Crestwood Alderman Challenges Mayor for Top Post

Crestwood voters will choose between two familiar names at the polls on April 5. Roy Robinson, now completing a second term as mayor, is being challenged by Ward 2 Alderman Jeff Schlink, who has been on the board since 2009.

Both are longtime Crestwood residents; Robinson has lived in Crestwood for 31 years with his wife of 42 years, Joan. They live on Cordoba Lane. Robinson was alderman for Ward 3 from 1988-1992. Schlink has lived in Crestwood 15 years. He and his wife Kim, and four children live on Capri Drive.

Schlink, 41, is a department leader in the compliance division of Edward Jones. He received a Masters degree in computer resource management from Webster University and a B.A. in management from the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Robinson, 68, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska, majoring in criminal justice and political science. He is retired from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in St. Louis—which is part of the U.S. Department of Defense. 

Schlink and Robinson sparred Tuesday at a Board of Aldermen meeting when Schlink asked the mayor to explain why he didn't participate in a proposed candidate forum.

Robinson said he did not believe Schlink should have been the one to tell him where and when the event was to be held.

Schlink said he was helping out the busy League of Women Voters by organizing the event. Robinson said he believed "another person" was behind scheduling the event at a particular business in town, and said he would not go there. 

Schlink explained to Patch recently why he wanted to win the mayor's seat, which is a 3-year term. Financial management would be a priority, he said, and how to fund necessary services for residents despite dwindling revenue from a mall that lacks progress in redevelopment.

“It has been projected that the city will have spent all of its cash reserves if we continue down the path we are currently following,” Schlink said. 

"We need to recognize that, given current economic conditions, it is unlikely that the mall property will be fully redeveloped any time in the near future, and adjust our financial planning accordingly," he said.

City officials have said some $2 million annually worth of retail sales tax revenue has evaporated since the mall's heyday.

Schlink went on to point out past votes on city budgets.

“I have voted 'no' the past two years on budgets that were not balanced, budgets supported by our current mayor. With the struggles of Crestwood Court and our declining revenue stream, we need to improve our leadership to correct this path,” Schlink said.

“Our city needs direction, planning, and credibility. As mayor, I would support administering city finances based on tested business methods used in goal-oriented financial planning rather than continue the current practice of making financial decisions in a vacuum, with little consideration for the long term,” Schlink said.

“I want to offer Crestwood residents and business owners a fresh approach to leadership in Crestwood,” Schlink said. “I plan to treat the residents and Board of Aldermen with respect and civility. 

Schlink said in order to encourage business development he would improve the city website and provide a step-by-step process for someone to open a business in Crestwood.

“I would like the permit process to be easier, faster and more business friendly. I want to make it easy to open a business in Crestwood by reducing the red tape. For existing businesses, we need to stop increasing the sales tax they charge and the property taxes they pay,” Schlink said.

Schlink also wants to increase community input in city affairs. "I want to improve our reputation with residents and leverage their ideas and input to help move the city forward,” he said.

“We have excellent residents that care about the city but at times feel as if they can't approach City Hall,” Schlink said. "Going door-to-door meeting residents has been very rewarding and insightful."

Robinson's email is mayor@ci.crestwood.mo.us and Schlink can be reached at 314-984-9117 and jschlink@ci.crestwood.mo.us, according to the city's website.

Jean Whitney contributed to this article.