Matt Segal, Candidate for Chesterfield Mayor

Biographical Information

• Name, age and address: Matt Segal, 35, 14321 Strawbridge Ct., Chesterfield, MO 63017
• Occupation: Vice-President at Berkadia, a Berkshire Hathaway Co. focusing on finance and strategic planning
• Education: Bachelor of Science – Finance, University of Missouri - Columbia (Mizzou); MBA – Finance and Accounting, Maryville University
• Family: Married to wife Lindsey for ten years with two children: Daughter, Sydney 6 and Son, Chase 3
• Years lived in Chesterfield: 35 years - born and raised in Chesterfield

Brief Background

• Four years of service as City Councilmember - Ward I (2009-present)
• Current Council Chair of Finance and Administration Committee, past Council Chair of Planning and Public Works – the two most important committees on Council
• Created the Older Adult Task Force - a group of geriatric specialist who work to engage and offer resources to our community
• Strong Financial and Strategic Planning background 
• Responsive, responsible and representative to and of my fellow residents.  Proven leadership and results which have earned me the endorsement of current Mayor Geiger, former Mayor Nations, and the entire city council (except for one member)  

Reasons for Running

Because I care!  I want to ensure that Chesterfield continues to be the wonderful community for YOU, and future generations, as it has been for me, a life-long resident.  Having been elected to public service four year ago, I’ve learned from my peers and my mentors, Mayor Bruce Geiger and Former Mayor John Nations, what it takes to not just make Chesterfield a great City, but what it takes to makes us a First Class community.  I’ve also learned by listening, observing and actively participating in every facet of City government. With my leadership and vision, collectively we will make Chesterfield THE place to Live, Work, and Play.

Questions

What do you think the duties of the mayor are?

The duties of Mayor are various, but can be divided into 3 distinct segments:

1. First and foremost, to represent the Citizens of Chesterfield with the utmost honor and integrity. By lending an ear to our citizens’ ideas and concerns; a voice for the residents; and a face for the entire community, a successful Mayor must work with City staff, other municipal leaders, community groups, and businesses while netting positive results for Chesterfield that benefit ALL of our residents and the area of the whole.
2. Proactive leadership and consensus builder, while working hand and hand with our City Council.  I believe my vision and clear understanding of ‘the big picture’ for our entire region, as a representative of one of the largest municipalities in the state will enhance our City.
3. Actively engage community, school, service, and business leaders to advance Chesterfield as a wonderful place for economic growth, recreational endeavors, and cultural offerings.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing the city of Chesterfield? As mayor, how would you address them?

• Enhance and continue Chesterfield’s history of providing first class services to our residents in an efficient and cost effective manner.
• Keep residential neighborhoods, residential and commercial areas, commercial. As we continue to grow, I would like to preserve our City’s historical roots. I would also focus on minimizing traffic impacts.
• Work to build better community partnerships with schools, businesses and faith based organizations.  Maintaining a safe environment for residents, with a special emphasis on school safety for our Chesterfield students and teachers.
• Working towards Sales Tax Pool Equality and Reform.  Working with County and State officials and stakeholders to develop a compromise and resolution to keep YOUR sales tax dollars in Chesterfield.    

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

The City of Chesterfield should always strive to be a little better.  We need to continue to improve on how we provide information to our residents.  By providing the information quicker and more efficiently, we will become a more informed community.  We are running a lean and efficient organization, but we must continue to find ways to make the most out of every tax dollar to the benefit of all.  Through my leadership, we developed a debt reduction plan, as it relates to our bonds, which will reduce our debt in 2013, 2014, and 2015.  By doing this we will enhance our already strong Moody’s Triple AAA bond rating – the only City in the State of Missouri with this distinction.

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

While we have an active Chamber to promote and manage businesses, our City Government plays a major role in attracting and retaining quality businesses to the Chesterfield area.  By attracting strong business partners, we enhance the services and property values of our Citizens.  Through the Chesterfield Government model, we have strategically kept our residential neighborhoods residential and our commercial areas distinctly commercial.  Our strong retail trade and sales taxes, have allowed us to have a consistently low property tax (which under my plan expires in 2015), and equally offer one of the County’s lowest utility taxes.  Responsible economic growth is an integral part of making Chesterfield one of the finest City’s in all of America.

What separates you from your opponent in this race?

My opponent and myself, made a gentleman’s agreement in January, not to discuss one another.  Being a man of my word, I will solely focus on my achievements.  I have served on the two most important and active committees of City Council - the Finance and Administration Committee, and the Planning and Public Works Committee.  Having chaired both, I have lead my peers through complex and difficult issues.  I have championed various efforts from beginning to end.  Some of these efforts are related to issues with school districts, private businesses, and public improvements.  I have a firm understanding of all aspects of our city departments and how they function in relationship to our governmental processes of the whole.  I feel that my knowledge and willingness to listen and learn will only strengthen and enhance my leadership skills as Mayor. My education and day-to-day work experience in finance and strategic planning makes me the most qualified candidate for this position.

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

• I worked with school and community leaders to encourage the Parkway School District to adopt the City of Chesterfield’s recycling model.  This saved taxpayer $500,000.
• Developed a property tax reduction plan to save taxpayers $750,000, adopted 8-0 by my peers on City Council
• Orchestrated aesthetic and visual improvements on the 141 highway project, adopted 8-0 by my peers on City Council
• Lead efforts to acquire the rights to maintain Ladue Road (major thoroughfare) from St. Louis County in exchange of the Woodsmill Outer Service Road system, in addition to over $1.8M of grant funding.

With my leadership strengths, people skills, day-to-day financial background, strategic thinking and vision for our City, I believe I am best qualified to be the next effective Mayor of our fine City.