Sweet Springs Mayor Roxanne Hinton runs the Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday, Jan. 22. Hinton decided not to run for a third term as mayor, citing frustration over the pace of the board's work and personality conflicts with other members. She said her first term and half of the current term were better and she did see progress in some areas. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

While observers of state politics were busy reacting to the surprise announcement that Gov. Matt Blunt will not seek a second term in office, another political leader closer to home made the same decision known.

Sweet Springs Mayor Roxanne Hinton did not file for re-election by the 5 p.m. deadline, and after the Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday, Jan. 22, she said gridlock on a number of important issues and personality conflicts with members of the board contributed to her decision not to seek a third two-year term.

"I feel like I've gotten nothing done," she said. "Old business keeps coming back again and again."

Kinney

She cited as examples from the just-finished board meeting discussions about how to handle stray dogs while the city decides whether to build a new dog pound or renovate an existing structure for that purpose.

The board voted to seek a temporary contract with a Concordia veterinarian to provide boarding and, if necessary, euthanasia services in the interim.

Another issue discussed at the meeting, but deferred until more information about computer and software costs is available, was the question of whether the city should turn over tax collection to the county collector.

"This year has been frustrating for me," she said. "Maybe they'll be able to get more done without me."

Hinton said the first three years of her time in office were more productive.

She noted improvements to the city park, the demolition of several crumbling buildings downtown and several dilapidated residences as examples of steps forward that she's proud of.

"There's still more to do" with removal of poorly-maintained buildings "but we made progress," she said.

As for the personality conflicts, Hinton's relationships with other members of the board have been rocky at times.

She survived an attempt to impeach her during her first year in office, and tensions with the current board culminated in an incident at the Sept. 12 meeting in which Alderman Lewis Bybee lost his temper.

Hinton and Alderman Billie Clevenger later filed assault complaints and requested orders of protection against Bybee.

The protection requests were later dropped and no charges have been filed against Bybee by the special prosecutor assigned to the case.

But Hinton did not rule out future political efforts, noting that after some time has passed and the make-up of the board has changed, she might consider tossing her hat in the ring again.

"I may be back," she said.

Hinton's decision not to seek re-election leaves Raymond Kinney running unopposed for the mayor's office.

Kinney attended the board meeting Tuesday and asked questions about many of the issues on the agenda.

Also filing for re-election to the board were incumbents Clevenger, running unopposed, and Derl Bernard, who will face challenger Jim Lindemann, a former alderman.

Incumbent city collector Janice Bybee will face challenger Amber Schlatweiler in the April election.

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net