Familiar names on upcoming Republic City Council election ballot

The following candidate are running for Republic City Council seats which will be determined on the April 2 ballot.
Ward 2:
Meagen Duran, incumbent
Family: Husband Joe, four sons, three dogs, a cat and two chickens
Occupation: Mortgage lender
Education: Attended OTC, currently enrolled at Graduate School of Banking of Colorado.
Years lived in Republic: Since the age of 11
Why are you a good choice for the city council? As a mortgage lender I spend every day making sure borrowers can afford the home they are wishing to buy.  I believe that my knowledge in balancing a budget and being able to set a plan into action will continue to assist me in my role as a councilwoman.

Gerry Pool
Family: Husband, Rev. Billy Joe Pool (deceased), one daughter (deceased), two grandchildren, one great-grandchild.
Occupation: Receptionist at the Senior Center
Education: Attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, studied principals of banking in Florida.
Years lived in Republic: 38
Why are you a good choice for the city council? I know what they need, and I know how to go about it.

Ward 3:
John M. Jones, incumbent
Family: Two daughters, son-in-law, one grandchild
Occupation: Manufacturing management

 Education: Bachelor’s of Science in industrial management from Missouri State University
Years lived in Republic: Lifelong resident, minus three years in St. Louis
Why are you a good choice for the city council? I’m an excellent listener and logical problem solver. I count myself as both a fiscal and Constitutional conservative and apply those core beliefs to each of the decisions I make, both in council and in everyday life. My faith is central in my life and guides me each and every day. The Mission, Vision, and Value principles adopted by our city are ones I apply to my life and make me proud to be a citizen of Republic.
Matt Russell, incumbent
Family: Wife Krystal, two sons
Occupation: Lawyer, owner of own firm
Education: Bachelor’s in political science from Missouri State University; Juris Doctor from Creighton University.
Years lived in Republic: Two years
Why are you a good choice for the city council? I am a small business owner. I currently own a law firm in Springfield and in the past my wife and I have owned a Video Store and Arcade. I am a lawyer. I have practiced law for 16 years in Greene County, including nine years as an Assistant Greene County Prosecutor. I am a husband and father. My wife Krystal and I have been married for 20 years and we have two children, Alex (8) and Nick (7) who attend school at McCulloch Elementary. I have been on numerous non-profit boards of directors over the last 16 years since graduating law school. Each of these factors give me a unique perspective that I can bring to enhance our city council, make business continue to grow, and make our families safer in our community.
Name: Christopher Updike

Family: Wife Belynda, one daughter, three sons
Occupation:    Asst. store director and grocery manager at Price Cutter, co-founder of Republic Mental Disease Outreach
Education: Paralegal Assocate’s Degree from Everest College
Military service: Granted medical discharge
Years lived in Republic: Lifelong resident
Why would you be a good choice for the city council? I’ve seen the changes that Republic has gone through these last several years. A lot of them have been a great asset to the city. I just want to continue that line and keep a solid city growing but still keep that small town feel.
*According to the Republic city clerk, candidate Chet Pearman resigned his candidacy, but his name still appears on the ballot because he resigned after the ballots were approved by the county.