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Age
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Demographics / Personal Info )
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37 |
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Family
(
Demographics / Personal Info )
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Spouse: Kim Ryckman (13 years of marriage)
Three children – Haley (10), Christian (7), Chase (3)
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Education
(
Demographics / Personal Info )
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1994 Graduate of MidAmerica Nazarene University – Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
1990 Graduate of Meade High School
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Occupation/place of employment
(
Demographics / Personal Info )
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RWR Exteriors, Real Living Today
Email: ron@MovingUsForward.com
Website: www.MovingUsForward.com |
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Civic involvement
(
Demographics / Personal Info )
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Board Member – Olathe Chamber of Commerce
Board Member – TLC for Children and Families
Board Member – Living Hope Church of the Nazarene
Vice President – Pioneer Athletic Association
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Political experience
(
Demographics / Personal Info )
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Assisted with various political campaigns. |
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Number of years you have been a resident of the city
(
Demographics / Personal Info )
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18 years |
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Are you in basic agreement with the direction the City is currently taking to promote expansion and growth?
(
General )
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Yes –
Economic development is critical. Successful initiatives to attract new business are vital. These initiatives must endeavor to advance Olathe’s competitive approach to compete with area cities as well as cities across the nation. We must be proactive in our approach. Now more than ever it is imperative that we discover our potential and provide the civic leadership to make hard choices and prepare our city for a new age.
The fundamentals currently in place are strong. We have been successful (evidenced by the extraordinary growth experienced over the past decade). We have promoted our city and benefitted from the results. Conditions have changed. Though we face unique economic challenges, we must not discount the obligation to our community… the obligation to ourselves…we must ensure the progress continues.
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What suggestions, if any, would you have as a member of the City Council to promote collaboration between members of the Council, city staff, and the community in achieving strategic directions established for the City of Olathe?
(
General )
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I have owned and a managed a business in this community for over 13 years. I understand the importance of maintaining an open dialogue. It is critical that we listen to the citizens of our community, city staff, and members of the council. We should strive to be transparent in our dealings and deliver with informed decisions.
I would encourage greater input by the citizens of Olathe. They should be involved. It is their city. It is their money. To be a great city, we must listen to and understand all perspectives.
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What do you see as the major role of the City Council?
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General )
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The council’s role is to set policies and provide strategic direction for the city—both long and short-term. The council should help provide the community with the structure and foundation to support the opportunity for an enhanced quality of life. |
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As a member of City Council, what would your major priorities be for the City for the next 10 to 15 years?
(
General )
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Continue to improve our overall quality of life:
• Attract quality jobs and prioritize spending
• Invest in traffic solutions
• Preserve and improve upon public safety
• Enhance educational assets
• Promote open and accountable government
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Would you support additional sources of revenues to meet high priority needs of public safety, transportation, and economic development?
(
General )
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I do not support tax increases.
I believe the basic responsibilities of the city should be met with our current revenue streams. We must work diligently to diversify and broaden our tax base. Expansion of commercial and industrial development within our city can provide additional funding resources. It is vital that we continue to explore and refine city strategy to attract growth in this area and alleviate the burden of further taxation to our citizens.
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What level of priority would you place on the following?
- Public safety
- Traffic and streets
- Consensus building and stability in leadership
(
General )
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Each is critical.
We must continue to invest and improve on our public safety. It has been a priority issue with our government. We must continue to stay focused. Keeping our citizens safe and protected should never be neglected or minimized.
We must maintain our road systems and make investments in the future. Traffic flow is an significant to our quality of life. Our traffic flow needs are long-term projects and require vision and commitment.
Consensus building and stable leadership are essential qualities of a productive and progressive city. We must create and maintain a dialogue with our citizens and work diligently to form an open and accountable government. Combined with strong leadership, I believe progress is within reach.
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What are the three biggest challenges the City of Olathe faces and what should be done to address them?
(
General )
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We all are suffering and the city government is no exception. We must work harder and work smarter. We must make certain that our citizen’s money is allocated intelligently and strategically. We must achieve this by obtaining greater input and involvement from citizens. By utilizing their input and talents, we can only improve.
• Attract quality jobs
• Improve traffic flow and public safety
• Enhance educational assets
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Do you support current policy on economic development tax incentives? If no, please specify recommended additions or deletions to the policy.
(
General )
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Yes—
Our approach must be to develop an environment that attracts quality business to our city. Alternatively, we must work to ensure a return on our investment. Without a practical and innovative incentive strategy, our city will be dismissing a vitally important competitive tool with which to contend and expand.
However, our strategy cannot be fashioned unilaterally. We must look at each individual opportunity and employ as necessary.
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