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Health & Fitness

Getting Things Done

A perspective of a mayoral candidate

Hello.  My name is Paul Seemayer, and I am a candidate for mayor in the City of Fenton, MO.  I have been invited to use this forum to keep our residents and the readers of the Fenton/High Ridge Patch up to date on our campaign. 

I would first like to introduce myself, and then discuss some of the issues that we are currently facing in the City of Fenton, or we will be facing in the near future.

I am a life long resident of Fenton, I grew up here, went to St. Paul's School and Chaminade College Prep. I have a degree in Paramedic Technology and am graduating in May with a degree in Management.  Now I work here as a Paramedic/Firefighter and serve as your current Alderman in Ward 1.  I live on the same street that I grew up, where my parents Neal and Mabel Seemayer raised their 6 children.  My family has a long history in Fenton, they have owned 3 businesses in the Olde Towne area with another just outside the city limits.  I know what it takes to grow and operate a business within our great city.  I also know what it takes to raise a family here.  You see, my wife, Pam and I have 2 children of our own, who attend Lindbergh High School, our daughter Lexis will be starting kindergarten in the fall and we have been foster partents for the past 4 years.  In that time we have had 17 children through our home, children that needed a safe loving home until whatever situation that brought them to us was resolved.  We currently are fostering 3 beautiful children, two of which have been with us for over a year and have grown to be a part of our family and community.  The third is 5 months old and she is absolutely beautiful.

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I am the type of person who believes the term "leadership" is overused in today's society.  As Mayor of Fenton, I will obviously be in a leadership position. I do, however, believe all leaders are successful because they have a great team working with them.  My goal as mayor is to work hand in hand with the Board of Alderman and city staff to get things done.  Without true teamwork, nothing is as effective as it could be with everyone on the same page and working together to achieve a common goal.  My past experiences as a shop steward and district vice president for the International Association of Firefighters, where I helped to negotiate multimillion dollar contracts, and as a member of the board of directors for the St. Louis County Fire Academy has taught me to listen to all sides before forming an opinion on an issue.  Education on all of the facts at hand is paramount for anyone in a position of authority.  I also am not the type of person to sit in an office and make decisions all day long.  I am the type who believes in getting dirty, to work elbow-to-elbow with those in our community to get things done.  When the floods stuck our city, my family and I were on the sandbag lines helping to shore up our community.  There is a time for decision-making and a time to work.  The office of the mayor should be no different.  I have dedicated my life and career to helping those in need and that will not change when I hold the title of mayor.

So let's talk about the issues that face our city today.  I will list them here and then expound on them individually in the weeks to come.  I welcome your insight and opinions on each and every one of these issues.

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First and foremost is the Chrysler property.  While this is a private property, being sold by a private organization, the City of Fenton has a vested interest in this site.  Whatever corporation decides to make this site home, will have a lasting impact on our great city well into the future.

The practice of sales tax distrubution within St. Louis County needs to be reformed.  The complicated formula uses per capita as part of its formula, which puts the City of Fenton and our 4,000 residents at a disadvantage.  We lose about 60 percent of our sales tax revenue to other cities within St. Louis County and to St. Louis County itself.

Infrastructure in our city must be addressed.  Old Gravois Road in the Olde Towne area is in dire need of repair as is the "river" road.  Now that we have a new bridge, we need roads that are equally as safe and sound for our residents and businesses alike.

Heroin, as well as other drugs, are problems within our town.  Most of us know someone who has been affected by this powerful drug, whether it be family, friends or acquantiances.  I will address this issue as your mayor, and I have a plan.

I plan to work with our community partnerships, local schools and churches to address issues that arise.  It is through these organizations that teamwork and cooperation on the part of the city will be imperative.

I encourage everyone to get involved to get things done.  Visit my website at www.paulseemayer.com, visit my opponents website, learn about the issues, let me know what is on your mind, post comments and ideas, call me and above all, Vote on April 2.

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