2018 MACON CITY COUNCIL RACE

On Tuesday (April 3rd) voters that live within the city limits of Macon, Missouri will be voting on several hot items, one being Mayor as well as City Council. In Macon, the city is broken up into four wards with two councilmen representing each ward. This year’s candidates for the Macon City Council are Ward 1: Incumbent Ernie Lea and Taylor Wesley, Ward 2: Tony Petre, Ward 3: Incumbent Jerold Carr and Craig VanderAa, and Ward 4: Incumbent Jerry Thompson. All candidates, except for Craig VanderAa (due to work) participated in a City Council Candidate Forum on March 21st. They answered prepared questions from Moderators Shellie Claiborne and Benjamin Nelson. To view the video and transcript of the forum, please visit the webpage of The Home Press.

FROM WARD 1 CANDIDATE (INCUMBENT) ERNIE LEA: “My name is Ernie Lea, and I am again running for 1ST ward councilman. I was born and raised in Macon. I went to school here, raised a family and worked here most of my life. I am an appliance repairman and have been since 1978. I currently work at Tim’s Home Center, located in Shelbina, MO, and also at the Macon Cinema. My wife’s name is Kristie and we have lived in the 1st ward for 20 years. One of my daughter’s names is also Kristy, which can be confusing at times. Together, we have a total of 6 children. I am running for re-election for 1st ward councilman because I love this community and care about the people who live here. They are friends and neighbors who want to live their lives in the best place possible (that would be Macon!). I want to be their voice on the city council to make sure that happens. Their ideas and opinions matter and deserve to be heard. I want to represent the citizens of the 1st ward, and I hope they know that they can contact me any time with their concerns. I will do my best to serve their interests. I feel my experience serving on the city council and several committees will be beneficial when making decisions regarding many upcoming issues facing our community. Please exercise your right to vote on April 3rd. I would appreciate your consideration when doing so.” – Ward 1 Candidate Ernie Lea

FROM WARD 1 CANDIDATE TAYLOR WESLEY: “I was raised in a rural town an hour east of Kansas City. I went on to study Biology at Mizzou and, ultimately, achieved a master's of science in Physician Assistant Studies. I practice locally at Total Family Health Care. I have a beautiful wife, Shelby, and we are blessed with a daughter, Shaylee. Why am I running for city council? My goals are simple Macon appears to have a Yemen exodus opportunity for growth. There are wonderful people living in this town. The location is ideal. I am hopeful to spark ideas of how to recruit more families to the area. I would love to see the younger population migrate to or remain in Macon with career opportunities. Together, we can make Macon a better place.” – Ward 1 Candidate Taylor Wesley

FROM WARD 2 CANDIDATE TONY PETRE: “In 1999, I graduated from Macon R-1 High School. I then attended Columbia College and graduated in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration majoring in Marketing and Management. For nearly 10 years, I worked as a claims adjuster for Cameron Mutual Insurance Company prior to starting our family’s insurance agency, Petre Insurance, in 2017. I have sold Real Estate part time for Macon Realty Company since 2004 and operated Tony’s Lawn and Landscape since 1994. My wife, Shelley, and I have one daughter Ainsley, who recently turned 2. Shelley and I love Macon and want to be able to raise our family here in a great community with wonderful people. Our city embraces an environment of security with values only a small town can offer and is positioned with so much potential yet to be tapped. I am seeking election as Ward 2 City Councilman because I want to do everything I can to make a positive difference for Macon. I want Macon to be a place for future generations to have opportunities that may not exist here right now. If elected, I promise you honest, transparent communication so that we can work together to get Macon on the path of prosperity.” – Ward 2 Candidate Tony Petre

FROM WARD 3 CANDIDATE (INCUMBENT) JEROLD CARR: “Jerold William Carr was born on December 12th, 1944 in Arlington, Virginia. He graduated from Macon High School in May of 1963. Shortly after he was employed at Macon Municipal Utilities at the Wastewater Facility. He retired in June of 2001. In July of 1966 he married Iva Gentry – they had two daughters and now have four grandsons and one granddaughter. Both Jerold and Iva also have six great-grandchildren. Prior to retiring from the Wastewater Facility, Carr worked his way up to Superintendent. He was trained at the Water and Sewage Technical School in Neosho, Missouri. He has served on many committees including being the chairmen of many too – mostly to do with pollution control, waste water, etc.. He is a part of several organizations like the NRA and the Flywheel. Some of his hobbies are Hunting, Fishing, Camping, and Traveling. He was hired at Macon R-1 Public Schools in November of 2002 (Janitor) and then retired in June of 2017 (age 72). I am running for 3rd Ward City Council to help attract new businesses and employment for our young and older generations. Also would help with the completion of the swimming pool and street improvements where needed to make Macon a better place to live.” – Ward 3 Candidate Jerold Carr

FROM WARD 3 CANDIDATE CRAIG VANDERAA: “My Name Is Craig VanDerAa. I have lived in Macon for the past 14 years. I am married and have 2 children that have grown up in the Macon R-1 School District. My Goal as City Councilman is to help better our city and our ward to the best of my ability. Our city must grow in order to keep jobs and bring in more industry. The more our city grows, the more employment rates can increase. I am here to listen to our community and try to be the voice for the ward that my family lives in.” – Ward 3 Candidate Craig VanderAa

FROM WARD 4 CANDIDATE (INCUMBENT) JERRY THOMPSON: “My name is Jerry Thompson and I am running for the Macon Ward 4 City Councilman. I was born, raised and worked in Macon all my life. I graduated from Macon High School in 1979. I have owned and ran JT’s Remodeling, Inc. since 2005. I was a member of the Macon Jaycees and I have in the past and continue to serve on many boards in the area. I was a charter member of the Macon County Rescue Squad and currently serve on the Community Child Development Center Board, Trinity United Methodist Church Trustees, and Macon City Park Board as well as others. I’ve had the privilege to serve as the Ward 4 City Councilman for the past few years. In that time I’ve learned a lot about how the city government runs and I feel that we are on the right track after passing the Safety Tax and the Street Tax to obtain needed funds to improve the city streets of Macon and adequately provide fire protection equipment to serve our citizens. While serving on community boards and other committees I have had the opportunity to work on projects such as the improvements to downtown streets, find out the needs of our police and fire departments, and assist in planning the new aquatic center to be built. Upon reelection, I look forward to continuing the progress we’ve made in promoting Macon to new businesses and visitors. Please exercise your right to vote in the upcoming election.” – Ward 4 Candidate Jerry Thompson

GET OUT AND VOTE ON APRIL 3RD