Tuesday’s elections in Columbia offer registered voters in Boone County a variety of issues to consider for our city. The two propositions and two ward elections provide an opportunity to support a better future for Columbia. Here are our endorsements on the items on Tuesday’s ballot.

**Prop 1:**
Yes. Proposition One stipends $6,000 per year to Columbia’s City Council members, and $9,000 per year to the mayor. Both positions are currently unpaid and occupied by people who can afford to work a job which doesn’t pay.

Obviously, the current situation hinders lower income residents from running for public office, since many have other financial obligations and need a paying job. In our modern society, it is important that we have the opportunity to elect officials who come from a variety of economic backgrounds, not just picking from a group who can afford to run for office.

The salaries would be implemented in 2014, when the current city council members and mayor’s terms are up, so voters have the opportunity to vote them in or out of office. Similarly, any future adjustments to the salaries are only enacted three years after the measures are passed, which means that standing members may not see the money from adjustments made if they aren’t re-elected.

When combined, the total expense is $52,000, which is essentially a mid-level salary split amongst seven people. The financial burden is not disastrous, and the benefits of encouraging wider political participation in our community outweigh the costs.

**Prop 2:**
Yes. Proposition Two would allow the city to issue $49.5 million in bonds to purchase the Columbia Energy Center, which is currently owned by Ameren UE. The city owns only 25 percent of the center, and leases the other 75 percent. The approximately $50 million investment would be paid back to Columbia residents over the next 35 years, as the city pays down its debt, similar to a mortgage.

In the long term, Prop Two saves Columbia money, and it is a safe investment for Columbians. If a citizen buys a bond, they can be confident their investment will be returned to them with an increase from its original value. This financial incentive will hopefully encourage more people to fund the initiative.

Nay-sayers claim the city, in its current budget crisis, has no room to borrow $50 million for the acquisition. However, Prop Two could easily help alleviate some of the city’s fiscal problems, since it makes more financial sense in the long run. Prop Two is a smart choice for Columbia and its future.

**First Ward Elections:**
Mitch Richards. The decision for the First Ward endorsement was not an easy one. We felt that both Mitch Richards and Fred Schmidt were qualified candidates. Schmidt has an extensive grasp of knowledge on economics and could help Columbia overcome its budget problems and improve its infrastructure. Schmidt is a small business owner with a master’s in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley who would make a great representative.

However, we chose to endorse Mitch Richards, a 29-year-old with less experience, because we feel he better represents the MU student community. The First Ward includes downtown Columbia as well as portions of campus. Richards has received widespread support from MU students and has made consistent efforts to establish contacts with them.

Richard’s main goals begin with a desire to make it easier to start businesses in Columbia. The First Ward has lower-income areas, and Richards aims to get rid of the red tape surrounding business creation to get more people to work faster.

Also, Richards seeks to improve the infrastructure of Columbia while overcoming the fiscal problems that plague the city, and he understands the need for a strong line of communication between the two fronts for any effective measures to be passed.

Furthermore, in the spirit of wider political participation, Richards’ age is consistent with the age-range of the First Ward residents he represents. In a college town with tens of thousands of students living here throughout most of the year, it is important to have a younger voice in politics. While both Richards and Schmidt are formidable and qualified candidates, we feel that Richards is best for student representation on the city level.

**Fifth Ward Elections:**
Helen Anthony. Attorney Helen Anthony was the obvious choice for Fifth Ward representation. While the Fifth doesn’t encompass any part of MU’s campus, it’s still important in the realm of Columbia politics.

Anthony’s past experiences make her more than qualified for the position. While living in Massachusetts, she served on the equivalent of Columbia’s city council.

In Columbia, she served on the Planning and Zoning Commission and has worked with Columbia Water and Light. Both of these experiences give Anthony a broad understanding of how Columbia is run, and what solutions are practical and responsible.

Anthony seeks to improve Columbia’s infrastructure, and her biggest priority is reforming the city’s zoning regulations. Columbia’s zoning laws are more than 25 years old, and Anthony understands the need to reformat them. Furthermore, Anthony’s experience as a lawyer have given her good conflict resolution skills, which are vital when assuming a position in public service. Clearly, Anthony is the best choice for the Fifth Ward.