by Mary Rupert
Christal Watson, president and CEO of the Kansas Black Chamber of Commerce Inc., has filed for the vacant Unified Government Commission 1st District, at large seat.
Watson said she has a strong desire to see change within the district, adding that she wants to see more balance in how Wyandotte County grows.
She said she would like to see a fair amount of growth across the board in the community.
Another candidate in the UG 1st District at-large race is Mark Gilstrap, former state senator. The general election will be April 7. If a primary is required, it will be March 3.
Watson, currently a member of the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education, said she will not run for re-election this year to the school board, and she hopes to remain an advocate for public education.
A native of Kansas City, Kan., Watson said she cares about the community. She has four areas of focus in this campaign, economic development, government reform, education and workforce initiative.
On the subject of property taxes, she would support looking at the budget, and would want more information before taking a position on it. While she thinks taxes are too high, it would be premature to take a position before looking at the details, she said.
On developments such as the new U.S. Men’s Training facility proposed near the Schlitterbahn water park, and a new convention center that could be built near the Hollywood Casino, she said she would be supportive of new developments in the community.
She said the downtown Healthy Campus project has some valid points, and she would like to make sure the UG is listening to the community. As long as it is in the best interests of the community, she would support it.
She said she supports current efforts to increase the number of minorities in public safety positions.
Watson has a Bachelor and Master of Arts in organizational management degrees from Ashford University, and a graduate certificate in project management from George Washington University.
Watson previously has served in management roles with companies including Sprint, United Way, Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools, and Truman Medical Centers, contributing skills to business process improvement, resource development and human resource management.
In March 2014 she was named to the list of “50 Kansans You Should Know” by Ingram’s Magazine.
She serves on the board of directors of the U.S. Black Chambers Inc., headquartered in Washington; and she was appointed chairman of the President’s Council.
In addition, Watson serves on the board of directors of Wyandot Center Behavioral Health and Rainbow Services. She is Community Council chair for the Heartland Institute for Clinical and Translational Research at the University of Kansas Medical Center – Community Partnership for Health. She serves on the advisory board of the Boys and Girls Club , Wyandotte County Branch.
She and her husband of 26 years, Bryan H. Watson, have four sons.