Gina Mitten's Vacated Seat Draws 2 New to City Government

Two residents of Richmond Heights' 3rd District have filed to run for the council seat left by Gina Mitten, when she was elected to represent the 83rd District in the Missouri House.

Megan Moylan, 37, was the first to file, so her name will appear first on the ballot in April. She told Patch she holds a teaching degree and plans on using it when her children, ages 7, 5 and 2 are grown.

I have been a Richmond Heights resident since 2005, which includes moving four blocks when our family outgrew our last house - all within District 3. When we made the decision to stay in the neighborhood, it reflected a commitment to Richmond Heights, our neighbors, and our public schools. As a mother of three children, I have been involved with the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District for the past several years, and I believe it is vital that it continues to improve with the support of the community. At the same time, we need to continue to work to attract quality businesses to our city, and find ways to continue to provide needed services to our citizens in the face of declining revenue.

Mark Cockson, 60, is a blogger on Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch. See some of his blogs here. He submitted the following to Patch.

I am running to bring a rational, non-partisan voice to the city council. I have worked 40 years and now find myself with time to "give back". I have served on the Clayton P.T.O. Council, the Richmond Heights Beautification Commission, and the board for the Friends of Richmond Heights. I have not held public office previously, but hope to represent the citizens of the 3rd District, which is comprised not only of families with children, but also students and young professionals.

Read more in Patch:

• Councilwoman Gina Mitten Honored Before Heading to Missouri Legislature
• Gina Mitten Wins State Rep Primary in 83rd District