to avoid a conflict of interest. Now I'm interested in getting back in and helping. I plan on running for mayor again.
Q. Why are you running?
A. I was mayor before all this mess started with the people wanting the audit and with the police department. I kind of feel that I need to prove that the aldermen and mayor know what they're doing, and are doing a good job. I want to get back in and help get everything back to where it should be, with people trusting us. I like New Bloomfield.
Q. What qualifications do you have as a candidate?
A. A long time ago, when I got out of high school and I was working and living in North Dakota, I was a member of the Jaycees for probably 15 years. I was president of the New Orleans Jaycees for probably three years. There was a lot of experience there, with how big it is. In the Army, going to non-commissioned officer schools, you learn how to be a leader and how to work with people. When you have a problem, you know how to settle it. And, naturally, there's the six years as mayor.
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue you'll need to solve in this position, and how do you plan on solving it?
A. The biggest is trust. It's getting trust, and I think that's coming around. I think the group that's in there now is doing a great job, but it's going to take a long time to get the trust back. I think we do that by including more people, which is starting to happen. Let the citizens know what's there, and inviting them to meetings, and trying to get people to be on some of the committees. We have a lot of committees and a lot of people are on multiple committees. We have to get new blood.
Q. What other goals do you have?
A. In a small town with little money, you can't have a lot of goals. But one of them, when I was mayor, was getting out in the public and letting people know. Getting peoples' support: If we want to pass a bond, get the word out there and explain where the money will go. A lot of it is communicating. And the big goal is trying to get a Casey's or something in New Bloomfield. We got the Dollar General while I was here.
Talon Walther
I have an amazing wife, a 16-year-old son, and an 11-year-old daughter. I grew up in Jefferson City and moved to New Bloomfield in 2006. I am a former police officer of Holts Summit.
Q. Why are you running?
A. I am running for alderman in hopes to see New Bloomfield be the best town it can be. I want to serve the citizens by listening to their concerns, and responding in a timely manner. New Bloomfield is a small town, and residents should have trust in their officials. I want to offer transparency and fellowship. For too long, we have made the news for all the wrong reasons. I want this town united again.
Q. What qualifications do you have as a candidate?
A. This will be my first time running for an alderman seat. I was a police officer for more than four years. I am very easy to work with. I have always enjoyed working with people and this can continue that. I will do what's best for the city.
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue you'll need to solve in this position, and how do you plan on solving it?
A. I believe the biggest problem is there is no transparency between New Bloomfield citizens and leaders. We cannot move forward if we cannot work together.
I plan to solve this by being available to the citizens and providing my phone number so they can contact me anytime with their concerns.
Q. What other goals do you have?
A. Another goal is more community events to bring the community together. I want this to be a city that people want to move to. Right now, there is a wall between the citizens and leaders. I will do whatever it takes to take that wall down. We never see leaders at events either. I would love to see leaders at these events.
I love New Bloomfield and want what's best for our city. I've enjoyed living in New Bloomfield and the life it offers: coaching baseball, community events and school involvement. New Bloomfield can grow stronger if we all work together. If you vote for me, we can make New Bloomfield the best New Bloomfield it can be.