One of the three Prairie Village city council seats being vacated by its incumbent now has an official candidate seeking to fill the opening.
Ward 3 resident and Stinson Leonard Street LLP attorney Eric Mikkelson officially filed his paperwork Monday to seek the seat currently held by Michael Kelly, who Mikkelson supported in the 2011 Prairie Village mayoral election.
Mikkelson says he is running to focus on five goals:
- Preserve and expand green spaces, walk and bike routes, recreation facilities, culture and arts
- Incentivize smart development and home renovation that strengthens neighborhood communities
- Enhance partnering with area schools, businesses and cities for maximum public benefit
- Improve the City’s fiscal efficiency and its ability to meet long-term capital challenges
- Maintain and improve the City’s infrastructure, staff, police and other services
Mikkelson and his wife Margo have lived in Prairie Village for 8 years, and are the parents to twin sons and a daughter. He has served as a director and vice president of the Prairie Hills Homes Association, as a member of the Belinder PTA, and was recently appointed to the Prairie Village Parks and Recreation Committee. Mikkelson attended Stanford as an undergraduate and received his law degree from the University of Kansas.
He is the only candidate to have filed in Ward 3. The Ward 6 seat that will be up for election in April is being vacated by incumbent David Belz, but to-date no candidates have filed for the opening. Three candidates have filed to fill the Ward 5 seat being vacated by incumbent Charles Clark.
