Republican Scott Fricker won the day Nov. 8 over Democrat John DeFoor Sr. for Platte County Presiding Commissioner.
Fricker received 22,267 votes, nearly 55 percent, to DeFoor’s 18,254 votes, 45 percent.
Current presiding commissioner Ron Schieber chose not to run for re-election. District commission seats were not up for re-election this year.
Fricker, 58, is originally from Sebastopol, Calif. He lived in Parkville for 14 years and now resides in unincorporated Platte County. Married, he has two children and holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and managerial economics from the University of California at Davis. He has owned a commercial real estate investment, development and management company for more than 20 years.
Fricker currently serves on or has served on four different Platte County boards and committees. The Board of Equalization (past), the CARES Act Small Business Advisory Committee (past), the Industrial Development Authority Board (current), and the Sewer District (current).
He said his history of service and work experience make him the best choice for presiding commissioner.
“Based on my obvious commitment to public service over the last five years and my work history which requires solving complex financial and organizational problems, I’m clearly the most qualified person in this race,” Fricker said. “Platte County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family, and I hope my children live and raise their families here someday. I’m committed to doing everything I can to make sure that Platte County remains the home that we all want it to be.”
Fricker outlines several issues Platte County faces in the short and long term.
“We have an overcrowded jail situation that needs to be solved,” he said. “Our sheriff needs to be able to pay starting deputies more than they are currently being paid.
“The county has $20 million in covid relief funds that need to be spent wisely and in a way that will not lead to a permanent increase in government spending.
“We need to increase our housing supply to make sure growing businesses have the affordable housing stock necessary to attract the workforce they need to grow.
“We need to increase county government transparency and accessibility by overhauling the county website, adding a Commissioner Facebook page, moving Commission administrative sessions back to the County Admin building, and have meetings in the evenings so that more of the public can attend.”
Fricker said each of these issues requires a different solution.
“I have the experience necessary to solve complex problems by applying the critical thinking and financial analysis skills that I’ve developed over my lifetime, leading by example, creating teams and alliances, and then using all that to build consensus,” Fricker said.