• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Pickem Terms and Conditions
Thursday, June 12, 2025
The Platte County Landmark Newspaper
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Opinion
  • Landmark Pickem!
    • Weekly Pickem Updates
    • Results by Week
    • The Leaderboard
    • Pickem Rules and Help
  • Landmark Live!
  • Looking Backward
  • es_MXSpanish
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Opinion
  • Landmark Pickem!
    • Weekly Pickem Updates
    • Results by Week
    • The Leaderboard
    • Pickem Rules and Help
  • Landmark Live!
  • Looking Backward
  • es_MXSpanish
No Result
View All Result
The Platte County Landmark Newspaper
No Result
View All Result

Parkville Mayor to run for alderman

Mark Vasto by Mark Vasto
March 8, 2004
in Parkville
5
SHARES
126
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

Unlike many politicians in similar situations, interim Parkville Mayor Gerry Richardson never wanted to be the mayor of his hometown.

“No. I did not ever have the ambition to be mayor,” Richardson told The Landmark on Monday evening. “My name has come up in the past, but I’ve always opted not to.”

RelatedNews

Historic ‘local gem’ being preserved

Summer concerts set on courthouse lawn

Parkville to decide use tax, sales tax on weed

After Charles Kutz resigned from the position last month on the heels of a felony driving while intoxicated charge, Parkville’s Board of Aldermen came calling for Richardson again, appointing the former Parkville Ward 4 alderman as the city’s newest mayor.

And although the position is largely viewed as ceremonial, Richardson had to exercise his tie-breaking vote powers in his very first meeting.

“Some mayors go their entire term without voting,” Richardson said. “It took me only one hour and fifteen minutes to use mine.”

And although he claims his vote wasn’t anything earth shattering (the matter was over utilization of the park for July 4th and the Lewis and Clark commemorations), Richardson says he has seen enough since then to reconsider his political ambitions. Although he will not run for mayor in the upcoming April 6 election, Richardson announced to The Landmark his intentions to run for Ward 4 aldermen as a write-in candidate.

In that ward, Gary Smith has recently pulled out of the race, leaving Brian Atkinson unopposed at this time. Richardson said that situation caused him to think about a run for office.

“I think it’s good to have two candidates running for any office, but more importantly, I’ve seen some things in the past two weeks that I want to help the city achieve,” Richardson said. “When I look at what’s going on in Parkville, I’m excited and invigorated by things. It’s gotten me fired up to get back into it.”

Richardson said he considered serving as the interim city administrator after Pat Hawver, the longtime city administrator of Parkville, decided to accept a government position in Kansas City. He points to his engineering background and management experience as qualifications for that job, but he says in his current job they’ve also come in handy.

The upcoming tax levy increase of $0.190 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, already on the ballot for the city’s consideration on April 6, is one such issue. He also said the city was in the position to save “serious money” in future financing for its sewer improvements.

“My job is to understand that and to take information to the public,” Richardson said. “I need to show them why it’s in their best interests.”

  

Tags: electionsgerry richardsonNan Johnstonparkvilleplatte countytaxes
Mark Vasto

Mark Vasto

Related Posts

45 Years Ago–June 6, 1980

by Ivan Foley
June 12, 2025
0

Paul Regan, manager of Ferrelgas of Platte City, Bethel Road, is the new fire chief for the Platte City volunteer fire department. His selection by the other members of the fire department was approved by the Platte City Board of...

30 Years Ago–June 15, 1995

by Ivan Foley
June 12, 2025
0

Platte County Commission plans to build a new bridge across Jowler Creek on Interurban Road just south of Camden Point have hit a snag because the existing bridge has been declared of “historical significance,” it was announced Thursday. Platte County...

15 Years Ago–June 16, 2010

by Ivan Foley
June 12, 2025
0

City of Parkville officials on Monday warned of high water in English Landing Park and changes for the upcoming River Jam event that may be caused by it. As of 12:30 p.m. Monday, water levels had reached 27.25 feet, flooding...

Nicknames

Nicknames

by Chris Kamler
June 12, 2025
0

Nicknames have been a part of sports and growing up ever since Abe “Top Hat” Lincoln cut down his first cherry tree, and gave it to Willie “Lyin’” Custer to turn into toothpicks. There aren’t many rules about nicknames except...

Next Post

Suspect in Platte City armed robbery caught

Popular News

  • Police lights

    I-29 pedestrian struck by three vehicles dies at scene

    65 shares
    Share 26 Tweet 16
  • Detectives speaking with ‘person of interest’ in shooting death of sports reporter

    63 shares
    Share 25 Tweet 16
  • KC man charged in shooting death of local sports reporter

    28 shares
    Share 11 Tweet 7
  • City will pause enforcement of ban on backyard chickens

    25 shares
    Share 10 Tweet 6
  • Amenities being added to Park at Platte Meadows

    16 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Pickem Terms and Conditions
Call us at 816-858-0363

Copyright © 2019-2020 The Platte County Landmark Newspaper - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Subscribe Online
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Opinion
  • Landmark Pickem
    • Results by Week
    • The Leaderboard
    • Pickem Rules and Help
  • Landmark Live!
  • Looking Backward
  • es_MXSpanish

Copyright © 2019-2020 The Platte County Landmark Newspaper - All Rights Reserved