news-record.com

Four candidates from Sedalia are vying for three at-large Town Council seats Tuesday.

A fifth candidate, Veronica Lewis, withdrew from the race in October.

Incumbent Councilwomen Ophelia Jones and Valerie Mack along with planning board member Shinita Wrenwick and political newcomer Keith Carter are all hoping to be one of the top three vote getters on Tuesday.

Jones has served two previous council terms and was involved in the Sedalia Civic Organization before the town incorporated in 1997. “I personally know most of the people in this town, either their parents or their children,” Jones said in an election questionnaire.

Mack, who has served for years on the council, said she wants to work with the planning board on the town comprehensive growth plan to make sure “Sedalia grows as we want it to grow forward but not out of control,” she said in her questionnaire.

Wrenwrick said she decided to run for the council at the urging of other council members who were impressed by her service on the planning board.

In her election questionnaire, she said the town must go after federal grants and programs for small towns.

Newcomer Carter served on the Board of Trustees then as chairman for the Crook County Library System in Oregon, where he led the effort to build a new library.

Carter said he has lived in small and medium towns, big cities and a huge metropolis, Osaka, Japan. “My work background includes just about even parts blue collar (assembly line, forklift operator) and white collar (litigator, legal consultant),” he said in his questionnaire.

Sedalia had to extend its election filing period by a week because it didn’t have enough candidates to fill the open council seats.

Originally, only incumbents Mack and Jones had filed.

After election, the council members will be voting to put in place the goals and objectives outlined in the comprehensive plan adopted earlier this year and making sure the residents comply with the town’s ordinances.

Council members will also make final decisions regarding the town’s fiscal affairs and zoning.

Contact Tiffany S. Jones at 373-7157, or tiffany.jones@news-record.com