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Voices

Professional headshot of a women named Erica Pefferman against a light grey background

Unpopular opinion: Families and kids are too busy

I have a very unpopular opinion within our current societal norms. I think it’s a disservice to families and children to schedule them in too many activities. A...

Woman Reading On The Couch

Silence and Solitude: Learn to Love Down Time

A few weeks ago, I texted my husband around lunchtime. The text read, “This morning was exactly what I needed. Time alone in an empty house. No TV...

Hands in on a basketball

The Power of Teamwork in Columbia  

As I sit down to reflect on the essence of our community, one word comes to mind: Teamwork. The sight of my son’s fifth-grade basketball team giving it...

Buffalo Turds By Hoss Koetting

‘Buffalo Turds’ and Faurot Field Memories

My, how things have changed. I can remember my first trip to Faurot Field. It was 1976, and a good friend’s dad was a high school coach. In...

cross-country-race

Athletics Leads the Cheer for COMO’s Economic Development

Sports tourism is an integral part of the city of Columbia’s economy. Our Parks and Recreation Department continues to emphasize sports and the development of athletic facilities as...

Headshot of a women named Erica Pefferman

Ready? Set! Where?

I have grown up around sports my whole life. Although, not in the way one might think. Growing up in Joplin (otherwise known as the Four States), we...

Two men smiling and embracing during worship

Created to Love. Called to Serve. 

It was a normal Monday and a co-worker and I headed out to lunch. When we arrived, we were surprised to find an empty lobby. A cheerful, middle-aged...

Mayor Buffaloe works with a student as part of Columbia Public Schools’ Partners in Education program.

The Mayor’s Core Values: Service, Trust, and Joy

In the two years I have worked as Columbia’s mayor, there are two questions that have come up repeatedly: “Is the job everything you thought it would be?”...

Headshot of a women named Erica Pefferman

The More You Know 

In the fall of 2021, upon hearing that Ian Thomas was not to run for re-election in Ward 4, I immediately thought that this was my time. I...

a historical landmark in Geneva

Advocating for COMO Beyond Our City Limits

As mayor, I have the privilege of representing our city in ways that extend well beyond our local boundaries. One of the most impactful ways has been through...