Candidates for Belle aldermen and Maries R-II School Board answered questions asked by The Advocate, below are their responses.

Josh Seaver
Alderman Ward One

I’ve been a resident of Belle since 1998. My wife teaches in the Maries R2 School district and we have two children. I was elected Mayor in 2018 and proudly served our community for one term. During that time I worked diligently to oversee the completion of several major grant projects in our community, also I proudly aided our board of Aldermen in establishing the Belle Division of the Maries County Sheriff’s office to provide proactive, professional police presence in our hometown.

1. What is your connection to the city and community?

My wife has lived here her entire life. My children will graduate from Maries R2. We purchased our first home here in 2001, and our second home in 2009. 

We, like most folks, want to see our community flourish. I currently work at Kingsford, with plans of spending my retirement years as a business owner in our community.

2. What is your primary reason for running for alderman?

My goals as Alderman are no different than they were as Mayor, to see that our community thrives and grows through fiscal responsibility, action, and accountability. To bring back that sense of hometown pride and help make Belle great again. 

3. Name a project or ordinance you would like to see accomplished in the near future or set up to be completed in the extended future?

The revitalization of main street has always been number one on my big wish list. There are far too many empty business spaces and this community has too much to offer for that to continue. 

Real-world goals would include the re-establishment of the Belle PD, under the right leadership,  with highly vetted, well-trained, well-equipped officers. 

4. What is something that you’re satisfied with that you feel the city board has done well? What is a project you feel you would have voted to accomplish differently?

Based solely on the knowledge gained from my time as Mayor I would say the upcoming water meter project definitely needed to happen. 

Personally, I would have pushed for the total demolition of the MFA building as opposed to selling it.

Deborah Turnbough
Alderman Ward One

Cosmetologist 23 years, Served in the Navy reserve, duties included Supply Clerk, AT Coordinator,  Founder of EMT Ministries ‘Emergency Mentors Team”- fundraising & video Production for Lake Ozark Pregnancy Help Center& Ozark Children’s Home. Team Leader Mary Kay managed 12 consultants. I’m PASSIONATE about my family, friends, community and my God! 

1. What is your connection to the city and community?

 I moved here in 2013 and was married to my husband Joe Turnbough in 2014. It was then I became very involved with the community and started interacting and helping some of our citizens with addictions and being kind to those less fortunate.

2. What is your primary reason for running for alderman?

To be a voice to hear the concerns of the people of our town that voted us in. Not for our own agenda, but to hear your voices and to have your vote make a difference. To bring more business into town, and an activity center or sports complex for all ages.

3. Name a project or ordinance you would like to see accomplished in the near future or set up to be completed in the extended future?

I would like to see the Belle Police Department back again with enough manpower to provide police coverage. The Police Departmemt should be fully funded and not excpect them to pay for their own salaries by projected fine revenue added in the budget that they have to write in tickets.

4. What is something that you’re satisfied with that you feel the city board has done well? What is a project you feel you would have voted to accomplish differently?

I have watched for seven years with no teamwork amongst the council. I have witnessed personal agendas, regardless of what the Citizens wanted.

I would not of voted to shut down the police department, I  would of voted to replace another school resource officer that the school had contracted out.

Terry Connors 
Alderman Ward Two

24 years of military service. USMS in the Republic of South Vietnam, U.S.A. in the Republic of South Korea. Also served in the Army Reserve, Army National Gaurd and Individual Ready Reserve. Commissioned officer, BA in electrical engineering, MBA in Business Administration, PHD in Philosphy.

1. What is your connection to the city and community?

Own and operate the Connors Country Lodge in Belle, Mo.

2. What is your primary reason for running for alderman?

To make sure that the board serves the residents of Belle and not themselves.

3. Name a project or ordinance you would like to see accomplished in the near future or set up to be completed in the extended future?

The water supply is antiquated and needs to be completely redone. Bring our fire hydrants up to standards so that our fire insurance will be lowered.

4. What is something that you’re satisfied with that you feel the city board has done well? What is a project you feel you would have voted to accomplish differently?

 In the process of getting rid of the old MFA building and continuing to remove the eyesores on our community.

I feel that defunding our marshal’s office was wrong and went against 72 percent of the voters here that wanted to keep our police department. To establish a contract with the county sheriff’s department was wrong, we are already paying the county taxes to support the sheriff’s department and we are paying city taxes to support our police department.

Kayla Bray
Alderman Ward Two

I am married and have 2 beautiful daughters. I love Cardinals baseball and spending time with my family and friends. 

1. What is your connection to the city and community?

I have lived in Belle for over 10 years. This is my husband’s hometown. We love this community and are glad we get to raise our little family here. 

2. What is your primary reason for running for alderman?

My reason for running for alderman is to help grow the relationship between the board of alderman and the citizens of Belle. Together we can accomplish anything. 

3. Name a project or ordinance you would like to see accomplished in the near future or set up to be completed in the extended future?

A project I would like to see accomplished in the future is installing solar panels on city buildings. I believe that this will help bring money back to the city in the long run. 

4. What is something that you’re satisfied with that you feel the city board has done well? What is a project you feel you would have voted to accomplish differently?

When the city decided to change the ordinance about keeping yards clean in town was a really good decision. It used to be that you would get several warnings about cleaning your property up but now the citizens get one warning a year. If the citizens don’t comply then a fine will be given. I believe this will help keep our town cleaner and safer for its citizens. 

Most all of you know that I would have voted for our police department differently. As I look over the city budget I believe over time this will hurt our city in the long run. The price to have the sheriff’s department cover our city will continue to go up every year. In the long run I don’t believe that our city can afford the price the sheriff’s department needs. I do believe the sheriff’s office has done good things in our town. I would appreciate your vote on April 6th 2021 to be the new alderman forward 2 in Belle. 

Ken Stanfield 
Alderman Ward Two

Moved to Belle in 1977. Raised my kids here. I have been involved in the community in different organizations.

1. What is your connection to the city and community?

My connections are member of the planning and zoning, BCBA member, and two terms as alderman. I want to be part of the team that is moving this community forward.

2. What is your primary reason for running for alderman?

The town is heading in a positive direction. We have police protection now. Since I’ve been alderman, we joined a fire protection district, which is positive for our town. I want to be part of the solution for our town. 

3. Name a project or ordinance you would like to see accomplished in the near future or set up to be completed in the extended future?

I would like to see an industrial park established to bring jobs here for our residents.

4. What is something that you’re satisfied with that you feel the city board has done well? What is a project you feel you would have voted to accomplish differently?

I’m very happy with Maries County police protection for the residents; completion of the demolition grant; addition of the Belle Fire Protection District; completion of the sidewalk grant for Johnson Avenue; and street light added to the corner of 10th and Highway 28.

Larry Walters 
Alderman Ward Two

I voted for Trump. I love God, my family and friends, and freedom. I enjoy time with family, hunting, fishing, motorcycling, sightseeing. I served in Army Rangers, Army Corps of Engineers, on our school board, assisted disaster relief efforts Joplin Tornado, Hurricanes; Georges, Katrina, Rita, and Maria.

1. What is your connection to the city and community?

My Dad was Mayor and instrumental in getting our yellow water tower and formalizing our fire department. The school bus dropped me off at our Fina Service station where I pumped gas and worked the cash register. As a teenager, I put up hay, played baseball, then college and the Army.

2. What is your primary reason for running for alderman? To make Belle better. Talk of federal infrastructure spending may provide us ways to make improvements and we should be proactive as practical.  These unusual times seem to cause governments to enact policies that go against American values and freedoms.  I will help fight off the ridiculousness and anti-American policies. 

3. Name a project or ordinance you would like to see accomplished in the near future or set up to be completed in the extended future?

Improvements to our infrastructure and storm drainage are needed and may be possible with federal funds contained in infrastructure spending bills.  A multi-purpose shelter/safe room for the community utilizing special funding incentives from FEMA can serve as a youth center or various activities. Ordinances to help curb excessive speeding in neighborhoods.

4. What is something that you’re satisfied with that you feel the city board has done well? What is a project you feel you would have voted to accomplish differently?

What is something that you are satisfied with that you feel the city board has done well? The city is becoming visually more appealing and for that, I am grateful to the council. Passing through town it certainly looks better though has been a long time coming. Still needs improvement and in some of those areas the city shares responsibility. What is a project you feel you would have voted to accomplish differently? 

This whole mess with the Marshall and the city is just that, a mess. If things were so bad, then proper avenues should have been taken to remove him from office instead of circumventing that process, especially in ways that appear contrary to the voter’s positions.

Kenda Sanders
R-II School Board

I’ve lived in Belle my whole life and am proud of that fact. I work for Missouri State Parks as the Director of Business Services. My husband (of 25 years) is a full-time farmer. We have three great kids, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and the most precious granddaughter ever!

1. What is your connection to the school and community?

My family are all graduates or are current students of Maries R2. My granddaughter will attend this school. I want to do everything I can to make the school experience for our students, staff, and community – the best it can be. I’m an active member of this community and fully invested in supporting it. 

2. What is your primary reason for running for the board of education?

I am running for re-election because I feel like we’re doing good things, we have great momentum and I’d like to remain a part of the effort. 

3. Name a project or rule you would like to see accomplished in the near future or set up to be completed in the extended future?

Rules are provided in the handbooks, and those are developed by building administration and are only reviewed by the BOE, not “approved.” A project that I would like to see accomplished in the extended future is having all students on one campus. I think it would be a huge benefit for the staff, students, and families of the district. 

 4. What is something you are satisfied with that you feel the board of education has done well? What is a project you feel you would have voted to accomplish differently?

I am most satisfied with the way the board has worked together. It’s something we’ve done well – we don’t always agree, and we shouldn’t; it can’t always be 7-0 vote. One of the best decisions we’ve made as a board is hiring Dr. Basham to lead the district, and I wouldn’t change anything about that! 

Ralicia Tyler 
R-II School Board

My husband Cole and I have two children.

I have been a State Trooper for 12 years. We also have a woodworking business, Blue Light Designs.

I joined the Belle Community Betterment Association in 2020 and enjoy being part of their mission to create and sustain growth to improve the community.

1. What is your connection to the school and community?

My husband Cole grew up in this community and graduated from Maries R-2, and we’re now raising our children here. My son Grayson currently attends Belle Elementary and my daughter, Emalynn, will begin pre-school this fall. 

3. Name a project or rule you would like to see accomplished in the near future or set up to be completed in the extended future?

 I have a strong desire to not only see my children succeed but all children in my community. 

I assisted with meal distribution last year and visited with community members who shared issues within the district. I knew then I wanted to do something to be part of the solution. 

3. Name a project or rule you would like to see accomplished in the near future or set up to be completed in the extended future?

I want to look into how we can repair issues including the leaking roof and plumbing.  These issues need to be more than just temporarily fixed. 

I would also like to work together to create a plan for all the school buildings to be in one location. 

4. What is something you are satisfied with that you feel the board of education has done well? What is a project you feel you would have voted to accomplish differently?

Though I am not a fan of wearing a mask, I do agree with the decision the board made to mandate them. I know this caused some division.  Governor Parson explained if masks are worn correctly and a student within the class tests positive for COVID-19, the entire class will not be required to quarantine. 

After seeing the numbers of students who were out of school, due to quarantine, during the first semester vs. the students who have been quarantined, during the second semester.  I would have voted to begin the mandate as soon as Governor Parsons gave his explanation.

Aaron Vandegriff 
R-II School Board

I live in Belle with my wife, Kylie, my son Rexton, 7, and my daughter Haven, 5. I am a 2003 graduate from Belle High School and have a B.S. from William Woods University. I work as the Vice President of Business Technology at Phelps County Bank in Rolla. 

1. What is your connection to the school and community?

I’m very involved with my kids’ school and extracurricular activities. Working with my employers, I coordinated the donation of more than 50 laptops and iPads to the school. I’m very active in the Belle Junior Golf Association and provide free youth clinics and coach youth sports teams for both children.

 2. What is your primary reason for running for the board of education?

I am running because I want to help. I enjoyed my time in the district and want to maintain and improve that experience for the students. It is important to have a diverse board of education. I will add value to our school’s technology vision and deep-dive into district workflow. 

3. Name a project or rule you would like to see accomplished in the near future or set up to be completed in the extended future?

I want to make life easier and more efficient for the parents, teachers, and administrators. I would propose adding automation around attendance, permission slips, and student pickup for starters. The goal is to give the teachers and administrators a better way to manage requests and reduce phone calls and paperwork.

4. What is something you are satisfied with that you feel the board of education has done well? What is a project you feel you would have voted to accomplish differently?

I have been extremely impressed with the hires and promotions the school has made over the last several years. The hiring of Lenice Basham was a positive step and an example of growing and promoting talent.

Personally, I would’ve liked to see the mask mandate viewed from a more holistic perspective. To mandate the students wear masks and then allow 200+ people to attend a school sporting event without masks is inconsistent.  I would’ve liked to see a single policy district-wide either way.