Says the city ‘will be as open as we can’
Parkville elected a new mayor and some of the smaller cities in the county decided a couple of contested races at Tuesday’s election.
At Parkville, Dean Katerndahl handily won the mayor’s race, garnering nearly 49% of the votes among a field of four names on the ballot. Results are:
Dean Katerndahl 714
Andrew Barchers 412
Jason Sears 300
Emily Boullear 35
Katerndahl campaigned on his government experience, both within Parkville City Hall and a long-time career working with local governments, to capture nearly half of all votes cast. He’ll be sworn in as new mayor later this month.
Katerndahl referenced his more than 14 years serving on the planning and zoning commission, all but two of which as chair, and a longtime career working with local governments to improve their service and efficiency.
When reached by telephone after the results were final, he joked he was “just sort of taking it all in. . .having been mayor-elect for about 20 minutes.” He thanked citizens who voted their confidence in him at the polls and acknowledged “you don’t do this by yourself,” as he thanked supporters who helped with his campaign.
Barchers did not respond by deadline to a voicemail for comment while Sears said by telephone that this was his first venture into politics and he hoped “to live and learn and hopefully do better next time.”
Parkville’s newest mayor follows the controversial Nan Johnston, who did not seek re-eelction. Johnston’s mayoral career ended with a self-described “kick in the teeth.” Johnston used the description to note her frustration with a decision by the board of aldermen to issue her a letter of reprimand for committing eight violations of the city’s code of ethics.
Katerndahl said he will work hard to overcome calls by some residents that City Hall lacks transparency, a cry acknowledged by all three candidates in the race. The 76-year-old said he’ll work to implement some ideas very soon. Those include meeting regularly with neighborhoods to hear their views on priorities at City Hall and live-streaming and recording more city meetings, including those of commissions. He said although he’d “done everything” he could by his extensive door-to-door campaigning, he was never sure of the race’s outcome. Katerndahl said he’s eager to work with the city’s eight-member board of aldermen and a newly hired city administrator.
Jason Maki, who sued the city in civil court for unfulfilled and over-charging for city records requests (the suit was settled out of court for $190,000,) said in a text message Tuesday evening that a new city leader “is certainly different, hopefully new will also be better.”
Katerndahl pledged to “be as open as we can.”
Also at Parkville, incumbent ward one alderman Tina Welch won re-election over challenger Nick Casale. Welch had 263 votes to 112 for Casale.
OTHER CITY RESULTS
At Dearborn, voters elected two persons for at-large alderman positions from a field of four candidates. Winners were Pat Downing and Breanna Cheadle. Vote totals:
Pat Downing 63
Breanna Cheadle 47
Desiree Keefhaver 30
Donald Swanstone, Jr. 17
At Weston, an incumbent alderman was defeated handily. Greg Hoffman topped incumbent Rebecca Rooney in ward one. Vote totals:
Greg Hoffman 98
Rebecca Rooney 48
At Weatherby Lake, three candidates battled it out for the west ward alderman spot. Winner was James T. Pate, Jr. Vote totals were:
James T. Pate Jr. 126
Paula York 103
John Lueders 96