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Columbia’s new council members look ahead

Jenn Cooper
/
KBIA

Karl Skala and Ian Thomas were sworn into office at a special city council meeting Monday evening in Columbia.

Fourth Ward Council member Ian Thomas said he wants to bring a more research based and analytical approach to policy making to the council. Thomas said he’s looking forward to working on finding a solution to the Providence Road congestion problem.

Third Ward Council member Karl Skala said he has many plans for the future.

“There’s lots of stuff that I want to do. I don’t want to rush things," Skala said. "We’re going to be talking about this for three years.”

One of Skala’s main goals is to change is the business model for the business model for development fees. 

“I want to make sure we don’t just assess the same kind of fee for development for a house, a regular house than we do for a convenience store,” Skala said.

Mayor Bob McDavid presented both former council members Daryl Dudley and Gary Kesphol with resolutions of appreciation, personal tokens of appreciation from the council, a tree as a living memorial and public art to honor both council members’ service.

Kespohl said he wishes he could have stayed on the council to finish some of things he started. He said he will continue working on a neighborhood watch program.

“I got a call this week from a neighborhood association wanting to do a neighborhood watch program, I’m going to keep doing that." Kespohl said. "I think it’s helping the city, it’s helping reduce crime.”

Kespohl said he looks forward to taking a break and playing golf.

Dudley said he wishes he could have been on the council for another three years.

“I’m going out with a heavy heart," Dudley said.

Dudley said he has no definite plans for participating in city government in the future, but he said things are always subject to change.