Roeland Park candidates stress commitment to neighbors and city’s future

Lack of city government transparency and decreasing property values are just a couple of the key reasons candidates in Roeland Park are vying for open city council seats in the April 7 general election.

In the 2nd Ward, Blake Morgan and Tim Janssen are facing each other.

In the 3rd Ward, Linda Mau is up against Erin Thompson.

And campaigning for the 4th Ward open seat are Michael Poppa and JoAnna Rush.

In the 2nd Ward, keeping Roeland Park a top-notch place to live is the main priority for both candidates.

Morgan, a banker, is running for the open seat simply because he loves Roeland Park.

He sees the city as a place where neighbors genuinely look out for one another.

If elected, he aims to defend the city’s bond rating, take steps to combat the growing number of home foreclosures and find solutions to help increase property values.

Another of Morgan’s priorities would be to promote better land use within the city.

He wants to help the city in its efforts to redevelop areas such as portions of the one-time cloverleaf intersection and the Wal-Mart shopping center.

As a city councilman, he plans to be a good neighbor, listen to residents’ concerns and base his votes on decisions that make long-term sense.

“I’m a nice guy who is willing to work hard for my neighbors,” Morgan said. “I’m not in this for fame or glory. I don’t have a chip on my shoulder. I just want to work to ensure we all have a nice town to live in.”

Janssen, a father of four, wants to serve Roeland Park so he can help the city succeed.

If elected, he said he would work to grow the city’s commercial tax base to maintain city services and reduce property taxes. He also wants to work toward encouraging commercial development to increase property values.

In addition, he wants to promote transparency and communication between the community and elected officials.

He also believes his savvy as a small-business owner will help promote fiscal responsibility.

“I’m a licensed contractor in Johnson County, a graduate of the Citizen Academy sponsored by Roeland Park and a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals,” Janssen said. “It is that experience I want to bring to the city that I’m proud to call home.”

In the 3rd Ward, two dedicated Roeland Park residents are vying for a chance to improve the city.

Mau, a longtime community leader and former councilwoman, says her biggest priority will be strengthening communication and transparency between city government and the community.

She also says public infrastructure has taken a back seat, and now the city is playing catch-up. She’s worried the city’s financial future is uncertain and the city has overwhelming debt.

She’s also frustrated that there are still undeveloped properties throughout the city.

“‘Development’ and ‘redevelopment’ have been buzz words used to get attention,” Mau said. “Active, firsthand engagement should be done when we are speaking about development of the properties available within our city.”

Her opponent, Thompson, a sixth-generation Kansan, hopes to be elected to the council because she was raised to believe public service is a great way to give back to the community.

The attorney wants to help advance professionalism, bring common-sense solutions and make Roeland Park the best it can be for its residents.

Thompson plans to bring new ideas, plus the business and professional skills, necessary to provide solid representation for Roeland Park citizens.

“I have lived in Roeland Park for nearly five years and am proud to call Roeland Park home because of its commitment to diversity, nondiscrimination and the arts,” Thompson states on her campaign website. “If elected, I will support sustainable growth while protecting Roeland Park’s unique environment.”

In the 4th Ward, both candidates are running so they can help Roeland Park flourish.

Poppa, a community activist, spent last year as a member of the Events Committee, looking at ways to enhance the city and other public spaces, and he also rallied for equal legal treatment for Roeland Park residents.

If elected, his priorities would be to support initiatives for economic development, promote fiscal responsibility, maintain a transparent city government and celebrate the diversity of Roeland Park.

“I will represent the entirety of our community,” Poppa said. “I acknowledge the valuable contributions by residents, civic groups, churches and schools. I have had the opportunity to meet so many of the amazing people that make up our community, and I understand the unique needs of individuals and families in Roeland Park.”

Attorney Rush hopes to bring a new voice to the City Council, if elected.

One of her main priorities would be to grow the commercial tax base, so Roeland Park can maintain its city services and reduce property taxes.

She also thinks the city needs to maintain and improve its property values, be fiscally responsible with taxpayers’ money and have a more transparent government.

“I have worked in the professional world, I have spent time at home raising my children and I now have the time and energy to devote to our city,” she said. “I will take the time to listen to residents and will proudly represent everyone in Ward 4.”

This story was originally published March 31, 2015 at 3:55 PM with the headline "Roeland Park candidates stress commitment to neighbors and city’s future."