By Daniel Winningham
“In local politics, the stage is small, very personal and meaningful.”
Former Perryville Mayor Debbie Gahan provided that statement shortly after finding out she lost a re-election bid to Ken Baer in April 2014.
Now, eight years later, Baer is in a similar spot, getting ready to pass the leadership reigns to newly elected mayor and Ward 1 alderman Larry Riney.
Baer spent better than 2,900 days, give or take, as mayor of the City of Perryville.
First elected in April 2014, Baer won re-election bids in 2016, 2018, 2020. He faced contested races in 2014 (against Gahan), in 2020 (against the Rev. Thomas Handrick) and 2022 (vs. Larry Riney, who was sworn in Tuesday evening).
Earlier this month, Baer spoke of the accomplishments he is most proud of during his eight-year tenure as mayor.
“We strengthened trust and cooperative with state and county government, as well as with all local institutions, private industries and businesses,” he said.
In addition, the city developed a superior city government management team and workforce, according to Baer. In recent years, Perryville has established adequate revenues to complete essential city government functions of Public Works, Public Safety and Public Parks.
A capital improvement plan was developed to identify, fund, and schedule all improvements to the city’s Public Works infrastructure, police, fire protection and parks.
More updates and improvements are on the way.
“We have begun construction of a new wastewater treatment plant, firehouse, joint justice center and the Perryville Technical College,” he said.
Also, the city has worked alongside the county in promoting Perry County Heritage Tourism, local memorials as well as other natural attractions in the area.
He addressed the challenges one faces when serving as mayor.
“Maintaining a consensus that adheres to a good, established policy when confronted with vocal minority and special interest opposition to that good established policy,” Baer said.
Baer, who is involved with various veterans’ organizations, spoke about how serving as mayor differs from being involved in the community in other capacities. Baer moved back to Perryville in 1979 after being gone for about two decades.
“The mayor serves as the representative of the city to the larger world and as such it is essential to always reflect the positive attributes of the community culture,” Baer said.
As for his future plans, Baer will continue to volunteer locally, work his farm near Biehle, find time to drop a fishing line in the water and more.
“I will continue to serve our great city as a volunteer member of various civic groups, spend more time with my family, tend to my farm, ride my Harley and catch a few trout,” he said.
Baer believes Riney will do a fine job of moving the city forward.
“Perryville is strong, very strong and a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Baer said. “I am confident Mayor Riney, the Board of Aldermen and city staff will continue on a path that moves Perryville forward for all citizens.”
“Mayor Baer helped refocus myself and staff on city fundamentals, things like parks, police and public works,” said Perryville city administrator Brent Buerck. “He worked hard to help ensure our city had a strong foundation on which we could build upon going forward.”
