New city planner begins work
The lure of home drew Diane Wicklund back to Kansas.
And now, Wicklund has taken a job as city planner in Tonganoxie.
Wicklund, who spent nine years in Chicago, recently returned to the area. She was attracted to Tongan-oxie, partly because she grew up on a farm outside Haven.
“I’m familiar with small towns and am interested in trying to plan better,” she said.
Wicklund, who began work Monday, replaces Linda Bohnsack, who took a job with Leavenworth County’s planning department. Wicklund and Bohnsack will work together for several weeks.
“There will be some transition,” she said, “while I’m learning what’s going on and trying to get up to speed. That will be good for everybody, so there’s some consistency.”
The first order of business was a tour of residential and commercial developments.
“The growth and development that are happening are a good thing, plus the economic development activities that will support the continued growth,” she said.
Wicklund, who turns 34 today, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in planning, both from the University of Kansas. She lives with her husband in Kansas City, Mo., but said they would like to move closer to Tonganoxie, perhaps this summer.