President's Review

by Michele DeShay, Mayor, Moline Acres, and MML President

"We work for you, and we are your staff. We work to ensure that your city has every tool you need to ensure your city can run well."

Thankful and Ready to Serve

It is such an honor to serve as your MML President over the coming year. I am truly excited to be a part of this organization and serve members to the best of my ability. I am thankful for those that have served before me and set such a great example, particularly our outgoing president, Wildwood Council Member Joe Garritano. His leadership has been so valuable to me and to MML over the past year! I also look forward to working with our new vice president, Harrisonville Alderman Matt Turner.

In September, MML hosted one of our largest conferences in history. With more than 550 delegates from nearly 200 cities, the energy and excitement was unmistakable.

During the conference, I was honored to meet so many new officials and humbled by the many words of congratulations and well wishes. I was especially moved upon meeting a first-time attendee from Rolla. She shared with me how excited she was to attend, and how impressed she was with the amount of helpful information provided for municipal officials. I was so touched when she told me that she and her fellow attendees from Rolla were praying for me. As both an elected official and serving in leadership with MML, this is welcome support and encouragement! I hope to see her more and hope I have the opportunity to welcome more firsttime attendees to all MML events.

Feeling the energy from September’s event drives home to me the importance of MML as a place where you can turn when you need help for your city. It is much more than just an organization that provides training and advocacy. Those things are very important, but MML stands for more. We work for you, and we are your staff. We work to ensure that your city has every tool you need to ensure your city can run well.

One goal I have this year as your MML president is to reach more local officials and staff with the message of how MML can serve them. Some members are aware that MML is available but are simply not as active. If that is you, decide to make a point this year to attend a conference or regional meeting. Network with your fellow local officials and share your best practices. If you cannot attend in person, consider one of the many webinars offered online through mocities.com, or just simply browse the website to keep in touch with the latest news and MML online library of resources. Do not waste the opportunity to connect and take advantage of the many resources provided.

As always, contact MML when you have questions. We are ready to serve you and help your city navigate today’s challenges.