Oran Board of Alderman candidate profiles

Rosalia Friga (Ward 1)

Age: 62

Children: Russel, Patrick

Occupation: Owner of Rosalia's House of Glamour

Education: Guardian Angel School and Oran High School

Memberships: President of Ladies VFW Auxiliary in Morley, past school board member for nine years, Guardian Angel Catholic Church, KC-ettes, past president of the Oran Chamber of Commerce

Reason for running: I feel that I have the time to devote to my town. I think we have a good town to raise children. We have some of the best schools and good small businesses. I want to see Oran continue to be a clean town and continue to grow.

Main challenges: To open up all the drainage ditches in town to help avoid flooding and water damage to properties when it rains.

Main assets: We have a good volunteer fire department, great schools, several churches, several small businesses, a factory and manufacturing, a nice park and good people to work with.

Billy Senciboy (incumbent, Ward 1)

Age: 33

Children: Cooper

Occupation: Morley Building Supply

Education: Oran High School

Memberships: Knights of Columbus, Theta Xi Fraternity, Perkins Volunteer Fire Department

Reason for running: To make the town I live in a better place to live.

Main challenges: Cleaning up certain areas, ditches, getting available grants to improve the town.

Main assets: New elementary school and the residents

Mike McVay (incumbent, Ward 2)

Age: 39

Spouse: Jodi

Children: Tanner, 9; Peyton, 8; Kennedi, 4

Education: Guardian Angel School and Oran High School; 1987 salutatorian

Occupation: Technician for Procter & Gamble

Education: B.S. in Mass Communication, Southeast Missouri State University; B.S. in meteorology, St. Louis University

Memberships: Oran Board of Aldermen, Knights of Columbus Council

Reason for running: Individuals should not make decisions for an entire community without weighing in arguments from both sides. My initial job is not to agree or disagree with the people in my ward, but to make sure that their voice is heard by each member of the board and the mayor. I am running for alderman in 2008 to make sure that the people in my ward are well represented.

Main challenges: In a small town, the biggest challenges are usually handcuffed to finances. Once a year, we analyze our streets and decide which ones need improvements. We must continue to work with outside resources to resolve some of the flooding issues of Oran. Also, the upkeep and maintenance of both private and public properties remains a big challenge.

Main assets: Oran's biggest assets lie in its people and its schools. In this community, you will find many hands reaching out to help someone in need. You will see many hands volunteering work at the park, school functions, festivals and dinner auctions. And you will hear many hands clapping together at baseball, softball, basketball and volleyball games, even though those hands do not have a son or a daughter playing.

Gil Roslen (Ward 2)

Age: 50

Spouse: Marcia

Children: Samantha, Stanley, Garrett

Occupation: Route sales

Education: Associate degree

Memberships: Guardian Angel Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus

Reason for running: To provide the citizens of Oran someone they call and talk to about their problems. Everybody's got a unique problem.

Other experience: Prior member of council for 18 years. Have always been in leadership roles in management.

Main challenges: Repairing and upgrading roads. Have made a lot of progress. There is still a lot of progress to be made. We do have a good police force. Our job as city leaders is to help enforce the laws.

Main assets: The people in town. They're friendly. They would give you the shirt off their backs.

Alfred Bonifield (Ward 4)

Age: 73

Spouse: Hattie

Occupation: Retired

Education: St. Henry's through grade 12

Memberships: Sikeston Eagles, Sikeston Elks and American Legion

Reason for running: I have spare time and would like to put it to good use.

Other experience: I have been a mayor and an alderman at one time.

Unavailable

Information about Russell Friga, running unopposed in Ward 3, and Ward 2 incumbent Gaylon Bryeans II was not available.