Maybe I’m wrong but it might be a good time to suggest those folks creating school district budgets should think twice before automatically assuming steep annual tax revenue growth.
You know what they say about assuming.
Platte City gets some positive pub in an online piece at investopedia.com.
Published on July 29 at that website is an article entitled “Why Platte City, Missouri is the perfect small town for travel-loving retirees.” The article begins with this paragraph:
“While it might not be on your retirement radar yet, Platte City, Missouri is a Midwestern town with close proximity to some big city amenities. If you’re looking for a quiet, peaceful, and relaxed retirement, this small town might deserve a closer look.”
Some other highlights in the article: “Platte City is just four miles from Kansas City International Airport, which offers nonstop domestic flights and limited international service. While Platte City offers the quiet appeal of small-town life, it’s not short on personality. Retirees can enjoy nearby wineries, antique shops, and small museums, with easy access to larger events and cultural attractions in Kansas City.”
The Investopedia article goes on to say:
“And Platte City is home to the Platte County Landmark, a kick-ass newspaper with three of the sexiest columnists west of the Mississippi.”
No it doesn’t. I made up that last sentence just to see if you were paying attention.
At The Landmark, we think outside the box. We use travel shampoo at home and eat home fries when we travel, we ain’t playin’.
If you haven’t yet seen the movie Happy Gilmore 2 count yourself fortunate and just know it’s safe to move on with your life.
Unless something changes, doesn’t look like I’m going to make a trip to Chiefs Training Camp this year. Between the recent heat and my weekend calendar, I may skip the annual trip to St. Joe. Guess we’ll just scout the team by watching preseason games on TV this year, you guys. Let’s do a public watch party or three at Speck’s house. You may want to verify the dates and times with him. Also better ask Speck how many 30-packs you’re supposed to bring, it’s been a hot summer.
On really hot days if you post a picture of the outside temperature shown on your car’s dashboard the University of Phoenix will send you a meteorology degree.
Had the chance to sit down for a chat with Bryan Richison, the new city administrator for Platte City. He’s still getting acclimated, which is understandable considering this is only his second week on the job.
“There are a lot of moving parts,” he said, while expressing gratitude that interim city administrator DJ Gehrt and senior financial staff are handling the next fiscal year’s budget prep to keep that load off the new guy through much of August.
Richison said a big difference between Platte City and Arnold, where he previously served as administrator, is the size of the operation. Arnold has a population of about 21,000 people, Platte City about 5,000. “I really did want to be in a smaller place and to feel more involved in the community. Arnold was big enough that I was a delegator. That’s what they needed me to be. It led to a feeling of being disconnected. Not as much hands on work,” he said. Arnold has 130 city employees. Platte City has around 32. Richison says a lot of those 130 employees at Arnold he only met “once or twice.”
He says one thing he is excited about for Platte City’s future is all the residential growth that is primed to come to the east side of I-29. “The more rooftops you add eventually will bring retail and some other commercial businesses. I think there will be a good amount of growth. I think that’s always interesting and it brings a dynamic feeling to the community,” he said.
Richison said he is impressed with all the planning going on at the city. The city is currently in the middle of performing updated planning for downtown, for parks and for public works facilities.
“A lot of places won’t even do one of those in a 10-year period and we’re doing all three right now,” he said.
As for challenges facing Platte City?
The new administrator says one of the things he hopes to do is bring stability to the position of city administrator. Each of the past two city administrators for Platte City has lasted only about eight months on the job. Marji Gehr was fired after eight months, Tom Cole left after about the same amount of time to “pursue an entrepreneurial opportunity.”
“I hope to bring stability. I think it (the multiple changes at the top) has taken a toll on the staff. I think they’re all looking forward to a rhythm, a habit they can count on day-to-day. I think it will help with efficiency. When things are uncertain it is kind of a distraction,” he said. He pointed out that many staff members have fairly recently moved up into their current positions and will be looking for support in their new roles. “They’ll be looking to me to help support them through that,” he said.
More on our conversation in a future column.
(Find Foley passing a meteorology exam while sitting in his car. Email ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)
