Five Candidates Running Unopposed For Alderman Seats

All four candidates in the city of Town and Country will run without opposition in this upcoming April Board of Aldermen election, while only one candidate is running unopposed in Manchester. Although the races are uncontested, the candidates names will still appear on the ballot, and there will be a line for any write-in candidates. All the unopposed candidate needs is one vote to be elected into office if he or she remains unopposed. However, if a write-in candidate receives more votes than the current unopposed candidate, the write-in candidate would win the seat.

Following is a breakdown and brief profile of the candidates running unopposed.

Ward 1: Lynn Wright

Ward 1 Alderman Lynn Wright moved to Town and Country 23 years ago. A full-time mom at the time, Wright said she moved to Town and Country because of the quality of the schools, however, she ended up falling in love with the people. Wright served on multiple committees for the city before running for alderman in 2005, a title she has held ever since. In spite of it being a time-consuming job, Wright said she likes knowing she can be there for people.

“The greatest thing is when you can get a phone call from a resident and you can help that resident out,” Wright said. “People are so appreciative, because they don't know who to go to or who to talk to so they come to you.”

Wright said that one of the most difficult parts of her job is when there is disagreement on a subject that she is passionate about.

“You've got to step back and hear what others have to say," Wright said.

In the future, Wright said she foresees the economy to be the biggest challenge for Town and Country, a sales tax run municipality. Wright said she thinks the board will make the right decisions when it comes to the budget, especially because although the board may disagree, members always finds a solution for the city's problems.

 “We have a fantastic board that works well together,” Wright said. “We may not all agree, but we all sit and listen, and we can come up with a solution. If you have that running your city, you are going to be able to do a lot.”

Ward 2: Tim Welby

Tim Welby, 19-year resident of Town and Country, is running uncontested for his third term as Ward 2 Alderman. Welby is currently president of the Town and Country board of alderman and chair of the public works and stormwater commission.

Welby tells Patch he is running “without an agenda” and that his primary focus is fiscal responsibility.

“We need to be extra careful about our priorities,” Welby said. “When making decisions about money, we need to honestly ask ourselves if it’s a need or a want.”

Welby works as a sales director for FOSS North America Inc. He said his job and alderman title both require him to understand finance. He tells Patch that he has been “budget responsible as an alderman for more than four years” and plans to continue that pattern.

Welby believes that commissions under his stead have been the source of the most substantial work.

“Commissions like community relations, they give the community a chance to see their tax dollars utilized the way they want and they can have input on the process,” Welby said.

Though currently president of the board, Welby has no preference about being renominated or elected as an officer.

“I’d be honored, but you can do good work here regardless of title,” Welby said.

Ward 3: Fred Meyland-Smith

Ward 3 Alderman Fred Meyland-Smith has served on the board of aldermen for six years and lived in Town and Country for 26 years. He told Patch he's running for his Ward 3 seat again because he feels he still has much to give back to the community.

“I think it's an important job,” Meyland-Smith said. “I think I am making a contribution to this community. I have a high regard for Town and Country and the quality of life that this community offers, so if I can make even a small contribution to maintaining or improving that quality of life, I think that's important.”

Meyland-Smith said being an alderman is a busy job. His family has noticed this, too.

“I was strongly discouraged from running by my wife and my family,” Meyland-Smith said.

Meyland-Smith has served on different committees and taskforces within Town and Country. Before becoming an alderman, he served for two years in the planning and zoning commission, a commission he still serves on.

“The nature of Town and Country is primarily residential,” Meyland-Smith said. “There are lots of quiet streets, good schools, beautiful scenery. It’s a good place to live. Because of those qualities, my role in planning and zoning becomes very critical.”

Among the key issues Meyland-Smith said the board will have to continue to address in the future are the deer management issue and the shortfall of revenue due to the economy.

“With the downturn in the national economy, our sales tax revenue has declined because retail volume has declined. Plus, we lost some important retailers that used to be in Town and Country and moved away, most notably Walmart,” Meyland-Smith said. “I think on the list of important issues one of them is dealing with a reduced revenue while still maintaining the quality of life in this community and still not imposing property tax.”

Meyland-Smith said his experience would continue to be an important asset to the board.

“I've served for six years already on the board of aldermen and for eight years on planning and zoning, and so I have that knowledge base,” Meyland-Smith said. “I've demonstrated a willingness to work. I've demonstrated a willingness to invest considerable hours in the job. I don't just attend meetings, I do my homework, I prepare for every meeting. I think that's important. I take this job very seriously.”

Ward 4: Jon Benigas

Jon Benigas is running uncontested for the Ward 4 seat currently held by Alderman David Karney. Benigas previously served two terms as an alderman for Town and Country from 2005 to 2009. He did not return Patch's requests for an interview for this article.

Ward 2: Michael Clement

Ward 2 Alderman Michael Clement has seen his city expand, literally, over the 34 years he has lived in the Country Lane Woods subdivision, which became annexed to Manchester in 1999.

Clement has served as alderman for 10 years. During those 10 years, he has served as the board's liaison to the planning and zoning commission. Prior to participating in the board of aldermen, he assisted in the annexation effort of his subdivision and served as a homeowner trustee.

"These roles all involve serving the public," Clement said. "And, that's what I think an Alderman's role should be: a public servant."

Clement said there are three primary issues the board should focus on in the next term: the Channel A stormwater project, the Channel B stormwater project and the construction of a sidewalk to the Grand Glaize library. 

"There are equally important needs in other parts of the city," Clement said. "They all need to be balanced by funding availability and greatest need."

Clement said another city priority is finding new businesses to fill up the storefronts along Manchester road and in the Manchester Highlands shopping complex.

"The city needs to invite businesses that fit those areas," Clement said.

Clement said his is also hopeful that after the April 5 election, Manchester will have a board of aldermen with members who can work together in the future.

“I really think the city needs to return to its direction,” Clement said.