The Parkville Board of Aldermen changed hands last week, with a new mayor and several new aldermen sworn in, with a remaining alderman voicing his thoughts on the city’s recent controversies.
Mayor Nan Johnston and aldermen Dave Rittman, Bob Lock and Marc Sportsman opted not to seek re-election to the board. Officials have publicly stated the pressures of the past few years have made public service personally difficult. The city’s administrator also recently retired.
At the Tuesday, April 19 meeting of the board, election results were accepted and now-most-senior board member, alderman Greg Plumb, recognized each outgoing public official for their service.
Rittman, he said, had served several stints on the board since 1996, interrupted for a time by a move out of the country and resumed upon his return.
Lock’s career as a nationally-recognized government auditor was credited as part of the reason the city continues to win budget awards from state agencies.
“Despite what you may hear or read about money going this way and that way, just go on our website and you’ll see every penny we spend and he has made sure that we followed the rules,” Plumb said.
Sportsman served on the board for 21 years and lead the finance committee. Sportsman was instrumental in assisting the city to clear the Neighborhood Improvement District (NID) debt on the western edge of the city.
Johnson served first on the board of aldermen and then as mayor for eight years.
“She has provided the face and the leadership for the city despite lots of obstacles,” Plumb said. “Nan, think of all the things we’ve accomplished while you’ve been mayor.”
Plumb cited the Creekside commercial development, which helped the city clear the NID debt. That development also kicked off a movement through the Citizens for a Better Parkville opposition group to stop that development and unseat Johnston and several aldermen. Over the past several years, a lawsuit alleging violations of the Missouri Sunshine Law and various ethics violations were filed.
He noted her community involvement, including maintaining a close relationship with Park University.
New mayor Dean Katerndahl and new aldermen Stephen Melton, Michael Lee and Bob Bennett were sworn in and Brian Whitley was appointed board president.
City administrator Alexa Barton said one of her first tasks as she came on board this spring was to write up a job description for a new city parks director, with plans to hire someone this year.
Prior to the close of the meeting, Plumb welcomed the new members and said he believes the city should focus on combating misinformation presented on social media, which he said has been a frustrating problem over the past few years.