Action & Accuracy: It Matters In Ward 1

I bowled for many years with high accomplishment by achieving an over 200 average and not requiring handicap pins for league play or tournaments. For over 20 years I have owned and operated a wholesale distribution business with my wife for bowling equipment, GRAN PRIX Bowling Supply. Bowling has been a big part of my life.

A bowler friend of mine once wrote, “Everything I need to know about business I learned from bowling.” And he proved it in a list which included teamwork, patience, and other characteristics of successful managers.

Bowling taught me the two A’s - Action and Accuracy.  We’ve all seen bowlers who throw a big hook but can’t hit the headpin. Others can roll it down the middle but don’t have any mustard on it.

People who get things done are those who understand the two A’s and strive for Action and Accuracy. Both are important - indeed critical.

Get into Action when there is a problem to solve or an opportunity to seize. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t spin your wheels. Use vision to see the target, take aim at a goal, and do it with Accuracy. .

The two A’s worked for me as a student earning two Masters Degrees. The two A’s worked for me as a Monsanto employee as I rose to become Director of Corporate Finance. The two A’s continued to work for me as I grew GRAN PRIX from nothing to a leader in its industry.

I saw a problem when I attended City Council meetings in 2007. The residents were uninformed about the legislative process and were having difficulty communicating their expectations and concerns. Council members also seemed frustrated - with residents and with each other.

I took Action and founded www.CreveCoeurVoter.com so residents would get information they did not have before. CreveCoeurVoter became a guide for residents in dealing with the City Council.

Then I spoke up on issue after issue - with thorough analysis, factual support, and creative solutions. I helped many residents communicate with the Council and achieve satisfactory resolution of their issues.

Accuracy is simple. Get your facts right or lose credibility.

I have been successful because of Accuracy. I have a perfect record at CreveCoeurVoter. I’ve never been accused of publishing wrong facts or figures.

The City Council unanimously honored me as a 2011 Creve Coeur Citizen of the Year because I patiently developed credibility with them over a four-year period by presenting accurate facts and figures to backup my recommendations.

When I decided to become a candidate for City Council, I did not forget the two A’s. I went into Action.  I turned in my candidate petition on the first day - with almost twice the required number of signatures. My opponent turned it in on the last day. I immediately began communicating with voters through a CreveCoeur.patch blog, my campaign website, and advertisements.

I also submitted my priorities and qualifications to the St. Louis Post Dispatch-League of Women Voters on-line Voters Guide. My opponent as of March 20, 2013 did not. Most voters have seen little or nothing about my opponent’s positions.

I have also been Accurate. I submitted my biographical information for the city newsletter accurately. The city is now rushing to mail out a correction to the resume my opponent submitted. My opponent was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission in 2010, not 2000 as published in the March 2013 Creve Coeur newsletter.

I take Action right away and when I do. I’m Accurate. I’ve proved it for six years unofficially representing you as editor of CreveCoeurVoter.com. I’ll do it as a voting member of the City Council if you choose to elect me on April 2.

The two A’s - Action and Accuracy - make for a good bowling score and a good City Councilman. 

I hope you will attend the Candidate Forum and Debate Friday, March 22 at the Creve Coeur Government Center beginning at 7:30 p.m., sponsored and moderated by the League of Women Voters St. Louis.

Sunday, March 24, I'll host a Meet-and-Greet from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at GRAN PRIX Bowling Supply, 1248 Andes. Everyone is invited. Attendance is free because I am self-funding my campaign and not soliciting or accepting campaign donations. Free refreshments will be available.

I want to hear from voters issues important to them right now and in the future.

Directions: Take Lindbergh north from Olive to Baur, make a right turn. Andes is the first right street on Baur.

And I sincerely ask for your vote on April 2.