Burke and Holsten face off in election for seat representing Kennett's Ward IV

Donald Burke

Donald Burke and Steve Holsten will face off during the April 3 election for a seat on the Kennett City Council, representing the Ward IV district of the city.

Each candidate plans to bring to the table the beliefs and ideas he feels that will best benefit the members of the community and the needs of the city of Kennett.

Holsten describes himself as a husband and a father to four grown children, two young step-children, and a two-year-old son. He said that he was born in Kennett and grew up in the Kennett and Senath areas his entire life.

Steve Holsten

"I have a vested interest in this community and in the people like myself who live here," Holsten said.

In terms of his beliefs, Holsten said that through his interaction directly with the public through years of public service work he has developed an understanding of what many people in the city of Kennett are looking for from their city council members.

"The people want to be heard and expect that the ideas and wants they hold for their city will be recognized and respected by the alderman," Holsten said. "I decided to run in this election primarily because I have seen in elections past that what the citizens of Kennett wanted is not what is being carried out."

Holsten said that the controversial subject of the appointment of a police chief is a perfect example of what is motivating him to run in this year's election.

The Kennett City Council has already approved making the police chief job an appointed position and recently turned down the current mayor's appointment to that position.

Consequently, Barry Tate remains chief of police until after the next election and until a new appointment is made.

Holsten said that the voters have proven that they do not want the appointment and that it is a basic right for the taxpayers to determine who the city places into these positions.

This issue, as well as his concern with the proposed one-eighth cent sales tax ordinance which is designed to generate an estimated $178,000 annual revenue for the city to use for the purpose of "cleanup," demolition, and disposal costs of derelict buildings located within the city, is Holsten's primary focus.

"I don't agree with the sales tax proposal," Holsten said. "I think that putting it on the ballot before the voters is what should be done, however, I believe that the tax ordinance is not something the city should do."

Holsten questions, "Why everyone should be responsible for an individual's personal or private property and its maintenance or in extreme cases demolition."

"I am not arguing that properties within the city do not need to be taken care of, just that this is not the way in which voters feel it should be done."

Burke, incumbent candidate and four year member of the council, feels differently.

He and other current members of the council believe that the ordinance would be the best route to establishing a revolving fund to repair, vacate or demolish the dangerous buildings and properties within the city.

"The city needs to pay for the cost of the clean-up up front in order to take care of these properties," Burke explained. "The monthly cost to taxpayers is only projected to be about $1.30 per person, with about one half of that coming from non-city residents, which would generate approximately $178,000 per year for a length of the proposed five year plan."

Burke said although taxpayers will be contributing to the project, the property owners will ultimately be held responsible for the cost of the clean-up.

"The owners of these properties will be billed for the costs involved and if they don't pay then the city will have the alternative of filing suit in circuit court to foreclose on the property. In addition, all liens will have to paid before the property can be sold."

Burke said that if voters compare the small amount of money they will be paying for the additional tax to the amount of benefits the tax will generate for the community they too will agree that the tax is something to approve on this year's ballot.

"It's not only about taking pride in the community in which you live, but its about looking at this from an economic stand point and a need to increase jobs in this area," Burke said. "When potential companies come to this area to consider calling Kennett home for their business it is exciting because that means more jobs which is something that I am for. However, you have to ask yourself what we can do as a community to influence these companies to take a harder and more serious look at choosing Kennett as a location and give them a reason to want to plant roots in this community."

Burke currently serves as chairman on both the Industrial Development Committee and the City's Financial Committee.

"These issues are extremely important to me and others serving the city," Burke said. "We want to see growth and an increase in jobs. That is my main focus."

In the past, Burke was instrumental in the city's mandatory trash pick-up ordinance which he said has helped tremendously with clean-up needs and the conditions of the air within the community. Burke has also contributed to the city's fire department needs through his role as chairman of the fire department committee, which he has held for one year. During this time frame, Burke helped the department acquire much needed and deserved emergency and medical equipment through grants he helped the department receive. Burke has also assisted in the city's involvement with the D.R.E.A.M. initiative program.

"I love this town," Burke said. "It has been good to me and I want to do what I can, big or small, to do the same for it and the people in return. That is why I am running for this seat."

Burke said that in terms of goals for the future, he would like to see a more open line of communication developed between the people of Kennett and the city's council members. He said that more than anything, he wants voters to know that the council encourages them to express their concerns and wants for the city, whether it be through active involvement in issues facing the city, attending council meetings and public events or picking up the phone and calling the alderman directly.

"We need to hear from our people to make the right decisions for the city." Burke said.

Bringing back the desires and wishes of the voters is what Holsten plans to focus on if elected.

"The voters of this community need to know that their voices are being heard and that their elected council is supporting their ideas and feelings when making decisions which effect everyone in the city," Holsten said. "That is what I am for and what I am about. The people and their voice."