Sikeston City Council election Q&A: Caldwell, Lindsey vying for council at-large position

SIKESTON — Sikeston voters will choose between two candidates to fill the at-large City Council person position when they step up to the polls during the April 4 municipal election.

To help voters get to know the candidates, the Standard Democrat has compiled information in a question-and-answer format with the candidates, Lori A. Caldwell and Ryan Lindsey. The at-large council person position is for a three-year term.

Describe your background:

Caldwell: “I am a lifelong citizen of Sikeston, the daughter of Betty and the late Larry Williams, happily married to Ronald Caldwell and the mother of one adult daughter, Mikala. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in social services from Hannibal-LaGrange University and have been employed with the State of Missouri for 19 years, previously as the workforce development supervisor of the Sikeston Job Center and the current treatment supervisor with the Department of Mental Health SEMORS-Sikeston.”

Lindsey: “I graduated from Sikeston High School in 2002. After high school, I completed my undergraduate studies at Murray State University, where I majored in advertising. Upon graduation, I began working at NewWave Communications, where my last position was the project manager for business customers across NewWave’s service area. I worked there until 2014, when I was approached by my favorite high school teacher about teaching marketing. After eight years at NewWave, I switched careers and have taught marketing to ninth-12th graders at the Sikeston Career and Technology Center. I have also served as the summer school director for Sikeston R-6 for the past three years. I recently accepted the position of A+ Coordinator/attendance officer for Sikeston High School, which I will begin during the 2023-2024 school year. Over the past several years, I’ve obtained my master’s degree in teaching (Lindenwood University), specialist degree in educational leadership (William Woods University) and am currently nearing completion of my doctorate in educational leadership through William Woods University. My wife, Heather, is employed as a clinical application analyst with Saint Francis Healthcare Systems, and my daughter, Sophia, 7, attends Wing Elementary in Sikeston. Since completing my undergraduate studies, I’ve participated in Leadership Sikeston, worked as an employee and still as a volunteer for the Sikeston Regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, Historic Downtown Sikeston, and sat on community boards such as the YMCA Board of Directors, Kenny Rogers Children’s Center, Sikeston Mentoring Program, Historic Downtown Sikeston’s Organizational Committee, and the CVB Tourism Board. Additionally, most of these opportunities are a result of my time as a Sikeston Jaycee. I have served as its club president (2012) and rodeo chairman (2015) in addition to several other leadership roles within the organization over the past 15 years.”

What do you believe is the role of the City Council in the community?

Caldwell: “The role of the City Council is somewhat complex. To say the very least, it is to represent the members of the community and their needs. In addition, it operates in a local, legislative capacity regarding the oversight of the city’s budget, policies, ordinances, projects set forth to improve infrastructure while also striving to increase economic development through a collaborative effort with workforce development, all for the growth and betterment of the city.”

Lindsey:“The primary purpose of the City Council is to communicate policies and programs to its residents and establish policies that have the best interest of those residents in mind. Communication is key to jumping in front of issues that impact citizens, no matter how big or small those issues may seem.”

What is your approach to handling controversial and complicated issues?

Caldwell:“First and foremost, I respect others and understand viewpoints will vary. Next, I consider the task at hand, considering the goal to accomplish. I then take an analytical approach to any complex problem, conducting research on the topic, to ensure understanding as well as to avoid possible problematic areas. When working with a group, I attempt to identify common ground areas which is helpful toward achieving a reasonable solution to differences.”

Lindsey: “This goes back to communication. Some of the most controversial and complicated issues in the past year have minimal impact on the majority of the community. What is evident is that our community genuinely cares about these issues, just as we should all care about the well being of our neighbors. My approach is to communicate with residents of all wards, obtain valuable feedback and put that feedback into action in any decision that I am tasked to vote upon if elected.”

What skills and experience do you have that you believe would be beneficial to you as a council member?

Caldwell: “My employment experiences have prepared me for this role. As an employee of the State, understanding as well as interpreting policies and regulatory compliance is vital. In my previous role with the Office of Workforce Development, I was a part of the Policy Review Committee, previewing new policies as they relate to Job Center’s implementations of services and processes to ensure it was written with clarity for understanding. Prior to my employment with the State, I spent approximately six years or so in banking, first in mortgage servicing specializing in bankruptcies, foreclosures and third-party sales. I ended my banking career in loan servicing; therefore, I have a working knowledge of financial obligations and budgets.”

Lindsey: “I have worked for two of Sikeston’s largest employers over the past 17 years in various roles of leadership. My work experience has allowed me to develop professional relationships with hundreds of people who continue to work and live in Sikeston of all backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. The decisions made in our city impact everyone differently, and I truly believe that my network of Sikeston’s residents are representative of the town as a whole. Additionally, my time with the Sikeston Regional Chamber and Area Economic Development Corporation has given me a unique perspective of the impact that economic development has on opportunities that help Sikeston move forward. Last, but perhaps most importantly, I’ve been blessed as an educator to play a small role in the development of the future of this community: its youth.”

What previous community involvement have you had in Sikeston or another city?

Caldwell: “Over the last year, I’ve had the pleasure of participating in the Sikeston R-6 Strategic Planning retreat and will be an active participant in the Sikeston Regional Chamber and Area Economic Development Corporation’s strategic planning as well. I currently serve on the University of Missouri Extension Council of Scott County and a current board member of the Sikeston Area Economic Development Corp.”

Lindsey: “Most important to me is volunteering in the community. While employed part-time with the Sikeston Chamber of Commerce during the summers, I was able to help with numerous events and programs throughout the community. After taking on the summer school director role, I have continued to volunteer my time with the Sikeston Chamber and CVB. I am a Leadership Sikeston graduate and have also helped with the program in various ways over the past 10 years. Additionally, I’ve sat on community boards such as the Sikeston Mentoring Program, Tourism Board, Kenny Rogers Children’s Center Board, YMCA Board, Historic Downtown Sikeston Organizational Committee, Sikeston R-6 Executive Committee, Sikeston Public Schools Credit Union, Education Legislation Advisory Group, and co-lead the Business Advisory Committee at the Sikeston Career and Technology Center.”

Based on what you know about city government, what do you see as top priorities for the City of Sikeston and why?

Caldwell: “I believe two priority areas should include: reversing the population decline and ensuring current & future citizens have access to homeownership or affordable housing within city limits. We want our city to be one that individuals desire to reside, work and retire. Establishing affordable housing that both coincide and are consistent with area wages would assist with population growth and assist with achieving an equitable quality of life for all residents.”

Lindsey: “It is not my goal to seek radical change, but instead ensure that the decisions made by City Council are being managed in a way that is in the best interest of the entire community. We have made significant progress as a community in recent years, and I simply want to do my part in continuing to push us in the right direction in a way that most represents the values of our residents. A few actionable challenges that we face are child care, affordable housing for the average resident and jobs with clear advancement opportunities. Meeting these challenges head on helps to ensure our residents stay in Sikeston and grow their family in a place we are all proud to call home.”