On the Ballot: Board of Aldermen Candidates

​     Grain Valley voters will elect an alderman in each of the City’s three wards on April 6th. In Ward 1, current alderman Tom Cleaver is running for re-election. Dale Arnold is also running for the seat. In Ward 2, incumbent Nancy Totton faces challenger Darren Mills. In Ward 3, incumbent Shea Bass faces first-time candidate Kristen Rising.
     Valley News reached out to each candidate to share information on their background, experience, and thoughts regarding the current challenges facing Grain Valley.
 

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Ward 1: Dale Arnold
 
Please share some brief information on your background, community service, (# of terms served if a current board member):
     I have served the community for just over 30 years as a firefighter with Central Jackson County FPD. I have been active in many local organizations and boards. I have served as a member of the former Grain Valley Optimist Club, currently known as FOCUS and as a Past President. Also active with school programs as a member of the Band Parents Association of which I was a Past President. 
     I have served on the citizens advisory committee for the Grain Valley School District, as well as a member of the Planning and Zoning Board for the City of Grain Valley.  I help wherever there was a need. I have also been involved with the Grain Valley Police Dept. Night Out Against Crime, the Haunted Hayride, the Grain Valley Fair Days, Trail for Treats and the Historical Society. For this service I have been recognized as a Pillar of the Community in 2005 by the Grain Valley Chamber and as Citizen of the Year by the Truman Heartland Community Foundation for 2010.
 
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Aldermen?
     With my experience in the community and knowledge of its history, I feel I have much insight to make informed decisions.
 
What are the biggest challenges currently facing Grain Valley?
     Growth! How we meet the growth and how we shape it into what the community wants. Efforts on economic development needs to be refined and updated to meet the goals set by the community.
 
The current board has met in recent months to discuss the best path forward to address facility needs following the defeat of the proposed community campus at the former Sni-A-Bar Farms site. How do you propose the City address its facility needs (City Hall, Police Department, Community Center)?
     I have a vision that differs from some on the board. I agree there is a need, how to meet that need is up for debate. My vision is that the Community Center and Library be located on the old Sni A Bar Farms. This would include a water splash park rather than a pool. Splash Parks give more opportunity for involvement and exercise. This vision also includes walking trails and picnic areas.
     Also some basketball court, baseball, and soccer fields for local children to play games. Keeping that area as a park for family activities. This would not require all of the land available. Some of the land surrounding the park could be sold to developers for more homes and neighborhoods, recouping some of the cost of the park. With the move of the community center to the south it would allow for the old Community Center to be renovated with a small addition to the rear of the building to meet the needs of the police. 
    Now that the police are no longer occupying half of City Hall, the building is now large enough to meet their needs for a number of the coming years. There is much more that I envision, but there is not enough space here to share. This concept would reduce cost greatly and avoid abandoning the investment of past tax dollars.
     There had been discussion to build a new police facility on the site of the baseball fields on James Rollo. While an option, it takes away from much needed youth activities fields that fall short of meeting our needs.
 


Tom Cleaver—Ward 1
 
Please share some brief information on your background, community service, (# of terms served if a current board member): 
     I have been in Business to Business sales for almost 30 years, working with Cities and MFG. Companies all over Kansas City. I volunteer once a month for the Grain Valley Assistance Council  and have lived in Ward 1 for 15 years. I have served my first term of two years as Alderman Ward 1.
 
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Aldermen? 
     I love our community and want to give back to it. I feel my experience in business will help guide our City forward for the future.
 
What are the biggest challenges currently facing Grain Valley? 
     The facility needs for City Hall, Police Department, Community Center, Streets and also attracting and retaining Police officers for a growing community.
 
The current board has met in recent months to discuss the best path forward to address facility needs following the defeat of the proposed community campus at the former Sni-A-Bar Farms site. How do you propose the City address its facility needs (City Hall, Police Department, Community Center)? 
     This is a complex situation, one the current Board is exploring diligently. It is my job as Alderman to bring several good and different ideas to the voters that will both address our current needs and our needs for the long term.
 


Darren Mills—Ward 2
 
Please share some brief information on your background, community service, (# of terms served if a current board member): 
     I have been a resident of Grain Valley since 2012 and I also work in Grain Valley.  I am employed at Lifestyle RV's where I have received the honorable award of Salesman of the Year back to back for 2019-2020.  Selling fun and adventure to my fellow residents of Grain Valley is what I love.  
     I have been a member of the Grain Valley VIPS ( Volunteer in Police Service) for the last 3 years.  I currently hold the position of President and I am one of five residents who were appointed to the Police Advisory Board. I enjoy my time as a faithful partner of Crossroads Church here in Grain Valley.
 
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Aldermen? 
     As your Alderman I will work hard to improve safety on Eagles Parkway by working with staff to find funding for much needed sidewalks that will also connect to the new trails. I will work for funding for additional streetlights in the Winding Creek subdivision and the newer parts of Ward 2 that are still without them.  
     I enjoyed my time serving our country in the United States Navy and I look forward to serving our community and being your voice for a better Ward 2 and continued growth in Grain Valley.
 
What are the biggest challenges currently facing Grain Valley? 
     Some of the biggest problems I feel facing Grain Valley is “division”. As a community and a small City we need to get find a common ground for our residents and elected officials.  I want to be that voice for my Ward and work with whoever may be in office and push forward for a better Grain Valley from street repair, growth, better budget and focus on public safety retention.
 
The current board has met in recent months to discuss the best path forward to address facility needs following the defeat of the proposed community campus at the former Sni-A-Bar Farms site. How do you propose the City address its facility needs (City Hall, Police Department, Community Center)? 
     I feel this city has outgrown its current City Hall, Police Station and Community Center. If elected I would want to inform our residents of all options available and truly listen to the input and concerns of residents and city employees.
 


Nancy Totton—Ward 2
 
Please share some brief information on your background, community service, (# of terms served if a current board member): 
     I have served on the Board since 2010, and am very active in the community, helping families in need.
 
 
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Aldermen? 
    I enjoy helping people, and learn from the things my residents have been going through. An alderman should be there to listen to a problem, find out how to help, and get back in touch with them. People call me at all hours, and I am happy to help them out.
 
What are the biggest challenges currently facing Grain Valley? 
     The lack of residents learning about the issues and showing up to meetings to learn about things. More people need to get involved in their community.
 
The current board has met in recent months to discuss the best path forward to address facility needs following the defeat of the proposed community campus at the former Sni-A-Bar Farms site. How do you propose the City address its facility needs (City Hall, Police Department, Community Center)? 
     It is a complicated issue, and it is going to take a good bunch of us to figure out the problem. There is no doubt they need more space at City Hall and the police station. There is an officer  with a little desk in a closet for an office, and that is ridiculous.
 


Shea Bass—Ward 3
 
Please share some brief information on your background, community service, (# of terms served if a current board member):
     I have been privileged enough to serve on the board for a little over one full term (2+ years) as Alderman in Ward 3. Prior to serving on the board, I spent time on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the city. I have volunteered my time in a number of organizations around Kansas City throughout the past few years as well. 
 
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Aldermen?
     I want to serve on the Board of Aldermen to be an honest, truthful, and hard-working representative for the citizens in Ward 3. I enjoy interacting with members of the community and I want to help our city keep its strength as we grow. We have great citizens, fantastic employees, wonderful businesses, and strong schools. I’m excited for the next chapter of growth in our city. 
 
What are the biggest challenges currently facing Grain Valley? 
     The biggest challenge right now is trying to nail down exactly what we are going to do with City Hall, the Community Center, Police Department, and other city departments for the next chapter of city growth. The issuance of city bonds for building the municipal complex in a single build failed on the last ballot, so figuring out exactly what the citizens want and balancing that with facility needs, location, and overall schedule poses a challenge in the coming future. 
 
The current board has met in recent months to discuss the best path forward to address facility needs following the defeat of the proposed community campus at the former Sni-A-Bar Farms site. How do you propose the City address its facility needs (City Hall, Police Department, Community Center)?
     As I eluded to a bit in the previous question, I unfortunately don’t think there is a clear cut answer on this yet. The ballot measure for building a new complex in one single shot failed on the last ballot, so I propose the city gains more credible feedback from its citizens regarding what they would like to see in this manner.
     I personally think there are multiple solutions that work well for city needs, including a hybrid scenario where we utilize both the Sni-A-Bar Farms site and the land the city currently owns at/near the existing City Hall and Community Center site. 
 


Kristen Rising—Ward 3
 
Please share some brief information on your background, community service, (# of terms served if a current board member):  
     I am a small business owner in the construction industry.  Community service: participate with the Veterans Community Project to help homeless Veterans, provide educational services-we adopted a classroom to help offset the cost of a teacher.  I have no past experience in politics. If I secure a seat, it will be the first one.
 
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Aldermen?  
     To make a difference.
 
What are the biggest challenges currently facing Grain Valley?  
     Not having enough small business in our community, i.e. sit down restaurants.
 
The current board has met in recent months to discuss the best path forward to address facility needs following the defeat of the proposed community campus at the former Sni-A-Bar Farms site. How do you propose the City address its facility needs (City Hall, Police Department, Community Center)?  
     Honestly, not sure.  I do not have the whole back story of those items and with out that information I can not provide my opinion.  I do know that some changes need to take place because in my opinion, what we have working is not a well oiled machine.