Incumbent • Eureka City Council - Ward 1
1. What is your primary reason for running for this position?
As a candidate for council member Ward #1, I feel Eureka is a great place to live, and I believe we’re all in this together. From our homes to our blocks, our neighborhoods, and our wards, we all want Eureka to be strong now and in the future. That strength is best seen in our neighborhoods. Safe, strong, and sustainable neighborhoods.
I’m running for City Council to create a long-term plan for neighborhoods. A plan that promotes sustainable economic development, strong parks, and a sense of identity.
I’m running for City Council to work on core infrastructure needs. I will fight every day to take care of our streets and sidewalks. Access to safe travel for cars, bikes, wheelchairs, strollers, and scooters connect us all to opportunities, and to each other.
I’m running for City Council to serve my neighbors and work hard on their behalf. To return their phone call, and address their concerns quickly and effectively. When we work together, we can move Eureka forward, not only for our children, but for our grandchildren too. And that’s certainly something worth fighting for.
2. What is your vision for your city/board of education and how would you help achieve it?
Modernize and maintain infrastructure: Focus on water and sewer system maintenance, improving the quality of city streets and managing the municipal airport’s upgrades. This can include developing a long-term plan for road repairs and public works projects.
Supporting local business: Create initiatives that encourage new small businesses to open and thrive in Eureka.
Promote tourism and events: Develop a strategy to attract morevisitors to Eureka, highlighting local assets like the lake, parks, and downtown area. This could involve supporting existing events or funding new ones.
Address community housing: Explore solutions for housing repair and rehabilitation projects. The city has previously used Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for housing rehab, so a candidate could advocate for continuing or expanding such efforts to helpresidents improve their homes.
Foster community safety: Support and strengthen relationships between the city council and local law enforcement, fire department, and code enforcement.
Increase citizen involvement: Encourage more people to participate in city government by making meetings more accessible and transparent. This includes listening to and addressing residents’ grievances with the city.
3. What three issues do you consider to be your “top priorities?”
(a) Budget - The council is required to balance funding from various city departments, including public safety, sanitation, and parks, while simultaneously maintaininglow tax rates.
(b) Infrastructure - •Water Utility: The water system requires attention. Our storage capacity will only provide the City with 36 hours of supply during restrictions, which is insufficient time to repair a break on our main source. If the primary source is disrupted, the secondary source is not sufficient to meet the City’s needs. •Sewer Utility: The sewer collection infrastructure is outdated and in a deteriorated state. The volume of inflow and filtration leads to an excessive burden on the lagoon system, which also has several urgent requirements. •Streets: The majority of the streets in the City are in a state of disrepair. The city has only managed to implement a rotating chip-and-seal program due to budget constraints. The cost of asphalting extensive sections of streets is prohibitively high. Significant enhancements are also required for curb and gutter systems as well as sidewalks.
(c) Housing - Eureka’s housing stock is aging. To encourage housing development, the city is providing free lots or selling them at a discounted price, along with offering tax incentives for new construction.
4. What background do you have that will help you in this role, if elected?
As a committed community leader with over 8 years of experience representing Ward 1, I have served on several special council committees, (currently Transportation and Utilities). I have been dedicated to sustainable development and fiscal responsibility; I have successfully partnered with residents and local businesses to improve city services and promote economic growth.” I am especially proud of our communities’ support and development of the improvements to our City Park: the splash pad and new kiddie pool.
I have moreover been involved in engaging with community individuals to survey needs, upgrade outreach endeavors, and make strides in communication. Acted as an agent of the council, supporting for the interface of constituents in different gatherings. Effectively taken part in gatherings and collaborative endeavors to cultivate a culture of straightforwardness and inclusivity. Been dynamic in supporting the recovery of Memorial Hall, the current CDBG Rehabilitation Housing grant, behind the upgrading of our Animal Shelter Facility. Have energize the imperative changes of our nearby airplane terminal. Spoken to the City Committee on various events concerning the demolition and consequence of the tornadoes of 2016 and 2018, when other council individuals were not accessible to due to their possess tragedy.
5. How do you feel the current board/council is doing in their service?
As in any organization, there is always room for improvement. I feel our city council is striving to our community a better place to live. As a whole the Council works well together, listening and communication. Our Council works together cohesively, with a high degree of trust and respect for each other, can make the make the policy-making process more effective and satisfying. Council members feel satisfaction when they can make a real and tangible difference in our community, tackling local issues like public safety, infrastructure, or economic development. In a healthy council, members can disagree on issues without being disagreeable. They can voice their opinions and have their dissent noted while still respecting the final majority decision. A positive working relationship with a competent city leader who effectively handles day-to-day operations allows council members to focus on high-level policy matters
6. Please list personal information or other information you feel is important.
I am a dedicated community leader and longtime resident of Eureka, committed to ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for Ward land the citizens of Eureka. I have have spent the last 8 years working to improve the lives of our city. As, a retired Group Leader of Automation at Standard Motors in Independence, KS has resided in Eureka for the past 25 with his wife Marion of 25 years. Richard is the father to 8 children, 6 stepchildren, 12 grandchildren, 6 step-children and 3 great grandchildren. If I am elected to this office, I will give this task my undivided attention, with the same dedication that made me successful in business I will do my best to give back to the community the support and benefits given to me and my family during the 25 years we’ve lived here. I will always be guided by the facts, and will provide impartial and unbiased leadership for the entire community.
