Prairie Village Council Ward 2 Choose 1
Biographical Information
What do you believe are the three critical projects or initiatives that will move your city/district forward?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What skills, expertise, experience, or competencies qualify you for this position?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What makes this office an important part of the local government?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
Ballot City
Prairie Village
Campaign Web Site
http://www.nelson4pv.com
Campaign Phone
913-602-9003
Campaign Address
5005 Tomahawk Road
Mailing Address
5005 Tomahawk Road
Prairie Village, KS 66208
Prairie Village, KS 66208
Personal Biography
Ron Nelson is a long-time resident of Prairie Village, having moved to the City in 1983. Ron was born and grew up in Salina, then moving to Manhattan to attend and graduate from K-State before moving on to Topeka for law school at Washburn University School of Law. Before his election to the Prairie Village City Council in 2017, Ron served in many volunteer positions, local, state, national, and international.
Education
Kansas State University (B.S., Political Science, Minor in Biology); Washburn University Law School (Juris Doctor, with honors)
Community/Public Service
Johnson County Law Library, Board of Trustees 1994-2018); Prairie Village Homes Association, Board of Directors (2008-present); various volunteer offices in American Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association, American Inns of Court, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawers, and International Academy of Family Lawyers from 1998-2022)
What do you believe are the three critical projects or initiatives that will move your city/district forward?
1. Continuing Public Safety Improvements and Support. Continuing support community safety needs and a strong police department that is adequately funded to support competitive salaries to retain and reward long term service.
2. Infrastructure Enhancements: Continuing efforts to upgrade roads, parks, and public spaces to serve residents, including sustainable development and protecting what makes Prairie Village special: walkable neighborhoods, neighborhood parks, friendly and sociable neighborhoods, and a feeling that everyone is in the city to help each other and enjoy life and raise their kids in that friendly, open atmosphere.
3. Strengthening Positive Community Engagement.
What skills, expertise, experience, or competencies qualify you for this position?
I have been involved on the boards of directors of various organizations and associations, local, state, national, and international, for over 30 years, where I have had to deal with and analyze financial conditions, needs, and desires with a critical eye towards advancing priorities. I am a family lawyer and have been involved in drafting and revising legislation for Kansas and other states for nearly 30 years. And my training and experience as a family lawyer in high-conflict matters has helped me to separate out emotions and hyperbole from facts in order to help craft the best way forward for my clients and their families.
What makes this office an important part of the local government?
City Council is the policy arm of local government. In that function, each council member must consider not only what is needed or wanted today, but also what will preserve and enhance the city for future generations. Council members must review proposals made by residents and staff to make the hard decisions about priorities for now and for the coming years that will better the city and attract new residents, rather than allowing neighborhoods and infrastructure to develop in a haphazard or chaotic way that may eventually lead to loss of population or popularity. The City Council has the responsibility to plan for the future, while considering current needs and wants with a long-range vision.