PYSK: Homer Page
Name: Homer Page
Title and company/organization: Chairperson, Boone County Democratic Central Committee
Age: 72
Job description: I direct the work of the Central Committee, represent the CC in public forums and with the media and assist Democratic candidates.
Years lived in Columbia/mid-Missouri: Ten this time and five when I was a student in the ’60s.
Original hometown: Troy, Missouri
Education: B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Missouri; M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago
Community involvement: I spent nine years on the Columbia Disabilities Commission, eight years as chairperson; four years on the board of directors of Services for Independent Living, two years as chairperson.
Professional background: University professor and administrator at University of Colorado at Boulder; city council member and deputy mayor, Boulder, Colorado; county commissioner, Boulder County, Colorado; writer, consultant and executive director of three private nonprofit organizations
A favorite recent project: The development and implementation of the ADA Transition Plan for Columbia.
A Columbia businessperson I admire and why: Cat Cunningham because she combines her business with a deep commitment to fostering development within the most needy persons in the community.
Why I’m passionate about my job: Our nation is struggling to determine its identity. The Democratic Party offers a progressive, problem-solving approach to the formation of the American future that can alone provide a humane and prosperous path to a successful future for all our citizens, not just a very rich extremely few. I want to work for that generous and positive future.
If I weren’t doing this for a living, I would: I am a volunteer, so I do it because I believe in what I am doing.
What people should know about this profession: Politics has a bad reputation among many, but it is the necessary work of a democracy. It is the profession at its best that permits a person to contribute to the health of the nation in the most direct way.
What I do for fun: I love the Cardinals. I read and spend time with my wife. We travel and enjoy our families. We love to entertain our friends, attend music performances and play trivia with a dedicated team of friends.
Family: I am married and have a daughter and stepdaughter. I have two grandchildren, a brother and sister and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law. We have a large extended family and are very close to our family.
Favorite place in Columbia: Outside of my home, my favorite places in Columbia are the trails and natural areas.
Accomplishment I’m most proud of: My best accomplishment is the cultivation of my family, but beyond that I am most proud of my service as an elected official.
Most people don’t know that I: Regret not studying literature in school.