Mayor and Board of Aldermen candidate profiles; Sole, Skinner and others call for Johnston to withdraw

​As the April 2nd municipal election draws close, Valley News reached out to the candidates running for Mayor and Board of Aldermen to answer a series of questions to learn more about their background and priorities.

In contested races, candidates are listed in alphabetical order, and other than minor spelling or grammatical corrections, the candidates' responses are provided as written. 

Mayor Mike Todd has filed for re-election, with current alderman Dale Arnold filing to challenge Todd for the position of mayor.

In Ward I, former mayor Chuck Johnston has filed for the seat currently occupied by Arnold. Kyle Sole has also filed to run for the Ward I seat.

In Ward II, current alderman Rick Knox will run unopposed, as will current Ward III alderman Ryan Skinner.

In the course of requesting comments from aldermen for this candidate profile, current Ward III alderman Ryan Skinner and Ward I candidate Kyle Sole called for Ward I candidate Chuck Johnston to withdraw from the race due to two recent arrests related to DWI charges. Other candidates and current aldermen have also taken to social media to also call for Johnston to withdraw from the race.

Valley News reached out to Johnston to give him an opportunity to comment on the call for him to withdraw from the race or to comment on the DWI incidents. Johnston replied, “No comment.” Links to prior reporting on the 2022 charges and current court data on Johnston’s arrest record are provided below:
Johnston arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence: Quick News - Grain Valley NewsJackson County Circuit Court records: Case.net: Name Search Results by Case (mo.gov)
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Mayor candidates:
 
Dale Arnold

Please tell us about yourself (work background, volunteer service, elected positions held, etc.).

I have lived in Grain Valley since 1986. Moving here and working for Central Jackson County FPD for over 30 years. Retiring with disability in 2017. Married to my wife Shelia for 46 years. We have two children raised in the Grain Valley School District. I have a long list of service over many years: a few are having served on the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Grain Valley School District, as well has a member of the Planning and Zone Board for the City of Grain Valley, and as Alderman.  I have always tried to help wherever I can and have been involved with the Grain Valley Police Department Night Out Against Crime, the GV Haunted Hayride, the Grain Valley Fair Days, and the Historical Society. I have served as President of the GV Band Parents Association and GV F.O.C.U.S. I have also been active outside the City serving on a number of State Boards and Foundations.
 
Why do you want to serve as mayor?
I feel I will bring a different approach to meeting the goals of the Grain Valley Citizens, as well the challenges that we meet each day. There are programs that I feel could be moved along with a bit more focus and direction. Most of all we have a great community and that is something I want to keep.
 
What do you believe are the three most important issues the City should be focused on in the next five years and how would you support these efforts as mayor?
I feel the three important issues are Taxes, Growth and the cost of that growth. Which all of these are closely tied together. I've heard and felt, our taxes is one of the biggest issues. You have to ask how did we get here. Every tax being collected was voted and approved by the public. Typically for schools, streets, parks plus water and sewer improvements. All services we have grown accustom to and want the best service. In the city, with the growth we have experienced, it requires long range plans that anticipate future growth. This comes with a high price tag. One way to offset this is to see that the growth meets our needs. Because if our tax base grows it will spread that cost out helping to reduce the individual tax burden.  Residential growth helps, but in most cases the cost of service outweighs the taxes generated.  I feel the answer is commercial growth. Higher property values equaling more taxes generated in turn reduce what each has to pay.  While the term of office for Mayor is two years, there are many things I feel that could be done. Which can have a long lasting effect, well past five years. Economic development is a big part of that picture. We have seen that, around the I-70 corridor. We now need to see that spread across the rest of our community.
 
In the recently released Jackson County Public Health Community Health Assessment, the top issues of concern for surveyed residents were distracted driving (44%), access to public transportation (43%), affordable housing options (38%), access to affordable healthcare (36%), and substance abuse (31%). In what ways should the City be working to move the needle on these issues and how can the mayor and board of aldermen support these efforts? (FINAL - Grain Valley (jcph.org))
 
While these are all issues county wide and we experience some in our community, we are, I feel in a better stance and the report show this as well, as opposed to intercity and other areas in Eastern Jackson county. Continued efforts to enhance our police force has a direct effect on distracted driving and substance abuse. Recent studies show we have a significant volume of available rental housing for the housing need. Healthcare and transportation are issues that extend beyond our city limits, which hamper our effectiveness. We are working with OATS bus to meet these need were we can.
 
The City is scheduled to complete construction on a new police station this spring which addressed facility needs for the department after a failed vote on a community campus in June 2020. What is your vision for City Hall and the Community Center now that the police station project is nearing completion?
 
We pay dearly at tax time, often wondering what we get in return.  It is paramount to me, to show more value for your taxes.
My vision is threefold, First, I would like to continue work on our trails program for connectivity in the community. For all those who want to walk and bike to destinations across town. This has been a number one item listed in all the surveys that the city has had taken. I think more attention to meeting these goals is warranted. Currently trails are hit and miss with short pieces being developed through grants, that are slow to realize. Grants help with our budget however I feel there are other ways to pay for this and should be used to move forward.

Second, our Community Center size falls short of meeting our communities needs. I feel it is time to move forward with a new Community Center. Past plans that failed were promoted as a no tax increase.  Since that time we have moved forward in smaller steps, with the new Police station. This opened up the other side of City Hall for city staff, meeting the overcrowding issue there.  With some maintenance and upgrades City Hall should meet our need for some time to come. The Police station used about a third of the fund slated for the previous plan.  Which stands to reason that funding is still possible today without a tax increase, especially with the recent property re-assessments, ample funding should be available. With a larger Community Center to meet our needs, allowing events to be held locally, instead of leaving to go to other communities. Instead it will serve as a magnet to bring events to Grain Valley. With this, I feel a water park as opposed to a pool, offers more for the children to do, than just wade around in the water.  This would be a more cost effective approach to serving our youth. Also one of the concepts that was discussed in the past project, an Amphitheater. This would be a great venue for our local high school  band to perform.  It would be so exciting to see Jazz and Concert band performances and more local acts and small theatrical performances, all this would be a possibility.  Wrap all this up in a park area filled with trails and picnic/rest areas, pickle ball courts and basketball courts. All in walking distance to the New library and neighborhoods on the old Sni A Barr Farm. Making it a show case of family areas for all to use. I believe this is possible without a tax increase. Giving more value for your taxes.

Last the current Community Center could meet further needs with repurposing  and focused as a possible senior center. Of course, this would all be up to you the voters. I look forward to hearing from you with your thoughts and suggestion.
 
Michael Todd

Please tell us about yourself (work background, volunteer service, elected positions held, etc.).
I am a lifelong resident of Grain Valley and a graduate of Grain Valley High School.  I have been married to my wife Tosha for 15 years.  We have a daughter and two stepsons - all of which attended or are attending Grain Valley Schools.  I’m currently finishing up my 24th year as a special education teacher.  I’m involved in the Grain Valley Fair, Grain Valley First Fridays, and the Grain Valley Historical Society.  I’m currently President of the Grain Valley Fair Board and the Grain Valley Historical Society.  Prior to being elected Mayor I served for 3 terms as Ward 2 Alderman.  I am currently completing my 6th term as Grain Valley Mayor.
 
Why do you want to serve as mayor?
As I’ve stated before I love Grain Valley.  I’ve lived here my entire life and I have chosen to raise my family here.  I feel it is important to give back to your community as much as you can, that is why I have been a devoted elected official for the time that I have been.  It is also the reason that I’m involved in the activities I am.  My family loves to see everyone having a good time at the Fair and First Fridays.  It is important to me to preserve the history of Grain Valley and that is the reason for my involvement in the Historical Society.  Grain Valley is more than just a city.  It is my home and home to thousands of others, and I would like to keep serving as Mayor to make it the best home for everyone.
 
 
What do you believe are the three most important issues the City should be focused on in the next five years and how would you support these efforts as mayor?
One of the three most important issues is making transportation improvements.  A couple of these key improvements we have already started making headway towards. They will continue to be a priority for me.  The Duncan Road/Buckner Tarsney intersection is one of these projects.  We have a lot of residents who currently avoid this intersection.  This is an inconvenience to our residents and leads to tax leakage to other communities like Blue Springs.  Instead of using Grain Valley businesses many residents are spending their money elsewhere, because it is too difficult to get to town.  Another example of a needed transportation improvement is the Kirby Road/Eagles Parkway intersection.  This is the intersection at the entrance into the High School.  At the beginning and ending of the school day this area can have significant congestion. These are just several of examples.  There are other areas that need added turn lanes or possible signals as well.  Of course this is in addition to our regular road maintenance program.

Another of the most important issues is parkland and trails.  We are currently making improvements to Armstrong Park with the addition of a new playground.  I would like to see some other improvements there like the possibility of adding a splash pad.  We also have the old Sni A Bar Farms property, which we started clearing so it can be usable green space.  We need organize a focus group of residents to explore the possibilities for recreational activities on this property.  These two parks serve the residents of Ward 1 and Ward 2, but as you can see, we are lacking green space/parkland for the residents of Ward 3.  We need to continue looking for a solution by identifying a place in Ward 3 that works for us to start moving forward. Along with park improvements, we need to continue with the great progress we are making with our trails.  We are currently in the design phases for the extension of the trail/sidewalks on Buckner Tarsney and Eagles Parkway.  Both of these pieces are crucial in improving the walkability of Grain Valley.

Finally, one of the most important issues to continue to focus on is taxes.  The city has continued to lower our tax levy as we have had more development.  Unfortunately, with county assessments, the cost of living, and other factors, our residents haven’t seen the impact of those decreases.  We can continue on this path of decreasing the tax levy by continuing to grow our industrial and commercial base.  Future growth could potentially see the addition of an interchange between our current interchange and Oak Grove. This would provide development opportunities for both communities.  With MODOT making improvements to I-70 to expand lanes this may be the time to take a serious look at this.
 
In the recently released Jackson County Public Health Community Health Assessment, the top issues of concern for surveyed residents were distracted driving (44%), access to public transportation (43%), affordable housing options (38%), access to affordable healthcare (36%), and substance abuse (31%). In what ways should the City be working to move the needle on these issues and how can the mayor and board of aldermen support these efforts? (FINAL – Grain Valley (jcph.org))
 
Distracted driving and substance abuse are concerns that the Police Department can help identify ways we can support.  We are fortunate to have a new Police Chief who brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience.  He is also connected with a lot of organizations in Missouri that could help with these two issues.  Access to Public Transportation is going to be a hard one for Grain Valley to address effectively based on our location from bus routes serving the city.  We have, however, had great success with OATS transportation for our seniors.   From home ownership to the cost of rentals, the cost of affordable housing is a significant concern. This is a difficult balance to create because we want to be able to offer affordable housing, but at the same time we want to make sure that our mixture of single family and multi-family housing is an adequate ratio.  Hopefully the cost of living will come back down, and the cost of housing will lower along with it.  In Grain Valley we do not have a lot of places where residents can access doctors.  There have been conversations about possible Urgent Care Clinics, which could help residents access affordable healthcare more locally. However, this is not something that is currently happening.
 
 
The City is scheduled to complete construction on a new police station this spring which addressed facility needs for the department after a failed vote on a community campus in June 2020. What is your vision for City Hall and the Community Center now that the police station project is nearing completion?
 
City hall and the community center need to be looked at separately:
City Hall needs some help.  The hope has been that once PD is relocated that city hall could be remodeled to work.  I’m not an engineer or architect so I’m not sure what that would look like or what the cost would be.  We have to look at it and see what makes sense with the cost associated with the construction. It is not as easy as just moving people over to the PD side of city hall because evidence rooms, booking rooms. and jail cells don’t translate to offices easily without a lot of work and expense.

Every city survey we conduct has recreational activities towards the top.  Most of those activities are ones associated with a Community Center.  Right now, our Community Center/Pool is not addressing the wants and needs of our community.  Moving forward, we need to establish a focus group to look at options we can consider.  By no means am I proposing a new Community Center to the extent of what was voted on in 2020.  I consistently get questions about adding things like pickle ball courts and adding to our popular senior activities.  we are currently at capacity with many of our activities.  We need to have a cross section of our community look at what could be done and then give the Board of Alderman some options to look consider.
 
 
Board of Aldermen candidates:
 
Ward I: Chuck Johnston

Please tell us about yourself (work background, volunteer service, elected positions held, etc.
I have served one term as Mayor, five or six terms as Alderman. Approximately ten years on the Grain Valley Lions Club holding every officer position. Served over ten years as Treasure of the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce. Served six years on the Board of Directors for State Bank of Missouri. I was named the Grain Valley Citizen of the year in 2008 and Pillar of the Community in 2008.The thing I love the most and enjoyed the most though is for the last twenty-eight years I have owned and operated the Grain Valley Santa Bus. I will stack the hours I have donated to this town against anyone since I have been a part of this community.
 
As you visit with constituents in your ward, what are their top concerns? How do you propose to work with the board to address these concerns?
The main concerns have remained the same the entire thirty-six years I've been a part of Grain Valley, roads, sidewalks and curbs, high taxes, and wasted spending. My main focus again will be spending on road Maintenace and all infrastructure. When I ran for mayor i had promised the same thing. In my term we increased proposed spending for road Maintenace from $1,050,000 to just over $3.3 Millon over the three years I was able to affect the city's budget. I was also supported and with the help of the citizens of this town got approval for the new Police Station soon to be completed. This is a major step forward in improving the capabilities of our Police Department that should last us for many years to come. In turn this freed up space at the current City Hall that again should eliminate the need for replacement well into the future saving the citizens money and helping the tax burden. I have always been a frugal person in both the spending of my finances and those that I represent. In the 2020 election I was instrumental in having the proposed sixty plus million dollars City Hall Complex being voted down. This was something that wasn't necessary could and has been mostly resolved at much lower cost to the taxpayers.
 
What do you believe are the three most important issues the City should be focused on in the next five years and how would you support these efforts?
This was pretty much addressed in my comment to the previous question. I will say that I have and will always be true to my proposed promises and will do my best to carry through on those promises.
 
In the recently released Jackson County Public Health Community Health Assessment, the top issues of concern for surveyed residents were distracted driving (44%), access to public transportation (43%), affordable housing options (38%), access to affordable healthcare (36%), and substance abuse (31%). In what ways should the City be working to move the needle on these issues and how can the mayor and board of aldermen support these efforts? (FINAL - Grain Valley (jcph.org))
These are all difficult issues to address in a town our size I will support and seek funding for all issues that affect the majority of citizens and not spend on things the aimed at a select few.
 
The city is scheduled to complete construction on a new police station this spring which addressed facility needs for the department after a failed vote on a community campus in June 2020. What is your vision for City Hall and the Community Center now that the police station project is nearing completion?
Again, these issues were addressed in my response to question #2 with the exception of the community center. I completely support all the efforts that have been done in the past to meet the growing needs of the community. I know we're still in need of an expanded community center and I fully support that if it's done in a cost effective and affordable means. But I want to make sure it addresses the actual needs of the community not someone's pipe dreams.  
 

Ward I: Kyle Sole

Please tell us about yourself (work background, volunteer service, elected positions held, etc.
I’m Kyle Sole, a 34 year old father of one son, Husband to my beautiful wife, USAF Veteran, former Law Enforcement Officer, and now I work at the Nation Security Campus. After serving six years in the Air Force, I was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant. My job was a Pavements and Heavy Equipment Operator. Basically, I was responsible for building and maintaining Airfields, as well as roads, sidewalks, curbs, utilities and any other horizontal construction on military bases. I am very thankful for everyone who has served in the military. Being born and raised in this area, I am extremely proud and grateful for the experience I received while in Iraq, South Korea, Hawaii (Joint-Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam AB) and Las Vegas (Nellis AFB). After serving our Country, I decided my next mission was to serve our community. I went to the Police Academy and shortly after graduating, I was hired by the City of Grain Valley for six years. During that time, I fell in love with this community and I am proud to call it home. I’m proud to have my son in our schools, and grateful to have family and friends throughout this city.  I am honored to have the opportunity to possibly serve our community again.
 
 
As you visit with constituents in your ward, what are their top concerns? How do you propose to work with the board to address these concerns?
As I have contacted various neighbors within Ward 1, the topic that has been brought up the most is the maintenance of roads and curbs. This issue is very important to me and as a member of the board of Alderman I would be welcome to come together with Public Works, other board members, and our residents to identify the most critical areas of pavement needing repair. Whether it be from resident feedback, road inspections, or data analysis, it’s important to continue working together and ensuring the budget allocation for these items is correct. I have seen some streets and curbs that look absolutely awful, such as Hillside Court and want to make sure the residents on side streets are not forgotten. Having a background in repairing pavements, I want to ensure the repairs are not just done, but done correctly. It is more cost effective to repair something right the first time, rather than repeat the same ‘patch job’ every month.  
 
What do you believe are the three most important issues the City should be focused on in the next five years and how would you support these efforts?
 
1. Pavements (Roads, curbs, sidewalks), as previously stated, ensure the budget is correct and have open communication between the Board, maintenance crews, and residents. Open communications between board members who will be working together, and understanding the needs of each Ward is a must.
                
2. Retention at the Police Department. Our city had been a revolving door for great Police Officers and Grain Valley shouldn’t be a stepping stone for them to go to another agency. Recently, it appears the Police Department is on a better path that needs to have continued support from the members of the board. With that being said, former Mayor Charles “Chuck” Johnston, whom I am running against, has recently been involved with the law in a negative manor. Having plead guilty to Driving While Intoxicated- Alcohol in June of 2023, he was arrested again in September of 2023 for another DWI-alcohol charge. The Board of Alderman is held to a higher standard and I must question the ethics of Chucks Johnston’s decision to run for Alderman, especially when the Chief of Police serves as a direct report to the board. Our city needs to maintain a good relationship between the board members and the Police Department, without our Officers worrying of retaliation for conducting there jobs correctly. 
 
3. Taxes. I can confidently say the community as a whole is feeling the negative effects of this economy and the last thing we need is increase to our household budgets. In addition to those paid taxes, our tax dollars should not be making unnecessary purchases and not holding onto property that has no cost benefits.
                 
 
In the recently released Jackson County Public Health Community Health Assessment, the top issues of concern for surveyed residents were distracted driving (44%), access to public transportation (43%), affordable housing options (38%), access to affordable healthcare (36%), and substance abuse (31%). In what ways should the City be working to move the needle on these issues and how can the mayor and board of aldermen support these efforts? (FINAL - Grain Valley (jcph.org))
With a top issue of Distracted Driving being Identified at 44%, I am very aware of the dangers of this from my time as a Law Enforcement Officer. Recently, Missouri passed The Siddens Bening Hands Free Law. This bans drivers from using electronic communication devices for a broad range of activities while driving on roadways. The law became effective on August 28, 2023 and is a good step in the right direction, and we should encourage our local Police Department to educate drivers when they are contacted.  This topic can be addressed in many ways, but working with the High School and School Resource Officers, young divers could lead the way by building good driving habits as they learn to drive. We, as parents, also need to take accountability and not demonstrate these poor driving habits to our children. 
 
The topic of Access to Public Transportation 43% could be addressed by figuring out where in Jackson County this need is. If Grain Valley residents are needing this resource, the possibilities of route expansions and ride-share programs should be explored. 
 
Affordable housing option concerns are at 38%, I believe it is important for our city to maintain its value, higher standards, and keeping Grain Valley a desired place to live. With that being said, its no secret our taxes are HIGH, and I want to do what I can to prevent them from being any higher. 
 
The concern of Affordable Healthcare is understandably at 36%. As we all know, there’s nothing cheap about healthcare and there are many who can not afford it. I would encourage our city to explore options for those who are uninsured and/or low income by partnering with healthcare providers and supporting incentives for clinics who come to our city.
 
With substance abuse being at 31% concern in our County, we need to continue to help and support those who are effected. So many people are hurt by this and I encourage our City, and Board, to continue working with all first responders in getting our citizens the help they need. Whether it be a medical emergency, or someone who genuinely wants to spot abusing a substance and wants to attend a rehabilitation program. We need to ensure resources are provided to our first responders, schools, and any other persons in need to provide help. 
 
The city is scheduled to complete construction on a new police station this spring which addressed facility needs for the department after a failed vote on a community campus in June 2020. What is your vision for City Hall and the Community Center now that the police station project is nearing completion?
As we complete the new Police Station, I believe the city and board should explore cost of various projects for a new City Hall and the Community Center. These options could range from remodeling the current facilities, moving into a different existing building, or building new buildings. The real estate location of the current City Hall and Community Center could be of significant value in commercial use, which could potentially cover costs of the project. The most cost-effective long term solutions need to be explored.
 

Ward II: Rick Knox
 
Please tell us about yourself (work background, volunteer service, elected positions held, etc.)
I joined the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District in March 1971 as a volunteer. I continued as a volunteer until May 1st 1985 at which I became a career Firefighter with them. I spent the next 35 years with C.J.C. retiring May 1st. 2020 obtaining the rank of Assistant Chief, I retired 35 years to the day that I became a career employee. I'm am running for my third term as a Ward 2 Alderman. 

As you visit with constituents in your ward, what are their top concerns? How do you propose to work with the board to address these concerns?
As most know, I ride all over Ward 2 with my English Mastiff on his golf cart. There are three things I hear the most often. 

First, is our roads and drainage. The City put into place three years ago a program to bring our roads up to the standard they should be. This program is working, but it will take time to get all the roads done, the roads didn't get to the condition they are in overnight and they won't be repaired overnight.

Second, is our taxes. The City rolled back taxes last year only to have the tax payers saving wiped out by the County's large increase. The City is trying extremely hard to bring in business to help remove the tax burden from our citizens.

Third, the citizens in Ward 2 feel the City is spend to much time infringing on the home owners rights such as not allowing a storage box in the back yards and the push to stop home owners from parking vehicles such as boats and trailers in their back yards without spending their hard earned money on concrete pads. Most I have spoken to want no part of the City pushing this on them and feel that it should be up to the home owner associations to control what they want in their neighborhoods. For the record, I agree with this stance.
 
In the recently released Jackson County Public Health Community Health Assessment, the top issues of concern for surveyed residents were distracted driving (44%), access to public transportation (43%), affordable housing options (38%), access to affordable healthcare (36%), and substance abuse (31%). In what ways should the City be working to move the needle on these issues and how can the mayor and board of aldermen support these efforts? (FINAL - Grain Valley (jcph.org))

As far as distracted driving, I feel the only way to curb this is a higher consequence, higher fines, suspended licence and jail time. Weather it's running a red light (which I saw three times today alone) or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Distracted and impaired driving puts everyone at risk.

I'm not sure what the City can do at this time on the matter of public transit, affordable housing or affordable health insurance. 

Curbing substance abuse I believe starts at home. Parents need to be proactive with their children. Parents are the first line of defense on abuse. The school and Police programs can only do so much, parents need to get much more involved with it at home.
 
The city is scheduled to complete construction on a new police station this spring which addressed facility needs for the department after a failed vote on a community campus in June 2020. What is your vision for City Hall and the Community Center now that the police station project is nearing completion?
The new Police station is a much need improvement for our City, and dedicated Officers, something I worked and pushed very hard for. I would now like to see the City work on a plan for a new City Hall to be built in the future on the South property, along with that a park that rivals Armstrong Park minus the ball fields on the Southwest corner of the property giving citizen in the South a nice park with an adjacent Community center that ties into the trail system. 
 

Ward III: Ryan Skinner

Please tell us about yourself (work background, volunteer service, elected positions held, etc.)
My name is Ryan Skinner, and I currently hold the position of Ward 3 Alderman, having been elected in April of 2022. I've been happily married to my wife Laurel for five years, and together, we are proud parents to our wonderful daughter, Hayden, who is two and a half years old. In 2020, we built our home in Rosewood Hills. Over the past four years, we've experienced immense joy being part of the Ward 3 community. The warmth and kindness of our neighbors, coupled with the widespread support from the community, have made our time here truly special.

I grew up in the county just outside Grain Valley and attended school here until my graduation from GVHS in 2009. Following that, I pursued higher education at the University of Central Missouri, where I earned a degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science in 2012. After completing my studies, I made the decision to serve my community as a police officer.

Upon graduation, I was recruited by the Boone County Sheriff’s Department and relocated to Columbia, Missouri, where I served as a police officer for five years. I was a proud member of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) lodge 100 and 50. Following my time in Columbia, I returned to the metro area, working as a police officer in Oak Grove for one year before transitioning into the private sector.

Currently, I am employed by an electrical manufacturing company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, specializing in the production of utility metering equipment. As the Utility Manager, I frequently travel across the country, collaborating with various utilities. This role has afforded me the chance to appreciate the remarkable diversity and distinctiveness of our nation and its cities. With experience in both the public and private sectors, I have gained valuable insights into the challenges confronted by city staff, as well as the broad array of economic and social factors affecting our city.
 
I look forward to continuing to serve our community for another two years as one of your Alderman in Ward 3.
 
As you visit with constituents in your ward, what are their top concerns? How do you propose to work with the board to address these concerns?
As I engage with constituents, it's clear that their primary concern in Ward 3 is infrastructure and public safety. The rapid growth experienced north of Interstate 70 presents significant challenges for our city in keeping up with the demands on roadways, intersections, and the accompanying rise in crime. As expansion continues for the foreseeable future, infrastructure and public safety will remain top concerns in Ward 3.
 
Addressing public safety, there's a growing concern about crime spilling into our city from surrounding areas. To tackle this issue, we've implemented technological advancements within our police department to enhance crime prevention and response capabilities. This includes deploying license plate recognition systems, new computer software, establishing a data analysis position, and integrating other cutting-edge tools to bolster our law enforcement efforts.
 
Moreover, the appointment of Police Chief Ed Turner in the Spring of 2023 has provided strong leadership to spearhead proactive initiatives ensuring the safety of our community. Witnessing the transformation of our police department since my election in April of 2022 has been remarkable, and we're committed to continuing this progress. With the completion of our new police station in May, the overwhelming response to our police officer recruiting program, and the implementation of new technology, the future looks promising for public safety in Grain Valley.
 
When it comes to infrastructure, Mayor Todd's leadership has led to a significant surge in projects, particularly in roadway and sidewalk enhancements. We've partnered with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) to pursue a grant aimed at upgrading the Buckner Tarsney Rd and Duncan Rd intersection, a critical priority for Ward 3 in my assessment. Thanks to the unwavering commitment of the city and Mayor Todd, we're approaching the final stages of engineering design for the new intersection. Pending approval of the grant from MODOT, construction is poised to begin soon.
 
By directly confronting these infrastructure challenges, investing in cutting-edge technology for our police department, we aim to enhance public safety and infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of our growing community. I am dedicated to working closely with the board and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the concerns in Ward 3 are effectively addressed, and our constituents' voices are heard.
 
What do you believe are the three most important issues the City should be focused on in the next five years and how would you support these efforts?
 
Over the next five years, I believe the three most important issues we should be focused on are infrastructure, public safety, and employee retention and recruitment.

First and foremost, infrastructure remains a pressing concern like I mentioned in my previous comments. The maintenance and improvement of roadways, intersections, and sidewalks are vital for the city's continued growth and prosperity. As the population increases and urban areas expand, there is a growing demand for intersection improvements along with sidewalk and walking paths. Investing in infrastructure not only enhances the quality of life for residents but also supports future commercial and residential growth.

Secondly, ensuring public safety is paramount like I mentioned in my previous comments. As the city grows so will crime and it's essential to prioritize measures that protect the well-being of our citizens. We must continue to provide a level of service we are all accustomed to. This includes adequately equipping our officers, implementing community policing initiatives, and investing in crime prevention tools like technology. By fostering a safe and secure city, we can promote social cohesion and attract businesses and families looking for a desirable place to live and work.

Lastly, employee retention and recruitment are critical for maintaining a skilled and dedicated workforce. As the city grows and evolves, it's essential to retain experienced employees while also attracting new staff. This involves offering competitive salaries and benefits, providing professional development opportunities, and fostering a positive work culture. For example, I recently proposed a motion, which was successfully passed, to amend a resolution concerning workplace improvements. This amendment resulted in an increase in approved maternity and paternity leave for our employees to 6 weeks, a change that I believe is a fundamental benefit for our workforce. By prioritizing employee satisfaction and engagement, the city can enhance productivity, efficiency, and innovation across all sectors of city operations.
 
 
In the recently released Jackson County Public Health Community Health Assessment, the top issues of concern for surveyed residents were distracted driving (44%), access to public transportation (43%), affordable housing options (38%), access to affordable healthcare (36%), and substance abuse (31%). In what ways should the City be working to move the needle on these issues and how can the mayor and board of aldermen support these efforts? (FINAL - Grain Valley (jcph.org))

As a former law enforcement officer, I am keenly aware of the dangers associated with distracted driving and substance abuse, which are significant concerns for the residents of Jackson County. Both the state and our city have laws in place to address driving while intoxicated (DWI) and texting while driving, and I firmly believe in the importance of enforcing these laws and holding violators accountable.

I also believe that access to affordable healthcare is essential for the well-being of our residents. In the future, I would encourage the city and board to explore options for partnering with healthcare providers to establish free or reduced-cost clinics for physicals and dental care for those who are uninsured, underinsured, or have low income. I would advocate for the same accessibility to mammograms for women who also fall under those circumstances. Additionally, I would support incentives to attract medical providers to open clinics in Grain Valley, ensuring our citizens can access local healthcare instead of enduring long distances for treatment.

However, on a more personal note, I believe the Public Health Community Assessment shines a spotlight on another important issue: leadership and ethics. According to the state of Missouri, 28% of traffic deaths in the state are caused by drunk drivers, ranking it as the 11th-highest rate of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes in the nation. Unfortunately, our city is not immune to the dangers of drunk driving accidents.

Given these statistics and the painful reality, it deeply troubles me that former Mayor Chuck Johnston is seeking to run for office again (Alderman Ward 1), especially considering his recent arrest for DWI-Alcohol in September 2023. This arrest occurred less than a year after he was previously arrested for DWI-Alcohol in Grain Valley in September 2022 and convicted of the same charge in June 2023. Former Mayor Chuck Johnston is currently serving 2 years on probation for the previous DWI conviction, and violated the law yet again when he was arrested for DWI-Alcohol the second time just 6 months ago.

As public officials, we have a duty to uphold the laws that we are sworn to protect. It is unacceptable for anyone, especially someone in a position of leadership, to violate these laws while simultaneously expecting our law enforcement officers to enforce them. As a board member, we frequently vote to allocate funds for extra patrol to enforce DWI laws and various other law enforcement expenditures.

I question the ability of someone who is ethically and legally compromised to make decisions that could potentially place themselves in further legal trouble, such as a third DWI arrest. Ethically, there are serious concerns about the integrity and credibility of a candidate who has a history of disregarding laws related to impaired driving. This type of behavior undermines public trust and raises questions about their ability to effectively serve in a position of authority, for example, the Police Chief serves as a direct report to the Board of Alderman.

As elected officials, we must hold ourselves to the highest standards of conduct and lead by example in respecting and abiding by the laws of our community, especially when 43% of our citizens believe distracted driving is a top issue facing our community. I wholeheartedly agree with our citizens, and I urge all current Board Members and candidates for office to join me in respectfully asking Former Mayor Chuck Johnston to withdraw his candidacy for Alderman Ward 1.
 
The City is scheduled to complete construction on a new police station this spring which addressed facility needs for the department after a failed vote on a community campus in June 2020. What is your vision for City Hall and the Community Center now that the police station project is nearing completion?
My vision for City Hall and the Community Center is to extend the usability of our current building for at least another 5 years, if not longer. With the police department relocating, this creates space for expansion, while still accommodating the need to retain the existing jail for court nights. I am cautious about allocating excessive funds towards renovating the existing City Hall but am committed to ensuring it remains functional for the foreseeable future.
 
Looking ahead, I envision utilizing the city-owned property at Buckner Tarsney and Sni-A-Bar for a new City Hall and Community Center, complemented by a park and other public amenities. I supported the removal of the dilapidated house on this property to open it up for public use, mitigating safety and liability concerns associated with its deterioration.
 
Furthermore, I propose selling the current land where City Hall and the Community Center are situated for private development, maximizing its potential while generating revenue for the city. This strategic approach allows us to revitalize our municipal infrastructure, enhance public spaces, and foster economic growth in our community.