Politics & Government

Dee Baebler for Sunset Hill Board of Aldermen

Baebler is running against Franky Hardy in Ward 1.

Patch sent all local candidates for office 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.

Find out who else is running for Sunset Hills Board of Aldermen.

Dee Baebler, 47, 9347 Caddyshack Circle, Sunset Hills, MO

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Education:  BS Computer Science w/Marketing emphasis

Family:  Spouse, Drew; Children – Missy (Home Health Care), Ryan (Washington University School of Law), Elisa (Colorado State-Environmental Studies), Megan (Meramec, Legal Secretary), Amanda (Mizzou- Biological Sciences)

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Years lived in Sunset Hills:  20+

Please provide a brief summary of your background, highlighting community involvement:

  • 2012 Citizen of the Year, Alderman for past 3 years with a record of meeting with citizens and business owners in my ward one on one, consistently.  I answer emails and phone calls promptly.  I send out emails to interested residents including updates between Board of Alderman meetings and topics of general interest in Sunset Hills.  I list my cell phone to be easily accessible to residents in case of emergency or urgent need.
  • FOUNDER of Green Objectives (GO) Sunset Hills – Organize Sunset Hills Earth Day celebration yearly; offering first “Rotary Global Run 4 Water” in our region to support water crisis issues globally.  Author of the monthly GO Sunset Hills article in the Sunset Hills Newsletter to educate residents about “green” issues.
  • Tornado Resource Coordinator (TAF Committee) – Worked to match needs (both tangible and non-tangible) to help residents faced with tragedy and loss after the New Year’s Eve tornado in 2010.
  • MEMBER of Sunset Hills Business Development Committee , Police Advisory Board, Historical Society, Rotary Club, Truman Interact Project for LHS Fall Art Fair, Small Business Owner; Former School Board Member; Marketing & Development Director

Please provide a brief summary of your reasons for running: A doer; not just a talker.  I find value in constructive debate on relevant issues.  I work tirelessly to deliver results – I get things done.  Divisive government gets us nowhere.

I’m proud of our city and want to keep it moving in a positive direction.  Sunset Hills enjoys being in the Lindbergh School District, the #1 school district in Missouri the last three years. 

Sunset Hills is proud to be the home of the Panera Bread headquarters.  The company operates or franchises over 1,625  locations.  They also believe in giving back to local communities. Who doesn’t love Panera Bread?  The fact that they chose Sunset Hills for their national headquarters says a lot and we’re happy to have them.

As the residents enjoy the new businesses in the city, they pay homage to the historical past of the area that served as the summer retreats for founders of Anheuser Busch, Lemp and Falstaff breweries.  We have a unique flavor that separates us from other cities in St. Louis County.  I would like to focus on these attributes.

What do you currently see as the biggest issue facing the City of Sunset Hills? An important issue to me is to focus on the economic development in Sunset Hills.  I feel strongly that we need to develop a plan for what WE as residents want for our city rather than reacting to businesses deciding to choose us.   I would like to organize sub-committees of professionals to discuss looking at a "brand" for the city and for marketing Sunset Hills.  I have been on the Business Development committee since joining the board.  The committee has made major progress in this regard. 

In what area does the city need to improve? Are you satisfied with the way the city has been operating? I’m generally happy with the way the city has been operating.  The Board of Alderman, Parks Department, Public Works, Police Department and Administration works hard and within the scope of respect and constructive debate, when needed.  This has not always been the case.  Politicians who hold onto one issue are not effective leaders.  We must listen closely to residents of our ward, while looking out for the well being of all of Sunset Hills.

I believe we should beautify the public boundaries of Sunset Hills to reflect a positive green and progressive image.  In some instances, this may be accomplished through grants at no cost to the city.  These avenues should be explored.

Our city is fiscally sound.  We have professionals working together to keep a watchful eye on our spending and forecasting for our future.  It’s nice to know we are fiscally conservative, keeping in mind the needs and comforts of our residents.   This includes a beautiful campus in the middle of the city providing an impressive Community Center with a well staffed work out facility, Laumiere Park, Watson Trails Park, Mini Ha Ha Park., and a dog park will soon follow.  Our Parks Department works hard to take care of the needs of citizens.  We are concerned about the health and well being of our residents. 

Assume you win the election. What single thing do you want to accomplish during your time on the board? Keep the city moving in a positive direction – through fostering proper economic growth, fiscal responsibility, an ongoing dialogue with residents and business owners, continued cohesive relationship and cooperation with city departments and administration to get things done.


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