Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for Shawnee City Council to address leading up to the Nov. 4 election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to Shawnee residents.
Each day this week, we’re publishing the candidates’ responses to one question.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Infrastructure: From parks and pools to street repairs, a city’s physical amenities — its infrastructure — can have a great impact on resident satisfaction and quality of life. What do you see as the biggest infrastructure challenge facing your city over the next four years, and how would you tackle it if elected?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:
Ward 1
Tony Gillette (incumbent)
The biggest infrastructure challenges in Shawnee are the aging and failing corrugated metal stormwater pipes that are being replaced with concrete piping, and the local street upgrades from ditches for stormwater to curbs, gutters, and lacking sidewalks in the older part of the city. These projects need to remain as our focus for the reserve funds and tax collections in the coming years, all without cutting essential services.
Steele Reynolds
Many Shawnee neighborhoods have waited years for sidewalks and Midland remains the only bikeable route connecting east and west Shawnee. While sinkhole repairs are understandably a high priority, improving our city’s walkability and bikeability is also an important safety and quality-of-life issue.
The best way to make progress is to ensure these needs are considered in every new development and to continue funding programs that maintain sidewalks and improve roads. These steady investments will make Shawnee safer and more connected for everyone.
Ward 2
Mike Kemmling (incumbent)
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Eric Persson
The biggest infrastructure challenge Shawnee faces in the next four years is keeping pace with growth while maintaining existing assets. Our streets, stormwater systems, and parks are all under pressure as the city expands. If elected, I will prioritize:
- Street and sidewalk safety, especially in Ward 2, where walkability and bike access need major improvements. I’ve raised concerns with the city on multiple occasions about unsafe stretches of sidewalk and the lack of adequate signage for pedestrians.
- Stormwater upgrades to protect homes and businesses from flooding. I’ve met with many homeowners who’s houses sit on plots of land
I will push for a long-term capital improvement plan that balances new development with reinvestment in our existing neighborhoods, ensuring Shawnee remains a safe, vibrant, and resilient community.
Ward 3
Dave Myres
City government’s first duty is to public safety and infrastructure. The old, corrugated metal is failing quickly. The current council and city management has been doing a good job. We need to keep it up. Additionally, Shawnee has one of the lowest police officer to population ratios when compared to the other comparable cities in the county. We need to develop a plan to increase the number of police officers to keep our families and neighborhoods safe.
Morgan Rainey
One of Shawnee’s biggest infrastructure challenges over the next four years is addressing our aging corrugated metal pipe (CMP) system. These pipes run underneath streets and yards across the city, and many are deteriorating. If we don’t act, failures could become more frequent and more expensive. But fixing them all at once isn’t realistic, financially or logistically.
That’s why we need a strategic, phased approach that prioritizes the most urgent repairs while balancing other critical needs. Infrastructure is more than just what’s underground – it’s our parks, streets, sidewalks, and public spaces. I believe we can address CMP repairs without sacrificing the long-term growth and quality of life residents expect.
We’re fortunate to have responsible reserves and a city staff that’s shown they can manage complex projects efficiently. But as a councilmember, it’s my job to evaluate each decision carefully and not just accept recommendations, to also ensure our investments reflect the values and needs of the entire community.
Ward 4
Erin Aldridge
The biggest infrastructure challenge Shawnee faces in the next four years is maintaining and improving our roads and utilities while also funding other critical amenities like parks, pools, and public safety facilities. Residents consistently tell me that street conditions are a top concern, and I agree, our transportation network underpins everything else. As a project manager, I understand how to plan for long-term capital improvements while keeping costs in check. If elected, I would advocate for a clear, prioritized maintenance schedule that ensures we don’t defer problems until they become more expensive to fix. At the same time, I believe parks, trails, and recreational facilities are essential to Shawnee’s quality of life. A balanced approach where we meet immediate infrastructure needs while planning responsibly for future growth will help Shawnee remain a community we are all proud to call home.
Laurel Stiffler
Did not provide the Post with a response.
