Published: Friday, December 05, 2008
Updated: Thursday, December 4, 2008 10:40 AM CST

Come April there will be at least two names on the ballot for the office of mayor. Incumbent Jeannie Roberts has announced she will seek another four-year term in the city’s top seat.

“I am doing this for multiple reasons. The most important reason is my love for this town and I believe it is payback time to the community that has been so good to me and my family,” Roberts said Wednesday.

The mayor served as a council member representing Ward 3 prior to becoming mayor in 2007.

“I feel the need to see several projects that I have initiated during my tenure as mayor to fruition. I really have enjoyed being mayor for a year and a half and have been extremely busy getting residents involved in improving their town. It is their town ... your town.”

Roberts says one way she has fostered community involvement is by creating three new committees.

The first is an “Airport Advisory Board.” This is a committee of five pilots charged with the task of solving problems and giving advice when needed. “Their aviation experience has been a valuable asset to the improvements to the airport and the new terminal building,” Roberts admits.

The second committee is a “Bicycle and Pedestrian Board.” Roberts says the committee of seven is “on a mission to address the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in our town. Their main issue is safety for our children, but Farmington is also on the transcontinental bike route that literally goes right through downtown and puts Farmington on the map.” The group is involved in designing and building a bike hostel on the second floor of the old county jail. “Among other things, the committee is researching grants for safe routes to school, planning ways to educate cyclists, pedestrians and drivers and planning a bicycle safety rodeo for children in the spring,” said Roberts.

“The most recent committee I appointed is the ‘Historic District Committee.’ This committee of seven residents is working with our City Planner Mark Price in researching and writing a Historical Preservation Ordinance to present to council.” The purpose of the ordinance is to encourage preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of the city’s historic structures, districts and neighborhoods on a volunteer basis. “You would not believe the response from residents in regard to a recent article about moving and restoring a 1904 World’s Fair octagonal barn that the owner wishes to donate to the town. I now know the people of Farmington do care about preserving our heritage and the remaining historic structures.”

Roberts counts her efforts to get the town named as a DREAM community as a highlight of the past year. “Two years ago I was instrumental in urging the city to apply for the DREAM Initiative after reading about it. We were not selected that year, but, as mayor I insisted that we apply a second time. As you know, this year we were selected as one of the 10 Missouri cities to receive the 2008 DREAM Initiative Award,” explained Roberts. Governor Blunt created the DREAM Initiative to revitalize Missouri communities, create thriving downtowns and bring jobs and opportunities to town centers. Roberts went on to say, “The city administrator has taken on the job of Economic Development Director in recent years, but with this award comes an even greater need for a full-time Economic Development Director in Farmington to facilitate these new business opportunities.” DREAM communities gain prioritized access to state supported programs including: technical and financial assistance for infrastructure improvements, historic preservation, affordable housing, community services, business development and job creation. This is the third year for the program and in the first two years the state has already spent more than $46 million in economic assistance for the first 20 DREAM communities.

“These are just some of the reasons why I believe I am the best person for the job, but by and large, I’m running for re-election because as I said when I coined the phrase 30 years ago ‘Farmington is a town to come home to.’ II want to insure that Farmington continues to grow and prosper in a responsible way. This is an excellent community for raising a family. We have excellent schools, recreational and shopping facilities and a stable economy (considering what is happening worldwide today).

“We have police and fire departments that are among the finest anywhere and work hard to keep our community safe and a pleasant place to live and work. Farmington’s city employees at all levels of all departments are dedicated to their work and take pride in the community they serve. They are all just good Farmington folks.”

Roberts admits she’s learned a lot during her time in office. “I am certainly not afraid to take a stand if I believe it is for the good of the majority of the town and do not recall any mayor sending a bill back with reason to the council before I returned the smoking ban bill. Though I do not smoke, I listened to the people and decided that the smoking ban would most likely close many local restaurants. I did not feel this was for the good of the city and believe it could have been re-written to make a more level play field. I received much criticism for taking that stand, but I have since acquired very tough skin,” she tells.

“I take the job seriously and am at city hall every day as my daughter runs the family business, Botaniques on the Square. I don’t know that Farmington has ever had a full time mayor and I’m glad that I’m able to attend out of town meetings, take part in events like the Veteran’s Day ceremony and be an ambassador of good will for Farmington,” Roberts adds.

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