COMO Magazine - The City Issue - July 2024

City ISSUE THE

Boone Health was named one of America’s top 100 hospitals in 2023 and 2024, placing us in the top 2% of hospitals in the nation.

We know this kind of achievement only happens when every one of us believes that better care is possible.

As the only hospital in Missouri to receive this recognition, we’d like to say “thank you” to our team, to our community, and to our neighbors.

Every decision we make is with the goal of making Boone the top choice for health care and health careers. Here, we’re committed to better.

We understand that better treatment of our employees, their families, and our community leads to better care for our patients and visitors and, ultimately, better outcomes.

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Why Estate Planning Is Important

Estate planning can involve topics that are difficult to acknowledge, but a solid, current estate plan acts as a blueprint for safeguarding assets and adequately providing for loved ones. This article highlights the benefits of proactive estate planning strategies and emphasizes the value of professional assistance.

Estate Tax Liability: Failing to plan for the transfer of your estate can mean diverting assets to cover estate taxes. Proactive steps like identifying available deductions, evaluating gifting strategies, and establishing a trust can take time and effort.

The IRS allows assets included in an estate and taxable gifts made during the decedent’s life to change hands tax-free up to a certain amount. Any amount over this lifetime exemption is subject to estate taxes.

The future of the federal estate and gift tax exemption is uncertain. Absent legislative action, it could be reduced substantially as soon as 2026. The top tax rate for estate taxes is 40%, highlighting the importance of seeking professional help to minimize your tax liability.

Administrative Impact on Loved Ones: It is important to consider the emotional

impact on loved ones charged with handling the tasks associated with the estate holder’s passing. Unfinished planning often falls to the decedent’s closest family members, introducing potentially difficult conversations regarding the distribution of assets and other legal matters.

Resolving estate planning tasks before the estate holder’s passing allows family members to focus on what matters most to them versus attempting to retroactively address administrative responsibilities.

The Probate Legal Process: Your wealth management team and estate planning attorney can also help you identify and implement strategies to avoid probate. Probate is a court proceeding that legally validates the distribution of assets to beneficiaries as outlined in the decedent’s will.

Generally, the more time the probate process takes, the more expensive it will be. Taking proactive steps to shorten or avoid the probate process could save a significant amount of time and money.

Unintended Distribution of Assets: In a case where no estate planning has been done, dying without a will means a person has died “intestate.” For estates that end up in a condition of intestacy,

the decision of which beneficiaries will inherit assets is removed from the decedent and is instead mandated by a state court.

Developing a comprehensive estate plan allows you to decide who receives your assets. By engaging in proactive estate planning, you ensure that your assets are distributed according to your instructions.

Changes in Your Personal Situation:

Revisiting your plan to account for changes is considered a best practice for estate planning. Even if an estate plan is in place, alterations may be needed when circumstances change.

An outdated estate plan could unintentionally expose your beneficiaries to risks like higher taxes, asset disputes, and the possibility of lengthy administration in your absence. Preparing early and reevaluating often can help secure the legacy you envision.

Comprehensive Estate Planning at Commerce Trust: The importance of developing an estate plan early, and updating it often, cannot be understated. Commerce Trust provides a range of in-house private wealth management services to ensure you are connected to resources that inform a personalized estate plan.

New Luxury Construction in Latest Phase of Old Hawthorne

Step into the life of luxury with one of these stunning new construction masterpieces from Lombardo Homes. Tucked away in the prestigious Old Hawthorne subdivision, these 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom sanctuaries boast an impressive array of features including a dedicated study and formal dining room, promising a lifestyle of refined elegance and ease.

At the heart of these homes is a chef’s dream kitchen seamlessly integrated with the expansive great room, offering a perfect blend of functionality and style. Natural light floods the space through large windows, creating an inviting atmosphere ideal for both relaxation and entertainment.

Enjoy panoramic views of the serene, wooded landscape from the back of these homes, enhancing the tranquility of your new abode. Outside, Old Hawthorne awaits with its exclusive community

6405 Crooked Switch Ct. Columbia, Mo. 65201

Photo by Charles Bruce III

Megan Walters Licensed Broker/ Associate

Lauren Buker Marketing Manager

MANAGEMENT

Erica Pefferman, President Erica@comocompanies.com

David Nivens David@comocompanies.com

EDITORIAL

Publisher | Erica Pefferman Erica@comocompanies.com

Editor | Jodie Jackson Jr Jodie@comocompanies.com

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Creative Director | Kate Morrow Kate@comocompanies.com

Senior Designer | Jordan Watts Jordan@comocompanies.com

MARKETING

Director of Account Management Keeley Duncan Keeley@comocompanies.com

Director of Web Services J. J. Carlson JJ@comocompanies.com

Marketing Representative Sarah Hempelmann Shempelmann@comocompanies.com

Marketing Representative Becky Roberts Becky@comocompanies.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Keith Borgmeyer, Lana Eklund

Sara Nivens Sara@comocompanies.com

MARKETING

Director of Sales | Charles Bruce Charles@comocompanies.com

OUR MISSION

To inspire, educate, and entertain the citizens of Columbia with quality, relevant content that reflects Columbia’s business environment, lifestyle, and community spirit.

CONTACT

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Beth Bramstedt, Barbara Buffaloe, Lydia Graves, Mary Kate Hafner, Jodie Jackson Jr, Sarah Joplin, Hoss Koetting, Karen Pasley, Erica Pefferman, McKenna Stumph, Michelle Terhune, Marcus Wilkins

The More You Know

In the fall of 2021, upon hearing that Ian omas was not to run for reelection in Ward 4, I immediately thought that this was my time. I love my city. I had grown quite interested over the last several years in issues important to our city like a ordable housing, policing, social issues including the complex nature of how best to help our unsheltered population, and many more. If having all my companies named after my fair city weren’t enough to prove to you that I was a helpless nerd about all things COMO, then my idea to run for city council would surely have done it.

Running for political o ce was a very interesting and painful experience. I learned many things. I learned that there were people that were knowledgeable about the real issues our cities faced and no one listened to them. I learned that there were people who knew nothing about what was really happening, and everyone listened to them. I learned that even though our politics at the city level are non-partisan, no one believed that. en there was the never-ending game of personal attacks by people I’ve never even met, because I dare be a businessperson who loves social issues and helping people and capitalism at the same time. I found out rsthand that keyboard warriors will say a lot online but never to your face. I also learned that being honest even if it was very unpopular wasn’t a good way to win an election. I refused to sign a commitment that said I wouldn’t support any new development even though all of the other candidates did and have since supported new development. I was screamed at and chased out of a forum because I suggested that all potential solutions to our struggling trash service should be considered including privatization because I believed that good problem solving included reviewing every potential solution.

e best thing about running for o ce, though, was the opportunity to meet so many interesting and caring people… speci cally the class I was running with. I found most of them to be truly interested in helping Columbia be a

better place. e second-best thing about running for o ce was that I lost to Nick Foster who I found to be a kind, caring, and honorable man. e third best thing was that I got to see behind the curtain. As I worked with unions, other politicians, businesspeople, fundraisers, consultants, city employees, and volunteers, I became acutely aware of what and why things were able to happen as they do.

When I rst lost the race, I was angry. I was angry that so few people turned out to vote. I was angry that more people didn’t care about the things that impacted our lives every day. But after being angry, I became determined. I thought the apathy a massive majority of our city showed was because they didn’t know about promises made and not kept, about voters approving and paying for things that never happened, that the loudest, meanest voices truly were those of the minority opinion. I decided that if I had a platform that people listened to, that I would continue to use it to inform people of what was truly happening around them. I would take what I learned during the election and continue to write about it ensuring that more people were aware and that I wasn’t complicit in the apathy. at is why, dear gentle readers of Columbia, that I present to you our rst ever “City” issue. We strive in each issue to teach you something important about what is happening around us. With this issue, every story is dedicated to that end. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it. ere was so much left to tell. Maybe we’ll do another one? Please enjoy! And as ever, if you want to share your thoughts with me, your emails are always welcome.

ERICA PEFFERMAN PUBLISHER erica@comocompanies.com

If having all my companies named after my fair city weren’t enough to prove to you that I was a helpless nerd about all things COMO, then my idea to run for city council would surely have done it.

ON THE COVER

Artist Cody Finley stands next to the traffic box he painted as part of Columbia’s Percent for Art program.

Photo by Charles Bruce III

We take pride in representing our community well and we couldn’t do what we do without our COMO Magazine advisory board. Thank You!

Beth Bramstedt

Church Life Pastor Christian Fellowship Church

Heather Brown

Strategic Partnership Officer Harry S Truman VA Hospital

Nickie Davis

Executive Director The District, Downtown CID

Sam Fleury

Assistant Vice President

Strategic Communications, Columbia College

Jeremiah Hunter

Assistant Police Chief

Commander Investigations Bureau Columbia Police Department

Chris Horn

Sr. Reinsurance Manager American Family Insurance

Kris Husted

Senior Content Editor NPR Midwest Newsroom

Amanda Jacobs Owner Jacobs Property Management

Megan Steen

Chief Operating Officer, Central Region Burrell Behavioral Health

Nathan Todd

Business Services Specialist First State Community Bank

Wende Wagner

Director of Resource Development

The Boys and Girls Club of the Columbia Area

Have a story idea, feedback, or a general inquiry? Email Jodie@comocompanies.com.

Outside the Box

Public art keeps downtown Columbia colorful and vibrant.

BY SARAH JOPLIN | PHOTO BY CHARLES BRUCE III

Columbia is showing its true colors as a vibrant art community through the growing collection of original works decorating tra c art boxes along the downtown corridor. Many utility boxes have been converted into veritable canvases since 2007 when the city began engagement with local artists to orchestrate the installations during a pilot program.

Sarah Dresser, the city of Columbia’s O ce of Cultural A airs manager, explains that the artwork serves two purposes.

“It started as a way to add more art and culture to our downtown and throughout the city, but it was also intended to abate gra ti and vandalism,” she says.

Artist Cody Finley of Lore Tattoo Studio on Artist Alley agrees that original artwork serves to deter stickering and gra ti more so than plain public surfaces. Finley was inspired by the artful boxes early on when he saw David Spear’s painting on the corner of Broadway and Ninth Street. Little did he know that it would be his artwork gracing that space years on.

When service was required and the city needed to change out that box, Finley’s submission was selected to be added to the artistry of the downtown cityscape.

“It was a bit daunting and a little stressful to replace the box done by such a wellknown and established artist,” Finley recalls. “It was a signi cant undertaking, but it was exciting to put something downtown that was going to be there over the years.” e typical lifespan of the art boxes is tied to the longevity of the equipment it houses coupled with the seasonal wear and tear on the artwork. e average is ve to seven years.

Finley says that wildlife illustration interests him and while he could have

taken a lot of routes that inspire his tattoo art, for the tra c box he “wanted to do something that had universal appeal.” He chose subject matter he thought “anyone and everyone would like,” tying each of the sides of the box together by depicting the progression of four seasons throughout the local area.

When Finley is downtown, he’ll often listen and overhear conversations of passersby as they comment on the box without their knowing that he is the artist.

“So far, I haven’t heard anything negative about it, so that’s nice,” he says. Getting a chance to be part of the artistry and the beauti cation of the downtown is good motivation for the many artists who have been involved over the years.

“We’ve really focused the tra c box art within the downtown corridor since e District itself has contributed funds to the program,” Dresser says. In addition to featuring established and up-and-coming local artists, the city is also a partner in education with the Fine Arts Department of Columbia Public Schools and opened submission for tra c box exhibition to local art classes. e results are on display at the corners of Worley Street and Clinkscales

Road, Garth Avenue and Broadway, Fifth and Walnut Streets, and Ninth and Locust Streets. e city intends to expand the popular installations with the next box slated to appear on the corner of Bethel Street and Nifong Boulevard.

Cody Finley’s artful representation at the corner of Ninth and Broadway pays homage to colorful native plants.

Dresser, inspired by a model she saw during a Chamber of Commerce city leadership excursion to Madison, Wisconsin, was motivated to broaden the visual impact made by creating attractive tra c boxes. As a result, Columbia’s O ce of Cultural A airs is in the process of reshaping the current tra c box art artist protocols and broadening them into a whole new public art licensing program.

Dresser is enthusiastic about “making the program more equitable and available.”

“Instead of having the artist pay much of the cost upfront, this new model shifts the nancial onus to the city,” she says. “Existing artwork can be obtained in a digital le format and produced on vinyl wraps for installation, taking that burden o each individual artist and shifting it to the Public Works Department.”

Increased funding and a public art licensing program will allow Columbia to feature more artists and more art. While the core of the city’s public art focus will remain the tra c art

boxes for now, Dresser explains, “ e license agreement will be structured to allow the city to use art on other surfaces as those opportunities arise.” Artists will be compensated through the initial license and then be able to make reproductions of their artwork for use on public surfaces and spaces not limited to trafc boxes, she adds.

ough a walking or driving tour of the tra c boxes is a great way to take in the striking creativity of local artists, it is important to note that tra c box art comprises a small portion of the entirety of public art displayed in Columbia. Dresser wants to make sure that locals are aware of resources available to access and appreciate the abundance of artistry visible around the city.

A compilation of Columbia’s public art locations is available on the city’s website — como.gov/cultural-a airs, and can also be enjoyed on the free Otocast App, which is available on iPhone and Android devices.

Patio Dogs Create ‘A Great Vibe’

BY MICHELLE TERHUNE

Research shows that pets can improve the health of their humans. ey reduce anxiety and stress with their calming presence. eir unconditional love promotes feelings of self-worth while tamping down feelings of loneliness. ey give us a reason to exist because they rely on the care we provide them.

With all this positivity, it’s no wonder that Columbia residents love sharing their homes and lives with fur, feather, or n friends. But just how pet-friendly is downtown Columbia anyway?

THERE ARE PARKS

Kevin Meyers, animal control supervisor for the city, knows a thing or two about pets.

“I will say that Columbia in general is one of the most pet-friendly cities in Missouri,” Meyers says. “We have three large dog parks and several o -leash areas with plans to expand the Twin Lakes dog park to have an open area year-round for dogs of all sizes. We also have more pet rescues and pet-speci c stores as compared to surrounding cities of comparable size.”

THERE ARE PATIOS

Dog parks are not the only way the city accommodates pets. It also makes way for pet-friendly patios for restaurants and bars.

Health codes are designed to keep critters out of kitchens and dining rooms for sanitation purposes. But establishments can apply for a variance so customers can bring their dogs to dinner if those establishments have a patio. Of course, this privilege comes with responsibilities like required signage, cleaning protocols, and a space restriction of 50 percent of the entire patio space. Nonetheless, nearly every downtown restaurant that has a patio has jumped through those hoops.

“We love to see dogs out front on our patio,” says Andrew DuCharme, general manager and part owner of Lakota Coffee Company. “It adds a great vibe to our downtown location.”

Many of the pet-friendly patios don’t just accommodate their customers’ dogs. ey also cater to them by o ering water or treats. Glenn’s Café wait sta ask customers accompanied by their dogs if they want a disposable bowl of water. And Lakota o ers a free “pup cup,” a tasty cup of whipped cream, if requested by their humans.

And do dogs ever cause chaos? Eva Slitinska, Glenn’s front-of-house manager, says they’ve had a few minor incidents, but o ering pet-friendly patio space is important to the community and worthwhile.

“It does depend on the dogs and the customers who own them,” Slitinska says. “We’re lucky to have customers who are responsible for their dogs.”

THERE ARE SHOPS

Accommodations are always made for service animals. But there are downtown retailers happy to let customers bring their regular pooches along. At Skylark Bookshop, for example, it’s common to nd book browsers with their bowsers in tow. In fact, you might be greeted by eo, the store’s resident pooch.

THERE ARE APARTMENTS

Downtown is home to three institutions of higher education and the students they serve. Stephens College has been recognized by such national media as USA Today and the Today Show for its pet-friendly campus. Of course, a city license is also required for dogs, cats, and ferrets residing on campus.

security deposit and a $25 surcharge on monthly rent if you have a resident pet. Plus, only small dogs are allowed.

THERE ARE CHALLENGES

Perhaps one of the greatest challenges of living downtown with a pet is not nding a great park to walk your dog. It’s nding a patch of grass where it can relieve itself during the daily routine.

If you’re a student living in Brookside Downtown, you can be on Mizzou’s campus within a couple of minutes. But nding grass is not always that quick or easy.

Recent Mizzou grad Kylie Somraty lives and works at Rise on 9th. When her little dog, Coco, needs to go, they head to a small grassy

area near the Hitt Street garage. Sometimes, she can’t quite make it that far, so Somraty has to adjust on the y.

Mizzou allows dogs on leashes on its grounds, which is good news for pet owners who live near campus. But students at Mizzou and Columbia College cannot have pets in residence halls — sh and service animals excepted.

Many of the downtown apartment spaces allow pets. Just expect to pay a little more for the privilege. For example, e Menser Building, managed by e Real Property Group, charges an additional $300 nonrefundable

“I’m from the suburbs, so it’s a lot di erent having a dog here downtown,” Somatry says. “But she has adapted to city life.”

WORTH THE PRICE

Wherever pet owners venture, they’re required to keep their dogs on a leash and pick up poo, wherever it lands. But for them, living, working, shopping, dining, and drinking in downtown Columbia with their pet is worth the price of admission.

Kylie Somraty, and her pup, Coco.

A very special thank you, Mary

Mary Watson is a Senior Customer Service Representative at our Call Center! She is known for doing anything and everything with a smile and positive attitude. She can solve just about any problem and calm even the most frustrated customer. She is a role model and mentor to many at the Call Center.

573-874-8100 • centralbank.net/boonebank

Created to Love. Called to Serve.

BY BETH BRAMSTEDT

It was a normal Monday and a co-worker and I headed out to lunch. When we arrived, we were surprised to nd an empty lobby. A cheerful, middle-aged woman greeted us from behind the cash register and took our order. As I went to pay, my card was declined. I mentioned it was my business card, and I had been having trouble with it.

She asked where I worked. I said, “Christian Fellowship Church.”

She said, “What do you do there?”

I replied, “I’m one of the pastors.”

She paused for a second. I could tell she was thinking about something, and then a quizzical look came over her face. “Do you all help people?” she asked.

I looked around the lobby. It was prime lunch hour, yet no one else had come in. I knew God was up to something. “Absolutely we help people,” I said. “What’s going on?” is beautiful lady, we will call her Dana, began to share her story. She had been laid o from a job she had kept for over a decade. She had recently been hired at this new place but was struggling to pay a bill that was due before her rst paycheck.

We gave her our information and instructions and told her we would love to help. She raised her hands in thanksgiving and said, “God, I knew you’d take care of this.”

While this was one simple encounter, it says a lot about the purpose of God’s church.

WHAT IS THE CHURCH AND HOW CAN WE KNOW IT IS TRUSTWORTHY?

For starters, we need to be clear on the church. e church is not a building — it is the people. It is you and me. When we make the decision to follow Jesus, we become part of God’s family, the church. We become part of the universal church, which includes all believers over time and across the world. We can also join a local church, a gathering of believers in a specific setting.

And God has given his church a specific purpose that we read about in Matthew 22:37-39. It says,

And Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. is is the great and rst commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

THE CHURCH WAS CREATED TO LOVE.

Second, he has given us a mission. We can read about it in Matthew 28:19-20.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

THE CHURCH WAS CALLED TO SERVE.

Beyond this overall purpose and mission, individual churches are as di erent as the

people who make them up. But the thing that de nes them as a church is that they love God, love themselves, and love people. And they are dedicated to helping others experience that love.

If you are wondering if a church is healthy, you can tell a lot by looking around and asking questions related to God’s desire for the church.

• How do the people demonstrate their love for God?

• How are they loving themselves?

• How are the people actively loving those around them?

• Do they treat people as Jesus treated them?

If the answers re ect God’s purpose and mission as described in Matthew, then you have encountered a church that is following in the footsteps of Jesus. is will be evidenced by the people’s joy, their growth, their servant’s heart, their excitement about their faith, and their desire to share it with others.

Columbia has lots of healthy churches. When you nd one, jump in! Love. Serve. Trust. Experience life in community with God and others.

Beth Bramstedt is the Church Life Pastor at Christian Fellowship.

ADVANCED CERTIFICATION

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Learn more about the award-winning care our team provides at muhealth.org/ortho.

Service, Trust, and Joy

BY BARBARA BUFFALOE

In the two years I have worked as Columbia’s mayor, there are two questions that have come up repeatedly: “Is the job everything you thought it would be?” and “Who would subject themselves to this for $9K a year?”

My answer to the rst question is “Yes” (with a few caveats). My answer to the second is, “Because the call to public service is one of the most important calls you can answer.” Running for mayor wasn’t part of a career strategy or a rung on a political ladder; it was an answer to a call to action. Columbia isn’t just where I live; it’s my home and my family. Being the mayor is an opportunity to serve the place I love. As mayor, I am guided by three core values — values that form the foundation of every decision I make. ey are: Service, Trust, and Joy.

Service is at the heart of my role. Service means working to advance the public good, sometimes at the expense of your

own goals or popularity. It means not pushing an ideology, agenda, or self-interest. It requires a genuine desire to improve the lives of others. For me, service is not just a duty; it’s a passion.

I inherited decisions made by previous mayors (eg. Hindman’s enviable biking infrastructure, McDavid and Treece’s passion for the airport expansion). I believe it is our role as mayors to serve our community by making investments that will have benets for generations. I want to pass along a lighter baton to those who come after me. I also believe that Columbia needs to be a place where the opportunity to serve is open to those historically left out. at is why I have worked to increase the diversity of representation on our boards and commissions, and support the city manager’s proposed community connectors program, which gives neighborhood leaders the opportunity to bring their voice to city discussions.

Trust forms the bedrock of any relationship, and the relationship between the public and the city is no exception. Besides just wanting to be trusted, I also naturally trust others when they come to me with their lived experience, or in the case of city sta , their professional expertise. Being able to attend community events and receive updates from sta on a daily basis is what helps build these relationships and trust.

Mayor Buffaloe works with a student as part of Columbia Public Schools’ Partners in Education program.

I believe that communication is a key part of building trust. at’s why it’s important for me to respond to emails, return calls, and make time to sit down with people over co ee. It’s also why I have championed communication with city departments. We are lucky to have sta who bring so much professional expertise and institutional knowledge. But it is critical that the city communicates about upcoming projects and solicits input from the public.

e city must also acknowledge when they are not meeting goals and explain why. Otherwise, people sense their needs are not being met. Projects are most successful when they incorporate professional advice and peoples’ lived experiences.

Finally, joy is an essential element of public service. As mayor, I experience joy every day. Joy comes from the pride that I have in our city. Joy comes from witnessing the hard work that so many people here do to make this a better place to live. Joy comes from working with others to overcome challenges, and from celebrating our city’s successes. I believe that one of my duties as mayor is to pass that joy along to others.

My role as mayor is driven by a commitment to Service, Trust, and Joy. ese values guide every decision I make and every action I take. I believe that together, we can build a Columbia where Service is the standard, Trust is the norm, and Joy is the reward of a community well-loved.

Barbara Bu aloe currently is serving her rst term in o ce as the mayor of Columbia.

Busy

BUILDER

Columbia Housing Authority is constructing new units and giving its properties a facelift.

BY M C KENNA STUMPH | PHOTOS BY LANA EKLUND

Arecent $1.3 million investment from Veterans United Home Loans (VU) has blossomed into $34 million, with several other organizations and sources also investing to build funding for Columbia Housing Authority's building plans.

e local housing authority (CHA) has already nished renovating scores of existing properties and has plans to build new units for the rst time since the early 1970s. CHA provides 1,200 vouchers and 750 a ordable housing units for low-income individuals and families in Columbia and Boone County.

So far, 597 of CHA's 750 properties or units have been renovated, ranging between oneto four-bedroom units to accommodate all facets of di erent family and living situations, from single mothers escaping domestic violence to disabled and elderly individuals seeking independence. A recent renovation of a two-bedroom, one-bath family unit included xing issues that had lingered for years — such as collapsed sewer lines, chronic water leaks, and shifting foundations — due to underfunding from federal sources.

e fully transformed unit features an open-concept living room, with hardwood oors owing directly into the kitchen. ose units now include newly added washer and dryer hookups and a fresh coat of paint. Upstairs, the updated bathroom has maxi-

mized the square footage for storage. In keeping with the original character, the large bedrooms have spacious closets and wide windows, illuminating them in a soft, natural light. Randy Cole, CHA’s chief executive o cer, was especially eager to begin construction of the Kinney Point six-plex in late June near the intersection of Garth and Sexton. Named after former CHA board member Marvin Kinney, who was known as the rst African American appointed to serve on the CHA Board of Commissioners and was one of the rst resident commissioners in the U.S. As a resident commissioner, Kinney lived in a CHA unit, making recommendations and assisting in the development of the CHA Annual Plan.

Appointed to his rst four-year term on the CHA board in 1968, Kinney served the community and low-income families for more than twenty- ve years.

Cole’s predecessor began converting some public housing to non-public housing in 2013, making the CHA the rst public housing authority in the state to begin that process. Cole explained that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had been encouraging public housing authorities to “seek additional funding to meet signi cant deferred maintenance costs, due to lack of sustainability” of funds allocated by Congress each year. HUD allows public housing authorities to convert

from public housing to non-public housing, which opens access to new funding sources through the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC).

“LIHTC is our nation’s most signi cant source of funding for a ordable housing,” Cole noted. e CHA currently receives roughly $350,000 per year through the federally funded public housing capital fund; however, it has over $40 million in investment needs for its remaining public housing portfolio.

“HUD also still allows Section 8 vouchers to be tied to each converted unit, so there is still a long-term nancing mechanism in place to ensure rents are just as a ordable to participant households as they were under the public housing model,” Cole said. “CHA is very much ahead of the curve and nearing full conversion and reinvestment in its remaining public housing portfolio.”

e CHA not only provides housing for low-income individuals and families but also o ers resident services. e Family Self-Su ciency program is meant to help the residents invest in themselves by o ering employment resources, establishing savings (escrow) accounts, and coaching participants to achieve their goals. It also o ers after-school and summer programs for kids and a specialist to provide one-on-one case management for individuals and families. e programs are meant to help individuals and families become more nancially sound while they are a part of the CHA.

e CHA provides services to several marginalized groups in Columbia and Boone County. Oak Towers and Paquin Towers — housing for people who are elderly and disabled — were renovated in 2018 and 2017. In 2016, Patriot Place Apartments was constructed for homeless veterans participating in the HUD-VASH program. e Veterans A airs Supportive Housing (VASH) is a partnership between CHA and Truman Memorial VA Hospital.

e CHA provides housing assistance, and Truman VA provides supportive services to the veterans living at Patriot Place. Stuart Parker

Apartments and Bear Creek Townhomes, properties designed for families, were renovated as recently as 2017. Bryant Walkway Apartments were updated beginning in 2018 with renovations that created smoke-free apartments which also allowed for new ranges, refrigerators, heating and cooling systems, dishwashers, and garbage disposals. ose are just a few of the amenities added to the family units.

Currently, CHA is contracting with Job Point to build a house at 207 Lynn Street. Construction is well underway, and Cole thinks that a current CHA tenant has been approved as a quali ed buyer for the Lynn Street house. He said the apartments and housing on Park Avenue will be completely ripped out and built anew, with an architect who lives in the area using a bungalow style for the exterior design to blend in with the rest of the neighborhood.

WHAT THE HOME PROS KNOW

ANTHONY RUDKIN HEARTLAND HOMES

ELIAS ABADI C OMO PREMIUM EXTERIORS

JACOB PORTER ROST LANDSCAPING

JACLYN ROGERS AI PAINTING PLUS

QUALITY MATERIALS AND QUALITY WORKMANSHIP WHAT THE HOME PROS

By Anthony Rudkin

When it comes to protecting and enhancing your home, Heartland Homes Remodeling & Roofing stands out as the premier local roofing company. Our dedication to quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction sets us apart in the competitive field of home improvement.

One of the key factors that make Heartland Homes the best choice for roofing and remodeling is our use of top-quality Malarkey shingles. These shingles are not just any roofing material; they represent the pinnacle of innovation and sustainability in the industry. Malarkey shingles are made from recycled materials, contributing to environmental conservation. Their unique composition also provides superior hail resistance, ensuring your roof can withstand the harshest weather conditions. This blend of sustainability and durability means you get a roof that’s not only strong but also eco-friendly, reducing your carbon footprint while protecting your home.

At Heartland Homes, we believe that the quality of our materials should be matched by the quality of our workmanship. That’s why we offer a lifetime workmanship warranty, the best in the area. This commitment to excellence ensures that every project we undertake meets the highest standards of craftsmanship. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to delivering impeccable results, whether it’s a simple

roof repair or a complete exterior face-lift. With our lifetime workmanship warranty, you can have peace of mind knowing that we stand behind our work for the long term.

ANTHONY RUDKIN CO-OWNER, REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

Anthony Rudkin is co-owner, regional sales manager, a dedicated husband and father of two. A graduate of Harrisburg High School and an Army veteran, Anthony brings a strong work ethic, keen attention to detail, and a passion for customer service to his role at Heartland Homes Remodeling and Roofing. Anthony’s commitment to excellence makes him a valuable asset to the team.

We understand that your home is your biggest asset, and we treat it with the care and respect it deserves. Our personalized approach means we take the time to understand your needs and preferences, providing tailored solutions that enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of your home. From the initial consultation to the final inspection, we prioritize clear communication and transparency, ensuring you are informed and satisfied every step of the way.

In addition to our superior materials and workmanship, Heartland Homes is also committed to customer satisfaction. Our numerous positive reviews and testimonials are a testament to our dedication to excellence. We take pride in building lasting relationships with

our clients, many of whom return to us for future projects and recommend us to their friends and family.

Heartland Homes Remodeling & Roofing is the best local company for your roofing and remodeling needs because of our careful consideration in product offerings, lifetime workmanship warranty, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. Trust us to care for your biggest asset with the highest standards of quality and professionalism.

SWIMMING POOLS ARE THE ULTIMATE SUMMER FUN ZONE

By Jacob Porter

Find more at rostlandscaping.com

As temperatures start to increase and become unbearable during the summer, the same thought crosses our mind. How can I cool off? Swimming pools are one of the best ways to cool off, as well as have fun and relax. We get several requests a year to design and install projects that involve swimming pools. While they are a great addition to any back yard, there are considerations to keep in mind while you are planning out that project.

START THE PLANNING PROCESS EARLY

Over the last few years, swimming pools have become a popular request to a point that most quality contractors are booked several months out before they can start installation. It is important to start the process early and get on the list as soon as you can. Being placed on a list for pool installation is important. However, just as important is planning the space around the pool.

The best backyard oasis is more than just the pool. An overall design and concept is key to creating a space that you, your friends and family can enjoy all summer long. Keep in mind that it takes a lot of design time and planning to make a great pool space come together. Having a designer / project manager help coordinate the process, from design to installation, is one of the easiest ways to help your project go smoothly. In the end, it will pay off to have all your subcontractors working together and communicating with one person that is keeping your project on track.

CONSIDERATIONS TO THE OUTDOOR SPACE DESIGN

As you go through the design process, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Below are a few of those considerations:

Sun Exposure

JACOB PORTER ROST LANDSCAPING

WHAT THE HOME PROS KNOW

Jacob comes from the small town of California, Missouri. With his plant science degree from MU and six years with Rost, he enjoys creating exciting outdoor spaces for his clients. Watching these creations come to life is only one highlight of being a designer for Rost. When he is not designing, he loves spending time with his wife and kids, tournament bass fishing, and doing a little bit of woodworking.

The ideal pool space needs sun exposure for soaking up rays. At the same time, don’t overlook areas that will offer some relief from the sun!

Materials

• The Pool: There are 3 types of pools –liner, shotcrete/gunite, and fiberglass. There are pros and cons to each, which I won’t go into now, but be sure to choose the option that works best for your needs.

• The Pool Deck: One of the most important aspects of this is the material selection. Pavers, stone, treated concrete, wooden decking, etc. are all options. Talk to your designer for their advice based on your space, needs, and

preferences. For both functional and aesthetic purposes, we normally use a mixture of materials in our designs.

• The Surrounding Hardscapes: Consider walls, fountains, steps, water or fire features, and shade structures. Properly incorporating these features around your pool make a huge impact and add value to the outdoor space.

Amenities/Spaces Within the Space

As you create the space around the pool, keep in consideration areas that can be enjoyed even when the pool is shut down such as fire features, outdoor kitchens, lighting, etc. These areas can be as important as the pool when it comes to planning and utilizing your outdoor space year-round.

WHY HIRE A PROFESSIONAL FOR YOUR COMMERCIAL PAINTING PROJECT?

By Jaclyn Rogers

Find more at aipaintingplus.com

How long has it been since your commercial building has had a new, fresh coat of paint — both interior and exterior? If you’ve been putting off that important investment, here are some reasons for and benefits of painting your commercial building or office. Nothing surpasses the skill of a professional commercial painter when it comes to presenting a professional image, assuring longevity, and achieving results that will instill pride for years to come. With that in mind, Ai Painting Plus has some important tips about why hiring a professional is critical for your company.

1. Protection from the elements. Paint protects your building’s exterior from moisture, harsh sun, and pests. Coatings with special properties can increase heat, mold, and corrosion resistance. All are important ways to protect your building from expensive property damage and can help improve employee safety.

2. Cost-effective upgrades. Regular upgrades are vital in keeping your building in good condition. A new paint job is often one of the most cost-effective upgrades available. They tend to have a rather high ROI, because they both raise the value and improve the appearance of the building at minimal cost. There’s a reason that a new paint job is standard for homes that are being prepared for the real estate market; a new paint job just makes it look better. This goes a long way toward ensuring that your building makes the best first impression possible.

3. Preventative maintenance. When there are cracks or other issues on the walls, bugs or water can infiltrate into the building. This can lead to expensive pest control or damage repair costs. A new paint job can seal these cracks, which prevents the issues from ever occurring. In addition, a commercial paint job may also allow you to discover issues with the walls in your building in the early stages, before the repair expenses escalate to exorbitant proportions.

4. Improved customer perceptions. Potential clients or customers will notice poorly maintained interiors and exteriors that show signs of fading, peeling, or cracking paint. A freshly painted building conveys that your business is welcoming and that you offer quality products or services. This goes a long way toward creating a superior first appearance, which can have a dramatic impact on your existing customer base, as well as drawing new customers to your property.

5. Competitive advantage. Businesses are competitive by nature. Every customer that you obtain is a customer that your competitors lose- but the same thing works in reverse. It is important to take all the steps to give you a competitive

WHAT THE HOME PROS KNOW

Jaclyn Rogers, sales representative at Ai Painting Plus, sees paint as more valuable than simply being an accent in a home. “We are painting joy into people’s homes,” she says. Jaclyn is certified as a Psychological Color Expert, which means she has demonstrated mastery in specifying interior paint in residential applications.

advantage to remain successful in any industry. When you improve your commercial building’s appearance, you will draw in more customers and help reassure existing customers of the continued quality of your products or services. Potential customers will be wary of obtaining your services if your company’s building looks old or worn down, which happens when paint jobs wear out.

6. Boost productivity. Employees are often prouder to work in a nice-looking building than one that has become worn down. A new paint job can instantly improve morale in the office, which leads directly to improved productivity. A cheerful, well-kept office is generally far more productive than one with a shabby paint job.

When you decide to hire a professional to paint your commercial building, be sure to ask for references and check them out. Make sure the painter has the necessary licenses and insurance to complete the job. And be sure to find out what similar work and projects the company has completed. Ai Painting Plus is ready to answer all your questions and to show you referrals that back up these tips and benefits. Call us today!

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO ROOF SHINGLE TYPES

By Elias Abadi Find more at comoexteriors.com

Are you planning to replace or install a new roof on your home? With so many roof shingle types available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Fear not! Here is a quick guide to help you better understand the various types of roof shingles.

Architectural Shingles: For those seeking a more stylish and durable option, dimensional shingles, also known as architectural shingles, are the answer. Architectural shingles also have a longer lifespan than traditional shingles and can improve energy efficiency.

Three-Tab Shingles: If you’re on a tight budget, three-tab shingles might be the perfect choice for your roofing needs. They are composed of a single layer of asphalt an cut into strip shingles. However, it’s important to note that three-tab shingles have a shorter life expectancy and require more maintenance than other shingle types.

Aluminum Shingles: Aluminum shingles are an excellent choice for homeowners seeking a lightweight and corrosionresistant roofing option. They are fireresistant, providing an added layer of safety for your home and long-lasting, with some products even offering 50-year warranties.

Steel Shingles: If you’re looking for a strong and durable roofing option, steel shingles might be the answer. These shingles are known for their robustness and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, making them an ideal choice for homes in areas prone to strong winds, extreme storms, and wildfires.

Copper Shingles: For those seeking a premium roofing option that exudes timeless beauty, copper shingles are the epitome of elegance. These shingles are known for their exceptional durability and appealing

WHAT THE HOME PROS KNOW ELIAS ABADI OWNER

CoMo Premium Exteriors is mid-Missouri’s largest roofing and exterior remodeling company. We believe in providing homeowners and business owners with free, honest inspections and advice to help them make informed decisions. We never use high pressure tactics because our goal is to build long-term relationships built on quality workmanship, great communications, and good cleanup when we’re done. If you need a new roof, gutters, siding, windows, or a deck; we’ve got you covered!

aesthetics, which only improve over time as the copper develops a unique patina.

Clay Tiles: Clay tiles are a popular choice for homeowners seeking a durable and eco-friendly roofing option. These tiles are known for their distinct appearance and fire resistance, making them a safe and stylish choice for your home.

Concrete Tiles: Concrete tiles are a more affordable alternative to clay tiles, offering durability and fire resistance at a lower cost. These tiles can provide excellent protection for your home, but their weight may require reinforcement during installation.

Slate Tiles: Slate tiles, also known as slate shingles, are a prestigious roofing option known for their beauty and longevity. These tiles are made from natural stone, which offers a luxurious and unique appearance that is sure to impress.

Cedar Shakes: Cedar shakes offer a rustic appearance and natural insect resistance, making them an attractive choice for homeowners seeking a wood shingle option.

The natural oils in cedar wood make it resistant to rot and decay, offering lasting protection for your home.

Composite Shingles: Composite shingles are made from a mixture of materials, designed to imitate the appearance of wood or slate. These shingles offer the beauty of traditional materials without the maintenance and environmental drawbacks.

Rubber Shingles: Rubber shingles are another eco-friendly alternative, made from recycled materials such as tires and plastics. These shingles offer durability and flexibility, making them an excellent choice for homes in areas prone to severe weather conditions.

Choosing The Right Shingle Type for Your Home

The selection of the right shingle type for your home is a process that takes into account several factors, including weather, budget, aesthetic preferences and upkeep needs. Our team at CoMo Premium Exteriors can help you assess these factors and choose the best-fit roofing material for your home.

Protecting Investments

Creating affordable housing into perpetuity.

BY MARY KATE HAFNER

The Columbia Community Land Trust (CCLT) is a pioneering model for creating permanently a ordable housing. Put into a sentence, the CCLT may sound miraculous, but the concept can take a moment to digest. Anthony Stanton, CCLT’s most impassioned ambassador as well as president and founding member of the CCLT board, was initially a skeptic.

e CCLT is not intended for any speci c demographic; it is for anyone right at the line of homeownership but unable to cross the threshold. Working as a land developer, CCLT guarantees an a ordable rate for the next homebuyer and the buyer after that without any further city subsidies by holding 99-year land leases on all its lots.

“I can guarantee every lot I’ve built on is going to be a ordable for a hundred years,” says Stanton. “Nobody does that. Nobody can do that. Nobody can promise you that. Nobody that you talk to in a ordable housing can say that.”

Stanton’s mentor and fellow founding CCLT board member, Dan Cullimore, and former City of Columbia Ward One council member, Pat Fowler, convinced Stanton of CCLT’s potential. Fowler shared her family’s success story of living in a city land trust neighborhood and home.

“I didn’t understand it all the way from the outside looking in,” says Stanton. “But, when you understand the model, you understand it’s a partnership.”

Before establishing the CCLT, the city faced losing subsidy investments in a ordable housing once the initial owner moved out of a subsided home. is led to the house eventually being priced out of a ordability and requiring new subsidies for the next buyer.

In 2016, Randy Cole, now the chief executive o cer of the Columbia Housing Authority, spearheaded the creation of the CCLT. Two of its primary goals were to safeguard the city’s subsidy investments and maintain housing a ordability. Mirrored after the national community land trust model, CCLT is a 501(c)3 nonpro t with a dotted line to the City of Columbia.

When a new resident buys their CCLT house, they enter a mortgage for their home and lease the land underneath it from the CCLT. Excluding the land from their mortgage lowers their monthly mortgage payment. An example of a current CCLT mortgage is $750 a month, which is more a ordable than many Columbia rentals. Stanton says this a ordability creates an empowering opportunity to build generational wealth and provide individuals with options.

CCLT homeowners pay a nominal fee for the land lease, which supports CCLT’s development of more a ordable properties. Grants, private tax-deductible donations, and other public funding also fund CCLT.

Stanton explains that CCLT is a community-led e ort and that fosters a sense of ownership and community as a bene t for homeowners and is a

WHO QUALIFIES FOR COLUMBIA LAND TRUST PROPERTY?

• Be a citizen of the USA or a registered alien

• Have a minimum credit score of 600

• Must intend to occupy the home as the homeowner

• Provide a minimum of $500 towards the purchase of the home

• Have no more than $15,000 in liquid assets available

• Must meet Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Income Limits

• Must meet with a HUD Certified Fair Housing Counselor

Columbia Community Land Trust

FOUNDED: 2016

MISSION: To support low to moderate income Columbia households through the creation and stewardship of permanently affordable housing.

VISION: A strong CLT with a growing and diverse portfolio of safe, high quality, energy efficient and permanently affordable housing for low to moderate income households.

CCLT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Anthony Stanton, president

• Douglas Hunt, vice president

• Alexander LaBrunerie, treasurer

• Jeremy Trotter, secretary

• Shirley Rhoades

• Tracey Bush-Cook

• Linda Head

• Vacant (CCLT home occupant)

• Vacant (neighborhood representative)

The CCLT board is appointed by the City Council and consists of 1/3 community and business leaders, 1/3 neighborhood representatives, and 1/3 program participants. The CCLT is now accepting applications for CCLT homeowners to join the board. Homeowners may apply via the City of Columbia website.

CITY STAFF

City staff perform the administrative duties for the Trust.

• Jennifer Deaver, Housing Programs Manager

• Jacob Amelunke, Housing Specialist II

• Molly Fair, Housing Specialist I

• Tracy Graham, Administrative Technician II

crucial aspect of the CCLT model. Appointed by the Columbia City Council, the CCLT board comprises one-third of community and business leaders, one-third of neighborhood representatives, and one-third of program participants. As part of the dotted line to the city, city sta perform any administrative duties needed by the trust.

e CCLT works closely within its niche of housing individuals with low to moderate incomes. To qualify for CCLT homes, buyers must meet many requirements, including credit scores, income, citizenship, and liquid assets. e nal cost of CCLT housing is targeted to be about 30% of the homeowner’s income.

CCLT homes are initially sold with a subsidy. For example, a home may be constructed for $165,000 and sold for $100,000.

e land lease requires that homeowners cannot capture more than 25 percent of market appreciation. is rule protects the subsidy, creating an a ordable home for decades.

Some 70 percent of city land trust residents sell their homes and buy new houses within the conventional housing market through the equity created in their city land trust homes. Stanton says that these success stories are a testament to the e ectiveness of the city land trust model.

As of May 2024, the CCLT has constructed twenty-two homes. Most homes are in Central Columbia in Ward One, where the most need was rst identi ed. ree of CCLT’s homes have been sold to new owners. e new residents buy the house at a rate that has maintained a ordability. New owners also agree to the same resale requirements.

Stanton explains that CCLT homes are well constructed using environmentally friendly materials intended to seamlessly blend into a neighborhood. Stanton notes that the home installation and solar panels can cut down on other cost burdens such as utilities.

“If you want Columbia to still be a top-tier place to live, you have to take care of the people that make that possible,” says Stanton.

Stanton sees the CCLT helping working people commuting to work in Columba to a ord to live in the city and, therefore, begin spending their dollars in Columbia. Eventually, the CCLT aspires to expand across most city wards, over Columbia City Limits and branch into commercial development.

Stanton explains that a ordability cannot be pigeonholed and must be available across the spectrum for people to move up. Vibrant communities have vibrant commercial corridors. Stanton thinks not only of community development but also economic and family wealth development. e natural evolution of CCLT may be commercial development accompanying a ordable housing.

“A ordability should be mobile. All your a ordability, low income and moderate income should not be in one place,” says Stanton. “ at’s how you create ghettos. So, we need to nd opportunities across all wards.”

COLUMBIA COMMUNITY LAND TRUST

11 N 7th St

573-874-7244

housingprograms@como.gov

comolandtrust.com

Behind the Green Curtain

An adventure into the center of Endwell Taverna.

BY LYDIA GRAVES | PHOTOS BY KEITH BORGMEYER

Pizza lives in the midst of Columbia, a Midwest city that at times is a twister practically spinning with reputable names locals and college students alike know and frequent. But there is a low wail in the wind, up on Ninth Street. Bright sunshine comes in the windows, ooding the room that was once Columbia’s rst city hall, a city rehouse, and even a jailhouse at one point.

With bars still on select windows, Endwell Taverna (107 N. Ninth St.), an Italian eatery with pizza at the heart,

stands for something much larger than a restaurant. It is a rolling take on how — with a little heart, mind, and courage — the color and air of a dish comes from within. And of course, most importantly, there’s no place like home.

(IT FEELS LIKE) WE’RE NOT IN MISSOURI ANYMORE

Born in Syracuse, New York, and raised in Columbia, Missouri, Ted Cianciosi started in the food industry as a dishwasher at 16 years old. Afterwards, he explored a few other avenues including

AmeriCorps and farm work but found his way back to a restaurant each time. He found the restaurant industry fascinating and had no idea what he was about to stumble upon.

“One night, the pizza chef didn’t show up to work because he was out ghost hunting,” Cianciosi says. “And so Brian Maness was looking around and asked, ‘Does anyone here know how to make pizza?’ I had grown up making pizza with my dad, so I hopped over. It was a busy Friday night and we crushed it. en he said, ‘You’re the pizza guy now.’”

A year after his career jump, Cianciosi moved with his brother, also a chef, to Brooklyn, New York. Deciding to take restaurants seriously, he spent twelve years there. He found himself at plenty of mom-and-pop shops and a few Manhattan-based Italian ne-dining restaurants. Cianciosi also explored a stint consulting nationally on pizza places — training, assisting with an opening, and developing menus.

But after COVID, he found himself missing his mid-Missouri home. Between being suddenly struck with homesickness and late-night calls with Maness discussing the dreams of an establishment, Cianciosi decided to move back to Columbia. Within the last twelve months of moving back, the two have been working on every munchkin of detail to turn the restaurant of their imagination into a reality.

Beginning as a dishwasher at age 14, Maness has worked his whole life in kitchens. Learning lessons through each job and following his path from the Ozarks to Columbia, Maness opened a food truck in 2013. After eight years of operating Ozark Mountain Biscuits, the food truck found itself with a comrade — Ozark Biscuit & Bar.

“I’ve had success opening Ozark Biscuit & Bar,” Maness says. “And I’ve learned all the processes it takes to be successful — working through issues, paying dues, seeing how a food truck works in this town, and going on the road doing mobile collaborations all around the country.”

at experience taught him a lot about “what works and what doesn’t cut it.”

“ at is what led me to want to open another restaurant. I didn’t necessarily think I wanted to be the backbone of a new institution because our focus [at Ozark Biscuit] is my family history with food, connection, and sourcing locally,” Maness adds. “ at is my story, but, you know, I have a passion for a lot of di erent culinary traditions”

Maness pulls most of his inspiration from home, his grandmother’s dining table spreads, and family gatherings. With little money to splurge, every bit had its importance. He recalls always picking strawberries in the spring to freeze a bulk. ose garden-picked, frozen strawberries tasted the sweetest around Christmas when his family enjoyed them as a holiday treat. e importance of memories is beyond indulgent, and that sense of nostalgia was a building block to Endwell Taverna.

“Memories are special. Trying to put that feeling into the food you make at any restaurant is important,” Maness explains. “With the partnership with Jose and Ted Cianciosi, we must focus on his family tradition. Let that passion shine.”

YELLOW BRICK ROAD

Heritage and appetite for the industry paved the way for the restaurant. As Cianciosi says, “I mean, obviously there’s no shortage of pizza in Columbia. ere is a shortage of Italian food in general. Especially Italian food that truly celebrates the ingredients; that’s what Italian food really is. Italian food is very, very, very simple. And it’s where you want to get out of the way and let the parmesan, let the simplicity, be the star. And I think that Columbia — especially with the local farming scene here — creates a good environment for this kind of cuisine.”

is quality of ingredients alludes to the slow food movement that originated in Italy during the late 1980s. Carlo Petrini acted on a rm belief that “fast life” disrupted habits and caused a need for fast food. Instead, the slow food movement encouraged taking things slow, quality over quantity, and fresh, local ingredients.

Another memory of home comes from Cianciosi’s own family.

“Endwell is named after this township where my father was raised. ere’s lots of Cianciosi family,” he notes. “I grew up eating not only my Nonna’s cooking but also my dad’s cooking.”

Although the memories are fond, the cooking was all made with canned and boxed goods. e thought couldn’t help but wander around his mind what would

happen if the recipes were made with fresh produce. After testing out that notion, the elevated family recipes formed the structure of a menu at the Taverna.

“We’re learning to go back to our roots with this entire menu,” says Maness.

As well as a collection from his family, Ted Cianciosi is also making sure to have a collection of his “biggest hits” from his time in New York. Within this forest of recipe creation, Endwell Taverna will embrace the ability to switch to new staple menu items each season.

With passion and spirit on their side, Cianciosi and Maness have also begun a hospitality group. Limestone Hospitality has a goal to foster new entrepreneurial restaurants.

“We really want to help chefs who are particularly talented, but don’t necessarily have the business acumen under their belt,” Maness explains. “So, utilizing those things I’ve been through, teaching, and helping them put their vision into a restaurant setting.”

EMERALD CITY

Pizza is powerful at Endwell. It is a sourdough made with ve di erent types of our — three of which are locally sourced, one from Italy, and the other is a hybrid. e dough ferments for forty-eight to seventy-two hours to shape an incredibly light, avorful, and crispy crust. ere are about eight to ten signature pies, but the crew also

encourages choosing your own adventure.

“But one non-pizza pizza thing that’s a menu item,” Cianciosi says, “is from upstate New York called spiedies. Basically, it’s the Italian version of barbeque. It’s marinated — traditionally lamb, chicken, or veal — in essentially a souped-up Italian dressing overnight. en they’re cooked over a charcoal grill.”

As he grew up in Binghamton, he would fall asleep to the smell of Lupo’s Char-Pit as it wafted in through his window. Endwell would not be its proper namesake without that bite.

e wine program will also have a plethora of Italian wines to top o the experience of the meal. And the bar design itself is heavily intentional — a common theme throughout the whole institution. With blues and greens and bold trim, it has a beautiful Turkish skip to it.

“It is an elegantly put together room. e focus is on the people in the room and the food in front of you,” Cianciosi says.

At Endwell Taverna, among the crafted dining tables and the historically preserved building, there are myriad experiences awaiting. A quick lunch between laughs with colleagues or a night out with a lovely sit-down, slow-food experience.

“And we’re not pushing people out the door,” Cianciosi says. “We want people to stay as long as they want. When you’re here, you’re family.”

The Trish Sandwich

BY HOSS KOETTING

It’s the time of year when the weather is miserable, and people tend to eat lighter and refrain from using their ovens. On the positive side — produce is plentiful so, as we do in Missouri, we deal with the oppressive humidity and get on with our meal plans.

Several years ago at Hoss’s Market we were brainstorming ideas for a new sandwich o ering. e old faithfuls were still very popular, but we needed to add a new sandwich to shake things up and add excitement and interest. One might think that this would be a simple task, but there is quite a bit that goes into making a decision such as this.

• Do we need to add new ingredients to our inventory for a new menu item?

• Will it t into the current sandwich station?

• Is it quick and simple to assemble?

• And, most importantly, will it sell?

As long as we were open, customers would ask why we had sandwiches named after me ( e Big Hoss) and both of our sons ( e Joe Joe and Seaner Deluxe/Seanski) but not one for my wife, Trish. Good question! She never wanted a sandwich named after her or had a unique sandwich that was her go-to.

We always bought as much fresh produce from local farmers as possible, and it was the time of year when we were running the Caprese salad as a feature. Trish often made up her own concoctions when she ate lunch and she loved Caprese salads but did not want to take the time to sit down at a table and eat while she was working at Hoss’s Market.

Fresh basil and tomatoes were abundant, and we already had pesto mayo and fresh mozzarella balls on hand, but what would make this perfect? She put it on a ciabatta roll and added local country bacon! Voilà! e Trish Sandwich was born, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Jim “Hoss” Koetting is a retired restaurateur/chef who enjoys gardening, good food, good bourbon, and good friends.

Pesto

Yields 2 cups

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves (no stems)

• 2 tablespoons pine nuts (or walnuts)

• 2 large cloves garlic

• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan

DIRECTIONS

Pulse all ingredients together in a food processor.

Pesto Mayo

DIRECTIONS

Blend 1 part pesto and 4 parts mayo.

Trish Sandwich

• ciabatta roll

• 2 oz. fresh mozzarella balls sliced

• fresh basil leaves

• fresh tomato slices

• crispy Patchwork Farms cured bacon (4 slices per sandwich)

• pesto mayo

DIRECTIONS

1. Toast the ciabatta roll with the mozzarella balls and bacon.

2. Layer on the basil leaves and tomato.

3. Spread pesto mayo to taste.

Fresh, light and delicious!

How Do You COMO?

Plume | 5751 S Rte K

Columbia Trails 18x24 poster by Stray Folk, $34; COMO tote bag & t-shirt from Chicory, $19.99; Columbia Journal, pink, from Ruff House Print Shop, $18.99; Mini Columbia Jotter, orange, from Ruff House Print Shop $6.99; Stickers: como, $3.98; Columbia Missouri, $4.99; Tiger Hotel Sign, $3.99; Wooden ornament from hereafter, $9.99; Columbia Trails 8x10 letterpress print from Stray Folk, $21.99, What You Unexpect 8x10 print from Rooted in Ink, $21.99

The Flying Cow Shirt Co. | 907 University Ave

Columbia Columbia Columbia, t-shirt, $17

Skylark Bookshop | 22 S 9th St

Columbia Stickers, $4; Books Iconic Restaurants of Columbia Missouri, Historic Movie Theaters of Columbia Missouri, Images of America: Columbia

Boone County History & Culture Center @boonehistory

Boone County History & Culture Center | 3801 Ponderosa St

Columbia Keyhole poster; Books: 100 Things To Do In Columbia, MO Before you Die; Haunted Columbia Missouri; Whiskey tumbler; Assorted Postcards;

573 Tees | 8 Hitt St

Assorted t-shirts & hats

Columbia Visitors and Convention Bureau | 300 S Providence Rd

COMO Branded Swag:: Crew neck sweatshirt; baseball hat; stocking hat; fleece blanket; socks; t-shirt; hooded sweatshirt; aluminum tumbler; vinyl sticker; resin magnet; Historic Columbia playing cards, Explore Columbia Playing Cards

Tag @wearecomomag on social media with pictures of you wearing your favorite COMO Swag!

573 Tees @573tees

Visit Columbia MO @visitcolumbiamo

It’s Easy Being Green (+Brown!)

Getting comfortable with backyard composting.

BY KAREN PASLEY

You are a responsible environmental citizen. You turn your thermostat up in summer and down in winter, and if your server offers a plastic straw, you politely decline. When Columbia resumed curbside recycling, you wanted to declare a citywide holiday. Still, you can’t shake the feeling you could be doing something more for Mother Earth — and you’re right. at something is residential composting.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, food makes up 24 percent of the country’s solid municipal waste, better known as “garbage.” When that organic material breaks down in anaerobic (oxygen-absent) conditions, the result is methane, a greenhouse gas twenty-eight times more powerful than carbon dioxide. Food waste accounts for 58 percent of land ll methane emissions in the U.S., so keeping it out of dumps is a great way to combat climate change. en there are the carbon emissions produced when garbage trucks schlep all that slop to a solid waste facility. Because of the water it contains, food waste is one of the heaviest components in the waste stream. at’s why even cities with residential curbside composting — or bioreactor land lls like Columbia’s — promote residential composting as the most sustainable choice.

OVERCOMING COMPOSTING QUIBBLES

Composting, huh? Maybe you’ve considered it, but it always seemed an eco-conscious bridge too far. Composting sounds like a lot of work, and besides, don’t backyard compost piles stink and attract pests?

Jody Cook heads up Columbia’s composting workshop program, and she’s heard these objections before. Luckily, she also knows how to avoid composting’s cons. If you’re familiar with the

basics of composting, you’re aware it entails mixing “greens” (vegetable peelings, co ee grounds, grass clippings) with twice as many “browns” (dry leaves, wood chips, straw). Cook says the most crucial factor is “to create the environment for composting to occur; you do not want to rot food. So you have to have your brown medium, and you need to cover up the greens.”

Once you’ve employed this simple tactic, you’ll be surprised at how quickly odors are neutralized. Cook notes that if you turn a pile a few days after adding food scraps, you’ll still see them, but they will smell earthy instead of rotten. And that wards o potential pests.

A COMPOSTING STYLE FOR EVERYONE

Maybe you’re an avid gardener who wants to get in on that “black gold” action you’ve heard about — and spend less at the garden center. Or you can’t garden to save your life, but you’re willing to do the eco-friendly thing provided there is no stench involved. Whatever your objective, Cook is con dent there is a composting style for you.

THE LAZY COMPOSTER

Saving potato peels, watering your pile, turning it — just how labor-intensive is composting, anyhow? Self-described “lazy composter” Lisa Groshong says the answer is “not very.” She and husband Trevor Harris maintain a DIY two-bin setup in the corner of their backyard and give the active pile a moderate stir when they add food scraps. Every few months, the pile undergoes a full-scale turning.

Using this method, the nished compost doesn’t come quickly — the most

recent batch took maybe six months. Meanwhile, though, the couple produces so little trash they don’t even take it out every week. With no food waste, there is no smell.

“Composting is so easy,” Groshong says. “You can make it complicated if you want to, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.”

THE GREEN-THUMBED SCIENTIST

While benign semi-neglect suits some composters, it’s not the method of choice for biochemistry professor–cum-horticulturalist Brenda Peculis. While Peculis had dabbled in composting as an apartment dweller, her e orts began in earnest when she bought her home in 2004. Confronted with a backyard that was largely “not very pretty grass, growing in dense clay,” she knew there was planting to be done, and she needed plenty of compost to do it.

Success was not immediate.

“For so many years, I just made kitchen slime,” Peculis laughs. “I mastered ‘rotting food.’” But with insights gained through the city’s workshop and other research — and the acquisition of a compost thermometer — she’s hit her composting stride. Today her well-honed system combines bokashi composting (which uses a speci c mix of bacteria to ferment food scraps in a low-oxygen environment, giving them a faintly pickled odor) with a conventional outdoor compost bin. e acidic products of her

2024 Home Composting Workshops

Saturday, July 27

Garth Nature Area • 9-10 a.m.

Tuesday, August 13

Britt Hall Community Garden/ Fire Station #8 • 6-7 p.m.

For more information, contact Jody Cook at jody.cook@CoMo.gov or 573.874.6271.

To schedule a Compost or Waste Reduction/Recycling Workshop specific to a group, contact Jody. (A minimum of eight attendees is required.)

bokashi bucket re up her backyard bin so quickly that it yields nished compost in four to six weeks.

“It’s made gardening easy; it really has,” Peculis says. “I never buy dirt anymore.”

THE HEMMED-IN HOMEOWNER

Among her early composting miscues, Peculis cites her initial attempt to use a composting tumbler.

“Composting works because of soil bacteria. As soon as you remove interaction with the soil, it doesn’t work,” the biochemist notes. But what if a tumbler is the only composting approach your homeowner association will allow? at’s the situation Kathryn Sharp Sapp faced, yet she and her tumbler have found composting success.

e reason is obvious when Sapp slides open the device’s lid. She’s added some garden dirt to her $80 tumbler, and its airholes allow insects to enter and lay their eggs. When the larvae hatch, they go to town on her family’s food scraps.

“Heads up that there’s gonna be some activity in there,” she says, “but they’re breaking things down.” Per Cook’s advice, Sapp controls odors by adding browns: mostly dry leaves stored in the free Geobin composting frame she received at a city workshop.

Sapp admits that what looks tidy to the neighbors is not as tidy for her, since emptying her tumbler means scooping it out manually. Luckily, she’s “not afraid to get dirty” when the payo is visible waste reduction and a good-to-go batch of compost every three months.

TRY IT ALREADY

When asked for their No. 1 tip for composting-curious but hesitant Columbians, these composters were unanimous: Just give it a go. e city’s composting workshops will provide the know-how — and a free Geobin composter besides. You will signi cantly reduce your trash output and make Mama Earth proud.

Human

The Cost of Policing

Chief Schlude forecasts an end to CPD’s ‘staffing slump’.

BY JODIE JACKSON JR

Jill Schlude is listening.

With nearly twenty years in various roles with the Columbia Police Department, Schlude became the city’s rst female police chief in December 2023, making her the face of the department that is currently understa ed by 31 positions. ough the sta ng picture is better than it was twelve and even six months ago — and o cer salaries now start at $60,000 — the shortage takes a toll on the department’s ability to respond quickly to calls for service.

And it takes a toll on her o cers.

“ ere’s the human cost of being a police o cer,” Schlude said. “As the chief, I get to get out in the public a lot, and a lot of people — well, some have complaints, of course — but a lot of people try to relate to me how much they appreciate our police o cers.”

Occasionally, a batch of cookies, snacks, or a bundle of “thank you” cards, usually from a kid’s group or civic organization, will show up at CPD headquarters in downtown Columbia. But the day in and day out contact with the public — the ability for o cers to build relationships and hear those kudo with their own ears — is sorely lacking because of the sta ng shortage.

“If I’m a police o cer going from angry person to upset person to victimized person to tragedy ... at doesn’t get my tank lled,” Schlude explained. “I think that [interaction] is part of what keeps o cers going. It kept me going.”

e recent pay hike and continued increased spending on public safety — police and re departments,

primarily — will help Schlude’s department overcome what she calls a “sta ng slump.”

During a roughly sixty-day period from April through May, the department received an average of one application per day. CPD is also working with a marketing agency to attract new and veteran police o cers. e pay hikes and additional o cer positions in the budget will help, but ultimately the department simply needs a larger police force, she said.

e department operates a system with eight “beats” divided between north and south, and those areas are divided into sectors that, at least in theory, helps achieve so-called community policing where o cers patrol speci c areas.

But in practice ...

“Generally, by one or two in the afternoon, the call volume picks up. By ve p.m., there are 20 or 25 calls holding,” Schlude explained. “ ey’re just jumping from call to call — not really getting a chance to develop relationships. It’s hard to get there when the same o cer can’t stay in the same area for long.”

e traditional model for police sta ng and work is to spend one-third of the time responding to calls for service; one-third of time involved in “proactive work” such as tra c patrol or going into schools and other duties not related to a dispatch call; and one-third of the time for administrative duties — processing evidence and lling out paperwork and reports.

Schlude concedes: “We’re not anywhere close to that.”

JILL SCHLUDE

Columbia Police Chief

e FY2024 budget for October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, showed the police department with expenditures of $33.74 million, an almost 9 percent increase from the previous year. ough there’s a lingering public narrative in some circles that the Columbia City Council wants to “defund” the police — “that’s not true,” Seewood said — that notion is further dispelled by the additional appropriation of $800,000 made in April for CPD pay raises. Pay adjustments are being implemented throughout city government in response to a salary and compensation study.

Public safety — police, re, and municipal court — now account for $63.65 million, or 48 percent — of the city’s overall budget of $131.85 million. Public safety had an 11 percent increase over FY 2023. Columbia police o cers also received a 4 percent pay increase in the summer of 2023.

Schlude said another important aspect of the pay raise package was including step raises based on years of service. For instance, hires with previous experience now start at a commensurate pay step up to ten years. Schlude refers to that as “lateral pay,” and noted that an o cer was hired at CPD after serving in law enforcement in Callaway County, and he entered the new pay plan based on years of service to start with a salary at a little over $73,000.

Columbia’s police budget is based on 192 positions, though there are currently thirty-one vacancies: twenty-nine for o cers and two for sergeants. Currently there are eight o cers in eld training and four others began training at the local academy in late June.

“We’ve dug out of the hole by about ten o cers,” Schlude added. “Obviously, getting fully sta ed at 192 looks a lot different for the o cers than 161.” She said there are currently fty-six o cers on patrol each day, that number should be at least eighty.

“A city this size, we probably need a hundred o cers on patrol, easily,” she said. “We’ve just fallen behind over the years.”

Meanwhile, the state’s third largest city, Spring eld, has a police force more than 300 strong. Independence — the city Columbia displaced as the state’s fourth largest — has a police force “well into the upper 200s.”

ough the city has increased police spending in recent budget cycles, the growth in full-time o cer positions has not kept pace with the city’s growth and development, Schlude said.

“We may add four to ve police ocers, but if you compare that to population growth, the math doesn’t work out,” she said. Schlude suggests taking a more data-driven approach to police sta expansion in the same way the city plans for growth with other infrastructure such as sewer service, roads, electric, and water.

“If we build another subdivision, let’s ask, ‘What kind of police services are needed?’” she explained. “I don’t think we’ve ever gotten to that planning strategy. And Columbia is continuing to grow.”

Another consequence of having a short-sta ed police department is a signi cant uptick in shoplifting and similar crimes, such as “porch pirate” activity. She adds, “Our job is to make the environment less attractive to commit crimes.”

“We’ve actually had suspects tell us that when we had fully sta ed, proactive units” for street crimes and other special units “that people did not feel as comfortable riding around in cars with guns,” Schlude said, adding that felons who get caught with a rearm are usually referred to federal court, where o enders must serve 80 percent of their sentence.

Meanwhile, an initiative from City Manager De’Carlon Seewood to create the O ce of Violence Prevention is aimed at helping divert some calls or to address mental health or social service needs. e new o ce will aim to identify community organizations and nonpro ts that can provide services for issues such as mental health crises, substance abuse, and other factors that contribute to crime.

Seewood called those services “violence interrupters.” He is including that o ce in his proposed 2025 scal year (FY) budget that he will submit to the city council in July.

Schlude welcomes the additional help, adding that cutbacks or gaps in social and mental health funding and services “get dumped on public safety and law enforcement.” Case in point? As many as 20 to 25 percent of police calls are for trespassing, verbal threats, or weapons and ghting that are connected to individuals who are homeless or panhandling at street corners or in front of businesses.

“Some days it seems there’s an element of homeless folks involved in about 40 percent” of calls, she added. “We are inundated with calls about people sitting in the medians. We get a signi cant number of calls about trespassing, encampments, checking the welfare of someone.”

DE’CARLON SEEWOOD

Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude was a guest speaker at the February 21, 2024, Columbia Chamber of Commerce quarterly membership breakfast. Schlude was among attendees who wrote and colored cards for pediatric patients at MU Health Care's Children's Hospital.

Photos by Jodie Jackson Jr

But there is not a simple solution.

“ ere are folks who don’t cause any trouble — they want to be left alone. ey’re not people we deal with on a regular basis — locking themselves in a bathroom downtown or threatening people,” she explained. en there’s the “nuisance” part of the picture: those who are camping on private property, trespassing, or verbally abusing passers-by and motorists. “A smaller part — folks that clearly have a mental health issue, some type of substance abuse issue — “those are the most concerning calls for us.”

Schlude is hopeful that the O ce of Violence Prevention can help with resources to provide long-term help to individuals who need it, adding, “ at part is just missing. I think that’s a huge detriment for some of the folks out there who really need help.”

She also noted that Columbia police o cers are well within their discretion to arrest someone when the situation warrants that action. ere is also the Divert program and several services that can be used.

“No one is being told, ‘You can’t arrest a homeless person,’” Schlude explained. “We’re just asking them to nd the best tool to address the situation.”

Schlude said she is listening to community concerns, and it’s a certainty that CPD o cers are also listening.

“Some of the time o cers feel they are just ghting a losing battle,” she added. “ ey see things on the news, social media — inaccurate things.”

Schlude wants the public to get more involved with city matters and to understand that police o cers are also members of the community.

“Police o cers are not going to be able to solve homelessness and social issues. ey’re not housing specialists or substance abuse counselors,” she said. “We have people who are expecting them to do those things.”

As for her expectations, Schlude has added a professional standards bureau as a rst step toward seeking o cial accreditation for the Columbia Police Department, which she says is “full of great people.”

She adds, “ ere’s whole group of men and women out there every day who are trying to do the best they can do with the resources that they have.”

The Recycle CYCLE

COMO’s recycling efforts keep tons of material out of the landfill.

STORY AND PHOTOS

BY MARCUS WILKINS

From the gaping south entrance, the structure could easily be mistaken for an airplane hangar — albeit one that needs some serious tidying up.

To the east, a pair of workers in re ective vests and protective eyewear stand above mammoth mounds of cardboard, feeding disparate hunks onto a vertical conveyor. To the west, another duo — wearing masks to blunt the sour smell of food remnants — rip open blue bags freeing Chef Boyardee, Marie Callender, and Dr. Pepper.

Below, skid-steers scoot and scoop smaller piles toward the mass with nimble e ciency while the ber dust swirls into sunbeams thirty feet above mysterious machines that grumble and vibrate.

“Excuse the mess,” quips Tom Elliott, kicking detritus from his path. “On these windy days, it’s hard to stay on top of this stu .”

Welcome to “ e Murf” — the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) — a 26,000 squarefoot building located northeast of Columbia city limits near the sanitary land ll on Brundage Road. Elliott, a city of Columbia solid waste supervisor, is showcasing the “tipping room” — thusly named because of the recycling collection vehicles that “tip” their contents here. It’s the rst stop for COMO’s recyclable cans, cardboard, and containers on the way to reincarnation elsewhere.

“When I rst got here, it was mostly newspaper, o ce paper, and mail,” says Elliott, an MRF veteran of fourteen years. “Now it’s more than

50 percent cardboard. I call it the Amazon e ect. Everyone buys online, even if it’s a small item. Add to that email and the decline of print newspapers.”

e MRF processes about 13,000 tons of material annually. Over the past year (June 2023 to May 2024) the MRF has produced 8,086 bales on 250 truckloads generating $853,000 for the city.

e revenue is nice, but it’s also tonnage that doesn’t end up in the land ll up the hill — an e ort toward local sustainability that Elliott particularly appreciates. at diversion of waste extends the life of the land ll and saves money toward permitting and constructing new cells within it.

“I’m a rm believer that if you try to tackle problems that are too big, you’re likely to fail,” Elliott says. “But I can a ect change in my life and the people’s lives around me. I can make a di erence here.”

SIFTING DEBRIS

Misconceptions abound when it comes to recycling. For starters, ber material is surprisingly the MRF’s most lucrative substance — thanks in part to sheer volume.

After workers have performed a preliminary sort in the tipping room, a conveyor belt delivers the product to a series of bins in a separate room where cardboard, chipboard (cereal or soda boxes), and paper products are divided. e rst-line sorters face the unenviable task of removing product contaminated typically by food waste but occasionally even less appetizing refuse.

“ e biggest problem we face is contamination, or comingled items that can’t be recycled,” Elliott says. “One summer some outdoorsmen decided they were going to drop o their sh remains, and sometimes it would sit there all weekend. We’ve had people dump couches, two-liter bottles full of diabetic needles, deer remains, etcetera.”

e clean ber eventually enters the baler (manufactured in Minnesota by Excel Balers LLC) which spits out cuboids bound by galvanized steel straps. e cardboard bales are about two and a half-feet high by four-feet wide by ve-feet long and weigh on average about 1,525 pounds.

ey ultimately become cargo which must hit a minimum of 40,000 pounds for delivery and a maximum of 80,000 pounds (vehicular total) to comply with federal bridge laws. Midland Davis Corporation — a recycling rm in Moline, Illinois — is currently the top purchaser of Columbia’s

ber material and pays about $3,000 per load of cardboard and about $4,000 per load of paper.

Metal takes the silver medal for profitability, accounting for 199 tons and $200,100 in the past year. Mechanized magnets and screens help separate tincoated cans from aluminum. MDK, Inc., Sempris, and Midland Davis are among several companies that routinely win the bid on aluminum and metal.

Very little glass is processed due to contamination. When it is crushed into fragments too small to sort (in the recycling trucks), it comingles with unusable porcelain and milk glass. However, a pilot program is underway at the Grindstone recycling drop-o where glass can be placed in purple bins and separated on site to be sold to processing plants in Kansas City and St. Louis.

Plastic, the most problematic of the recyclables, is more complicated. For starters, it breaks down quickly in sunlight rendering it unusable if improperly discarded or stored. e MRF processes plastic containers — Nos. 1, 2 and 3–7 — which have di ering malleability, chemical compositions and uses.

Plastic is also the cheapest product to produce from scratch making it the least economically feasible to recycle. e U.S. is among the world’s leading producers of single-use plastic, and only about 5% of all plastic is recycled according to an MIT study.

ere is also the reality that China, previously the world’s biggest purchaser of recyclable plastic, changed its standards and began restricting the import of recyclable materials in January 2018.

Even so, the MRF does its part to minimize plastic’s impact. e MRF sold nearly 240 tons of plastic over the past year, with tons more stored on site to be sold at a later date.

“One of the most persistent rumors I hear is that the City of Columbia is taking recycling and sending it straight to the land ll, which is not true,” Elliott says. “ ere are times when a small amount of plastic ends up in the land ll if it is contaminated, commingled with ber or it sits in the sun for too long and rendered useless. But this is a very small amount of material compared to what gets processed.”

FINDING PURPOSE

e MRF employs 19 total workers including 13 material handlers (sorters), three

warehouse operators and three supervisors with three temporary sorters lling in when necessary. ere’s a bustling camaraderie among the sta that mirrors the perpetual motion of the machinery — all working collectively to expedite reclaimed material down the line.

Perhaps someday the MRF will upgrade to a more expensive, and more e cient, automated system. But for now, the humans and machines work in tandem.

“Our goal is to keep as much of this stu out of the land ll as possible, and that contributes to job satisfaction,” says Ben Garza, an MRF supervisor. “I enjoy getting to do both jobs: supervising and working on the line. We joke around with each other and it passes the time.”

e MRF also has its share of visitors thanks to its proximity to the land ll — in the form of raccoons, dogs, cats and mice. Elliott took the concept of “repurposing” to a new level when he turned one of the four-legged interlopers into a pet.

“I actually adopted a dog that was found here a few months ago — who I named Murphy, of course,” Elliott says. “I just started training him recently. And, you know, when we have more cats we tend to have fewer mice. So even they serve their purpose.”

For Elliott and his colleagues at the MRF, his request of Columbians is pretty straightforward: separate your recyclables — plastic, glass and metal containers in the blue bags, ber in another bin — and try to minimize contamination. ings don’t have to be spotless, he advises, just keep the big chunks out.

“If we’re doing our job well, we’re reducing waste, taking a product that would normally get thrown away and turning it into something that gets used,” Elliott says. “And it will be recycled at least once, or it might be recycled multiple times, depending on its use. And that’s really kind of a big deal.”

“I’m a firm believer that if you try to tackle problems that are too big, you’re likely to fail. But I can a ect change in my life and the people’s lives around me. I can make a di erence here.”

De’Carlon Seewood

April 2025

April 2026

April 2027

e city of Columbia has 85,020 registered voters. In the April 2024 municipal and school board election, 13,036 cast ballots — a turnout of 15 percent of voters. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has 102,257 adult-age residents (age 18 and older) — which means that 17 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IS NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE .

ERS

3

Roy Lovelady

TERM EXPIRES April 2025

4

Nick Foster

TERM EXPIRES April 2025

5

Donald Waterman

TERM EXPIRES April 2026

July 10

is the final day to register to vote in the August 6, 2024, primary.

October 9

is the final day to register to vote in the November 5, 2025, general election.

6

Betsy Peters

TERM EXPIRED April 2027

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