New Springfield mayor says city must overcome 'self-esteem' issues

Newly elected Springfield Mayor Jeff Schrag says he has a vision for his tenure in the city leadership role that would help bring the Queen City back to the center of regional growth efforts.

Schrag discussed his first month on the job in an interview yesterday with Springfield Business Journal Executive Editor Christine Temple. The live interview was held for SBJ's 12 People You Need to Know series at The Backlot, Alamo Drafthouse Springfield's restaurant and bar.

"Self-esteem" issues impacting the reputation of Springfield must be addressed for the sake of growth, Schrag said, noting he believes perception is what separates the Queen City from the likes of Fort Collins, Colorado, a city of similar size that's also known for its outdoors.

"It's a pretty simple thing, I think. We just start talking about the opportunities and we start talking about what's great," he said. "Talking about these positive things all the time is how we reinforce with other people that life is great. There's just so much good to focus on."

Overcoming identity issues is important as Springfield looks to retake its place in "the key role in developing our entire region," Schrag said.

"I see us in four years being right back where we should be at the center of a growing, fabulous region," he said.

A businessperson known for companies such as Mother’s Brewing Co. and The Daily Events, Schrag said an early goal as mayor is to reduce pains for businesses in dealing with the municipality.

"As cities get big, they tend toward bureaucracy. There are examples of cities that are both big and still entrepreneurial – cities that still don't have a ton of red tape," he said. "I very much want Springfield to be one of those.

"We are in the middle of a tremendous transformation from going to a city to a metropolitan area."

During the interview yesterday, Schrag reiterated that one of his early goals as mayor is to get to the five votes needed from Springfield City Council to confirm the hiring of David Cameron as city manager. Some members of council have expressed trepidation about the process, with the vote scheduled May 27, a Tuesday and not a regular council meeting day. Members of the business community voiced their support for Cameron at the May 19 meeting that served as the public hearing for the city manager hiring process in the wake of Cameron's selection last week.

Schrag said in the interview yesterday that he was not concerned with the lack of unity for the vote, adding that he expects votes in the future to be divided, with him siding with different members of council on various issues.

At the end of the event yesterday, SBJ announced Arlo Bank President and CEO Mark Bybee would be the June 17 guest for the 12 People You Need to Know series.