Fact Check

My opponent is making some claims that are pretty wild.  Here are the facts about some of the “issues” he has raised.

Travel Expenses
CLAIM:  I spent too much money on city-related travel.

THE FACTS: 

  • All travel expenses paid by the city were for legitimate city business. Council members are unpaid volunteers, so I received no payment for any of the time involved.
  • I followed the city’s rules and travel guidelines, and took the least expensive mode of transportation possible.  The total cost of my meals was less than the recommended meal allowances for city travel.  See “Skala spends less than city allowances for travel expenses” at http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2010/03/28/detailed-report-all-skalas-spending/
  • I travelled to National League of Cities meetings to learn from the experts and from other cities, and bring that information back to Columbia. “It’s a huge benefit to go to these national meetings,” Mayor Hindman said in the article referenced above.  He also said that the conferences give council members knowledge and ideas that most new members don’t have.
  • The Smart Growth conference I recently attended was co-sponsored by the National Association of Realtors, and more than half those attending were business people. The sessions shared information about growth and development that improves health and quality of life, and is less costly than urban sprawl. Backyard chickens were never the topic of any meeting I attended.

“Skala Voted No”
CLAIM:  My opponent’s large black-and-white signs claim that I voted No on public safety and jobs.

THE FACTS:
As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the proud father of a police officer, I have actively supported efforts to improve public safety and prevent crime. I am strongly in favor of the new police chief’s neighborhood policing system. Specifically, I voted YES on:

  • new police officers and equipment
  • cameras in downtown parking garages
  • special Street Crimes and Downtown police units
  • new police training facility

I have also supported many projects that will bring good-paying, high quality jobs to Columbia.  Specifically, I voted YES on:

  • Ewing Industrial Park power incentives to attract high-tech businesses
  • Construction of a new railroad overpass on Highway 63N, which will fix a very dangerous crossing and create construction jobs
  • 3rd ward road, sewer & water projects that will improve and expand our basic necessities and create construction jobs

Those votes are on the record!

Landmark Hospital
CLAIM:  My opponent claims that he supported this project, which was built on Old Highway 63 next to the Columbia Country Club.

THE FACTS:

  • When this proposal came before the City Council in May, 2008, my opponent sent an e-mail to me, the mayor, and other council members, to express strong concerns about the project. Strangely, he still continues to claim that he supported it. To read the e-mail, go to http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2010/02/21/2008-email-city-council-regarding-landmark-hospitial/.  For more information, see http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2010/feb/28/kespohl-refuses-to-claim-e-mail/
  • The Country Club neighborhood association was very upset about the hospital project, voting 42 to 4 to oppose it (with 2 abstentions). Many of the neighbors contacted me and came to testify against the project.
  • I voted against it because of their concerns.  I thought the hospital was a good idea, but believed it was not being built in the right location.

City Sustainability Director
CLAIM:  My opponent claims I voted to hire a city Sustainability Director instead of putting more police officers on the street.

THE FACTS:

  • The Sustainability Director was hired to help save energy and money by making city buildings more energy efficient.  The savings from lowering the city’s utility bills will add up for years to come.
  • The Sustainability Director will be paid with funds from a three-year federal grant from the Department of Energy.  This grant money can only be used for this purpose, and cannot be used to fight crime.
  • For more information, see http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2010/jan/22/city-fills-new-sustainability-post/ and http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2010/01/22/columbia-gets-first-sustainability-manager/

I have a strong record of support for the Columbia Police Department. For example, while on the council I have:

  • Voted to add officers to the force
  • Supported the formation of two new special units (Street Crimes and Downtown)
  • Voted to install surveillance cameras in the downtown parking garages
  • Graduated from the Columbia Citizens Police Academy 

My oldest daughter is a police officer, so I know firsthand what a hard job it is. As a former Marine, I understand and respect the officers’ bravery and sacrifices.

Cross Creek
CLAIM:  My opponent claims the Cross Creek retail development brought “hundreds of jobs” to Columbia.

THE FACTS:

  • The Cross Creek retail development has brought no jobs to Columbia.  This empty development at the east end of Stadium Boulevard started by leveling the hilltop, which created a vast wasteland. After several years, the only tenants announced (not yet built) are a convenience store and a Taco Bell.
  • I voted against this project because it harmed the environment, many of the nearby homeowners opposed it, and we already have a glut of unused retail space in Columbia.

“Special Projects”
CLAIM:  My opponent claims I voted to earmark $100,000 for my “special little projects.”

THE FACTS: 
Neither I nor any other individual council member has funds for special projects. The City Council as a whole has a Council Reserve Fund, which is a tiny portion of the overall city budget.  In 2010 we voted to allocate this money within the regular budget to provide additional support for ongoing programs, several of which focus on encouraging employment and preventing crime.

  • Urban Empowerment—a faith-based program of job-oriented counseling for the economically disadvantaged
  • CARE Program—summer jobs for low-income youth, to keep them occupied and help them develop job skills
  • Blind Boone High Steppers—youth activities that instill discipline and give young people a constructive focus in their lives

We also allocated funding for the Central Missouri Humane Society for spaying and neutering, to help reduce the number of unwanted and neglected animals.

Bike Lanes
CLAIM:  I voted to support bike lanes instead of fighting crime.

THE FACTS:  The bike lanes, sidewalks and other projects developed over the past several years by the GetAbout Columbia project have been done with $22 million in federal grant funds that can be used only for this purpose.  The money cannot be used for anything else, including fighting crime.
Paid for by Skala for Council, Clyde Wilson, Treasurer