With First District Commissioner Dagmar Wood leaving office, the first district seat is wide open for two candidates vying for the position.
Republican Allyson Berberich, a current Parkville alderman, is running against Democrat and political newcomer Charles McDonald.
BERBERICH
Berberich, 48, is from Parkville. Married, she has two children, ages 17 and 14. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder and holds a master’s degree in finance from the University of Missouri Kansas City. She worked for 15 years at an agriculture company and is now self-employed as a bookkeeper and payroll administrator.
She says her wide array of experience makes her a good choice for the commission.
“I have worked in the corporate world and currently own a small business,” Berberich said. “I have also volunteered for community organizations - PTA, HOA, etc.- and served as a volunteer on the City of Parkville Planning and Zoning Commission for four years. I am also an elected official, having been elected as a Parkville Alderwoman in 2023.”
Berberich said she has enjoyed giving back to the Parkville community and would like to widen that to the county level.
“I have lived in Platte County for over 16 years and am raising my family here,” she said. “I would like to help the county continue to flourish and be a great place to live and work.”
She describes herself as a “servant leader” and said she is committed to the betterment of Platte County. She understands local government, budgets and processes and said she strives to be easy to work with.
Her concerns for the county are about economic development, jail overcrowding, public safety, tone and transparency.
“I would like to see the county draw up and implement updated master plans for land use and the park system,” she said. “I will work together with law enforcement to fully understand the issues facing the jail and how those affect public safety and our budget. I will seek to communicate openly with citizens.”
McDONALD
Democrat Charles McDonald, 54, is originally from New Orleans, La. Married, he has three children, ages 23, 21 and 14. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and medical technology and a master’s degree in business administration and management from Avila University.
“Platte County needs a inclusive government that works for everyone,” McDonald said of his desire to run for office. “We need vision for the future of our county and the community must be a part of it.”
McDonald said he spent more than 20 years working in the healthcare and non-profit sector and worked on the boards of local, regional and national organizations. He also volunteered in the community mentoring youth.
“I help people on a daily basis,” he said. “I do this in the workplace and in the community. I work in under-served and under resourced communities to improve health outcomes. I was president for regional boards developing strategies to achieve objectives. I volunteered with children to give back to the next generation.”
McDonald sees restoring the county’s municipal bond rating as a high priority.
“We can not move forward on any large scale project without improving our bond rating,” he said, of the concerns facing the county now. “Second is the jail. The jail needs to be renovated and expanded to accommodate the needs of the county. Most importantly, creating a strategic plan for the county.
“We need to talk to the bond rating agencies and discuss what steps are needed to improve. Second, we need to reach out to community to develop a plan the citizens will support to improve the jail. Lastly, we must convene the leaders of the different organizations and municipalities in the area to plan for the next five, 10, 20 years of Platte County.”