Text Box: of eastside Jefferson City has had positive 
   (Continued on Next Page)
citizen response and results. I think city leaders should expand curbside recycling to the rest of the city. The second pressing environmental issue, I believe, is proper management of storm water runoff. Inadequate storm water management facilities can produce environmental harm and reduce property values. I think the city must consider methods to manage storm water runoff when construction of new developments is approved and consider ways to increase storm water management options.
  
How can the city further encourage pedestrian safety and alternative transportation, and reduce traffic congestion?
Carrie Carroll: Pedestrian safety can be improved with education. “Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks” is simple but sometimes needs to be reminded. The new downtown crosswalks are a great example, even with flashing lights some cars do not yield. Other cities that are very successful with yielding to pedestrians such as the Kansas City Plaza could be asked what kinds of steps they took to achieve such a pedestrian friendly area and we can learn from their success.
Alternative transportation is ideal but not totally convenient in Jefferson City. Perhaps the city could offer incentives to employees who carpool or use public transportation and encourage the county, state and other businesses to do the same. One improvement in the city bus system will be the transfer station Text Box: which will provide a place for riders to wait indoors complete with a telephone and restrooms. 
Richard Koon: First, I would suggest that we build sidewalks in populated areas that don’t have them and repair the ones we have that are falling apart and dangerous to walk on.  We may want to start with Missouri Blvd. and along Stadium Blvd. I would also support expansion of the greenway system to areas that feed into the downtown area.  The city could also establish marked bike lanes as an alternative to driving.  Next, the city could work with businesses and state government to encourage and reward carpooling, staggering work shifts and use of flexible work schedules. In combination, these measures might reduce traffic congestion during peak driving times.
Sharon Mize: The city can first encourage pedestrians to follow safety regulations through public service announcements. make public transportation more accessible to the public by increasing the hours of operations and routes that do not reach citizens. include bicycle and pedestrian trails in our future community developments.
Anita Randolph:  It’s important for Jefferson City to continue construction of new sidewalks to help ensure pedestrian safety. The city has carried out much of the new sidewalk construction recommended by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee, which was a citizens panel formed several years ago to study and recommend areas that need new sidewalks. In its transportation planning and budgeting, I believe it is crucial for the city to continue to expand sidewalk construction – Text Box: both new sidewalks and replacement of aging existing sidewalks. In addition, I think some of the recent citizen input regarding extended schedules for the city’s public bus system and a new transfer point deserve strong consideration. Some traffic congestion may be alleviated by improved timing of traffic signals on major thoroughfares. Ensuring compact housing and business development also should help control increases in traffic volumes.

Do you think land use planning inside Jefferson City and in adjoining areas is adequate? Why or why not?
Carrie Carroll: The city appears to be working on a plan to annex smaller areas rather than large portions which should improve land use planning in the adjoining areas. Residents with any land use planning issues should feel confident that they can contact their city council representatives to voice any concerns. 
Richard Koon: No, I don’t think planning is adequate.  First of all, Cole County does not have any zoning codes. Development outside the city limits is unrestricted. The Apache Flats area is a good example of this.  Second, land in Jefferson City available for development is decreasing.  I think we are seeing green areas disappearing and inappropriate development in some areas.  Every hillside in town should not be striped of trees, leveled and turned into a strip mall with a parking lot. I believe there are some areas of Jefferson City that are not appropriate for commercial development.
Sharon Mize: I feel comfortable with the planning and Text Box: Candidates Responses Continued from Page Four