Rubbing elbows with the council

Thursday, June 5. 7:30 p.m. Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO.

Kourtney Geers and I rolled into Lake Ozark about three hours ago. We’re without Internet, but we’re doing our best to stay connected to the newsroom. Since our arrival, we’ve gotten acquainted with most of the City Council members. Many from city government’s A-List are present, including the six councilmen and women, the mayor, the city clerk, city manager and assistant city manager, the director of communications and several others.

I overheard Karl Skala mentioning Czech bakeries in the Chicago area and I quickly joined the conversation. My dad’s side of the family is Czech and I know the joy of a fresh loaf of hoska. Karl grew up just a few suburbs away from me, so we had a lot in common. Another thing we have in common is our passion for Columbia. Columbia, Karl said, is a place where you can do many things in your lifetime. Karl’s careers have included psychological research, cardiac research on pigs and his current pastime as a member of the City Council. As a resident of Columbia, he has had the opportunity to dabble in it all. A weekend with people as passionate as Karl should turn out to be fascinating.

- Sarah Koci

I was standing awkwardly in a room full of our city leaders, afraid to jump into their conversations. My fellow reporter, Sarah Koci, and I split ways when Sheela Amin, city clerk, mentioned to Tony St. Romaine, assistant city manager, that I am planning on studying in London in the fall. He perked up and we had something to talk to him about—his native country. We talked about the college I’ll be at and the changes there have been to food in England since he has lived there. After chatting for a bit, the ring of a knife against a glass interrupted us. The session dinner was beginning and Sarah and I were back to the “kiddie” table in the corner of the room.

- Kourtney Geers