Six candidates competing to replace Melba Curls on council
The 3rd District at-large race is the most crowded, as six candidates try to replace Melba Curls, who is term-limited out.
Candidates include University of Kansas law professor Quinton Lucas; longtime Freedom Inc. advocate Dee Evans; neighborhood and schools advocate Karmello Coleman; Forestine Beasley, who has served for years on the Public Improvements Advisory Committee; community and political activist Carol Gatlin; and Stephan Gordon, a former Republican candidate for the U.S. House.
Quinton Lucas
Age: 30
Occupation: Law professor, University of Kansas; lawyer
Education: Bachelor’s in political science, Washington University in St. Louis; law degree, Cornell University
Previous public service: Mayor’s Charter Review Commission, 2013; Board of Zoning Adjustment member since 2011
Campaign platform: I plan to provide a new voice on the council addressing basic services and infrastructure, responsible use of taxpayer dollars and to ensure Kansas City is where businesses want to come and families want to stay.
Major endorsements: Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 99; Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1287; IBEW Local 53; Fire Fighters Locals 42 and 3808; Forward KC; Construction and General Laborers’ Local 264; GKC AFL-CIO; Carpenters District Council; Freedom Inc.; Citizens Association; KC BizPAC.
Website: LucasForKC.com
Virginia “Dee” Evans
Age: 60
Occupation: assistant director of external relations, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Education: Bachelor’s of business administration, Ottawa University; executive MBA public administration, UMKC.
Previous public service: 2013, appointed to the Jackson County Merit Commission; 2010, appointed to the Greater Downtown Area Plan Steering Committee; 2008, appointed to the Vine Street District Economic Development Plan; 2006, appointed to the Kansas City Climate Protection Commission
Campaign platform: I would focus on improving basic city services, eliminating blight, developing housing stock and building effective infrastructure that contributes to sustainable neighborhoods.
Endorsements: Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus; Westport Landing Democratic Club
Website: www.deeforkccouncil.com.
Karmello Coleman
Age: Declined to provide
Occupation: Retired as a parent-school liaison with Kansas City Public Schools
Education: Bachelor’s in theater arts, California State University Los Angeles; pursuing master’s degree from UMKC Bloch School of Public Administration in arts administration.
Campaign platform: Empower, rebuild, restore.
Endorsements: American Federation of Teachers Local 691.
Website: www.karmello4kansascity.com
Forestine Beasley
Age: 64
Occupation: Commercial real estate broker, Greg Patterson & Associates
Education: Bachelor’s in arts/sociology from UMKC.
Previous public service: Public Improvements Advisory Committee board member; KCI Airport Advisory Commission; Next Rail Steering Committee; Regulated Industries Advisory Board.
Campaign platform: Housing. Our issues are more than vacant houses. We need to help all segments obtain housing, including homeless, veterans, ex-felons and families. Also promoting community growth through citizen involvement, business growth and entrepreneur support.
Website: www.forestine4kc.com.
Carol Gatlin
Age: 60
Occupation: Executive director of A Flash of Beauty Charm School, a home-based nonprofit
Education: Pursuing master’s degree in higher education administration. Bachelor’s in communication studies from UMKC and graduate certificate in community college leadership from UMKC
Previous public service: 14th Ward Jackson County Democratic Committee woman/deputy registrar with KC Election Board, 2002-06; secretary of Niles Home for Children Women’s Auxiliary; former network director for National Association for Female Executives
Campaign platform: Regaining trust and citizen satisfaction with City Hall; accountability/open-door policy; restore neighborhood pride and promote public safety
Website: cjgatlin4kc.com
Stephan Gordon
Age: 56
Occupation: Driver for Enterprise Leasing; associate pastor at Blue Valley Baptist Church
Education: Bachelor’s in psychology/sociology from Wichita State University
Previous public service: Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund board; Keep Kansas City Beautiful board; Republican nominee for U.S. House 5th Congressional District in 2000 and 2002, ran against Karen McCarthy
Platform: Empowering neighborhoods and job production
Endorsements: Jackson County Republican Committee; Political Action League.
Website: www.stephangordon.com
This story was originally published March 20, 2015 at 10:46 PM with the headline "Six candidates competing to replace Melba Curls on council."