League of Women Voter's Candidate Forum Recap

📝 Manchester Aldermanic Candidate Forum – Summary

On March 24th, Manchester’s aldermanic candidates participated in a public forum hosted by the League of Women Voters.

Each candidate provided an opening statement, answered a series of questions on city governance, and gave a closing statement. The forum format did not include candidate-to-candidate debate; all responses were directed to moderator questions.

Below is a candidate-by-candidate summary grouped by ward.

🔗 Full forum video: https://www.facebook.com/manchestermo/videos/3861337110839809

🏡 Ward 1

Bill Parmentier

Opening

• Referenced handyman and acting background

• Spoke about helping individuals with home-related needs

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced safety, infrastructure, and general improvements

• Leadership – Spoke about leading by example

• Trust – Referenced follow-through

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced making amends and community judgment

• Financial Responsibility – Referenced checks and balances

• Community Involvement – Referenced helping others through work

• Development – Referenced downtown improvement

• Code Enforcement – Referenced personal experience, staffing concerns, and ordinance practicality

• Decision-Making – Referenced working together

• Future – Spoke generally about improving the community

Closing

• Referenced helping others and contributing to the community

  
  

Jessica Green

Opening

• Referenced long-term community involvement and volunteer work

• Emphasized transparency and thoughtful decision-making

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced governance, infrastructure, and safety

• Leadership – Emphasized preparation and evaluating decisions before voting

• Trust – Referenced consistency and continued involvement

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced following established processes

• Financial Responsibility – Clarified oversight role of aldermen

• Community Involvement – Referenced work with schools, parks, and local programs

• Development – Emphasized maintaining Manchester’s character

• Code Enforcement – Referenced staffing loss, hiring priority, and reallocating budget to support enforcement

• Decision-Making – Emphasized respectful dialogue and asking questions

• Future – Referenced building on existing strengths

Closing

• Referenced preparedness and continued service

  
  

🏡 Ward 2

Marilyn Ottenad

Opening

• Referenced long-term residency and involvement in development discussions

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced infrastructure and planning

• Leadership – Referenced experience and involvement

• Trust – Referenced reliability

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced that trust may not always be restored

• Financial Responsibility – Referenced oversight

• Community Involvement – Referenced continued participation

• Development – Referenced balancing growth and character

• Code Enforcement – Referenced staffing limitations and reporting process

• Decision-Making – Referenced working with residents

• Future – Referenced continued involvement

Closing

• Referenced continued service

  
  

Phillip Bruno II

Opening

• Referenced residency and interest in serving

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced neighborhood concerns

• Leadership – Referenced working with others

• Trust – Referenced communication

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced identifying and correcting issues

• Financial Responsibility – Referenced accountability

• Community Involvement – Referenced HOA participation

• Development – Referenced maintaining community

• Code Enforcement – Shared personal experience with enforcement

• Decision-Making – Referenced collaboration

• Future – Referenced continued involvement

Closing

• Referenced staying engaged

  
  

🏡 Ward 3

Deanna Taylor

Opening

• Referenced communication, inclusiveness, and community connection

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced communication and resident impact

• Leadership – Emphasized listening and accessibility

• Trust – Referenced transparency

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced accountability over time

• Financial Responsibility – Referenced oversight

• Community Involvement – Referenced engagement

• Development – Referenced thoughtful growth

• Code Enforcement – Focused on whether ordinances are reasonable for residents

• Decision-Making – Referenced collaboration

• Future – Referenced strengthening the community

Closing

• Referenced continued communication

  
  

Peter Benzer

Opening

• Referenced long-term residency and professional background

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced financial responsibility

• Leadership – Referenced experience

• Trust – Referenced integrity

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced seriousness of lost trust

• Financial Responsibility – Referenced budgeting and oversight

• Community Involvement – Referenced past involvement

• Development – Referenced redevelopment

• Code Enforcement – Referenced process and alderman’s role as liaison

• Decision-Making – Referenced structured approach

• Future – Referenced stability

Closing

• Referenced experience and continued involvement

  
  

Nate Chacon

Opening

• Referenced background in economic development and government

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced business development

• Leadership – Referenced professional experience

• Trust – Referenced transparency

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced identifying and correcting breakdowns

• Financial Responsibility – Referenced oversight

• Community Involvement – Referenced engagement

• Development – Referenced growth and tax base

• Code Enforcement – Referenced escalating fines and penalties

• Decision-Making – Referenced experience in government roles

• Future – Referenced continued growth

Closing

• Referenced development and economic focus

  
  

Paul Lovering

Opening

• Stated he was encouraged to run

• Referenced “peace, prosperity, and pride”

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced general community improvement

• Leadership – Referenced general values

• Trust – Referenced importance of trust

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced time required

• Financial Responsibility – Asked for clarification; gave general response

• Community Involvement – Referenced willingness to help

• Development – Referenced business and growth

• Code Enforcement – Referenced more enforcement personnel and stronger penalties

• Decision-Making – Referenced working together

• Future – Repeated peace, prosperity, and pride

Closing

• Reiterated “peace, prosperity, and pride”

  
  

🔚 Closing Note

This summary reflects the general content of each candidate’s responses. Residents are encouraged to view the full forum for complete context.

If you have additional questions for candidates, join them on Saturday, March 28th from 9:00am-11:00am at Manchester City Hall [14317 Manchester Rd, Manchester, MO 63011]for a Candidate Open House.