Lake Quivira mayoral race runs at low volume

Not much in the way of political issues has ruffled the serene waters of the two-way race for mayor of Lake Quivira. The tiny community at the northern edge of Johnson County has just shy of 1,000 residents, most of them living within a single homeowners’ group.

Fixing the streets? Not much of an issue when most of them are private.

How about the sewers, then? Nope, they’re taken care of by the county.

With a city budget of only about $1.5 million, neither of the two candidates has had much to debate, they said.

Both Michael Olson and Leon Rieke have served on the City Council. They are vying to take over from current Mayor Wayne Hidalgo, who is not running for another term.

Rieke said he didn’t really have an agenda. “I want to maintain the standard of living and attack whatever challenges come up,” he said.

Previous experience on the City Council and on the Q Inc. homeowners’ board gives him the background he needs to be mayor, Rieke said.

The nearness of Deffenbaugh Industries landfill to the west does pose a problem with smells and trash on the roadways from time to time, though. Rieke said as mayor he would work with the county and nearby Shawnee to mitigate those problems.

Olson provided a written biography and statement in which he said his background as a City Council member prepares him to become mayor. He cited accomplishments such as revising the city’s dog ordinance, resurfacing the south dam and replacing the dam guardrail. “I am proud of the work done by the Lake Quivira City Council. We have budgeted well and spent money wisely,” he said in an email.

Olson said that if elected, he would work to maintain the city’s beauty and uniqueness.

This story was originally published March 31, 2015 at 3:42 PM with the headline "Lake Quivira mayoral race runs at low volume."