Koetters ready to start family, won’t run for second term on Quincy Park Board – Muddy River News

Nathan Koetters

QUINCY — Nathan Koetters says he received’t run for re-election to the Quincy Park Board through the April 2023 election.

Koetters, who is popping 40 this week, will serve only one time period after he was elected to fill certainly one of three open seats in April 2019. He thought one time period was loads, and he’s prepared to start out a household after marrying Ashley Strieker in June.

“I don’t have any political ambitions,” he mentioned. “I by no means noticed it as like a stepping stone to one thing else. I used to be there 4 years, and we haven’t laid something out to element, however I do know now we need to begin a household sooner or later. I sort of need to have the ability to deal with that as a substitute of parsing my time with different issues.”

Koetters has taught historical past at Quincy Notre Dame for 9 years and has been in schooling for 17 years. He used to work nights for the Park District’s recreation division. Whereas he loved his time in that part-time job, he thought working for the Park Board would enable him to spend much less time.

“I used to be sort of burnt out as a result of I used to be at QND all day, after which I used to be working out for 4 or 5 hours at night time, supervising video games and issues like that,” Koetters mentioned. “Once I advised (the Park District) I used to be executed, I used to be requested if I’d be inquisitive about working for the Park Board.

“I sort of thought of it. I loved working for the Park District, however perhaps not as a lot time was wanted. This was sort of a means I might nonetheless keep concerned, and so I did that and I loved it. Now I’m sort of trying to have somewhat bit extra time to do another issues.”

Koetters mentioned he loved the “behind-the-scenes issues” throughout his time as Park Board commissioner.

“The workers does a very good job with what they do, particularly the rec division and dealing with a number of the different neighborhood property and sort of making an attempt to tie all that stuff collectively,” he mentioned. “I’m glad that we’ve the Park District. It’s so wholesome in comparison with so many different authorities entities. The Park District does so properly at what they’re presupposed to be doing.”

The Park Board oversees the Quincy Park District and its greater than 1,000 acres of parks, a 27-hole golf course, marina and swimming pool.

Three different spots on the Park Board shall be up for election. Jeff Steinkamp and Roger Leenerts each are serving four-year phrases that can expire in April, and Jeff VanCamp is finishing a two-year time period after David Gilbert resigned in June.

Koetters mentioned he would inform anybody inquisitive about working for a place on the Park Board to be ready to see issues from a distinct perspective.

“I sort of thought I knew loads, as a result of I had labored there and I had seen issues,” he mentioned. “While you get to see all the main points and all of the funds and the entire thing, it does make you have a look at issues. Be able to perhaps change a number of the methods you have a look at issues. You’ll be able to’t simply go in and say, ‘That is the best way it’s going to be.’ 

“There’s been occasions once I’ve had my thoughts modified as a result of I’ve seen the info, or I’ve heard the best way different folks have a look at it. It’s a must to see all the pieces there may be to see.”