April 8 ballot candidate profiles

Aurora Board of Education
PAM ALDERMAN
Age: 71
Occupation:  Assistant Controller, Mayse Automotive Group, Aurora, Missouri
Education:  BS at MSU, Double Major in Accounting & Finance, MBA at MSU, Master in Business Administration
Why should someone vote for you? I grew up in Aurora and returned in 1994 to raise my two children in a small-town community. Both my children and I graduated from Aurora High School and were active in multiple activities. As a student, I loved school and believe our students deserve the very best opportunities from their teachers, administrators and community. 
It is important for our schools to provide students, teachers and staff with a safe environment that promotes learning, a healthy lifestyle and emotional well being; as well as preparing each student for the future after graduation. 
As a school board member, I will provide a new voice on the school board utilizing my experience and education to help the school board provide a quality education and plan for the future expansion and maintenance of our facilities.

AMANDA BURLESON
Age: 32
Occupation: I work in accounting for a business local to Mt. Vernon.
Education: I attended Aurora Schools all the way through my sophomore year of high school, my mom then took a teaching position at Crane and moved my brothers and I with her where we graduated from. I have an associates in Early Childhood Education from OTC and a Professional Certification in Accounting from OTC.
Why should someone vote for you? I know public education is one of the most important public services we have. The teachers and the district work together to form our students for their future which is also our future. I want to work together to keep Aurora on the right track of growth and education for our current and future generations. I have worked in the schools and have many family and friends who are current educators across many districts, so I know what they are facing. I am also a mom of three young children, two of whom are currently in school, so I know what it’s like to be a parent with kids in the public school system.
What is something you would like to see improved? A couple areas I would like to improve would be the Early Childhood Program and communication between the district and its families.

CHANTIL MILLER
Age: 53
Occupation: Registered Nurse
Education: College education
Why should someone vote for you? I have been on the board for nine years. I feel I have solid critical thinking skills, empathy and management abilities that are necessary when working with people and making decisions which directly impact many.
What’s something you would like to see improved? Parent involvement. The more parents/guardians are involved, the better the child performs. I want to continue to offer many opportunities for parents to be invested in their child’s education. With busy schedules, we must find ways to engage families into our schools.
PIERCE CITY ALDERMAN

CORY R SOOTER
Age: 51
Occupation: Sales/Production Manager for Kay Concrete Materials and business owner of Kings River Camping and Rentals LLC and Kings River Apartments
Why should someone vote for you? Reason I feel you should vote for me is the experience I have with being on previous council for several years. Reason I didn’t run for another term was I wanted to focus on our business, now after 10 years I feel I can focus more on our community.
What is something you’d like to see improve? Revenue for one and trying to get citizens more involved.
CHRIS TURBEN
Age: 45
Occupation: Programmer at Jack Henry
Retired Military
Why should someone vote for you? I think Ward 4 should vote for me because I want to help the ward and the town of Pierce City grow into the community I know it can be.
What is something you would like to see improved? I would like to see new businesses move into Pierce City and I would like to see current ones continue to grow.

MT. VERNON ALDERMAN

MIKE TEBOW
Age: 62
Occupation: Retired from the City of Mount Vernon.
Education: 1980 graduate of Mount  Vernon, Mo.  Attended University of Missouri.
Why should someone vote for you? I have previous experience serving on the Mt. Vernon City Council for five years and I worked for the city for 13 years. I am familiar with the inner workings  of the city and of the city government. I was involved with the Chamber of Commerce and Apple Butter Makin’ Days for 30 years. I am invested in Mount Vernon and want the best for the city and our residents.
What is something you’d like to see improved? I would like to see Mount Vernon be prosperous and grow.
VERONA BOARD OF EDUCATION

MATTHIAS FREIBURGER
Age: 42
Occupation: Agricultural mechanic
Education: High School
Why should someone vote for you? I’ve been a lifelong member of the community. I never left here, so I kind of know the ins and the outs.
What is something you would like to see improved?
Communication, transparency, and a little more interaction with parents.

KEVIN HILTON
Age: 65
Occupation: I am pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Cassville, and have served in that position for 15 years. I also am Material Coordinator at Hydro Aluminum in Monett, having worked there for over 44 years.
Education: I graduated from Monett High School in 1978 and continued my education at Central Methodist College, now University, for one year.
Why should someone vote for you: I hope to serve this fourth term on the Verona School Board because folks know what my agenda has been, and continues to be; improved tests scores for our students, higher teacher pay and safety for all of our staff.
What would you like to see improved:I would like to see our state legislators become more aware of the opportunity they have to either improve our small schools ability to teach our children, or to be a detriment. There are so many legal things expected of our teachers, placed on them by lawmakers, that teachers are limited in their time to focus on doing what they love to do, and that is teach.

MILLER MAYOR

GARRY BAKER
Occupation: Retired commercial properties investor
Education: High school graduate, plus college hours in business administration.
Why should someone vote for you: I would like to establish a better relationship with businesses and residents of the town. I want to encourage more people to attend all city council meetings.
What is something you’d like to see improved: I would like to promote the charms and atmosphere of small town living and make everyone feel they have a say in city business.

STACY DANIELS
Age: 57
Occupation: Substitute Teacher for Miller Schools, current mayor
Education: Associate’s Degree in Applied Science
Why should someone vote for you? As the mayor for six out of the last seven years the city’s focus has been infrastructure and being fiscally responsible. In 2018/2019 we identified two major projects; waste water and water distribution. We began a waste water upgrade project in 2020 and was completed in December of 2023. We have been working with TREKK on the water distribution project that is projected to go to bid later this year. My focus has always been to position the city to be able to be proactive instead of reactive to the city’s needs. We have made great progress in this area as well as the city’s finances. The waste water and water projects were/are large projects. There have been smaller, just as important projects; new weather siren, school zone, and partial sidewalk replacement on the north side of Main. We have been able to replace and buy needed equipment for our maintenance department and our fire department as a result to being fiscally responsible.
What’s something you would like to see improved? We have contracted with TREKK to put together a Comprehensive Plan for the City of Miller. This plan will identify, evaluate and prioritize future city improvement projects. This plan will also be used to apply for grant funding opportunities for the various projects.         

MILLER ALDERMAN

BRANDON CARPENTER
Age: 29
Occupation: Currently working as a parts specialist for Monday Trailers & Equipment.
Education: I graduated high school as a home school student, but did attend Miller West Elementary until it closed.
Why should someone vote for you? I am devoted to the well-being and growth of our small town. I have been regularly attending the monthly aldermen meetings to stay up to date on what is going on within our local government.
What is something you would like to see improved? I would like to see the aldermen come together and bring our ordinances up to date. From personal experience, I have found a few that are outdated and need to be amended to meet current HUD standards. I believe with some amending we could even streamline some ordinances to make it more appealing for future generations to invest in our city.

GAVIN HILL
Age: 22
Occupation: Owner - Hill’s Lawncare
Education: 2021 graduate of Miller High School
Why should someone vote for you? I am committed to being a voice for the residents and businesses in Miller, doing what’s best for the community. I believe that the citizens of Miller deserve people to represent them, and I promise to do that. I’ve lived around Miller my entire life and want to give back to my community.
What is something you’d like to see improved? I’d like to see the city invest in projects that improve livability for the citizens; including streets, sidewalks, and city property.

LAURA JENSEN
Occupation: Retired from WalMart after 30 years of service. I worked in city government before.
Why should someone vote for you? I have lived in Miller for seven years. I’m very passionate about our town and would like the opportunity to serve as your alderman.
What’s something you would like to see improved? I would like to see more new business come into our town. I would like to see our roads resurfaced. I would like more community events.

C. RYAN SHARP
Age: 36
Occupation: CPA
Education: Masters of Accountancy from Missouri State University
Why should someone vote for you? I truly care about giving back to our community and improving our town based on the needs of the residents. I care about ensuring our city has a positive relationship with its residents, businesses, and the school district. I will use my existing experience to keep current projects moving forward and work cooperatively and respectfully with others. As a mother to three young children in Miller, I am fully invested in making sure our town is fiscally responsible while also serving its residents and continuing to make improvements as needed.
What’s something you would like to see improved?  I would like to see our sidewalks and streets improved in conjunction with the ongoing city water project. I also look forward to hearing from Miller residents during the upcoming comprehensive planning process, so the community has a voice in what is being improved as well.