Old Indy Station. The half-built building, has languished for more than 15 years on the corner of Monmouth & 2nd streets. By Anne Scheck
The city is heading back to the future with new development – if lingering parking issues downtown don’t keep history from repeating itself.
Two projects by Aaron Young, a developer in town, got the green light in separate decisions this past week. One approval was for a new 4,500-square-foot building on a parcel of Independence Landing known as Lot #7. The other go-ahead was for resuming construction on the 15-year-old skeletal relic at Second and Monmouth streets, invariably referred to by locals as “Stonehenge.”
Meanwhile, Young’s first development, Osprey Point, is being built on land sold to him by the city four years ago. The mixed-use, multi-story complex, on C Street across from the Independence Hotel, also is part of Independence Landing, the name designated years ago when the city bought 18 acres along the Willamette River and put more than $3 million into building streets and utilities, to make it “shovel-ready.” The half nearest the river was sold to Gresham-based Tokola Properties for $162,000, with some mandatory municipal fees also paid by the city, according to early escrow documents.
The city is heading back to the future with new development – if lingering parking issues downtown don’t keep history from repeating itself.
Two projects by Aaron Young, a developer in town, got the green light in separate decisions this past week. One approval was for a new 4,500-square-foot building on a parcel of Independence Landing known as Lot #7. The other go-ahead was for resuming construction on the 15-year-old skeletal relic at Second and Monmouth streets, invariably referred to by locals as “Stonehenge.”
Meanwhile, Young’s first development, Osprey Point, is being built on land sold to him by the city four years ago. The mixed-use, multi-story complex, on C Street across from the Independence Hotel, also is part of Independence Landing, the name designated years ago when the city bought 18 acres along the Willamette River and put more than $3 million into building streets and utilities, to make it “shovel-ready.” The half nearest the river was sold to Gresham-based Tokola Properties for $162,000, with some mandatory municipal fees also paid by the city, according to early escrow documents.
Aaron and Amy Young Indy Landing, as it is sometimes called, is one reason that redevelopment downtown is regarded by some residents as the community’s equivalent of a double-edged sword.
“I super-duper hate the hotel and apartments,” said Jennifer Flores, who has served for several years on the city’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). She made the remark at last Wednesday’s HPC meeting, during what appeared to be a plea to maintain consistency with older downtown buildings when considering Young’s most recent acquisition, the commonly labeled “Stonehenge,” which now is known as “Station 203.”
Though Young’s plans were given a positive review, Flores is far from the only one with misgivings about new construction in the area. City officials have said many other small towns are enviably impressed with the riverfront buildings by Tokola Properties, but some residents have observed that the 110-apartment complex created parking challenges, which weren’t apparent on the original configuration submitted with the proposal.
In fact, an artist’s rendering of those plans – which shows a relatively spacious central area flanked by apartments – is still on display at the city’s event center. And parking along Osprey Lane by the apartments, which was designed to be limited to only one side, now has cars parked on both sides of the street most days.
But Young is regarded as having a real homegrown advantage. “They grew up here, they really want to do it right,” said Michael Cairns, referring to Young and his wife Amy. Station 203 “would finally finish an eyesore,” said Cairns, who was on the HPC for years and has an annual award given by the commission named after him. Young’s design incorporates details from existing downtown buildings, Cairns noted.
Young’s projects are in the city’s urban renewal district, where they are eligible for special breaks – and he’s getting some soon for Lot #7, if all goes according to plan. The original purchase offer – $180,000 for the city-owned 10,000-square lot – came with a requirement to put in parking. Once those 10 parking spots are built, that space will revert to the city, removing it from taxes. Additionally, Young will be repaid for other costs.
The end result will be a new Elks Lodge; A plan for the former one nearby is expected to be made public soon.
“Once the property is deeded to Young Development, they will partition the property between the parking and building areas, complete construction and then transfer the parking lot back to the city,” explained Tom Pessemier, Independence City Manager. “Payment to the city will happen upon deeding the property to the developer and then improvement rebates will happen as the developer performs their obligations,” he said.
Young is obligated to meet certain milestones to qualify for reimbursement, under the terms of the agreement. “This is very similar to many other transactions and allows for protections for both parties,” Pessemier added.
“I super-duper hate the hotel and apartments,” said Jennifer Flores, who has served for several years on the city’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). She made the remark at last Wednesday’s HPC meeting, during what appeared to be a plea to maintain consistency with older downtown buildings when considering Young’s most recent acquisition, the commonly labeled “Stonehenge,” which now is known as “Station 203.”
Though Young’s plans were given a positive review, Flores is far from the only one with misgivings about new construction in the area. City officials have said many other small towns are enviably impressed with the riverfront buildings by Tokola Properties, but some residents have observed that the 110-apartment complex created parking challenges, which weren’t apparent on the original configuration submitted with the proposal.
In fact, an artist’s rendering of those plans – which shows a relatively spacious central area flanked by apartments – is still on display at the city’s event center. And parking along Osprey Lane by the apartments, which was designed to be limited to only one side, now has cars parked on both sides of the street most days.
But Young is regarded as having a real homegrown advantage. “They grew up here, they really want to do it right,” said Michael Cairns, referring to Young and his wife Amy. Station 203 “would finally finish an eyesore,” said Cairns, who was on the HPC for years and has an annual award given by the commission named after him. Young’s design incorporates details from existing downtown buildings, Cairns noted.
Young’s projects are in the city’s urban renewal district, where they are eligible for special breaks – and he’s getting some soon for Lot #7, if all goes according to plan. The original purchase offer – $180,000 for the city-owned 10,000-square lot – came with a requirement to put in parking. Once those 10 parking spots are built, that space will revert to the city, removing it from taxes. Additionally, Young will be repaid for other costs.
The end result will be a new Elks Lodge; A plan for the former one nearby is expected to be made public soon.
“Once the property is deeded to Young Development, they will partition the property between the parking and building areas, complete construction and then transfer the parking lot back to the city,” explained Tom Pessemier, Independence City Manager. “Payment to the city will happen upon deeding the property to the developer and then improvement rebates will happen as the developer performs their obligations,” he said.
Young is obligated to meet certain milestones to qualify for reimbursement, under the terms of the agreement. “This is very similar to many other transactions and allows for protections for both parties,” Pessemier added.
A long shot looking down Osprey Lane shows parking on both sides of the street Young’s “New Elks Lodge Project,” as it is sometimes called, got a yes vote last Monday night by the Independence Planning Commission. However, parking became a source of discussion, a fairly frequent occurrence at recent city meetings.
“I don’t understand where people are going to park,” said Planning Commissioner Rebecca Jay, while looking over Young’s application. Young, who attended the meeting, agreed that “parking can be a major problem in a small town.” However, city planner Fred Evander, the presiding staff member, said the number of parking places was in line with the city code.
“I don’t understand where people are going to park,” said Planning Commissioner Rebecca Jay, while looking over Young’s application. Young, who attended the meeting, agreed that “parking can be a major problem in a small town.” However, city planner Fred Evander, the presiding staff member, said the number of parking places was in line with the city code.
Independence Planning Commissioner Rebecca Jay “Then I don’t think the city showed much foresight here,” Jay said. In response, Planning Commissioner Kate Schwarzler reiterated Evander’s statement that “this meets the code.”
At the previous meeting, Schwarzler had voiced concerns about parking spaces downtown, when a church group unveiled plans to meet for Sunday service in a building that’s slated to be office space during the week.
Asked why she seemed worried over parking-space use on Sunday mornings but seemingly less troubled by parking availability near Independence Landing, Schwarzler explained that “my concern from the previous month centered around a key aspect of that application, which is that it was a conditional use application.”
“For the application we reviewed Monday, we reviewed it against the criteria in the code, and noted the applicant met the parking criteria,” she said.
Jay said that the parking along Osprey Lane, which might be an option for those using the new Elks Lodge, sometimes has hard-to-navigate sidewalks because driveways to Tokola’s rental units sometimes are being used by large cars, such as sports utility vehicles, which “hang over onto the sidewalk.”
“The department does receive complaints about parking,” affirmed Independence Police Chief Robert Mason, who previously had requested some potentially mitigating “language changes” on parking. However, the city council chose not to adopt it.
As for Osprey Lane, the original prohibition against parking on both sides of that street has been dropped and now it’s allowed, he explained.
Several parking-construction surveys put the minimum cost of a paved parking space at a small city hub – meaning a parking space on a lot, not in a garage or a parking structure – at $5,000 to $10,000. For a city like Independence, with a debt now at more than $43 million, parking could become a precious commodity – as it is for many cities, according to the National Parking Association.
Last year, parking reform was the subject of an in-depth presentation by the Oregon chapter of the American Planning Association, which described parking spaces in downtown areas of Oregon as consuming significant land use. Proposed solutions ranged from conducting parking audits to learn who’s actually using the spaces to “unbundling” parking spots from tenant units, so that they can be rented separately in rental housing by tenants who have parking needs.
At the previous meeting, Schwarzler had voiced concerns about parking spaces downtown, when a church group unveiled plans to meet for Sunday service in a building that’s slated to be office space during the week.
Asked why she seemed worried over parking-space use on Sunday mornings but seemingly less troubled by parking availability near Independence Landing, Schwarzler explained that “my concern from the previous month centered around a key aspect of that application, which is that it was a conditional use application.”
“For the application we reviewed Monday, we reviewed it against the criteria in the code, and noted the applicant met the parking criteria,” she said.
Jay said that the parking along Osprey Lane, which might be an option for those using the new Elks Lodge, sometimes has hard-to-navigate sidewalks because driveways to Tokola’s rental units sometimes are being used by large cars, such as sports utility vehicles, which “hang over onto the sidewalk.”
“The department does receive complaints about parking,” affirmed Independence Police Chief Robert Mason, who previously had requested some potentially mitigating “language changes” on parking. However, the city council chose not to adopt it.
As for Osprey Lane, the original prohibition against parking on both sides of that street has been dropped and now it’s allowed, he explained.
Several parking-construction surveys put the minimum cost of a paved parking space at a small city hub – meaning a parking space on a lot, not in a garage or a parking structure – at $5,000 to $10,000. For a city like Independence, with a debt now at more than $43 million, parking could become a precious commodity – as it is for many cities, according to the National Parking Association.
Last year, parking reform was the subject of an in-depth presentation by the Oregon chapter of the American Planning Association, which described parking spaces in downtown areas of Oregon as consuming significant land use. Proposed solutions ranged from conducting parking audits to learn who’s actually using the spaces to “unbundling” parking spots from tenant units, so that they can be rented separately in rental housing by tenants who have parking needs.
Curtis Tidmore, Independence Historic Preservation Commission Citing “barriers and concerns” regarding parking, Allison Platt, core area project manager for the City of Bend, advised that this is a topic that “you don’t want to just leave as the elephant in the room.” It’s difficult to grapple with the issue, but it won’t go away, she said.
Plans for parking at Independence’s Station 203 are likely to be firmed up in the near future, possibly during a site review. Now, however, the half-constructed building finally seems set to undergo transformation.
Curtis Tidmore, who chaired the HPC meeting last week, declined to express his opinion on the proposal before the meeting had officially begun, even when pressed to share his view on how it felt to finally receive plans for rebuilding the massive structure. “Well, let me put it this way,” he said prior to calling the meeting to order. “I’m certainly glad to be at a point where we’re able to hold a hearing on this.”
Plans for parking at Independence’s Station 203 are likely to be firmed up in the near future, possibly during a site review. Now, however, the half-constructed building finally seems set to undergo transformation.
Curtis Tidmore, who chaired the HPC meeting last week, declined to express his opinion on the proposal before the meeting had officially begun, even when pressed to share his view on how it felt to finally receive plans for rebuilding the massive structure. “Well, let me put it this way,” he said prior to calling the meeting to order. “I’m certainly glad to be at a point where we’re able to hold a hearing on this.”
Analysis: Indy’s Loss of City Manager, Pessemier Seeks Change Not New Job
Tom Pessemier, departing city manager of Independence, promotes recent census (PHOTO by Itemizer-Observer) By Anne Scheck
The departure of City Manager Tom Pessemier at the end of this month, after three years on the job, is sad for many who know him in this riverside town, but truly surprising to only a few.
Pessemier joined the city with the kind of stellar credentials – degrees in both engineering and economics – that, at the time, led to predictions by some that Independence would be only a steppingstone in his career.
What seems to be astonishing about the resignation of Pessemier, a former interim city manager of Sherwood, is that he’s not leaving for another position. He’s leaving to start a new chapter of his life, in another part of the country. He and his family are moving to Tennessee, where his two oldest children are in college.
Pessemier is regarded by some city officials as a lucky hire for the city – he arrived with an excellent background that would have made him a good catch almost anywhere. And he proved it over the course of his time as city manager, according to Mayor John McArdle.
“I have really valued working with Tom during his three years as city manager," McArdle said. "He has embraced both the spirit and vision of Independence,” he stated. “He and the city staff have worked well together in supporting the city’s longterm goals and were especially creative in problem-solving during the pandemic.”
In fact, Pessemier was seen as doing such an outstanding job that last winter the Independence City Council voted to double his previous annual salary raise of five percent to 10% – a hike he declined almost immediately and which subsequently was whittled down.
There were reports that Pessemier was seeking better “work-life” balance. “Without doing this as a professional move, it’s certainly likely to be for personal reasons,” one observer commented.
In a brief interview shortly after his announcement Friday, Pessemier appeared to confirm that opinion. Pulling up stakes to move from his current home outside Portland to the south’s gateway state represents the opportunity for a lifestyle change, he said. “I may take a year or two off,” he said.
Home prices have appreciated highly in Oregon’s suburban cities, while property in other parts of the country haven’t escalated nearly as much, so it is a good time to sell a house, Pessemier affirmed. And, following a difficult period of coronavirus measures, he considers the city “in good shape,” he said. “This has just been a great staff to work with,” Pessemier added.
“I am saddened by his departure,” said Independence City Councilor Kathy Martin-Willis. “I understand the difficulties in balancing work and family life, particularly with a position as demanding as city manager,” she said, adding that it was a privilege to work with Pessemier. “He will be sorely missed,” she said.
As Pessemier begins the countdown weeks toward his exit, some who know him pointed out the challenges and successes that made his tenure so noteworthy during such a relatively short time with the city.
He clarified the city’s financial picture. With a debt load that now exceeds $43 million and an average residential tax increase this year that reached three percent, Pessemier helped ensure that city finances were expressed more clearly on documents at city council meetings; Packets of information to the council members included easier-to-read text with sub-heads in memos, such as a “statement” of the problem at hand, a proposed solution and its “fiscal impact.” Pessemier also emphasized the need to explore more grant awards to reduce reliance on tax revenue.
He increased attention to infrastructure demands. The need for enhancing water facilities was frequently mentioned by Pessemier and, at a recent meeting, representatives from Westech Engineering helped explain how and why the system needed improvement, including the addition of a new well near the city’s boat ramp. Additionally, the F Street Bridge, which had languished for years as a crossing point in sore need of upgrades, finally is getting them.
He created learning opportunities for those in public office. When one city councilor failed to disclose a property rented to a developer seeking a city deal, public questions arose. Pessemier seemed responsive: A training session on best practices for elected officials was convened. More recently, he has invited city department managers periodically to city council meetings, to describe their duties, in an apparent effort to increase understanding of city operations.
He was positive, but clear-eyed. Whether it was his ability to precisely define a problem, perhaps as the result of his engineering background, or the dollar-and-cents perspective from his economics training, Pessemier never expressed himself with the same prose sometimes used by certain city staff – descriptions that, at times, seemed confusing, such as calling events “community connectors.” Pessemier appeared to prefer a more dry, fact-based approach. For example, when one staffer seemed headed into a long, glowing narration, Pessemier cut him off, explaining that the meeting needed to move on.
He skillfully juggled hard aspects of the pandemic. The city functioned well in perhaps its most challenging period of many decades. Zoom sessions commenced almost immediately. Much of the staff was quickly deployed remotely. New hours were posted clearly at the Independence Civic Center. City work and public meetings continued. Meanwhile, a transportation system plan, considered long overdue when Pessemier signed on as city manager, rolled to completion of the final draft.
The departure of City Manager Tom Pessemier at the end of this month, after three years on the job, is sad for many who know him in this riverside town, but truly surprising to only a few.
Pessemier joined the city with the kind of stellar credentials – degrees in both engineering and economics – that, at the time, led to predictions by some that Independence would be only a steppingstone in his career.
What seems to be astonishing about the resignation of Pessemier, a former interim city manager of Sherwood, is that he’s not leaving for another position. He’s leaving to start a new chapter of his life, in another part of the country. He and his family are moving to Tennessee, where his two oldest children are in college.
Pessemier is regarded by some city officials as a lucky hire for the city – he arrived with an excellent background that would have made him a good catch almost anywhere. And he proved it over the course of his time as city manager, according to Mayor John McArdle.
“I have really valued working with Tom during his three years as city manager," McArdle said. "He has embraced both the spirit and vision of Independence,” he stated. “He and the city staff have worked well together in supporting the city’s longterm goals and were especially creative in problem-solving during the pandemic.”
In fact, Pessemier was seen as doing such an outstanding job that last winter the Independence City Council voted to double his previous annual salary raise of five percent to 10% – a hike he declined almost immediately and which subsequently was whittled down.
There were reports that Pessemier was seeking better “work-life” balance. “Without doing this as a professional move, it’s certainly likely to be for personal reasons,” one observer commented.
In a brief interview shortly after his announcement Friday, Pessemier appeared to confirm that opinion. Pulling up stakes to move from his current home outside Portland to the south’s gateway state represents the opportunity for a lifestyle change, he said. “I may take a year or two off,” he said.
Home prices have appreciated highly in Oregon’s suburban cities, while property in other parts of the country haven’t escalated nearly as much, so it is a good time to sell a house, Pessemier affirmed. And, following a difficult period of coronavirus measures, he considers the city “in good shape,” he said. “This has just been a great staff to work with,” Pessemier added.
“I am saddened by his departure,” said Independence City Councilor Kathy Martin-Willis. “I understand the difficulties in balancing work and family life, particularly with a position as demanding as city manager,” she said, adding that it was a privilege to work with Pessemier. “He will be sorely missed,” she said.
As Pessemier begins the countdown weeks toward his exit, some who know him pointed out the challenges and successes that made his tenure so noteworthy during such a relatively short time with the city.
He clarified the city’s financial picture. With a debt load that now exceeds $43 million and an average residential tax increase this year that reached three percent, Pessemier helped ensure that city finances were expressed more clearly on documents at city council meetings; Packets of information to the council members included easier-to-read text with sub-heads in memos, such as a “statement” of the problem at hand, a proposed solution and its “fiscal impact.” Pessemier also emphasized the need to explore more grant awards to reduce reliance on tax revenue.
He increased attention to infrastructure demands. The need for enhancing water facilities was frequently mentioned by Pessemier and, at a recent meeting, representatives from Westech Engineering helped explain how and why the system needed improvement, including the addition of a new well near the city’s boat ramp. Additionally, the F Street Bridge, which had languished for years as a crossing point in sore need of upgrades, finally is getting them.
He created learning opportunities for those in public office. When one city councilor failed to disclose a property rented to a developer seeking a city deal, public questions arose. Pessemier seemed responsive: A training session on best practices for elected officials was convened. More recently, he has invited city department managers periodically to city council meetings, to describe their duties, in an apparent effort to increase understanding of city operations.
He was positive, but clear-eyed. Whether it was his ability to precisely define a problem, perhaps as the result of his engineering background, or the dollar-and-cents perspective from his economics training, Pessemier never expressed himself with the same prose sometimes used by certain city staff – descriptions that, at times, seemed confusing, such as calling events “community connectors.” Pessemier appeared to prefer a more dry, fact-based approach. For example, when one staffer seemed headed into a long, glowing narration, Pessemier cut him off, explaining that the meeting needed to move on.
He skillfully juggled hard aspects of the pandemic. The city functioned well in perhaps its most challenging period of many decades. Zoom sessions commenced almost immediately. Much of the staff was quickly deployed remotely. New hours were posted clearly at the Independence Civic Center. City work and public meetings continued. Meanwhile, a transportation system plan, considered long overdue when Pessemier signed on as city manager, rolled to completion of the final draft.
Independence Civic Center “Tom has done an admirable job during the pandemic – a challenge I wish on no one,” said Councilor Shannon Corr. His ability to address and implement the ever-changing mandates and guidance “is nothing short of commendable,” she said. “He has steered our community valiantly throughout,” Corr stressed.
Corr noted that Pessemier joined the city about the same time she was sworn in as a city councilor. Since then, he’s shared his previous city management experiences with her “and I believe that’s helped me be a more effective councilor,” she said.
“I’ve been most appreciative of his willingness to discuss with me issues we’ve disagreed on over the years,” Corr noted. “We still disagree on some things, but I’ve certainly learned a lot from those conversations.”
A city manager’s role, which ranges from managing finances and personnel to overseeing the delivery of services such as safe drinking water, is considered to be one of the hardest in terms of stressors, according to the Alliance for Innovation, which tracks trends in local government.
Corr noted that Pessemier joined the city about the same time she was sworn in as a city councilor. Since then, he’s shared his previous city management experiences with her “and I believe that’s helped me be a more effective councilor,” she said.
“I’ve been most appreciative of his willingness to discuss with me issues we’ve disagreed on over the years,” Corr noted. “We still disagree on some things, but I’ve certainly learned a lot from those conversations.”
A city manager’s role, which ranges from managing finances and personnel to overseeing the delivery of services such as safe drinking water, is considered to be one of the hardest in terms of stressors, according to the Alliance for Innovation, which tracks trends in local government.
City Councilor Shannon Corr Also, there are increasing group-related divisions in city government, making local governance more political even in places that have nonpartisan elected offices, according to research from the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University’s Center for Effective Lawmaking, which analyzed records of 132 city and county councils. Pessemier had to maneuver around this growing divide in Independence, where even the city councilors seemed sometimes to reflect party lines. Pessemier proved an able navigator, with several bona fide hits – though there was one obvious miss along the way, as well.
Sidewalk near Parallel 45 Brewing Hit: Sidewalk Fix. When Pessemier arrived at the city, broken concrete was all that remained of sidewalks around what was once the Independence City Hall and is now the home of Parallel 45 Brewing. A previous developer had torn out the sidewalks, leaving piles of rubble. The project to restore them took place when a new developer was found and given the same deal as the prior one: a quarter million dollars to get the sidewalks fixed. Soon the walkways were covered in fresh cement, with small trees placed in wells. The area is now what one young adult in town has dubbed “beautified awesomely.”
Miss: The Museum. For years, the Independence Heritage Museum was in a historic church at 3rd and B streets, but stairs made it inaccessible for any with mobility issues. When a building at the corner of 2nd and C streets became available, the city decided to relocate the museum there. Pessemier earned kudos for stating the purchase would be financed by the sale of two city-owned lots. When the lots were found to be restricted from resale, Pessemier then announced the city would borrow the money. The lack of public deliberation on the loan, and the nearly one million dollars it took to get the new site ready, remains a source of some public discord, even though the church was sold for more than a third of the new building’s cost.
Hit: “Two-Job Tom.” When the former public works director left nearly a year ago, a search for his successor began. During those many months, Pessemier stepped into a dual role, serving as both the city manager and the public works director – with no uptick in pay. He’d had experience in public works earlier in his career, so he took on the extra burden and the city continued to attack infrastructure needs, from plugging up potholes on city streets to laying a pipe system to send recycled water to farmland north of town. Recently a new public works director, Gerald Fisher, joined the city. Pessemier finally hung up his public works hat.
Miss: The Museum. For years, the Independence Heritage Museum was in a historic church at 3rd and B streets, but stairs made it inaccessible for any with mobility issues. When a building at the corner of 2nd and C streets became available, the city decided to relocate the museum there. Pessemier earned kudos for stating the purchase would be financed by the sale of two city-owned lots. When the lots were found to be restricted from resale, Pessemier then announced the city would borrow the money. The lack of public deliberation on the loan, and the nearly one million dollars it took to get the new site ready, remains a source of some public discord, even though the church was sold for more than a third of the new building’s cost.
Hit: “Two-Job Tom.” When the former public works director left nearly a year ago, a search for his successor began. During those many months, Pessemier stepped into a dual role, serving as both the city manager and the public works director – with no uptick in pay. He’d had experience in public works earlier in his career, so he took on the extra burden and the city continued to attack infrastructure needs, from plugging up potholes on city streets to laying a pipe system to send recycled water to farmland north of town. Recently a new public works director, Gerald Fisher, joined the city. Pessemier finally hung up his public works hat.
Paved path and grass park that Pessemier said would have no immediate improvements, earning kudos for honesty Hit: Fessing up. In the neighborhood known as “Sunset Meadows,” a linear park – a swath of land between two streets that stretches behind houses for a block – was the focus of several neighborhood meetings with a green-space consultant. Neighbors voted on their preference for park development: a paved nature path with play areas that included a small climbing boulder. The pavement was laid, but not much else. Residents expressed frustration with the lack of progress. During one city council meeting, Pessemier announced that the grass and path probably would remain that way for the foreseeable future, without the hoped-for additions. Several neighbors privately saluted his honesty.
Mixed: Communication. Ask city councilors or members of the press about Pessemier’s turnaround time to emails and phone calls, and he gets positive reviews for fast replies. The same is not true for some members of the public, including several individuals who were initially impressed by Pessemier but then frustrated by unanswered phone calls or emails. “It’s been very disappointing,” said one. In contrast, Fire Chief Ben Strange, of Polk County Fire District No. 1 in Independence, called Pessemier highly responsive and “easy to work with.”
Mixed: Communication. Ask city councilors or members of the press about Pessemier’s turnaround time to emails and phone calls, and he gets positive reviews for fast replies. The same is not true for some members of the public, including several individuals who were initially impressed by Pessemier but then frustrated by unanswered phone calls or emails. “It’s been very disappointing,” said one. In contrast, Fire Chief Ben Strange, of Polk County Fire District No. 1 in Independence, called Pessemier highly responsive and “easy to work with.”
City Councilor Sarah Jobe Members of the Independence City Council also have been effusive in their praise of Pessemier. “I have really enjoyed working with Tom and I know he is going to be greatly missed,” said Councilor Sarah Jobe. “Tom has been such a huge blessing to Independence. His hard work and professionalism as the Independence city manager will be a tough act to follow. I am very sad to see him go,” Jobe said.
“I greatly appreciate all he has done for the city of Independence and I wish him a bright future,” said Independence City Councilor Tom Takacs.
Polk County Commissioner Lyle Mordhorst echoed that sentiment, but also sounded a hopeful note about the next few years, as well. "I wish Tom the best in whatever his new adventure may be,” Mordhorst said, but added, “and I am looking forward to creating another collaborative relationship with his successor."
“I greatly appreciate all he has done for the city of Independence and I wish him a bright future,” said Independence City Councilor Tom Takacs.
Polk County Commissioner Lyle Mordhorst echoed that sentiment, but also sounded a hopeful note about the next few years, as well. "I wish Tom the best in whatever his new adventure may be,” Mordhorst said, but added, “and I am looking forward to creating another collaborative relationship with his successor."
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