Month: July 2021

Five candidates are running for mayor-CEO of Kansas City, Kansas.

The primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 3, and early voting has started.

The five mayor candidates are incumbent Mayor David Alvey, Daran Duffy, Tyrone Garner, Chris Steineger and Janice (Grant) Witt.

Here are some links to information about the mayor candidates:

Incumbent Mayor David Alvey, www.wyandottedaily.com/mayor-alvey-runs-for-re-election/.

Daran Duffy, https://wyandotteonline.com/questionnaire-daran-duffy/

Tyrone Garner, https://wyandotteonline.com/questionnaire-tyrone-garner/

Chris Steineger, https://wyandotteonline.com/questionnaire-chris-steineger/

Janice (Grant) Witt, www.wyandottedaily.com/mayoral-candidate-witt-says-she-supports-efficiency-fairness-in-government/.

Position sought: Mayor, Unified Government Wyandotte County

Age: 59

Occupation: 1) real estate investor – rental houses and builder of affordable housing apartment building; 2) teaching at universities; 3) former State Senator 1996-2012

Education: Turner High grad 1980. K-State grad 1986 – Business Administration. KU grad 1992 – Master’s Public Administration. Twice a Fulbright award winner for teaching at university level in Germany and Greece. Also guest lecturer in China and Japan.

Community volunteerism

My great-grandfather arrived in Wyandotte about 1868, farming in the Muncie area. I arrived in January 1962 at the old Bethany Hospital, growing up in Muncie when that area was still rural, and later graduating from Turner in 1980. These days I live in a 1921 Rosedale bungalow.

Organizations I have belonged to over the years…
*2015- present- Spring Valley Neighborhood Group – vice president
*1990- present – Member / visitor of many neighborhood groups 1990-present: Leavenworth Road Association; Central Avenue Betterment; St. Joseph WatchDogs; Strawberry Hill; Cathedral Park; Armourdale Renewal; Turner Community; Getty Grove, Morris Neighborhood; Argentine Betterment; Shawnee Road; Hunters Glenn; Frank Rushton; Hilltop;
*1993-97 – Historic Grinter Place – president of the Board –
*1993-96 – Turner Days Parade chair
*1994-96 – CrossLines Cooperative Council – Armourdale – raised funds to effect renovations of several buildings
*Wyandotte County Historical Society – member Board of Directors
*Kaw Valley Arts and Humanities – member Board of Directors

• Leadership 2000, Class VI- 1992
  *1989-95 – Operation Brightside- trash and debris pickup
  *1989-95 – Friends of Wyandotte County Lake- trash and debris pickup-
  *2003 tornado – helped clean up neighborhoods near 84th and Leavenworth Road area
  *1993 – Missouri and Kaw rivers flood – evacuated households from A1 Trailer Park; filled and stacked sandbags at BPU Quindaro water treatment plant
  *1970s-80s – Grinter House – many chores and volunteer projects

Reasons for running

People have been complaining about high property taxes for 30+ years. People have been complaining about high BPU bills past 15 years. At 59, I’m experienced enough to know what’s wrong and how to fix it, and still young enough to have the energy to try.
Taking on excessive spending at UG/ BPU and lowering property taxes and BPU bills is a dangerous job. Someone has to do it. I will.

Top three issues that need change:

Lowering property taxes. Lowering BPU bills. Reducing crime.

Top accomplishments:

• during time as Senator in Topeka, I learned how to work with politicians from all parts of the state.
• Assembled bipartisan coalition of Republicans and Democrats to pass law allowing Hollywood Casino in western Wyandotte.
  *voted against all tax increases and in favor of tax cuts. Brought to light many examples of stupid spending at the state level.
• good listener but also quite willing to question authority when needed.

Previous elections:
was elected to Kansas Senate in Topeka four times, 1996-2012. Committee assignments included:

• Ways and Means (Budget) Committee; – oversight of state budgets of $10-12 billion dollars
• Public Health and Welfare Committee; – oversight of health care, hospitals, medical providers, social welfare programs, Child In Need of Care, etc.
• Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee; – oversight of banking and insurance industries
• Assessment and Taxation Committee; – oversight of all forms of state and local taxation and real estate and real property value and appraisal
• Commerce Committee; – oversight of business incentives; STAR bonds; tax abatement laws;
• Education Committee; – oversight of K-12 public education and state university system
• Legislative Post Audit Committee; – best committee – has oversight and review of any state agency or program deemed as “underperforming”
• Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services – oversight of all ambulances, EMS/ ENT attendants and EMS services in state of Kansas.

Campaign website: https://www.chrissteineger.com/