Meet Ward 3 Arnold City Council Candidate Rodney Mullins

Patch sent all Arnold City Council candidates identical questionnaires in order to compile candidate profiles prior to the April election. Each candidate who returned the survey will be featured on the site this week alphabetically by ward.

Rodney Mullins, 45 (Candidate for Arnold City Council - Ward 3) 

• Address: 2859 Aquarius Dr., Arnold, MO 
• Occupation: Operations Manager at Heizer Aerospace/Heizer Defense—Pevely, MO
• Education: 
  • Bachelor of Science Production Management—Southeast Missouri State 1990
  • Masters in Business Administration—Webster University 2000
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt—University of Michigan 2008
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)—Project Management Institute 2011
• Family: Married to Heather and have two daughters: Reagan and Reese 
• Years lived in Arnold: 42 years as a resident of Arnold (15 years in Ward 3)
• Please provide a brief summary of your background, highlighting community involvement if applicable. 
  • New Hope Methodist Church Board of Trustees 2008—2012 (Chairman 2011)
  • Room Parent Volunteer at Sherwood Elementary 2008—Current
  • Youth Ice Hockey Coach for Meramec Sharks 2010—Current
  • Youth & High School Ice Hockey Referee for MIHOA 2006—Current
  • Fox High Ice Hockey Coach 1990—1998
• Please provide a brief summary of your reasons for running: As a citizen of Arnold for 42 years and historically not ashamed to tell people where I live and grew up, I have a vested interest in the short and long term success of this city. I am now raising a family in this community and I want my daughters to be able to be proud of where they live and where they grew up as well. Unfortunately, I am frustrated with the way things are currently trending with all of the public negativity and high tax rates in certain areas. As a natural leader, I have decided to step forward and try to be part of the solution to these and other issues instead of sitting back and letting the frustration grow.

Questions: 

1. What do you currently see as the biggest issue facing Arnold?

Overall, I believe, and I also know there is a sentiment from the majority of the citizens that the current leadership is in complete disarray. Unfortunately, they currently are not functioning as a team whose goals are in the best interest of the citizens of the city. The professionalism of the entire group has been lost! This all leads to the biggest underlying issue and that is continuous waste of the taxpayer dollars. Whether it is the result of poor planning and execution of major projects or the skyrocketing legal fees, the fact of the matter is, we continue to spend money as a result of poor performance. 

2. How do you plan to ensure the best use of taxpayer dollars? 

I will consider all decisions based on basic business principles. Furthermore, before I will ever Vote YES for a proposed project from a person, team, or company, I will require them to provide to the council and leadership, a realistic estimation of the ROI (Return on Investment). It is imperative to legitimize a serious and realistic ROI on all projects before agreeing to spend the taxpayer’s dollars. Bottom line, I will respect the position and act with fiscal responsibility on behalf of all of the citizens of Arnold.

3. In what area does the Arnold need to improve? Are you satisfied with the way the city has been operating? 

I am not currently satisfied with the way the city has been operating and believe the entire leadership group must commit to acting professionally during and away from meetings. Additionally, I believe there needs to be a concerted focus on what it will take to keep all of the small business owners from leaving and/or failing instead of always looking for the corporate giants to come here. There is no doubt that it is convenient to have the large corporate stores present, but not at the cost of some of the highest taxes in the state of Missouri! I would rather see persons come here to shop because of lower tax rates and capitalize on the higher volumes of traffic and sales from residents of neighboring communities.

4. Assume you win the election. What thing do you want to accomplish during your time on the council? 

First off, I would never assume winning an election! It is not about me, it is about being a professional leader who is committed to representing the residents and assuring them that decisions will be made by answering the simplest question, “What is the right thing to do?” I believe being available for residents to express their input and concerns and maybe more importantly, listening to their creative ideas on how to fix the systemic issues, are priceless. If elected, I want to establish a solid master plan for repairing the streets/sewers in the areas where funding has been previously designated as well as determine priority for additional infrastructure improvements that are needed. Finally, I want nothing more than the opportunity to work hard and earn the respect of all of the residents by being fair, consistent, professional, and fiscally responsible.

5. Many in the community have expressed discourse over the manner in which the council recently has conducted business. Specifically, community members have asked councilmembers to stop "bickering" and "do the jobs they were elected to do." How to you plan to address this moving forward? 

Unfortunately, I have to agree with the “expressed discourse” that exists. However, as a true experienced leader, it begins with setting a good example in your own approach and actions. I can assure the residents that I will conduct myself in a professional manner at all times and respect others’ opinions without taking or making things personal.Furthermore, I will be respectable, open, and honest at all times regardless of the subject matter or the person discussing it. I will adamantly promote a team approach where open, professional, and respectable discussions are encouraged. Finally, and most importantly, I will repeatedly challenge other council members to follow my lead in acting in the best interest of the residents and answering that same simple question "What is the right thing to do?" Hopefully, the residents of Ward 3 will help me help them by supporting my early efforts and do the “Write-In” thing on April 2nd!