Marvin Megee, Candidate for Mayor of Greenwood Mo
Posted by jennW in by Jennifer Warren, Featured, GSD Online
This is the first of the Candidate Interviews we will be publishing over the next few weeks. All of the candidates have been emailed this questionnaire and we look forward to seeing their responses. Please continue to engage the candidates in a discussion of the issues and to ask other questions that are not on this list.
How long have you lived in Greenwood?
My wife and I purchased our home in October 2003 and became residents of Greenwood in December 2003.
Are you married? Do you have children, grandchildren, where do they attend school?
Yes, I am married to Ruthie, the daughter of a Methodist minister. (When I found out that she use to sneak into her dad’s church and lemon pledge the church pews on Saturday nights I told myself, “This is the girl for me.”) Ruthie and I have two daughters, Jackie and Dominique. Jackie attends Greenwood Elementary School. I have two sons from a previous marriage, Michael and Jonathan.
What religious and civic organizations do you belong to?
I am Baptist by faith. I belong to an organization called ONE (see ONE.org for more information).
What charities, causes or civic organizations do you support with finances or service?
I support a variety of social causes and organizations dedicated to helping others. I prefer helping others anonymously. I think it has something to do with my upbringing. My mother was real big on the idea of, “That thy alms may be in secret….”
Who is your current employer? How long have you worked for them?
I am a self-employed consultant to academics on tenure track. To explain:
When young academics complete their Ph.D. program, they often take a position teaching at a college or university. The institution they work for offers them a 5 year contract… but they have no job security until they obtain tenure. These individuals walk through a veritable minefield of challenges both personally and professionally. The pressure is immense. If they fail, it often means selling their home, leaving the friends they have made, relocating to another school in another state and starting all over from scratch. On the other hand, if they are successful, they keep everything they have worked to achieve and proceed forward with attaining a full professorship at the institution they work at.
In defense of the work I do…I have to admit my work is not as dry and boring as it might sound. About two years ago, I picked up the phone and called one of the young professors I work with and asked a very simple question. That phone call lead to a group of professors doing ground-breaking research on how the HPV vaccination is marketed to young women.
Now, I understand that might not mean much to the average citizen in Greenwood, but as a father of two young daughters, it means a whole lot to me to think I may have played some small role in one day helping women avoid a life threatening health concern.
List all the companies or organizations you have been employed by for the past 10 years.
In the year 2000, my 75 year old employer finally decided it was time to work less than 60 hours a week. We closed down the medical equipment company I worked at late in 2000. I have been self-employed for the last 10 years.
What companies or businesses do you own or hold a greater than 20% stake in?
None.
On what corporate boards have you served?
None.
What is your educational background?
I graduated from the University of Missouri–Kansas City with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in the areas of Administration of Justice and Political Science. I bring to the table the perspective of one who spent 25 years solving the problems of individuals, professionals and organizations.
What current or past political organizations do or have you belong(ed) to?
I have avoided being affiliated with political organizations for two reasons: 1. I have yet to find a political organization that I agreed with 100%, and 2. I don’t like the label(s) that comes with being associated with a particular school of thought.
Are you associated with any of the current or past Aldermen or Mayors of Greenwood?
No. I am, for the most part, a political outsider in Greenwood. At some point in time, I have agreed with and disagreed with most politicians in Greenwood.
What is your management style?
Years ago, my father-in-law asked me to read a book called “Lincoln on Leadership, Executive Strategies for Tough Times” by Donald Phillips. I’ve always been a big fan of Lincoln and I really liked this book. It has had a major impact on my work with others (personally and professionally) over the years.
Do you practice forgiveness in your every day life? How?
Yes. When I was in my early 20s I thought that I had to fight every battle that comes my way. Today, I find it much easier to ask myself, “How important is it really?” Learning which battles to fight has been a great tool and has been the primary way I’ve practiced forgiveness.
How do you deal with personality conflicts or with conflict in general?
When I must deal with a personality conflict between two or more people where the conflict does not involve me, I attempt to separate the personalities and then find what they have in common. Then build from there.
What are your professional qualifications for the office you seek?
When I was 23 years old, I met a successful businessman in Independence, MO. I was young and thought this gentleman had started a business that became successful. I had no idea that this guy didn’t just start a business; he and his partner had created an actual industry that had never existed before. For 18 years, I was this man’s protégé, and he was my mentor.
Earlier in this interview, I mentioned I graduated from the University of Missouri/Kansas City with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in the areas of Political Science and Administration of Justice. And that I bring to the table the perspective of one who spent 25 years solving the problems of individuals, professionals and organizations.
The next Mayor of Greenwood must be an exceptional listener and communicator. I am.
The next Mayor of Greenwood must be an analytical thinker. I am.
The next Mayor of Greenwood must be a “team player.” I am.
The next Mayor of Greenwood must be a relationship-builder. I am.
The next Mayor of Greenwood must be driven. I am.
The next Mayor of Greenwood must be a problem-solver who can generate workable solutions. I am.
The next Mayor of Greenwood must be a seasoned professional whose honesty and integrity provide for effective leadership. I am.
The next Mayor of Greenwood must be positive, resilient, and patient. I am.
The next Mayor of Greenwood must be able to be, at times, a full-time Mayor. I can.
What is your agenda/platform?
My platform:
I am running for the office of Mayor of Greenwood because I believe that Greenwood’s government is broken. It is not that we’ve voted for the wrong people in past elections. Rather, it is that our elected officials and city employees have been handicapped by a set of city codes, ordinances, resolutions, policies, and procedures that do not accurately reflect the diverse needs of our community. I know how to change this, but I need the community’s support in making these corrections.
I graduated from the University of Missouri—Kansas City with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in the areas of Political Science and Administration of Justice. I bring to the table the perspective of one who spent 25 years solving the problems of individuals, professionals and organizations.
Win or lose, I hope my candidacy gives the residents of Greenwood the opportunity to better understand just how truly diverse Greenwood is. Whether you live in Greenwood, a small country town or Greenwood, a modern, big city suburb really depends on which side of town you live in. While we are one community our neighborhood and individual needs often differ.
Serving as Mayor of Greenwood would be a tremendous honor. But it also brings tremendous responsibility. With Greenwood’s support, I am prepared to work with all of the community to raise our political professionalism to new heights in these ever-challenging times. I humbly ask for your vote. Thank you.
My Agenda:
The following items represent an agenda that will hopefully begin to restore the community’s confidence in City Hall. I want to stress that this list is just the beginning of a long list of issues our city must face in the next 24 months.
1. Implement a Code of Ethics Ordinance for ALL elected officials.
This ordinance will address community concerns of elected officials regarding unacceptable behavior, political bullying and power plays, use and misuse of the law for personal gain, poor attendance, unlawful secrecy, lack of communication, applying laws to one but not another, poor management and distrust over money matters.
2. Create and Implement an Emergency Financial Stabilization Plan.
The Emergency Financial Stabilization Plan will inform Greenwood residents on where our city is at financially and what we have to do to bring financial stability back to the City of Greenwood.
3. Create and Implement a Public Safety Policy that makes sense, is affordable, and acts as a model for other municipalities in our state.
There are hundreds of public safety issues that could arise in Greenwood on any given day. These issues range from dealing with some criminal activity to keeping a watchful eye on our most senior citizens; the issues range from dealing with a simple Boil Order to dealing with a natural disaster.
4. End the war on small business in Greenwood.
While I understand that Greenwood is primarily a bedroom community, any city that ignores free enterprise and its proper place in our community is unthinking. I’d like to create a “business friendly” atmosphere in Greenwood for the existing businesses, and strongly consider new opportunities that might come our way.
5. Make basic city services Priority No. 1!
It is easy for a municipality to get distracted by issues that do not relate to the day to day needs of our community. Citizens want and need Greenwood to focus on providing basic city services. Whether we’re talking about the provision of fire and ambulance protection, accurate billing, maintaining our infra-structure, or snow removal—basic city services must come first.
6. Change the way disputes between neighbors are handled.
For years, Greenwood residents have attempted to use city officials to solve disputes between neighbors. While asking the city for help is an option, your city’s elected officials should not always be a resident’s first line of defense in dealing with personal or civil matters.
7. Rekindle the relationship Greenwood once had with our community’s “faith-based” and volunteer organizations.
Municipalities throughout Jackson County and our state have come to realize that an effective city government must involve faith-based organizations and volunteer groups to be successful in meeting the needs of our community.
8. Make all four parks more user-friendly.
While there is necessary work that needs to be done to our two primary parks, we have two parks than remain well-maintained green space. I’d like to see every park offer something to the community. We have a great park board in place. Our city needs to continue to give them our full support.
9. Finish what has been started.
Greenwood has at least two major lawsuits, a bond issue, and a waste water mandate, not to mention a host of other commitments, projects, and demands that need to be finished.
10. Help Greenwood Go Green.
I would like to work with the Board of Alderman, the Economic Development Committee, and the residents of Greenwood on several “Go Green” initiatives. When I was growing up, I didn’t even know what a “carbon footprint” was, and probably still don’t. But we cannot deny we are a small part of a rapidly changing world. We are either going to embrace the movement to Go Green, or we are going to be left behind.
What do you think the biggest challenge Greenwood faces is?
The City of Greenwood’s biggest challenge is getting the residents to understand that there is no community without UNITY. The good news is you don’t have to go far to find evidence of unity in Greenwood. All over town you can find small groups of 3, 5, and 10 people who become unified for a cause…they come together and they get things done. Greenwood’s problem is we are not unified as an entire community. The challenge is that we are divided as a community. The solution is unifying all these little clusters of family and friends into larger groups… and you repeat that and repeat that until you finally get your 4600 + residents on the same page.
What do you think our city’s focus should be for the next two years?
Our city’s government must get back to basics… we have gotten in so big of a rush to build the house that we have forgot to establish a good solid foundation first, and individual residents are paying for it every day. Sometimes I think the best thing this city could do in the next two years is stop limping along and finally take the time to do things right.
What are your top three priorities, goals to see accomplished if you are elected to office?
Have a Code of Ethics and Conduct Ordinance approved by the Board of Alderman no later than June 2010. For any change to take place, our elected leaders must come to a consensus on how we are going to think and act as public servants.
Have a 10-Point plan to turn this city’s finances around finalized by October 2010. Everyone knows our city is in desperate need of additional income, but no one has ever taken the time to answer the tough question of “Where’s the money going to come from?”
Make 2011 the year Greenwood finally figured out how to turn their city around economically. Once we figure out how to do that, everything else will begin to fall in place and residents will begin to receive quality services they expect. Then it’s just a matter of duplicating that success year after year.
Of those three priorities – what is your #1 priority for 2010?
The Code of Ethics and Conduct Ordinance, because how our elected officials are going to think and act as public servants has become a moral issue. It’s a moral issue because it speaks to the character of our community. How we think and act on our worst day IS who we are. We’ve got to get past the dark days and find our guiding light.
Like the National Economy, our City economy has faltered; what plans do you have to make Greenwood thrive again?
Last February, our President introduced to the nation an economic stimulus package designed to boost the economy. At that time, Greenwood’s elected officials asked the obvious question, “What’s in it for Greenwood? I think it is safe to say we now have an answer, ‘Nothing…yet.’”
As a candidate for Mayor, I have to ask myself many questions regarding the future of Greenwood’s economy. For example… What do you do with a municipality that has an 8-16 sq mile drawing area with a consumer base of less than 6000 residents? If bringing in the “big box stores” isn’t an option, then what? How do you convince residents that our community must get “back to basics” without generating a lot of fear? Can Greenwood benefit from a “grass roots movement” that other communities have used to self-stimulate their own economies?
In January, I began meeting with businessmen and elected officials in communities that successfully used a “grass roots effort” to stimulate thriving business districts and economic events in their communities….without using a lot of money to make it happen. My goal is to continue my research and present a portfolio of great ideas to the Board of Alderman and our Economic Development Committee.
What tough budget decisions do you feel need to be made in order to keep Greenwood running on a positive budget with the income the city currently has (not counting the jury award of 11.9 million)?
Every year, the City of Greenwood has an audit done. At the end of the audit, the accounting firm that performed the audit gives the city a “Letter of Recommendations,” which contains suggestions for the city. Greenwood began the audit in October 2009, and it is still not finished. So, we have no “Letter of Recommendations”. Because of this, this question will be a tough question to answer for any candidate running for office. Any answer I would offer would be pure speculation at best.
What plans do you have to bring new business into Greenwood?
I’m concerned about all this talk about bringing new business into Greenwood. Here’s what concerns me the most. When most people talk about new businesses coming to Greenwood, they are talking about exactly that, new business. I think that’s misleading to the voter.
What we really need to talk about is two types of new business…the new businesses that will bring in income for the city quickly, and new businesses that might take 2 to 5 years before it creates income for the city. My position is that most of the new business ideas that have been discussed to this point won’t even receive their inventory and open their doors until June 2012… and that’s if they were to buy land in the next few months.
The City of Greenwood is “cash poor” right now. It is my opinion that Greenwood is in desperate need of an additional $1,000,000 per year. And Greenwood needs it A.S.A.P. As Mayor, I’d like to take on that challenge. I’d like to work with the residents of Greenwood and create a business model that would generate that type revenue annually.
At the same time, I’d like our Board of Alderman and the various advisory committees to work with the Economic Development Committee to create a plan for future development that includes multi-family housing, commercial retail, and industry.
What types of businesses would you like to see in Greenwood?
Well, you have to understand that you’re talking to someone who enjoys television shows like ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’ for fun. So as a resident of Greenwood, I’d like to see more entrepreneurial ventures, small businesses owned and operated by family and friends, that type of thing. As a Mayor, I’d like to see more businesses that relate to what I call “all things historical and famous.” Nothing would please me more than businesses that relate to Greenwood’s rich history and folklore.
What plans do you have to make our city safer?
I am going to the Safety Advisory Board and ask them to present the Alderman and me with a comprehensive safety plan for the next 12-24 months. The plan must make sense. The plan must be financially feasible. I am going to ask the Safety Advisory Board to think more than they may want to, to work more than they may want to, and to meet more than they may want to, and in the end they will rest in the satisfaction that they will have provided the city with something that we should have had in place years ago. Then, we will be in a position to make needed changes in our police department, improve overall safety on our streets and in our parks, and better address the safety concerns of the most vulnerable residents in our community—children, victimized women, and the elderly.
What resolution would you like to see to the issue of the Quarry and it’s traffic and the use of our city streets?
Of course I would like to see everyone involved walk away happy. But the bottom line is that we have made a few enemies in the last 48 months. Here’s what I need Greenwood residents to understand:
When the two current Alderman and Mayor discuss the lawsuit with the quarry they do so in closed meetings. This is because it is in the best interest of the City of Greenwood and the residents.
In less than eight weeks, the residents of Greenwood will elect the three Alderman and Mayor who will be responsible for dealing with multiple lawsuits with the Quarry. (Remember, Alderman VanAcker is not a part of these closed proceedings due to a conflict of interest.)
I do not believe it is in the best interest of the residents of Greenwood for candidates to discuss this matter publicly. I understand that there are citizens who feel they want to know each candidates position on this pending litigation before they vote. While that is perfectly understandable, I believe that if these conversations must take place, the conversations should be held in the privacy of one’s home rather than in public.
If a resident has questions or concerns regarding my position on the litigation or my qualifications that lend to handling such matters, please feel free to contact me by phone at 816-456-8080 or by email at MrvMeg1@aol.com.
What plans do you have to address the storm water issues our city is still facing or do you feel that the current plans are addressing those issues?
Obviously, we must proceed forward with satisfying the federal mandate. The challenge I will face as Mayor is how to do that without dropping a financial bombshell on the individual homeowner to cover the cost.
What do you propose to do with the parking issue or parking ordinance here in Greenwood?
I am still trying to figure out what the “issue” is. If we’re going to amend our current parking ordinance, it must makes sense, it must be fair, and it must be something that residents can live by. I am only in support of a parking ordinance that leaves residents feeling whole. This city can ill afford to continue the practice of applying an ordinance to one resident but not another.
What other improvements would you like to see in our community?
Honestly? I’d like to see something for children and families to do, like a miniature golf course or one of those giant, old fashioned wooden slides.
Now that the appeals process is done and the city has been awarded the $11.9 million, what would you like to do with that money?
My first temptation would be to create an 8-Month Prudent Reserve or Emergency Fund equal to 8 months of the city’s general operating expenses, pay any unpaid bills, then invest the remainder in a way that it would produce additional income for the city.
What is your opinion of the current political situation in Greenwood?
This city has no problems that a few basic changes won’t help. There is no rule that says “Greenwood’s political situation can’t change.”
What do you propose to improve the atmosphere at City Hall or how are you going to bring Greenwood together politically?
A Code of Conduct and Ethics Ordinance for all Elected and Appointed Officials would be a great start. I have actually been given an Ordinance used by another City for about seven years. They are very pleased with the results. With a few adjustments to meet some of our city’s specific needs, I believe the ordinance could work for us too.
Edited to add Megee’s picture.
Edited to correct the dates on Megee’s first answer per Megee’s request and comment left on this post.
