by Mary Rupert
New Mayor David Alvey took the oath of office Monday evening, Jan. 8, at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas, with a promise to “make good on your trust.”
“I want to say thanks to so many friends and supporters who have given me their trust. I promise to make good on your trust,” Alvey said.
He also referred to his supporters walking door-to-door for about 30 weekends in a row during the campaign.
“I love this city and I love this county, and I am honored to be your CEO. All I want to say is ‘Let’s go, Wyandotte,’ “ Alvey said.
Mayor Alvey was sworn in by his sister, Judge Constance Alvey.
Also participating in today’s inauguration ceremony were daughters Juliana Alvey, who sang the National Anthem, and Mariana Alvey, who played “Amazing Grace” on the violin.
David Alvey served on the Board of Public Utilities before running for mayor. Before becoming mayor, he was the assistant principal for faculty formation at Rockhurst High School.
About 200 persons, including family and friends of those who were sworn in, attended the inaugural ceremony.
A new commissioner, Tom Burroughs, who is also a state representative, was sworn in Monday night.
“I want to be a leader that this community can be proud of,” Burroughs said. He also expressed his thanks to firefighters and public safety officers.
“You have my utmost respect, and my partnership and leadership,” he said.
He also said to the commission and Mayor Alvey that “I stand ready to partner with those dedicated to moving our community forward.”
“To my fellow commissioners, I offer this: my trust, not my distrust; my leadership, not gamesmanship; civility, not divisiveness,” Burroughs said. “I love my community, I plan on staying in my community, I love the Dotte. It has called me to serve,” he said.
“The future is ours to embrace, and I plan on doing just that,” Burroughs said. He was sworn in by Donald Taylor, judge pro tem.
Sheriff Don Ash, elected to a third term, said it was a historic moment for Wyandotte County, because he was the first sheriff to be elected to three terms.
“The people have spoken, so we intend to serve them and not let them down,” Ash said. He was sworn in by Chief Judge Wayne Lampson of the Wyandotte County District Court.
Ash read a quote from the sheriff in 1998, and said that some conditions were the same as then. Some of those concerns were staffing shortages, the inability to attract qualified applicants, and staff turnover. Ash said he was committed to working with the UG to resolve these issues.
UG Commissioner Gayle Townsend, who was re-elected, was sworn in by Bridgette Cobbins, UG clerk. Townsend expressed appreciation to supporters, UG employees and many others.
“I pledge to work with Mayor Alvey,” Townsend said.
“The faces may have changed, but the game is the same,” she quoted from a movie. “That is for all of us to do the best we can to represent the good people of Wyandotte County.”
Commissioner Mike Kane, sworn in by Judge Aaron Roberts, said he appreciated the opportunity to serve a fourth term.
“I’m not going to change,” Kane told the audience. “I’m Mike Kane, I’m this way 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and I’m consistent.”
He said he has been consistent for 12 years and plans to be consistent in the future.
“My dad told me to stand up for what you believe in, and believe what you stand up for,” Kane said.
The voters have spoken, according to Kane. Twenty four percent of the people voted in the mayor’s race and other contests, he said, and voted for Alvey, Burroughs and Kane.
“They have spoke, please listen and let’s do our jobs,” Kane said.
Commissioner Jim Walters, who was sworn in by Cobbins, discussed some successes for the UG. He was re-elected to a second term.
Some of those include increasing the population in Wyandotte County, and increasing the investment in different parts of Wyandotte County, including east and west.
He said the UG has started investing in neighborhoods through its SOAR (anti-blight) program. The UG still has opportunities to reduce the mill levy, he said.
When some organizations achieve success, they tend to pause and lose momentum, he said, while others leverage success, creating greater opportunities and achievements. “That’s the direction this commission wants to go, that’s certainly the direction I think they should go,” he said.
Commissioner Jane Philbrook, sworn in by Judge Bill Klapper, brought some supporters with her to the podium. She is serving a second term.
“My support people help me do my job,” she said. She also mentioned she is looking forward to working with the new faces in the local government.
“We have a phenomenal commission. There’s nobody on this commission that doesn’t care,” she said. She added they can work together to accomplish even more things than previously.
“One thing I learned immediately, is the people who work for the city are the unsung heroes,” Philbrook said. “I have to thank them a lot.”
The evening’s invocation was by the Rev. Robert Milan Jr., pastor of Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church; with the closing prayer by the Rev. Vincent Giacabazi of Rockhurst High School.
A reception was held in the Memorial Hall lobby after the inauguration.
