Two new Joplin City Council members-elect say they'll work to regain the public's trust that was lost because of government distraction. Joplin's city council has come under some criticism after firing Joplin's city manager and then agreeing to pay for a controversial investigation into city hall.
A day after elections brings some form of work for two new Joplin City Council members-elect. More than 2,000 votes separated them from Councilman Mike Woolston, an incumbent given another term.
"More than anything, the numbers told me that Joplin residents are ready for a change," says Councilwoman-elect Miranda Lewis.
"A newer approach because of problematic council has been over the last six months," says Councilman-elect Ryan Stanley.
Stanley says one example of a problem was the current city council's decision to fire former city manager Mark Rohr.
"It was very clear that there was division on council and also distraction in personal agendas that was driving their behavior. And out of that, the public just got frustrated," says Stanley.
Stanley and Lewis know their tenures on city council will also include controversies, stemming from issues new and old.
"This has happened, it's past. Now lets move on," says Lewis.
"What I think is necessary is for us to have open dialogue. Tell me what your concerns are. Tell me what your frustrations are. Tell me what your perspective is. Now listen to my concern and my perspective. Lets have conversation, and lets make educated decisions together," says Stanley.
Both council members-elect already have items they want discussed in government.
"The top of my list is we've got to put a team together that's going to create the event that's going to happen on May 22nd of 2016," says Stanley.
It'll be the five year anniversary of the Joplin tornado.
"We will be back on the nation's radar screen, coming back to see what we've done in the last five years," says Stanley.
Lewis wants continuous communication with the city's master re-developer, Wallace Bajjali.
"Come to the council meetings on a regular basis," says Lewis.
The two new council members-elect will be sworn in next Monday night.
Ryan Stanley also talked about the importance of hiring a qualified new city manager for Joplin. Watch the associated video for more.
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