I am a candidate for our City Council 4th District (4-year term). As you may remember, I have previously served the City of Lee’s Summit as a member of the City Council. Term limits, set forth in the City Charter, prohibited me from running again in 2016.

I am running to restore fiscal responsibility and to provide accountability and transparency at City Hall.

My wife and I moved to Lee’s Summit in 1971, when only 16,000 people lived here, and we’ve been here ever since. After spending 30 years building houses in the Lee’s Summit area, I understand what it takes to earn a living in the private sector. At the same time, I spent several years representing our community in the Missouri Legislature. I sponsored Missouri’s “living will” law. I also sponsored the law that established the licensing of paramedics-our life-saving emergency medical personnel who have saved countless lives in Lee’s Summit.

I am proud of my experience both in the private sector and in public service, and want to apply my vitality towards helping to create an even better quality of life for Lee’s Summit residents.

I recognize that keeping existing businesses is as important as attracting new ones for economic development efforts. The Council should implement a “quality jobs” requirement for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects and emphasize “knowledge-based” companies to expand and come to Lee’s Summit.

During my years on the City Council, I have never agreed to write a blank check to special interests. I have always questioned bad development deals and will never put the special interest of commercial developers over residents. Also, I will continue to use my “Citizens Advisory Committee” to seek input from residents to ensure that people are being heard.

I am an independent thinker who is not afraid to speak frankly on controversial issues and believe elected officials should seek inclusion of individuals with differing ideas. Voters in Lee’s Summit are searching for a problem-solving municipal government.

Please consider my candidacy for 4th District Council (4-year term) on April 3-Bob Johnson.