At-large UG candidates that want to represent all of Wyandotte share key issues
Overwhelming property tax bills. Homes flooding in the middle of the night. Bridge closures that continue to disrupt local commutes. Historically unsustainable financial practices.
These are concerns shared by people living across Wyandotte County.
As five candidates running to represent the entire county in the open District 2 at-large seat eye the upcoming Aug. 5 primary, three shared how they plan to tackle key issues that residents have asked for resolutions to all summer.
Almost half the seats on the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas’s, commission are opening in the November general election, and the pool of candidates for four of those seats will be narrowed after Tuesday’s primary.
Current District 2 At-Large Commissioner Tom Burroughs, who has served in the role since 2017, is running to replace outgoing Unified Government Mayor/CEO Tyrone Garner, leaving his seat up for grabs. Garner, with about a year left in his term, announced last November that he would not seek a second term.
Commissioner Melissa Bynum holds the government’s other at-large seat. The rest of the commission is split into geographic districts that members represent.
Candidates seeking the District 2 at-large seat are, in filing order:
- Jordan Michael Tiner Mackey, a former Bonner Springs councilmember who previously sought the District 2 office in 2021.
- Philip Lopez, the current District 6 commissioner;
- Luis Madrigal, a former KCK fire captain;
- Kalla “Kallie” McLaughlin, a former Unified Government employee who worked in planning and zoning;
- Andrew Kump, an attorney with Shamrock Trading Corporation.
District 3 Commissioner Christian Ramirez initially filed for the position but pulled out before the deadline. He announced the decision in a May 31 social media statement.
Mackey and Madrigal did not respond to emailed questions last week.
Mackey in recent years pleaded guilty to impersonating an officer to sneak into a concert, to disturbing the peace in a domestic incident and to sending nude photos to someone whom he said was harassing his friend.
Madrigal told The Star he was still running for office but had not been actively campaigning.
Responding candidates’ answers have been edited for clarity and length but are largely unmodified. Candidates are listed in the order in which they filed to run.
Priorities
Q: What do you think is the most important issue Wyandotte County is facing?
LOPEZ: “Accountability for spending. Departments need more oversight in the allocation of their budgets. Hold administration accountable and restructure management. That might even mean further consolidation needs to be considered. My intentions are to drain the oil, seize it up, tear it down and rebuild it!”
MCLAUGHLIN: “As an at-large candidate covering the entire south half, it’s important to understand just how diverse each region is and how they have their own challenges … Most of these are primarily budget-driven and it’s important that we figure out how to forecast and engineer finances to better support these larger, long-term projects …
“We’ve been in budget triage for years and many problems within our county budget-wise were managed by perception thanks to ARPA funds, but we haven’t really figured out how to adequately find a long-term solution to show any sort of funding availability for these long-term projects and instead kick the can to the next administration. These problems need to be incorporated into funding and budget plans now so we are ready for these anticipated and long-over due needs.”
KUMP: “The most important issue our community is facing is long-term economic stability. Our rising property taxes is a symptom of this problem, our community carries heavy debt, which limits our ability to invest in infrastructure and vital services, and to provide tax relief to residents.
“I support economic investments with both short and long-term prosperity in mind. We need to develop residential and commercial buildings that enlarge the tax base in a responsible way, and not at the expense of our community.
“This means backing small businesses and streamlining the process of starting a business. Additionally, I support a thorough budget review to minimize waste and duplicitous spending, ensuring that our community receives the maximum value from tax dollars.”
Property taxes
Q: How do you, specifically, plan to address residents’ concerns about high property taxes, especially with budget constraints?
LOPEZ: “There seems to be some issues with overspending. I can’t be the only commissioner to call this out. My colleagues should not continue to allow this to happen. Before we have the conversation about needing more money, there needs to be an in-depth look into how funds are already being allocated by department heads. The focus should be on needs, not wants.
“... Raising taxes to make the people pay for irresponsible spending is not the way to build trust with the community. The majority of the commission needs to stop allowing big corporations to come in and run us over.” MCLAUGHLIN: “... Revenue neutral doesn’t guarantee property taxes don’t go up, and nobody is happy by cuts in services. Nobody feels like they are getting what they pay for here. And it’s not likely to be solved in one administrative cycle either.
“This problem was created by decades of mismanagement, poor agreements, and short-sighted policy and it will take us years to dig ourselves out of this position.
“ … The high property taxes and budget issue can’t simply be a review of numbers provided to staff by department heads and straight forward cuts, but must be accompanied by debt restructuring, harnessing our title-one classification benefits and transparency without the confusing rhetoric.”
KUMP: “We must stop accumulating more debt funding projects that do not provide clear, long-term economic benefit to our community.
“I support small and large scale developments to expand the tax base and ease the overall debt burden on residents which are funded by developers, not tax payers. I also support shifting our mindset surrounding economic incentives: small and local businesses need a seat at the table to create lasting neighborhood revitalization.
“Fiscal discipline and strategic support for local entrepreneurs, as well as fiscal transparency and accountability allows the Unified Government to lower the tax burden on residents.”
Economy
Q: What needs to happen to bring economic success to Wyandotte County? What’s going well and what needs to change?
LOPEZ: “We have some commissioners going against our economic development director’s grain. Is it because deals are being made with developers? The director isn’t giving away the farm like developers want, so the developers complain and then they call up our director and chew her out for doing her job. We finally have an economic development director and she’s doing great.”
MCLAUGHLIN: “For far too long, we’ve prioritized big businesses. While those are indeed important, their growth and development often came while ignoring the needs of our urban core. Cities that have strong small business environments not only foster more economic growth, but build better neighborhoods.
“The businesses needed to grow our economy can’t stay if not adequately supported by dense populations as a customer base. It’s time to look at the numbers - particularly with regards to LIHTC and multi-family market-rate housing - and harness these development tools to bring in the vibe that attracts people back into our core.
“Smart placement of mixed-use developments always bring in more stable CAP rates and balanced economic ecosystems, and we greatly need that urban core revised with more than single-family housing.”
KUMP: “Economic growth relies on the availability of critical infrastructure and essential services. Well-maintained bridges, sidewalks and roads to connect residents to businesses are essential to create well-paying, local jobs.
“Well-managed sewage and stormwater systems allow local businesses to remain accessible. Well-funded first responders ensure that investments in our community remain protected. Wyandotte County does a great job attracting potential investors who want to spend their money here: electricity is relatively cheap in this part of the country; we are across the river from one of the largest metropolitans in the region; and this is a hardworking community full of residents who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves to get the job done.
“People want to invest their money here, we need to make sure those investments are here for the long haul and generate income for our community.”
Leadership
Q: What traits make you particularly equipped to lead?
LOPEZ: “Being the commissioner for the Sixth District, I have gained so much knowledge in the last two years. There are a lot of developers that don’t want me to win this seat. They know I can’t be bought. They know I won’t play their game! I do understand incentives may be necessary, but these developers need to understand they need to give, too.
“I stand my ground, I only answer to ‘we the people.’”
MCLAUGHLIN: “My experience and background is very unique - I’ve owned a small business, have worked for the public sector, not-for-profit enterprises and some of the largest firms in the country. That experience has given me a wealth of knowledge that has allowed me to see the organizational structure and function of our County from a perspective that may be less obvious to others without that background.
“... But leadership must go beyond a resume - it must be shown in actions every day. It must be action beyond smoke and mirrors and catch phrases. It also requires somebody fully-dedicated, and not somebody who will only partially dedicate time and effort after their regular work day. Not only do I have the background and experience, but I have the capacity and fortitude to be available as a full-time servant leader for the community that has more problems to solve than the day is long.”
KUMP: “I’m an attorney who is no stranger to the negotiating table. I can navigate complex legal issues to find solutions that work for our community. I’m a problem solver and I’m not intimidated by daunting issues.
“Additionally, I’m a hard worker who has faced my share of challenges in my personal life. I beat late-stage cancer while finishing law school. I’m determined, and when I set my mind to something, I get results.”
Need to know
Q: What do you think is the most important thing Wyandotte County residents know about you before Election Day?
LOPEZ: “Residents already know, I’m for the people. I’m for the working people, I’m for the unions but I’m for the people first! You’ll never see a wolf in a circus!”
MCLAUGHLIN: “I want residents to know that I care. That’s it. That I’ve likely been in their shoes in some way or fashion, and understand what it’s like to feel unheard or dismissed. To have your needs not met.
“That I’m not part of the machine, the old money, or the good ol’ boys’ club. That I’m not going to blow smoke, or sugar-coat things, or rubber stamp anything or promise anything that I don’t think I can really deliver on. What you see is what you get with me and you’re going to get someone built, not bought, and that I will stand on business and bring those receipts.”
KUMP: “I’m not running for personal or financial gain, or for accolades. I’m doing this because I’m born and raised in Wyandotte County and want what’s best for our entire community. I grew up here, met my wife here and have planted my own roots here.
“I’m committed to transparent, honest leadership and accountability. I’ll work every day to improve our community because I know exactly how hard the folks living here work, they deserve leadership that will fight for them and for Wyandotte County’s future.”
