Why 'They' Matter
Joe Turner’s resignation as Parkville’s city administrator comes at a good time for Parkville because the city is at an ominous crossroads.
While I believe Gerry Richardson should and will be the next mayor of Parkville, anytime there’s competition you have to take it seriously – particularly when the opposition will do or say anything, no matter how disingenuous, to get a vote.
Still, occasional bursts of well-timed charm count only for so much.
The next city administrator will work with the incoming mayor and the Board of Aldermen, and together they will tackle serious issues about the future of this city — decisions that will have real impact on you, your family’s quality of life, the Parkville business community and local investment.
Growing up, I remember my parents driving the family to church (Happy Easter, everybody) and commenting on a new project we were passing by in town that seemed out of place. “Why would they do that?,” I seem to recall my father asking.
Now my father is my all-time idol (and was my best man at my wedding), and he worked hard as the chief financial officer and worldwide controller of American Express, so I couldn’t blame the guy for not running for local office and putting a stop to the madness. I learned a valuable lesson, though. The “they” are the people who run for these municipal offices. Their triumphs are usually taken for granted, but their mistakes are lamented for a lifetime – usually by the hard workers who don’t have the time to get involved.
Luckily for Parkville, the recently retired, no-strings attached Gerry Richardson is running for office.
Mr. Richardson has worked as a design engineer and project manager and has started two successful managing and consulting firms. At his last company, he directly supervised 150 employees. I’ve had a chance to meet with Mr. Richardson several times in the last few months, and each time I come away more impressed. From his work leading Parkville’s ad-hoc economic development committee (where he and the finest leaders of the region meet to discuss local economic issues affecting the entire community and not just the properties they have investments in) to the way in which he conducts himself personally, I trust him to be the guy to pick up the torch from Mayors Dusenbery and Quitmeier and continue to move Parkville forward in a positive direction. He’s the guy you want with the gavel when it comes time to search for a new city administrator.
Mr. Richardson’s opposition has garnered support from a few developers who have legitimate gripes with City Hall and the bureaucracy within. I submit that the solution to those problems is to elect the mature, thoughtful candidate who has better and higher-quality experience in not only their respective fields, but the field of government as well. After meeting with Mr. Richardson, I know he has no “angle.” He’s not in it for ego, he’s not in it for treasure, and his track record as a local public servant suggests he deserves your support and vote come election day on April 8.