Meet the Candidates

County Council District 7:

Mark Harder

Ballwin Alderman – Mark Harder

 

H.S. He worked his way through the University of Missouri -St. Louis and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Marketing and Political Science. He later attended Webster University for MBA studies.

Mark worked for three major St. Louis Fortune 500 companies in upper management for many years. He went on to build his own real estate business as a broker with Prudential Alliance Realtors.

Mark is married to Kathy and they have two sons, David and Stephen. They have lived in Chesterfield and Ballwin for over 23 years. In 2011, Mark was elected and then reelected in 2013 to the Ballwin Board of Aldermen. He is a subdivision trustee as well. These opportunities for service have allowed him to lead his community on many different fronts including economic development, quality of life issues and the financial stability of Ballwin. One of his proudest initiatives was the passage of the “Limited protesting of funerals ordinance” which is now in effect in many municipalities and the State of Missouri. He was also a champion of Ballwin’s deer harvest legislation which has been successfully implemented and safely performed for the last year and a half. Mark has always made sure all voices are heard in local government.

Mark has been giving back to his community through his involvement as a board member of St. Louis HELP, which provides used medical equipment for those in need throughout the metro areas. In addition, he volunteers for a variety of charitable causes including his church, boy scouts and many other organizations.

Mark lead the effort to restart the Lafayette Township GOP in west county. This organization educates and develops the grass roots support our law makers as well as win elections. He is now the elected Lafayette Township Committeeman. He is also active in the West County Chamber of Commerce.

Today, Mark wants to serve as your stable voice on the St. Louis County Council. A conservative voice that echoes your concerns. A voice that matters. A voice that cares.

“Vote Smarter…..Vote Harder”

Adam Paul

Ellisville Mayor Adam Paul

Adam Paul was born the youngest of 11 children in Springfield, IL. His parents are both St. Louis natives who still reside in Central Illinois today. Adam’s father is a physician who worked long hours so that his mother could raise his 5 brothers and 5 sisters. Adam’s parents instilled hardworking, Midwestern conservative values in their children. These conservative values were a recipe for success as all 11 children graduated college and became productive members of society. Adam was blessed with good parents. He was taught at a young age to work hard, believe in himself, and always do the right thing.

Adam graduated from Sacred-Heart Griffin Catholic High School and attended Illinois State University in Normal, IL. He received two college degrees in Computer Science and Telecommunication Management. After college, Adam moved to Chicago to begin his professional career. He was immediately faced with the dog-eat-dog, sink or swim challenges of moving to the big city; especially for someone who grew up fishing, hunting, and living in a world where you could leave your doors unlocked. Fortunately, Adam quickly adapted to his new surroundings and was offered a position with Apex Systems, a top national IT consulting firm. It wasn’t long before he was climbing the ranks with his never ‘overpromise and under deliver’ work ethic coupled with an extensive educational background. Before Adam turned 26, he had executed several multi-million dollar agreements with Fortune 500 companies and the largest private corporations in the county. At 28, he was managing several 40+ person IT projects at various client sites.

Adam Paul will undoubtedly tell you that it was the time he spent in Chicago where he found his passion for politics and good governance. He believed people desperately needed a voice in local government. In Chicago, Adam had witnessed the corruption, thuggery, TIF abuse (tax subsidy), and backroom dealings that plagued Chicago and, subsequently, the State of Illinois.

Adam found another passion while in Chicago, his wife Dominque. Adam met Dominque (an academic all-American world class track and field hurdler from Denver) shortly after she moved to the city. He knew after one month of dating that they would marry. “She was the athlete and I was the mathlete, the opposite attract love at first site that everyone talks about…..”, he said. Shortly after Dominque gave birth to their second child, they decided to move out of Chicago as it wasn’t the best place to raise a family. Fortunately, Adam’s company gave them the opportunity to move to any 48 offices nationwide. After visiting several locations, they decided to move to Ellisville, MO. Adam and Dominque wanted to raise their children in a community that shared the same conservative values that they were raised with. They wanted great schools for their kids, a low cost of living, and to be surrounded by genuine, good hearted people. The City of Ellisville proved to be the best choice for them. It just ‘felt right’ for the Pauls.

Once in Ellisville, Adam immediately noticed an odd familiarity with how city leaders and elected officials were conducting business. Stores were closing, red light cameras were installed, and a TIFs (tax handouts) were on the horizon for a super Wal-Mart. He also knew that the proposed tax handouts for the Wal-Mart project brought forth the threat of eminent domain by the TIF state statute. It would remove 200 fellow residents from their homes, demolish 25 apartment buildings and destroy 3 current businesses. It was evident that the elected officials were ignoring the constituents they were elected to represent.

As time progressed, more and more residents became opposed to the Wal-Mart project. More and more residents were becoming cognizant to other poor decisions being made at the time. Adam witnessed the same things come to fruition during his time spent in Chicago. It was one of the reasons they left the city.

Instead of sitting on his hands, Adam decided to take action. With no prior political experience, Adam ran for the Mayor’s seat late in 2011. The leaders at the time viewed him as a ‘non-threat’ as he wasn’t originally from the area, had no political experience, and wasn’t part of the ‘good old boys club’ that had been controlling the city for years. Adam refused to give up and decided that he wouldn’t accept campaign contributions. He wanted to do it himself. Adam gained all the support he needed with a true grassroots effort and putting the simple slogan ‘No Walmart’ on all the campaign signs he purchased.
Adam Paul was elected the Mayor of the City of Ellisville in April 2012. He won by an unprecedented margin with 50% of the total votes in a 4 person race. Two of his opponents were current council members and Adam received more votes than both of them combined

Adam’s Campaign Promises as Mayor Were:

-Fight the $15m TIF Tax Handout for Wal-Mart – Victorious

-RemoveRed Light Cameras – Victorious
-New Leadership – Victorious
-New Eminent Domain Laws – Victorious
-Transparency in Government – Victorious
-Put the Residents First -Victorious
-Attract New Businesses without Tax Incentives – Victorious

He accomplished his mission because he never gave up and never stopped fighting for the residents. After Adam took office, his popularity rose even more because he had integrity, no secret agenda, and wasn’t afraid to ask the tough pointed questions.

It was clear that he was becoming a major threat to the $50 million dollar project and the $15 million dollars in tax handouts. The project was temporarily put on hold because it was tied up in court due to a land dispute. The project was tied up for longer than expected and the council and former Mayor knew that time was running out. The residents were likely to elect 3 anti-TIF, pro-Paul candidates to vote down the project at the next election. To circumvent this from happening, the council, city attorney, and city manager ‘cooked up’ charges against Paul and voted to impeachment him just before the critical election took place. They figured Adam would just resign, fold his cards, and walk away.

Again, they underestimated his tenacity. They underestimated the residents that they ignored over the past several years. Subsequently, the impeachment back-fired and the residents got behind Mayor Paul more than ever; as did the region.
It was a real life David vs. Goliath, Rocky vs. Ivan Drago storyline that had the perfect ending as the effort put forth and the will of the people had finally paid off. The impeachment failed, the Fortune 2 $444 billion dollar corporation pulled out of the city, the residents were not forced to move, and the old council was voted out of office. The city was running again but not on power, rather balance. The residents, Mayor Paul, and the new makeup of the council gave the city the incestuous political cleansing it desperately needed. Since then, the city has inked several large development deals without the use of taxpayer dollars and many more announcements will be released in the coming weeks. I asked Adam how he managed to fight hard for so long, his response was both humbling and admirable:

“I did what I did because I am supposed to do it. It is my job…. and that is to be the liaison for the people I represent. They never gave up on me and I never gave up on them. We all put our work boots on the same way each morning. At the end of the day I like to leave mine on for a little while longer. This is what I would bring to the County Council that no other candidate can offer. I am a stubborn, relentless fighter for the people I represent.”

 

 

 

Walt Young

Walt Young – Former Mayor Ballwin, MO.

I served in all capacities of the Ballwin government for 20 years.

• The Mayor of the City of Ballwin – 2005 to 2009
• Member of the Lafayette Mayors group which includes the cities of Wildwood, Ellisville, Ballwin, Winchester, Manchester, Town & County, and Chesterfield
• Board of Adjustment
• Alderman, 1991 to 1998
• Planning and Zoning

As Mayor of the City of Ballwin my experiences included, but not limited to purchasing, government liaison, and salary arbitration. I was a member of the Missouri Municipal League Committee on Finance and Taxation. I was also a member of the legislative committee for the St. Louis Municipal League. During this period I also attended the West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce meeting and activities in support of our business members.

In my professional working life I was responsible for establishing and managing budgets working with new and existing clients to help them grow their business.

• Veteran serving in the United States Air Force – 1966 to 1970
• Graduate from National Louis University with a BA – Concentration in Management.
• Lived in West County St. Louis for the past 41 years.
• President of Queeny Republican Club – 1970’s
• Former Member of the Rockwood Coalition – Drug Free

I formed a St. Louis Users Group, (SNUG) a software network group. I planned meeting, conference, hosting over 600 members. I lead many seminars within a seven state area.

Married to Kathie for 47 year; 2 Daughters, Dorothy and Deborah; 5 grandchildren, Taylor, Alex, Melissa, Kylie and Dylan

Trust Worthy to complete my term of office. I had 100% attendance record during my 20 years of service to the City of Ballwin residences. It would be my pleasure to serve you in the capacity of County Councilman for District 7.

St. Louis County Executive

Tony Pousosa

Tony Pousosa has a strong background in municipal government and has worked to encourage growth and new business to his community as an Alderman for the City of Green Park.   He was President for the Board of Alderman from 2007-2008. He is also a Board Member of the Green Park Planning and Zoning Commission.

Tony is active with the St. Louis County Municipal League and was a Legislative Affairs Committeeman for the organization during 2010-2011.

He is currently Republican State Committeeman for the 1st Senatorial District and Republican Committeeman for Concord Township. He has been President of the Concord Lemay Republican Club since 2010. Tony ran as a candidate for St. Louis County Council District in 2012.

Tony has been employed at Barnes-Jewish Hospital for 28 years and currently works as a member of the operating room surgical team. He was Patient Care Advisory Council Chairman and has been a member of the committee from 2003-2012.  He is the CAM OR Unit Practice Committee Chairman and has been on the Patient Advisory Council of Excellence (PACE) member since 2010.

Community service is an important part of Tony’s background. He has been a volunteer with the St. Louis County Police 3rd & 4th precincts as a member of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association 2009 to present and the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Board Member 2009 to 2013. He has also active as a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus member.

Tony has been married to his wife, Gina for 17 years and has two sons, Kyle and Drew.

Rep. Rick Stream

A lifelong Kirkwood resident, Rick Stream and his wife Ellen live not far from where Rick grew up. Rick and Ellen have four children together: Katie, Betsy, Larry and Eric. Like Rick, all four of his children attended Kirkwood High School.

Rick has a well-respected track record of service in the Kirkwood-Des Peres community. He served on the Keysor Elementary PTO as President and Vice President, and helped out as a tutor for Hope Unlimited at Nipher Middle School. Thereafter, Rick was elected to the Kirkwood School Board, where he also served as President from 1998 through 2000.

Rick actively participates in his church as an elder, deacon, teacher and youth advisor. Rick has coached our local basketball, volleyball, and baseball teams.

Rick’s American values and professional experience prepared him well for public service. Prior to his election as our State Representative, Rick served for 29 years as a Budget and Project Manager for the United States Department of Defense, Army Aviation and Logistics Commands. As a former US Navy officer (1971-75), Rick has proven that he has the backbone to tackle the host of challenges facing the State of Missouri today.