January 2008

Libertarian Reelected Chairman of City Committee, Appointed to Another Committee in Grandview, MO

In 2004, Mike Ferguson was the Libertarian nominee for Missouri Lt. Governor. The Board of Aldermen in his hometown of Grandview, Missouri liked what they saw in that campaign enough to appoint him to the city's Transportation Committee in early 2005, which reviews all changes to ordinances that pertain to traffic, parking and other safety issues.

In 2006, after less than one year on the committee, the other committee members elected Ferguson chairman. He was reelected to the position by the committee in 2007 and again in 2008. His term expires at the end of this year.

Ferguson commented: "These past three years have been a valuable opportunity to learn the practical things that are needed to work in real-world political roles. I'm looking forward to continuing to learn as I lead the committee for another year.

"Not all politics focuses on the big, emotional issues. I hope more Libertarians get involved at the local level of government. This is where you get to put principles into practical application and where your decisions directly affect people, even if it's on a small scale." The Transportation Committee isn't the only office Ferguson serves in. In April of 2007, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the local water district in southern Jackson County, winning over 72% of the vote in a two-way race. That term in office expires in 2010.

This January, Ferguson was appointed by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to another position - this time on Grandview's Planning Commission. He will serve in all three offices at least through the end of this year. Previous to his work in local government, Ferguson represented the Libertarian Party on a statewide committee. In 2003, he was appointed by the then-Secretary of State to serve on the Missouri State Plan Committee which developed the state's election reform plan required by the federal Help America Vote Act.

Mike Ferguson will be among the speakers at the Libertarian National Convention in Denver this May.