Larry Blick's Vocation Talk:

Larry Blick, one of our Rotary members, was City Manager of Independence Missouri from 1993 to 2004. During his tenure major developments occurred in southeast Independence including Bolger Square, Hartman Heritage, Eastland and the center which includes the AMC theaters.  Sales taxes were passed to repair streets and parks and to build the Palmer Senior Center, the water park near 23rd and M201, a major sports field’s complex and various walking and bike trail improvements.  Funds were raised to renovate the Truman Memorial Building. A new housing code was adopted and code enforcement was stepped up throughout the city. Many improvements were made to the Fire and Police Departments making them among the most professional in the metro area. According to Blick these things were made possible by having good political leadership, a stable political government and active citizen participation.

Larry received a masters degree from Wichita State University and then worked in city and county governments for forty-four years in Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, Florida, and finally, Independence. Larry is married to Susan Blick. The couple have three children and seven grandchildren.