Election Profile: Rich Kastel, Candidate for Chesterfield City Council

Biographical Information

• Name, Age, Address: Rich Kastel, 68, 16031 Clarkson Woods Dr.
• Occupation: Retired engineer
• Education: Missouri U. Of Science & Technology former MSM, UMR Graduate in Mechanical Enginneering; University of Akron post-graduate work in business administration.
• Family: Married for 43yrs to Karen; (3) children and (7) grandchildren
• Years lived in Chesterfield: 12

Brief Background

• BOY SCOUT OF AMERICA, former committee chairman
• EAGLE SCOUT ASSOCIATION, former board of directors
• JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT, former advisor
• ROLLA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, former board member
• CLARKSON WOODS SUBDIV, former treasurer
• PHI KAPPA THETA, rush chairman

Reasons for Running

I recently resigned my position of treasurer/board of trustee for Clarkson Woods Subdiv after (7)years. With Bob Nations running for Mayor, this gave me an opportunity to throw my hat in the ring for City Council. Over the years, we have had our share of opportunities to work with Chesterfield either with violations or other problems that have arisen.

Mike Herring, city manager, is a real pro to work with and is an asset to the city. But in my seven years on the subdiv. board of trustees I have noticed some areas that can be improved. We have noticed a lot of larcenies and burglars and I feel that we need better protection, more police presence and a more active Neighborhood Watch Program. I would like to see more areas reactivate and improve their Neighborhood Watch Programs that would deter these problems.

I would also like to see more code enforcement primarily in the area of signs. Too many advertisement signs can detract from a community appearance and I would like to see a tighter enforcement in this area. For Sale signs are necessary along with political signs but other than those, we need a stronger ordinance and greater enforcement.

I would like to see Chesterfield advertised in Midwestern publications as a Destination. Not because of the new outlet malls but because of what Chesterfield has to offer. The city and the chamber of commerce should be able to co-ordinate this project and with STAGES moving to the area and the new amphitheater and the valley, Chesterfield has more to offer than any other St. Louis community. Even the airshow is returning to the area.

Questions

What do you think are the biggest issues addressing the city of Chesterfield? As a member of the council, how would you address them?

Taxes is one of the big issues that everyone talks about. Revenue sharing has to addressed and the county ordinance must be revisited and possibly be changed from a fairness standpoint. Chesterfield didn’t have a choice.

In what area do you think the city of Chesterfield needs to improve? Are you satisfied with the way city government has been operating?

Everyone talks about the new outlet malls being constructed in the valley. These two areas must be monitored so that they don’t go the route of other similar projects in the area that are having problems.

What role do you think city government should play in promoting economic growth?

For our size city economic growth has got to slow and controlled. There are only a few areas that can be still built on and due to the improved highway situation, Chesterfield should be on many companies list for future expansions or relocations.

When considering the city's budget, what programs do you think should be prioritized? How would you decide what should be cut, if such a move was needed?

In general the tax rates are closely getting to be almost a minus rather than a plus. I propose tax freezing for  adults at age 65  to encourage them to stay rather than move to a less expensive county when they reach a certain age. Other states have done it successfully.

What contributions have you made to the community and how do you see yourself using those experiences if elected?

I am a member of the Ascension Council of the Knight of Columbus, a group of over (250) men who do more volunteer work than any other organization in our area. They donate thousands of dollars to local charities and many manhours of work to similar activities like road cleanup. Chesterfield needs more organizations like this to become active and visible to the community much like the Chamber of Commerce does when they sponsor the summer concert series.

What's your favorite place to eat in Chesterfield?

Home and Villa Farotto. I need all the browny points that I can get.