Tuesday is Election Day for the seat of the Florissant municipal court judge seat. We’re getting you ready for all that you need to know before, during and after you go to the polls. Here are five things to know about the Florissant election: The polls open at 6 a.m. and will close promptly at 7 p.m. Learn a little bit about Judge Kevin Kelly and Dan Boyle before heading to the polls from our electronic interviews. If you’re searching for your polling place, the state of Missouri has you covered with its easy to use system. The National Weather Service estimates a 60 percent chance of …

Personal Information Name: Dan Boyle Patch: Tell us about your educational background.Dan Boyle: I graduated from the Washington University School of Law in 2001.  In 1996, I completed my undergraduate studies at Greenville College in Greenville, IL, with a degree in Business Administration.  Prior to that, I attended Ferguson-Florissant public schools and graduated from McCluer North High School in 1992. Patch: What can you tell us about your family?Boyle: My parents are Patrick O. and Jane Boyle. I have one sister, Laura Stevens. She and her husband, Kurt, have four daughters. I enjoy …

Name: Kevin Kelly Personal Information Florissant Patch: Tell us about your educational background.Kevin Kelly: I graduated from Our Lady of Fatima Catholic grade school in Florissant, Christian Brothers College High School, Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO, and received my law degree from Saint Louis University Law School. I am an alumnus of the National Judicial College in Reno, NV. I have attended the annual court conference, which provides judicial education specifically geared to municipal courts, of the Missouri Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association for more than 30 …

It's been a long, hot summer of campaigning, and it's come down to Tuesday night.  Joe Eagan won the seat in Ward 3, while Pat Stinnett, after a tied vote in April, has won in Ward 6. Here's the results being reported by St. Louis County Board of Elections:  Ward 3 Candidate Name Number of Votes Percentage Mark Behlmann 116 14.80 Joe Eagan 480 61.22 Elizabeth O'Fallon 188 23.98 Percentage Reporting: 100 Ward 6 Candidate Name Number of Votes Percentage Steve Purgahn 364 45.84 Pat Stinnett 430 54.16 Percentage Reporting 100 Check back with Florissant Patch in the morning for comments from the …

On Tuesday, starting at 6 a.m., Florissant registered voters of Wards 3 and 6 will head to the polls to decide their next council representative. Residents will choose either Joe Eagan, Elizabeth O’Fallon or Mark Behlmann in Ward 3, and in Ward 6, residents will choose either Pat Stinnett or Steve Purgahn. There are only two polling places open for each ward, which includes: Florissant Presbyterian Church, Ward 3, 660 Charbonier Rd. Lawson Elementary School, Ward 3, 1830 Charbonier Rd. Florissant Valley Christian Church, Ward 6, 1325 Highway 67 N. Lutheran Church of Atonement, Ward 6, 1285 …

How do you plan to get feedback from your residents before voting on issues that affect us?  Mark Behlmann, Ward 3: I will have set up an email blast system. When an issue is coming before the council that affects Ward 3, all registered email addresses I have in my database will be contacted, posing the question I would be voting on behalf of Ward 3. Based on feedback from registered citizens’ emails and the follow-up dialogue, the majority of the answers will cultivate my decision process. I am a firm believer of majority rules. Joe Eagan, Ward 3: I have visited every street both residential…

Are you satisfied with the level of support we have in our police department? Mark Behlmann, Ward 3: Currently, I am told our Police Department is operating on its own and not being micromanaged. Be that said, there is a lot more that needs to be done with supporting our police department. There are many improvements and resources that our department needs. I have always been supportive of our police department. And the department needs to be listened to as of their needs. Leadership is always the key . Joe Eagan, Ward 3: We have a highly respected police department. We need to continue to …

What should Florissant do to attract more high-level commercial businesses? Mark Behlmann, Ward 3: The City of Florissant has a stigma hanging over it. The perception related to businesses coming into the city is negative. This perception is due to the uncertainty of its previous and current leadership. This perception needs to be changed starting with the city council's ability to work together. Communication and hard work within the council itself starts the healing process. Joe Eagan, Ward 3: All cities throughout the nation have experienced tough times due to the recession. This recession…

What are your thoughts on both mayor and council salaries? Too high? Just right? Not enough? Mark Behlmann, Ward 3: I have stated publicly during the mayor's race--“any new mayor should start at a apprentice position. I am on record supporting a decrease in the mayor's salary of 30 percent or $90,000 per year.” As a business owner, there were times in order to make payroll for the week I did not receive a check. I always made sure employees were paid first. I still live under that philosophy. If employees take a pay cut, handed down by the council or administration, both entities should …

If you are receiving funding from special interest groups, how might these campaign contributions influence your decision-making abilities? Mark Behlmann, Ward 3: All of my campaign contributions have come from close personal friends who would like to see me achieve my goal. These friends who are most familiar with me, know firsthand what I bring as far as capabilities and benefits for the city leadership. My campaign theme is, “The Only Endorsement I Seek Is Your Vote.” I have registered my finance campaign disclosure statements online with the state in order to be transparent for ease of …

What would your priorities be for your ward? Mark Behlmann, Ward 3: First, a charter review. This constitution drives everything about the city and its administration. Secondly, is the city budget, suspending all unnecessary spending and holding to the approved budget. Thirdly, property values, which have a broad range of priority facets, i.e., neighborhood policing, abandoned properties and maintenance, enforcement of property maintenance code and absentee landlords. All of these deficiencies must be addressed and a firm, united plan set in place. These plans must then be disseminated …

Are you in favor of using TIF funds? Mark Behlmann, Ward 3: During the past 14+ years, on behalf of the Hazelwood School District, I have sat on every TIF commission as a school district representative. Currently, there are state legislative discussions to reform TIF for the better. I believe in some cases TIF is necessary, such as The Shoppes at Cross Keys and the St. Louis Mills Mall. I believe each TIF applicant needs to be judged on its own merit. Do I believe all TIFs should be approved? No. Joe Eagan, Ward 3: As we fight our way out of this recession, we need to take a look at areas …

Residents wanted to know how they could continued to be informed on what's happening with city issues, and each candidate has a plan.  They also have thoughts on the sewer lateral tax, and here's what they had to say:  How do you plan to keep residents informed about what decisions are being made? Mark Behlmann, Ward 3: I plan on sending a yearly newsletter, listing two prescheduled town hall Ward 3 meeting times and dates. I also plan to provide a website address that will be updated biweekly announcing all current events and community schedules along with the council agenda. I also promise …

This week, we’re moving forward with your questions to candidates, and for this round, we’ve got answers to balancing the budget and lowering the city utility tax. Are you in favor of balancing the budget without tapping into reserve funds? Mark Behlmann, Ward 3: I have run my own business for over 22 years, and like many other residents, have operated my personal home finances. When there is only so much money coming in one cannot spend more. The whole intent of the budget is to stick within those guidelines. Reserves are strictly for emergencies. The last 14 years on the Hazelwood Board of …

After a campaign unlike any other for the City of Florissant, with no incumbent and six different candidates vying to be mayor, Tom Schneider has emerged on top. The longest serving member on the city council was elected Tuesday night as the third mayor of Florissant in the past 40 years, following James J. Eagan and Robert Lowery. “I started my campaign by asking people what was important to them,” Schneider said in a speech to his supporters on Tuesday night. “I thought that was a good place to start because it wasn’t about me. It was about Florissant and the surrounding community.” …

It was a close race for the Hazelwood School District Board of Education, but with each having about 26 percent of the vote, incumbents Ann Gibbons and Charles "Chuck" Woods, along with newcomer Brenda Youngblood will fill the three open board member seats. "It feels good to know you are supported," Woods said. "It's always nice to win, because it was a trying time, as any election is." Woods, 73, was a principal in the Hazelwood School District (HSD) for 34 years, serving at Lusher, Coldwater and Barrington elementary schools before retiring. He first was elected to the board of education in…

James H. Clark Florissant Patch: Do you have any children or grandchildren?Jim Clark:  We have three grown children who  went to Halls Ferry, Parker Road, Cross Keys and McCluer North.  We have five grandchildren, two in Springfield, MO and two in Indianapolis, IN. We have one granddaughter that lives in the St. Louis area and will graduate this year. Florissant Patch: What issues are important to the Ferguson-Florissant School Board?Clark: We want all of our students to be successful. We want high achievement for all our students. We need to be fiscally responsible with our taxpayers monies…

Candidate: Daniel Boyle Position Sought: Municipal Court Judge PERSONAL INFORMATION Florissant Patch: Could you tell us about your family?Dan Boyle: My parents are Patrick O. and Jane Boyle. I have one sister, Laura Stevens. She and her husband, Kurt, have four daughters. I enjoy spending time with my wonderful nieces. Florissant Patch: What is your educational background?Boyle: I attended Washington University, School of Law; Greenville College, where I earned a B.A. in Business Administration; and McCluer North High School. Florissant Patch: What is your current occupation?Boyle: My father …

Candidate: (Incumbent) Timothy W. Kelly Position Sought: Municipal Judge Personal Information Florissant Patch: Could you tell us about your family? Tim Kelly: Three grown children: Timmy, 40, Erin, 36, Patrick 26. All raised in Florissant. Six grandchildren: Darren, 12, Brennan, 7, Ryan, 7, Mairin, 5, Logan, 2, Maeve, 1. Florissant Patch: What is your educational background? Kelly: Grade school, Our Lady of Fatima, Florissant, MO; St. Thomas Aquinas, Florissant, MO; Missouri Valley College, B.S. in Economics (Cum Laude), 1970; St. Louis University School of Law, Juris Doctorage, 1973; Naval …

Candidate: Diane Foeller MarischenPosition Sought: Florissant Valley Fire Board Director Personal Information Florissant Patch: Can you tell us about your family?Diane Foeller Marischen: Married to my husband John for 23 years. We have two daughters, Samantha 21, Theresa 17.  Florissant Patch: What is your educational background?Marischen: I attended college for business. Florissant Patch: What is your current occupation?Marischen: I currently work for my family business, along with my parents Phil and Rose Marie Foeller and have been there 28 years.  Candidacy Information Florissant Patch: …