Suzy Latare Star Journal Warrensburg City Council Questionnaire
Why are you running for office?
I'm running for Warrensburg City Council because I care deeply about this community and am committed to making a positive difference for the citizens of Warrensburg.
Together with others on the City Council and City staff, I want to help citizens who may currently feel disconnected from the process of how decisions are made at the local level, to be more informed about and connected to their city government.
I’ve been fortunate to have many opportunities to serve within the Warrensburg community, and would like to bring my experience in relationship-building to the role of City Council member.
What are your qualifications?
In my positions at the University of Central Missouri and as a volunteer for many local organizations, I’ve participated in community building efforts in Warrensburg for nearly 17 years.
I’ve worked with citizens and community leaders from across political, geographic, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds in service of individuals in Warrensburg, and for the betterment of our community as a whole.
Some of the organizations I’ve worked or volunteered for are the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce (first as a staff member and currently as a board member/past Board Chair), the Johnson County Board of Services (as an employment specialist and as a Foundation board member since 2016), Free Mom Hugs of Johnson County, Whiteman Air Force Base Community Council, Warrensburg Main Street, Warrensburg R-VI School District, Johnson County Cares, and the recently formed Johnson County Resource Center.
Have you previously run for the City of Warrensburg or held a position on the Warrensburg City Council?
I have not run for City Council before or held a position on the Warrensburg City Council. However, I have been a member of two City volunteer groups: the Warrensburg Tree Board and the Diversity and Inclusion Commission, and have had the opportunity to work alongside several previous and current City staff and City Council members in both my professional and volunteer roles.
What are some top issues facing the city that need to be addressed?
A local manifestation of a national concern is a lack of affordable housing. The role local government can play is somewhat limited, yet we should investigate promising ideas such as a housing development trust, a renter’s tax credit, and partnering with a local non-profit.
Addressing infrastructure needs is critical, especially as Warrensburg continues to grow. Extending the 1⁄2 cent sales tax will allow the City to do long-term planning and implementation of improvement projects like Rethink Maguire.
We must work to find a long-term solution to our solid waste management needs. Recycling should be a priority in any plan, not only to improve air and water quality, but to prevent - or at least delay - the need for another landfill in our community.
As in other rural areas, the lack of sufficient public transportation is a barrier to success for many. We can address this through existing and new partnerships.
What goals do you have for office if you are elected?
I want to help Warrensburg citizens understand how their local government works, how to get connected to those processes, and how to contribute to Warrensburg’s positive forward progress. I want to help citizens get involved in the discussions and decisions that affect their lives.
Related to the Rethink Maguire project, I want to help promote the major improvements that will happen for our community with this infrastructure project. At the same time, I want to help ensure that the businesses along the corridor most affected by the project have support from the City and other community partners during the disruptive construction stage, to keep customers coming through their doors.
I want to encourage broad, active participation in the upcoming community visioning process the City will lead, which will be critical for our community’s progress and growth.
I’d like to explore the possibility of a citizen-elected Mayor.
Why should people vote for you?
If elected, I will serve this community with integrity, fairness, and transparency. I care about the overall well-being of Warrensburg, and look forward to broadening my understanding of the issues that matter most to the people of Warrensburg.
My motivation for wanting to serve on the Warrensburg City Council is simply because I love this community and want to be of service.
Community, commitment, & connections for the benefit of all residents of Warrensburg.