Ballwin Mayoral Candidates: Tim Pogue, Charles McCloskey

In order to learn more about the men vying to lead Ballwin's Board of Aldermen, Ballwin-Ellisville Patch presents the responses to a brief questionnaire by Ballwin's candidates running for mayor.

Tuesday's race will feature incumbent Mayor Tim Pogue, who was elected in 2009, and write-in candidate Charles McCloskey, who challenged Pogue with his . Look for the answers of our this weekend, but until then, read the responses below and tell us what you think in the comments section.

TIM POGUE

1. Please briefly describe your occupation and the name of your employer/s.
I am a project manager with Ahern Fire Protection. As a project manager, I am in charge of the day-to-day operations necessary to ensure that the work is done on time and within budget. 

2. How long have you been a resident of Ballwin?
Both myself and my wife are lifelong residents of Ballwin.

3. What do you think is the greatest asset Ballwin has as a city?
I believe that Ballwin's greatest asset is the Parks and Recreation system that we offer our residents. There are very few communities that match our facilities such as the Pointe recreation center, North Pointe pool, golf course, and the park system that we have.

4. What do you believe is the single most important issue the Ballwin Board of Aldermen currently faces?
The biggest issue we are facing is the sustainability of our sales tax base. This is why I continue to support and serve on the .  The mayors of the five cities involved with this project meet on a monthly basis and have kept it on track through the citizen input sessions, planning process and design aspects of project.

5. If re-elected, what efforts will you make to ensure you stay connected with the constituents you represent?
If re-elected, I will continue to communicate with my residents through my newsletter that I send out via e-mail.  I am in constant contact with hundreds of residents about events and issues within the city.

6. What traits or characteristics will you bring to the Ballwin Board of Aldermen that are unique? (personal, professional, academic, etc.)
As a Ballwin resident my entire life, I hope my children share similar memories of this community as I have, and desire to raise their families also. 

7. What is your favorite book and why?
My favorite book is Green Eggs and Ham.  It shows that hard work and perseverance will ultimately win.

CHARLES MCCLOSKEY

1. Please briefly describe your occupation and the name of your employer/s.
I am a patent attorney employed by Charles C. McCloskey, LLC. In that role, I advise inventors and small companies regarding patents, trademarks, copyrights, and related matters. This includes filing for registrations and from time to time enforcing them. I also hold a professional engineer license in Missouri.

2. How long have you been a resident of Ballwin?
I have resided in Ballwin for 5 years and 8 months.

3. What do you think is the greatest asset Ballwin has as a city?
Ballwin’s greatest asset is its pleasant environment to raise a family and to have family visit.

4. What do you believe is the single most important issue the Ballwin Board of Aldermen currently faces?
The most important issue facing the Board of Aldermen is the decline in property values from slow code enforcement through a complaint-based notification system.

5. If elected, what efforts will you make to ensure you stay connected with the constituents you represent?
When elected, I will stay connected with constituents through a continued presence and activity on Facebook and Twitter, attendance at more city and subdivision meetings, and participating in the Ballwin Days parade. 

6. What traits or characteristics will you bring to the Ballwin Board of Aldermen that are unique? (personal, professional, academic, etc.)
I will bring the following characteristics to the Board of Aldermen: An outsider’s perspective, legal and engineering education from a local and a national university respectively, experience in dealing with government agencies on a daily basis, experience being a corporate engineer and knowledge of construction practices, among other things. I am also interested in bird watching, gardening, fishing, and might just resume golf.

7. What is your favorite book and why?
My favorite book is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. The novel described various people with hidden talents banding together to build a cathedral in medieval England. The book illustrated how people in any group seek influence even when pursuing a common goal.