Candidate Profile – Hoffman, Gebhart run in Troy Ward One
Name: Preston Gebhart
Family: Wife Kelly, Kids – Jensen, 24, Corbin 23, Aidan 19, Haiden 16, Aly 14 and Joslyn 5.
Education: High school and college.
Professional Experience: Worked in law enforcement for 23.5 years. Currently a Sergeant for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department Patrol Division.
- Why should voters elect you to the Troy Board of Aldermen?
With 23.5 years of law enforcement experience, I’ve dedicated my career to serving and protecting our communities. I’ve developed strong leadership, problem solving and communication skills that are essential qualities for an effective alderman. My experience has taught me how to listen, make tough decisions under pressure and work with others to find solutions. I understand the importance of accountability, transparency and trust and I’m committed to bring that same focus to the Troy Board of Aldermen. My goal is to restore cohesiveness, ensure every voice is heard and make decisions that reflect the best interests of our community. I’m ready to serve Troy with integrity and a strong sense of duty, just as I’ve done for more two decades.
- What would your goals be as a Troy Alderman?
As your alderman, my goals focus on strengthening our community through smart growth and effective leadership. I will support economic development by attracting new businesses and creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, ensuring Troy thrives. In planning and zoning, I’ll advocate for balanced development that preserves our small-town character while encouraging progress. Public safety is a top priority. I’ll work closely with law enforcement and emergency services to keep our neighborhoods safe and well-prepared. For public works, I’ll push for improved infrastructure, better road maintenance and enhanced city services to meet the needs of our growing community. My goal is to foster a cohesive, forward-thinking Troy where residents feel safe, supported and proud to call home.
- Lincoln County is experiencing unprecedented growth. What can Troy do better to prepare for that expanding population?
As Troy’s population grows, we must plan strategically to ensure that our infrastructure and services keep pace. Improving roads and traffic flow will reduce congestioin and make commuting easier. We need to invest in public safety by increasing support for law enforcement to keep our community safe. Expanding public works, including water, sewer, and waste management, will help prevent strain on essential services. Thoughtful planning and zoning is key to balancing residential and commercial areas, ensuring we maintain our small-town charm while accommodating growth. Encouraging economic developmentwill bring more jobs and services closer to home, boosting our local economy. Proactive, strategic planning will help Troy grow responsibly while preserving the quality of life that makes our city special.
Name: Terri Huffman
Family: Darrell Huffman, husband, three sons and three daughters in-law and eight grandchildren.
Education: Graduate of Buchanan High School
Professional Experience: Successful business owner of several businesses in Troy and Lincoln County. Professional Tax preparer. Past PTO President for Lincoln County R-3, past member of the Board of Directors at TACOA.
- Why should voters elect you to the Troy Board of Aldermen?
I have been a citizen of Troy my entire adult life and have always tried to contribute to the community through volunteering as an election poll worker as well as with different organizations such as scouting, athletic leagues, baseball, soccer as well as the YMCA in Wentzville, various school booster clubs including football, cross country and band boosters. With the current turmoil on the Board and the adversarial tone, I feel with my leadership skills as well as my ability to work with other people through my colunteer work and my experience in running businesses as well as my experience as a tax preparer, I could help bring reolution to our cities’ current dilemma.
- What would your goals be as a Troy Alderman?
First, I would press to finish projects started by the previous administration. Get a city administrator in place, bring the Cherry Street project to a close, address the crumbling streets that is placing so many of the citizens at risk. Get the sidewalks and streetlights the citizens have been asking for. Insure our police department is adequately staffed, paid and equipped. Improve our park systems with more baseball and soccer fields, walking trails, picnic areas and playgrounds as well as ample parking. In the last six years, Troy has fallen so far behind on infrastructure and the things I mentioned previously, it is going to take a Herculean effort on everyone’s part, including the citizens, for us to catch up to where the city is going to be attractive to new businesses to come to our city.
- Lincoln County is experiencing unprecedented growth. What can Troy do better to prepare for that expanding population?
Get the infrastructure repaired, streets, sewer systems, water lines. Improve our planning and zoning rules and regulations. Enforce the city ordinances. I have already talked about what the city should improve on previously, now the people that pay the bills need to get involved, the taxpayers. I know some of you have attended Board meetings and your questions have fallen on deaf ears. Don’t stop attending meetings, keep questioning, keep asking, keep sounding off. I pledge to you if I’m elected, there will be no more shrugging of the shoulders, polite bobbing of the head or the standard “not our proelcm.”
If I don’t know the answer, I will get you one. There will be no more passing the buck.
