By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
It has been just over three years with Cody Schmidt serving as the Great Bend Mayor. The 2004 Great Bend High School graduate acknowledged that he has enjoyed the successes and challenges that have come with the position, but he is unsure if he’ll seek a third term in this upcoming fall election.
Schmidt
spends a lot of hours, outside of his fulltime job, as a volunteer for the city’s
betterment, but he wouldn’t have any other way.
"Since I've been mayor, I've always wanted to be involved in everything I can be," said Schmidt. "I think that is what has separated myself from previous mayors is being involved, understanding and learning. I want to hear everything out of the horse's mouth and not be a he said, she said type of situation."
Schmidt took over the gavel as Great Bend’s mayor in January 2020 after
receiving more than 1,100 votes as a write-in candidate. With his name officially
on the ballot in the November 2021 General Election, Schmidt received nearly
1,800 votes in an uncontested race to earn his second, two-year term.
Working
as the grounds and transportation director for the Great Bend school district, Schmidt’s
platform in the beginning was boasting he has no personal gains or potential
losses from making the best decisions for the whole city.
"I'm not tied to anyone," said Schmidt. "I'm not losing any business. I think it helps me as a person and as a mayor that I'm not tied to anything. We do have councilmembers that own businesses and are big stakeholders in our community. I think sometimes when they vote, they have to contemplate that in their head."
The deadline to officially file for the 2023 election is not until June 1,
but Schmidt noted he plans on making the decision soon on whether he will run for reelection again.
Listen below to the entire interview with Schmidt on this week's City Edition show that aired on 1590 KVGB & 95.5 FM.