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A longtime Smithville hair stylist and elected official has her eyes on the mayor’s seat.

Carol Shaffer filed to run for mayor last week. Current mayor Carol Troutwine has said she will not seek re-election.

So far, Shaffer does not have an opponent. Filing for mayor and three Board of Aldermen seats began Dec. 15 and continues through Tuesday, Jan. 19. Election day is Tuesday, April 6.

Shaffer said she decided to run after Troutwine announced she would not seek re-election.

“I’ve considered running for mayor in the past, and I decided that after so many years of service, now was the time to do it,” Shaffer said.

Shaffer served nine years on the Smithville R-II School District. As a current alderman, she has spent nearly 10 years on the board.

Three alderman seats, including Shaffer’s Ward 2 seat, are up for re-election. Here’s a look at who has filed so far.

Ward 1

• Shannon Breckenridge is a Smithville native and pre-law student who volunteers with organizations including the Smithville Historical Society. She said she wants to bring a fresh outlook to City Hall.

• Current board member Jake Hild is a real estate agent who has served as alderman for nearly two years. Support for him to stay on the board convinced him to run again, he said.

Ward 2

• Charlie Waters is a retired Kansas City Fire Department captain. He’s lived in Smithville for two years, frequently attends aldermen meetings and wants to return to helping a community.

Ward 3

• Current board member Bob Foreman manages a construction equipment dealership and has

served as alderman for nearly four years. He said he wants to remain on the board to continue

working on improving the city.

• Wayne Orr is a hybrid specialist at the Ford Motor Co. assembly plant in Claycomo who has lived in Smithville for seven years. He decided to run because he wants the city to consider some of his ideas for improving the local economy.

KNOW THE LATEST

Smithville R-II Board of Education filing began Tuesday, Dec. 22. Find up-to-date school board as well as city of Smithville mayor and Board of Aldermen filing news at smithvilleherald.com.

Smithville Editor Nancy Hull Rigdon can be reached at 532-4444 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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