RIDGEWAY BOWS OUT
LIBERTY – Embattled Clay County Eastern Commissioner Luann Ridgeway, 63, announced Friday that she will not seek reelection.
The decision could herald a change in the county’s direction.
Ridgeway and Commissioner Gene Owen have stood united on policy issues opposed by Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte. These issues include Ridgeway and Owen’s continuing court action that has stifled an independent performance audit requested by the public and undertaken by Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway. More than 9,000 county residents signed the petition to seek the audit.
Despite major disagreements, including Ridgeway and Owen cutting funds for Sheriff Paul Vescovo’s office, Nolte reacted with kind words to her decision not to seek re-election.
“She’s had a long and distinguished career, from the ’90s to the present day, and whether we agree or disagree, I think the fact that someone has put in that volume of public service is something that it is appropriate to express some gratitude for,”…