Mayor Pat Stivers today announced that Maize City Administrator, Richard LaMunyon, has informed the City Council of his intention to retire from his duties at the end of December 2023, after 23 years of service.
Richard, a long-time resident of Maize, became City Administrator in 2000 when the city employed eight people (half were part-time), had a geographic size of one square mile, and a population of about 1,800 citizens.
Today, Maize is the fastest growing community in the State of Kansas. It now incorporates over ten square miles, employs fifty dedicated workers, and an estimated population of 7,100 residents.
During his tenure, city operations grew to include modern facilities at City Hall and Public Works for enhanced citizen services. Growth and economic developments successes include an industrial park district, commercial outlets, sixteen active housing developments and enhancements for quality-of-life amenities.
Before Richard began his career in Maize, he was a member of the Wichita Police Department for over 28 years, retiring at the rank of Police Chief.
As Wichita Police Chief he founded the “Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics,” a charity movement to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympic Athletes. The LETR charity has evolved from 5 Wichita officers in 1981 to over 110,000 officers worldwide. It is the largest grassroots fundraising movement in the history of the Special Olympics. Since its inception, police officers’ charitable efforts will surpass the $1 billion mark this year.
Later this year a special event will be scheduled to acknowledge Richard and his contributions to our City of Maize.
The City Council will proceed to establish criteria for a suitable replacement. A formal search process and timeline to identify a successor will be announced. The Governing Body will consider both internal and external candidates.
Mayor Pat Stivers City of Maize, Kansas
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