Columbia's Ward 1 has its first special election candidate. Here's who is running

Charles Dunlap, Columbia Daily Tribune

A face familiar to Ward 1 residents has tipped her hat into the August special election ring.

Valerie Carroll on Saturday announced her candidacy to fill the Ward 1 Columbia City Council Vacancy after Nick Knoth was recalled.

"I know that land use issues, housing costs and zoning regulations have frequently risen to the top concerns for First Ward residents," she wrote in her announcement. "I volunteered to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission, five years ago because I was concerned about the same issues you are."

Carroll noted successes from her tenure on the commission including updates to the city's unified development code to promote small footprint cottage style housing, easing of restrictions on additional dwelling units, and short-term rental regulations, among others.

She also noted active participation in Ward 1 neighborhood associations where they advocate for sidewalks, traffic calming measures from the council, along with volunteering at neighborhood school events.

She has 10 goals list if elected to the council:

  • Promotion of affordable housing;

  • Ensuring there is necessary staffing to enforce property maintenance codes;

  • Renter eviction protections after filing a maintenance complaint;

  • Advocating for capital improvement and sidewalk projects to address infrastructure gaps;

  • Supporting traffic calming measures and pedestrian-oriented design;

  • Continued support of Columbia’s status as a LGBTQ sanctuary city and other LGBTQ safety policies;

  • Resume funding for Neighborhood Association mini-grants;

  • Major employer attraction;

  • Supporting all stages of Opportunity Campus approval; and

  • Putting a focus on neighborhood voices during the Urban Conservation Overlay process.

"I have been incredibly privileged to have the time and the opportunity to serve the City of Columbia and the first ward community over the last several years," Carroll wrote in the announcement. "Serving on council would enable me to continue this important work as your first ward city council representative."

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Valerie Carroll running for Columbia's vacant Ward 1 council seat

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