Mayoral candidate Kenneth Reeder aims to shake things up at City Hall if elected
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A former St. Joseph school board member and outspoken local figure is looking to advance in next week's mayoral primary election in St. Joseph.
Candidate Kenneth Reeder comes into the Feb. 3 primary election with a focus on prioritizing support and community access for local residents, particularly by preserving tax dollars and reducing what he describes as unnecessary and wasteful spending.
He pointed to his long-running involvement in citizen's committees and advocacy for standing up for residents without a voice in local matters, going back to when he first attempted to run for City Council in 1978.
"I'll fight taxes. I'll fight waste. It starts by using common sense and realizing the taxpayer money is your money, not the allowance of the City Council," he said. "Stop the waste and the raising."
Reeder said he also considered running for City Council this election cycle before setting his sights on the mayor's office. Voters will be asked to choose one of four candidates on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Along with Reeder, that includes incumbent Mayor John Josendale and candidates Jonathan McClain and Larry Miller.
Reeder is a strong proponent of riverfront development, which he calls the city's greatest natural wonder and a huge opportunity for economic growth.
"St. Joe wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the Missouri River. Go to Omaha, go to Sioux City. All these places where they've developed the riverfront," he said.
With population decline over the last 10 to 15 years being one of the top issues discussed by candidates this election cycle, Reeder believes the city needs to make it easier for residents, companies and others to do business to address it.
"Stop catering to the elite. Start making it easier to build a house themselves. I talk to people from out of town all the time that come here to start a business and stuff and they say St. Joe is one of the hardest places to do business," he added.
He agrees the city has a high number of derelict or blighted homes that need improvement. A key priority of Reeder is improving transparency within government and improving access to public meetings, including move meeting times for City Council to 7 p.m.
"It's only about 20 times a year. And there would always be 15 to 25 people that attended. So many more people were informed," he said. "Now, you've got to be retired, rich or have worked for somebody to be able to make it that early."
Reeder, who has a background in criminal justice, said he supports investments for the many St. Joseph police officers who handle a difficult and dangerous job.
