By Allen Edmonds
With a wealth of choices in front of them, Belton councilmembers chose a relatively unfamiliar name to replace Ward 1 councilmember Dave Clark, who resigned because he moved to another part of the city.
But Alex McCallum, 35, clearly impressed a majority of the board with a resume and base of experience that could serve the city well in the future. He was sworn into his new role on Oct. 10 shortly after being chosen in an open vote of the council.
“Professionally, I am a trained Human Resources and Labor Relations professional which provides me with constant interaction with people (both happy and unhappy), acting as a mediator and representative for people. I am also professionally trained in negotiations (including union negotiations), salary and budget planning, employment law and investigations,” McCallum wrote in his application to the board.
“Throughout my adult life, I have remained actively volunteering, primarily in positions that serve food and beverage at local events, which has helped me maintain a good ability to positively interact with the public,” he said.
In Belton, he has participated and provided opinion in public hearings related to his neighborhood and other special interests, he said, and he helped support the bid to widen Interstate 49 through Belton.
He hails from Frankenmuth, Mich., and graduated from Michigan State University. He has lived in Texas, Kentucky and Kansas as his career advanced.
McCallum edged out a wide range of candidates, finally surviving a close vote over Patricia L. Lear-Johnson, a local attorney who has served on numerous community-based boards and service clubs. In her career, she focuses on representing children and families, which “helps me understand the needs of families in our community,” she wrote in her application.
Also in the running for the Ward 1 seat were current school board member David Daniels, commercial real estate developer and former Belton economic development chief Art Ruiz, R-G Federal Credit Union CFO and former Belton police officer Steven Deere, and marketing professional Jared Wilson.
In other business, the council completed the final reading on a rental inspection program that will take effect July 1, 2024; passed a resolution creating a homelessness committee to study the issue locally; and approved the purchase of five new public works vehicles.
The next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24 at City Hall Annex.
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