Parker council hires new attorney in special session

PARKER – The city of Parker will be represented by a new attorney following a special meeting of the Parker City Council on Thursday, May 25.

The council voted unanimously to hire Paola attorney Geri Hartley (see photo) to replace Burton Harding, who resigned the post earlier in the month. Harding, who is also Linn County Attorney, said he plans to continue being city attorney for La Cygne, Pleasanton and Mound City.

Harding's resignation comes as Parker is in the middle of condemnation proceedings to reclaim a portion of a city street from Recycling Services owner Dan Gaikowski. The council earlier this month voted to hire an Overland Park law firm to represent it in that case.

The council also voted unanimously to purchase a used Case IH Farmall 70A tractor from Heartland Tractor in Iola, Kan., for $41,000, less the trade-in value of the city’s old tractor and backhoe. A Heartland representative offered about $19,000 on trade-in if the city also included its skid-steer loader, but the council opted to keep that piece of equipment.

The dealer also gave the council a quote on a new Kubota 4701 tractor for $35,000, however, Councilman Jason Webber said he preferred buying the used tractor with 70 horsepower over the new tractor with 47 horsepower. Both tractors come with a loader.