In Sunset Hills It's Incumbent Baebler Vs. Rode at the Polls Tuesday

Sunset Hills Alderwoman Dee Baebler, representing Ward 1 where the New Year's Eve tornado hit hardest, faces Jim Rode, 80, a retired engineering plant manager, at the polls Tuesday.

Baebler, 45, was initially appointed by Mayor Bill Nolan to fill out his term on the board when he moved from alderman to mayor last year. Baebler continues to have Nolan's support.

"I already knew of her experience as an activist for her church, her children's schools, and her subdivision. Her efforts for the tornado survivors. . . have been tireless. I can tell you with confidence she has earned her election," Nolan said about Baebler, in an endorsement statement.

Baebler's apparent common sense and heartfelt approach to the plight of tornado victims has earned her their respect and ongoing thanks.

Baebler continues to advocate for those in Ward 1 during Board of Aldermen meetings, the city's Business Development Committee and other public meetings. She founded a "green" committee named GO, to encourage smart use of the earth's resources—typically called sustainability—throughout the city. 

Baebler said she still sees a need to grow Sunset Hills's retail business as a convenience for residents and generate more of a tax base for city services. However, she opposes the use of eminent domain in order to do so.

Baebler said she has worked in marketing, development, and contract negotiation for large corporations, and also as a small business owner. 

Opponent Jim Rode said his experience in project management and 20 years as a plant manager for ABB Combustion prepare him to serve the city as alderman in Ward 1. He has a chemical engineering degree and worked in nuclear energy.

This is his first run for public office. He said he regularly walks 2-4 miles a day and has canvassed every street in Sunset Hills over the past month, except the hills of Tapawingo, where Baebler lives.

Rode said he sees the role primarily as one of setting policy for city staff to carry out in an efficient manner, and monitoring the process. He wants to develop the business corridor in the city. 

Rode objects to the notion of the city taking over all the private streets at a cost of $600,000 a year based on a 25-year maintenance cycle. He said 20 percent of the city's streets are private.

"I'm not opposed to taking over streets that are up to code," Rode said, but many private streets are not, and would need to be rehabbed.

Alderwoman Baebler lives on a private street, Caddyshack Circle. Rode lives on Rotherwood Court, a city street.

A board of aldermen term is two years.

In Ward 2, incumbent Alderman Scott Haggerty is up for re-election for a second term, unopposed.

In Ward 3, incumbent Alderwoman Jan Hoffman is running for a third term, unopposed.

In Ward 4, incumbent Alderwoman Patricia Fribis is on the ballot for re-election, unopposed for a second full term. She served one year of former Mayor Mike Svoboda's alderman term in 2008.

The polls are open 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 5. Find out in which ward you live with this map.

Portions of Sunset Hills covered by the Mehlville Fire Protection District will be choosing between incumbent fire board Chairman Aaron Hilmer and challenger Mike Klund. Also on the ballot would be Proposition S, to combine the taxes for ambulance service and fire service, to streamline collection without any hike in rates.