Ten former Columbia City Council members, including two who served our city as Mayor, have publicly endorsed the candidacy of Gary Kespohl for Ward 3 Councilman.

Together, the ten former city leaders have contributed some six decades of public service to Columbia in elected municipal offices. Together, they announced their support in weekend newspaper advertising for the candidacy of Gary Kespohl, a long-time civic volunteer.

Endorsing Gary Kespohl are: Former Mayor and Ward 4 Councilman Bob Pugh; Former Mayor and Ward 3 Councilman Rodney Smith; Former Ward 3 Council Members Phil Hanson, Bob Hutton and Ed Kaiser; Former Ward 4 Councilman Jim Loveless; Former Ward 5 Councilmen John John and Dick Walls; Former Ward 6 Councilwoman Sharon Lynch; and Former Ward 1 Councilman Larry Schuster. Kespohl was also pleased to announce the endorsement of Tim Crockett, son of the late Ward 3 Councilwoman Donna Crockett;

“I am grateful for the public expressions of support of these outstanding community leaders, who have told me they support my priorities of fighting crime, enabling job creation and renewing common-sense values on the Columbia City Council,” Kespohl said. “Columbia citizens have trusted these leaders’ good judgment for decades, so their backing is of special significance.”

A small businessman, Kespohl is also endorsed in Tuesday’s election by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.

Thanks to the Columbia Daily Tribune and reporter Daniel Cailler for setting the record straight regarding a previous article about my views on growing Columbia’s economy and creating jobs. We need jobs and new prosperity in Columbia, and I will bring a small business owner’s perspective to the City Council. I have balanced budgets, met payrolls and kept customers satisfied. My opponent has repeatedly voted against job-creating projects. The choice is clear: Gary Kespohl for Ward 3 City Council.

Tribune Article by Daniel Cailler