by Dennis Sharkey
Landmark reporter
The ideas of how economic development will move forward in Platte City will come from a group of 12 people approved by the board of alderman Tuesday night for the Economic Development Task Force (EDTF).
Mayor Frank Offutt said it was a difficult decision in cutting down to 12 individuals from a list of 31 names.
The phrase Offutt used several times in describing what he was looking for was, “Those who can play nicely together.”
Included in the 12 are the three aldermen assigned to the Economic Development Sub-Committee: Debbie Kirkpatrick, Tony Paolillo and Ron Stone.
During Tuesday night’s board meeting, committee members decided that they would not hold committee meetings the next two months at their regular times. Instead, the committee has opted to have its meetings coincide with EDTF meetings.
The series of five EDTF meetings will begin later this month and conclude in March.
Offutt said he wanted the Platte County R-3 School Board involved in the EDTF and chose Bob Shaw, outgoing board president. Shaw's term on the board ends in April and he has already announced that he will not seek re-election.
Offutt said he chose Shaw over another board member whose term in not set to expire because of his experience.
“He has 12 years of experience,” Offutt said. “He has addressed a number of issues during his time.”
Offutt said the continuity will still be there because Superintendent Dr. Mike Reik has also been named a member of the EDTF.
Presiding Platte County Commissioner Betty Knight has also been given a spot on the task force, which may puzzle some observers in meeting Offutt’s “play nicely together” standard. Knight and the other county commissioners have made headlines in recent months for squabbles with other elected officials.
The rest of the task force is comprised mostly of Platte City Chamber of Commerce members, including attorney Lisa Rehard who Offutt said was hand picked by Chamber President Karen Wagoner to be on the task force. Rehard is also the past president of the chamber. Wagoner is part of a resource team also appointed by Offutt.
Offutt said banker Craig Hedrick of Platte Valley Bank was chosen because he was mentored by Jerry Hagg, who Offutt termed, “The Godfather of economic development in Platte City.”
Brad Meyer of Wells Bank is also on the task force.
John Kurtz, parks and recreation board president, was named to the task force because of his visions for what development should look like east of Interstate 29, according to Offutt. He also said Kurtz's wife, Julie, also factored into the decision. He said she was instrumental in converting the old high school into the Civic Center.
Offutt said Rich Smith with Hunt-Martin was chosen for his character and he was also part of the economic development committee that worked in 2008.
Platte County Convention and Visitor's Bureau Director Cheryl Thorp completes the 12-member committee.
Also named was a sub-group termed the Resource Team. On that list is Shani Porter with the Platte County Economic Development Council, City Administrator Jason Metten, John Engelmann with KCP&L and developer Craig Laderoute.
Not included on the EDTF is an element from Fort Leavenworth. Offutt said last month that he would like a resident of Platte City that works at the fort on the task force. He said three names were presented, however, none of the three could commit. |
