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Chief says good-bye
to Valley Center

By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: January 12, 2007

Valley Center Police Chief Kelly Parks figures he’s attended more than 800 city council meetings.

Well, he said farewell to his last one Jan. 2.

Parks, who has been chief of police in Valley Center since 1989, will take office next week as Sedgwick County commissioner. He was elected to represent the Fourth District — which includes Valley Center, Park City, Maize and parts of Kechi — in the November election, defeating Wichita Democrat Michael Kinard.

Leaving his law enforcement post, Parks said he looks forward to his new job.

“I’ve appreciated working here,” he told Valley Center City Council members.

Parks encouraged the council to continue taking care of the city’s employees and reward those who dedicate years of service to the community.

Those who were involved in hiring Parks more than 17 years ago said he came in with a plan and a vision for the department.

Parks said was proud of the job he did as chief. He said while the city’s population nearly doubled since 1990, the number of criminal cases has not kept the same pace.

He said there were about 14 vehicle crashes each month in Valley Center in 1990. Now, the average is about six per month.

Parks said he worked hard to decrease crime and accidents through “engineering, education and enforcement.”

“We appreciate what your leadership has done for the entire department,” council member Virginia Black said.

A farewell reception for Parks will be from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 5 at City Hall.

Meanwhile, the committee searching for the city’s next police chief will begin interviewing candidates next week, council member Mike Houston said. A report is expected to be presented to the council during its next meeting, which will be Jan. 16.

The job opening drew 35 applicants.

That number will be narrowed to a handful for consideration by the full council.

Also at the Jan. 2 city council meeting, the council:

•Approved contracts to provide fire protection in Grant, Park and Valley Center townships.

•Approved on first reading an ordinance that updates zoning regulations in the city.

•Approved on first reading an ordinance that establishes pay for council members and mayor. Beginning with the first meeting after the spring elections, council members will be paid $25 per meeting, while the mayor will be paid $50 per meeting. Previously, the mayor was paid $40 per meeting, while council members were not paid.

•Met in executive session for 20 minutes to discuss a personnel matter. No action was taken.

•Learned council member Mike Houston would not seek re-election in the spring elections. Council member Dick Yarnell, who was recently appointed to fill a Ward 2 seat when Jim Gilson resigned, also announced he would not seek election “in all likelihood.” The mayor’s post and all six council seats — plus two more, because the city is adding a fourth representative ward — will be decided in the spring elections.

Candidate, anyone?

The Valley Center City Council and city staff want to encourage residents to consider running for local elected office. The council has set four meetings over the next two weeks to answer questions about the process to becoming a candidate for city council. Council members and city officials will be on hand during four meetings — Jan. 8, 11, 15 and 18 — which all begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The deadline to register as a candidate in the primary election is Jan. 23. Voters will elect a mayor and eight council members (two from four wards) this spring.





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