22 WEEKLY 2025
DECEMBER
VOL 3 • NO. 44
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B A L D W I N
C I T Y
N E W S P A P E R
FROM PATROL TO PUBLIC SERVICE — AN INTERVIEW WITH BALDWIN’S NEW MAYOR Interview by Jessi Gerber hough his career in law enforcement took him across Kansas — most recently as Chief of Police in Norton — Gerry Cullumber always kept his home in Baldwin City. Now, as the community’s newly elected mayor, he shares reflections on small-town life, leadership, and the lessons learned over four decades of service.
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Q: You’ve lived in Baldwin for 25 years, but your career took you all across Kansas. What kept you rooted here?
A: I’ve always loved Baldwin. Even when I was serving as Chief in Norton, I kept my residence here and came back on weekends. It’s the kind of small town I grew up in — safe, close-knit, the kind of place where people ride bicycles and know their neighbors. Everything I didn’t appreciate about small-town life as a kid, I value now.
Q: What originally drew you to a career in law enforcement?
A: I knew from the time I was six that I wanted to be a police officer. My heroes were Reed and Malloy from Adam-12. My first job was as a janitor at Shawnee Medical Center, where I met my wife — the best thing that’s ever happened to me. But law enforcement was always the dream. So I enrolled into the police academy.
Q: Your career path is impressive — Johnson County, Lenexa, Edwardsville, Gardner, Norton. What stands out most from those years?
A: Probably the people. Whether in a city or rural area, it’s always about people. Out west, the hardest part was the lack of mental health resources. We’d have to drive hours just to get someone help. It really showed me how important it is to treat mental health with the same urgency as physical health.
Q: Who influenced your leadership style?
A: Chief Ellen Hanson of Lenexa. She’s one of the smartest and most compassionate people I’ve ever met — and one of the first female police chiefs in Kansas. I still call her for advice. I believe in what I call “three-deep
leadership” — always having three trusted people you can turn to for counsel. Q: What made you decide to run for mayor?
A: Honestly, timing. My wife, Cindy, and I wanted to be closer to family again, and I still have that drive to serve. Baldwin’s my home, and I want to see it thrive. We’ve got great people here, and a lot of potential.
Q: What are your priorities for your first three months as mayor?
A: First, I want to meet every city employee and department head. I’m planning a “Meet Your Government” night so residents can connect with their council and city staff in an easy, friendly setting. I also want to focus on financial stability — making sure we’re prepared for emergencies — and improving infrastructure: water lines, curbs, downtown appearance. Small improvements make a big difference in how a town feels about itself.
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Baldwin City’s own Baldwin Wax & Wick
I want to meet every employee the city has and business owners in the city. I want them to all know there is an open line of communication and I want to establish that right away. This goes for the people of Baldwin City, too. I want to meet them and talk to them, I want them to be comfortable calling or emailing me. Q: Outside of public service, what are you passionate about?
A: My wife and I are big antique collectors. We have spaces at the Lone Elm Antique Mall in Olathe — you could say we’re “enthusiastic hoarders.” I also collect WWII memorabilia and study history. My favorite piece is a medal group from an American pilot who flew for Britain before the U.S. entered the war — he was shot down and sabotaged Nazi prisoner records while a POW. That story reminds me of courage and resilience.
Q: Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
A: Winston Churchill, Bobby Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln, and Alexander the Great. I’ve always admired Bobby Kennedy in particular — he brought family and heart into politics, and I think that’s something we could use more of.
Q: What message do you have for Baldwin residents as you begin your term?
A: Change is coming, but it’s good change — steady and thoughtful. I want people to look around in a year or two and say, “Wow, look what we’ve accomplished.” We’re going to get the town spruced up, strengthen our community ties, and build a Baldwin we’re all proud of. Gerry Cullumber will be sworn in on January 6, 2026. His term begins as Baldwin faces challenges in infrastructure and growth — but also opportunities for renewal. As he puts it, “We need enthusiasm and keep investing in our community.” If you have the opportunity to sit down with Gerry and talk about life and history, take it. We could have chatted all day. His love for reading, history and antiques is impressive. Also, he is unapologetically himself: authentic, real, one of us.