Mayoral hopeful Larry Miller aims to be voice of the people if elected

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A lifelong St. Joseph resident and political newcomer is making a push for the mayor's office with the goal of uplifting community voices into meaningful change.

In two weeks, St. Joseph residents will head to the polls to vote for one of four candidates to advance in the mayoral primary election, including candidate Larry Miller, an active local community member seeking to strengthen communication and transparency between local government and residents.

“If it's something I can sort. I'll try to fix it. People pay the taxes and you know, they need a voice, they do," Miller said. "I love Saint Joe. A lot of times I don’t understand what they're doing and why they’re doing it."

Miller, a former HS athlete and 1966 Central High School graduate known for his welcoming interactions each day with community members, isn't shying away from the challenges facing the city and the task of overseeing the position.

For the last two or three years, Miller has contemplated throwing his hat into the ring, a decision he partially credits to encourage from residents in the community, a key area he hopes to further amid a gradual population decline in the city.

"I'm going to start every month, going to meetings with every district to meet the people in there and talk to them and see what some of their problems are," Miller said, part of his vision that includes an open door policy. “Maybe I can get trust back into the people. And I think the way I'm going to do this with the open door policy."

A former 35-year-employee at Johnson Controls, Miller hopes to continue working closely with the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce to prioritize job growth, attracting businesses and luring housing developers to improve inventory.

"I think the Chamber of Commerce, I'm gonna try to work with them. I want to go out and be aggressive to find people to come in here and build," he said. "Get people that want to work to turn this situation around. So when they get out of college, we’ve got good jobs here and they can make money here." 

He is determined to find ways to boost amenities for residents and families in the hopes of increasing community engagement and population, including exploring the return of a Trail West-like event and improving aquatic opportunities.

Two key areas he hopes to bring attention to are street conditions and costs for services like sewer, concerns he often hears from residents.

"You’ve got to listen to the people that work here, listen to them and what they have to say. And I'm going to talk to a bunch of them," he said. "I would like to see more of our people on the job. Whether it's fire and police too."