Council members say ‘there was no greater cheerleader for Olathe’ than Mayor Mike

The first 30 minutes of Tuesday night’s Olathe City Council meeting were devoted to two pieces of business: remembering the late Mayor Michael Copeland and swearing in new leadership.

Copeland died Aug. 19 at age 58. He was Olathe’s longest-serving mayor, serving for 19 years.

“This isn’t an easy day for Olathe. It’s the first city council meeting in 27 years without Mike Copeland as a part of this council,” said John Bacon, former City Council member and the new mayor of Olathe. “I felt fortunate and proud to live in a city with Mike as my mayor and count it a privilege to have been able to work alongside him on this council for so many years.”

Several other council members said they had known Copeland for decades.

“I think Mayor Mike was successful because his commitment and leadership were rooted in love and service to others, always thinking of what was best for the city of Olathe,” said Larry Campbell, who recalled meeting Copeland in 1993. “There was no greater cheerleader for Olathe than Mayor Mike.”

Campbell choked up a little recalling Copeland and said the news of Copeland’s death still had him somewhat in shock.

“I’m thankful that he was my friend,” Campbell said.

Council member Marge Vogt also remembered Copeland as a good man.

“He wasn’t just a good friend to me. He was a good friend to everybody he met,” she said. “So if you thought you were really special, there’s hundreds and thousands of other special ones out there. That was what was so special about Mike.”

Like Campbell, she fought tears as she spoke. She recalled Copeland’s vision for Olathe and praised his kindness and compassion. Vogt called Lake Olathe, the Olathe Community Center and numerous other projects Copeland’s legacy.

“He has made a difference and made the world a better place, and he has made me a better person because of his friendship and his love,” Vogt said.

Council member Wes McCoy remembered meeting Copeland 20 years ago while working on the 2020 city plan.

“It was said last week that he truly was a public servant. There’s a big difference in just being a politician and being a public servant and bringing this city together,” he said.

Following the council members’ statements, city officials showed a video showing highlights of Copeland’s time serving the city. It included still photos from a large span of years, as well as audio clips of Copeland’s speeches and even some video of him reading a Clifford book to young children.

After the remembrance, Judge Katie McElhinney installed Bacon as mayor. Bacon then nominated Campbell as the new mayor pro tem, a motion that passed 6-0.

This story was originally published September 2, 2020 at 11:12 AM with the headline "Council members say ‘there was no greater cheerleader for Olathe’ than Mayor Mike."