Citing Consensus Building, Holiday Park Baseball Volunteer Announces Candidacy

Joe Hrdlicka, a triathlete and former Holiday Park Baseball Club volunteer coach, has announced he will run for a seat on the West Dest Des Moines Parks Board.

In a news release, Hrdlicka said he wants to use his experiences as a user to contribute to the vitality of West Des Moines parks system. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 5.  

“As a regular parks user, I believe I have to basis of knowledge to make policy recommendations that will help our parks contribute to a high quality of life in our community,” he said in his announcement. “Quality parks means quality of life.  Our parks in West Des Moines must be properly maintained and upgraded if we’re to remain competitive in our economic development efforts.”

Professionally, Hrdlicka works as director of government relations for the Iowa Telecommunications Association in Urbandale, experience he said will be valuable in consensus building.

"I believe I am a consensus builder and having had the experience working in the government arena for the last 16 years of my career, I believe I can be an effective leader in this role,” Hrdlicka said. “This is the experience I hope to bring to the constituents of West Des Moines."

Hrdlicka said he hopes to engage in conversation with West Des Moines citizens about the direction of the parks system and grow a grassroots campaign that will include door-knocking. As a volunteer for several years at Holiday Park, he said he has already received commitments from 25 volunteers to support his campaign.

Hrdlicka has lived in West Des Moines since 1995. He and his wife, Betsy, a teacher in the West Des Moines Community School District, have two sons who attend Valley High School.