League of Kansas Municipalities elects new membership

By MEGAN GILLILAND
LKM

TOPEKA – Over 500 local government officials – including elected and appointed staff – traveled to Wichita this past weekend to attend the League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM) annual conference. The 2017 conference focused on the theme of resiliency in cities. Over the course of three days, the officials spent time focused on the challenges of governing on many levels – managing fiscal challenges, addressing aging infrastructure, improving citizen engagement, maintaining quality personnel, discussing public policy and the opioid crisis, and strategizing solutions for blight and nuisance issues.

On Monday, September 18, the Convention of Voting Delegates for the League of Kansas Municipalities selected new officers and directors for the Governing Body. The delegates elected Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell as President and Pittsburg City Manager Daron Hall as Vice President.

“I am honored to serve as the President of League of Kansas Municipalities,” said Longwell. “As the voice of Kansas’ cities, the League plays a key role in local government. We advocate for, and provide guidance to, hundreds of cities across the state and I am excited to lead the effort.”

Mayor Jeff Longwell addresses the Convention Delegates at the League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Conference on September 18, 2017 in Wichita. Erik Sartorius, League Executive Director (left) and Past-President Kim Thomas, Mayor of Stockton (right), look on. (Photo courtesy LKM)

Longwell was elected Mayor of Wichita in 2015 after serving on the city council since 2007. He is a long-time resident of Wichita and grew up in a west side neighborhood and attended West High School and Wichita State University. Longwell served on the Maize School Board for 12 years, prior to his city council service. Mayor Longwell has advocated for numerous local government initiatives including government accountability, accessibility and transparency, economic development and job creation, strategic regional partnerships, improving the quality of life in Kansas cities, public transit and developing strong infrastructure.

Daron Hall, City Manager of Pittsburg, was selected as the Vice President of the Governing Body. Hall has served as City Manager for Pittsburg for 5 ½ years and has served in public administration for 26 years. He has an undergraduate degree from Washburn University and a Masters of Public Administration from Texas A & M University.

“I look forward to working with the League to improve the communities in the state,” said Hall. “Our work helps to improve the quality of life in Kansas cities and make it as good as it can be.”

Convention Delegates also selected three existing Governing Body members to continue their director positions for an additional, three-year term: Kendal Francis, City Manager, Coffeyville; Jerry Lovett-Sperling, City Clerk, Lindsborg; and James Toews, Mayor, Inman. Jason Jones, Councilmember from Hesston was appointed to a three-year term.

The League is proud to welcome these city officials to the 2017-2018 Governing Body.

Established by municipal officials in 1910, the League of Kansas Municipalities is a voluntary, nonpartisan organization of over 500 Kansas cities. The League works for its member cities through advocacy, legal advice, education and other services. Follow the League of Kansas Municipalities on Facebook or Twitter.