Politics & Government

Council Candidate Gary Voss Says Ellisville Should Be More Business Friendly

Voss is running for a seat in Ward 1 of the Ellisville city council in municipal elections April 2.

Patch sent all local candidates for office identical questionnaires to compile candidate profiles prior to the April election. Each candidate who returned the survey will be featured on the site in order of his or her response.

Check in each day this week to see responses from other Ellisville City Council candidates who responded.

Gary Voss, Ellisville City Council District 1 Candidate

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Age: 71 years young (good health)
Address: 1048 Lemar Drive
Occupation: CEO, Voss Management, Inc.; President, Voss Management Properties
Education: High school, some college (no degree)
Family: Wife, Patricia (Pat); two adult children, Lana Skarke (married) with four children, Gregg Voss with two children
Years lived in Ellisville: I have lived in Ellisville for three years, owned and operated our family business in Ellisville for 30 years.

Background

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I have been in the bowling-recreational business for more than 50 years, very active in Local, State and National Bowling Proprietors Association of America. Served as an officer at all levels. Bowled professionally, working for the Professional Bowling Association for 16 years, winning several major titles and have been inducted into the St. Louis and State Hall of Fames.

  • Know Robert's Rules of Order (would give every council member a copy)
  • Member of the Kiwanis (40 years) and Lions Club, both meet at West County Lanes

Reasons for Running

I believe the current City Council does not listen to the residents of Ellisville. The voters came out loud and strong against Walmart and just as strong in support of Mayor Paul. The Council continues to ignore them on both issues. The current administration does what the council members want, not what the voters want. I would like to help change that.

I am an independent. I do not belong to any group. I am interested only in supporting the interests of the residents in Ward One.

Yes, I am anti-Walmart. My issue is that they are just not small business friendly. Why should they get a $14 million tax concession and current city businesses get nothing? As we commute on Manchester on a daily basis, we can’t help but notice all of the changes that have taken place over the past few years. There are a lot of empty businesses and vacant properties.

Ellisville is not a very business-friendly city. While the City Council may think forking over $14 million in TIF to Walmart, a $440 billion company, is a good idea, it thinks nothing of making small business owners jump through hoops over something as trivial as the color of a roof. The City’s sign ordinances are ridiculous.

It’s time to get new people on the City Council and run the city professionally with intelligent, friendly politicians and city employees. I hope I can be one of them. 

Questions

What excites you about living in Ellisville? What do you want to change?

    Area, close to everything. A better professionally run city and government. Current council is a joke!

      What are your views on the past year's recall efforts, mayor impeachment discussion and Walmart development proceedings?

        Current council does not listen to the voters, all on ego trip. Recall? These are the people that the voters put in office; they have to vote them out in the next election. Mayor's impeachment just shows you how rude and unjust the council is. They didn't give Adam a chance; sore losers, hateful and selfish people. They were not serving the people. As I said they are on their own ego trip. 

          Are you pro-TIF, anti-TIF or believe there are situational uses of TIF in Ellisville?

          Anti-TIF, but for the following reasons: The Council said we need TIF to attract new business. What about the existing businesses? They have been in the city, they do nothing for them, and make them jump through hoops with their unfair codes.

            What do you view as Ellisville's greatest accomplishment(s) in the past five years?

            Not much!

              Assume you win the election. What single thing do you want to accomplish during your term?

              Try to make it a friendly city as it once was, and it starts with a professional council, a friendly knowledgeable staff, etc.

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              RELATED CONTENT:

              • Candidate Filing Closed for Spring 2013 Elections


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