COMMENTARY
New municipal judge ready to make his mark
By STEVE PENN
The Kansas City Star
It’s a position that only a handful of African-Americans in the history of Kansas City have reached.
Legal minds such as Clifford Spottsville, Lewis Clymer, Leonard Hughes and James Reed kicked the door open. Now it’s Judge Ardie Bland’s turn to walk through it and chart his own course, a path with unlimited possibilities.
Bland, just 37, recently worked his own docket of cases for the first time as a Kansas City municipal judge. I spoke with Bland at a reception in his honor, and it was clear he wants to make his mark.
Even though Kansas City has had a small group of African-American municipal judges, Bland understands his place in history.
“It’s definitely an honor,” Bland said recently. “I definitely understand the significance of where I am. And it’s definitely odd to be here so young.”
At an age when many people are getting their careers together, Bland has his all together. He understands that from his position on the bench, he can have a positive effect on this community.
“It’s just amazing to see the people coming into court,” he said. “I want to be able to have an impact and try to make the system better. That means a lot to me.”
Bland still hasn’t gotten used to being called “judge.”
“It will take some time getting used to that,” he said. “But in terms of doing the work, I’m ready for it right now.”
Bland is homegrown, having graduated from Lincoln High School in 1988. He graduated in 1995 from what was known as Northeast Missouri State University, now Truman State University. He earned his law degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
After college, Bland moved back to Kansas City, where he went to work for attorney Edward Pendleton. He also worked for a while for the Social Security Administration before starting his own law practice in 2004. But it was back in law school that he realized he wanted to be a judge.
“I realized that as a lawyer, when the clients come to you, normally they’re in so much trouble that all you’re doing is damage control,” Bland said. “But as a judge, you have the opportunity to directly talk to people and potentially have an impact.”
The Municipal Court in Kansas City could use an infusion of energy. As we all know, the court has received a spate of negative publicity.
The City Council cut the number of judges. In 2003, The Kansas City Star revealed that the judges were averaging around 25 to 30 hours a week on the job. Add in the resignation of Deborah Neal, a former judge who acknowledged a gambling problem, and you have a bit of a PR problem.
Bland wants to help turn around that perception. He thinks he can do more than sign orders and make rules.
“Maybe I can put a person in a program or lead them to something that will help make a change in their life,” Bland said.
Pendleton is proud that Bland came to him when he first got out of law school. He’s been impressed ever since.
“I know he’ll do extremely well,” Pendleton said. “He’s going to be good for the bench because he’s going to be an even-tempered young man.”
Another minority on the bench will benefit Kansas City overall. Pendleton estimates that 70 percent of the people that go before the court are African-Americans and Hispanics.
Bland understands what many of them face. His appointment should be inspiring to young people. A graduate of Lincoln High School has gone on to become a municipal judge. There aren’t many positions in Kansas City that give someone as much of an opportunity to change things as that coveted position. Bland understands that and vows not to squander his golden opportunity.
To reach Steve Penn, call 816-234-4417 or send e-mail to spenn@kcstar.com.
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