The Star’s endorsements for Wyandotte County Board of Commissioners in Nov. 7 election | Opinion
Big changes could be coming to the 10-member body that governs the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. On Tuesday, five hotly contested seats on the UG’s Board of Commissioners will be decided.
Of the candidates vying for commission seats, two — at-large Commissioner Melissa Bynum and District 3 Commissioner Christian Ramirez — are incumbents. Two others — Bill Burns in District 2 and Tarence Maddox in District 4 — are former commissioners. The pool also includes political newcomers Anna Cole for District 2, Ricky Smith for at-large and District 3 write-in candidate Bette McGill. The field includes Evelyn Hill, a consultant for nonprofit organizations as well. Hill is Maddox’s opponent in District 4. Maddox stepped down as president of the KCK branch of the NAACP to run for office.
Steve Neal, a pastor, and Philip Lopez, a small business owner, are running against each other to replace District 6 Commissioner Angela Markley, who did not seek reelection.
Tina Medina is Ramirez’s challenger in District 3. McGill, the write-in candidate, could factor in this race. She tied Medina in the primary election but lost a coin flip and wasn’t included on Tuesday’s ballot.
Voters will be asked to choose the best candidates to chart the future of county government. Each brings unique lived experiences to the table.
During endorsement interviews with the candidates, we learned of their passion for the Wyandotte County community and its residents. We posed tough questions on policy issues, asked them to present evidence of tangible work they’ve done behalf of the community and discussed other important local topics to gauge their preparedness for the job.
Candidates were quizzed about their willingness to collaborate with other commissioners and work with KCK Mayor Tyrone Garner, whose hard-line approach to doing things his way has rankled some on the governing board.
And what a time to run for public office in Wyandotte County. The UG is facing a financial crisis and must balance its budget to avoid bankruptcy, officials say. Affordable housing is a pressing issue that must be addressed, too.
Other concerns commissioners must consider over the next four years include tax relief for senior homeowners, aging infrastructure and other needs throughout Wyandotte County’s more distressed areas.
To say Tuesday’s election must stabilize Wyandotte County’s government is not a stretch. Experience matters, as do fresh new ideas. A collaborative approach is necessary. Commissioners must have the temperament to serve the people of Wyandotte County.
Below are The Star’s endorsements in each race.
At-large: Melissa Bynum
Bynum is a two-term commissioner and provides steady leadership during these unsteady times. Her experience with the inner workings of the commission is needed at this time of transition.
District 2: Bill Burns
Burns is a former commissioner. He is also a retired Wyandotte County District Court administrator. He spent 44 years in county government. His experience set him apart from Cole, a first-time political hopeful.
District 3: Christian Ramirez
This was a tough call. Ramirez took office during a global pandemic. He has taken hits for his lack of responsiveness. The learning curve is over. But Ramirez deserves another term to have an impact in his district.
District 4: Evelyn Hill
Hill spent two terms on the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools board, where she worked on complex budget issues and helped the board establish new safety protocols for district schools. On the campaign trail, she displayed the temperament needed to work well with other commissioners and Garner, KCK’s strong-willed mayor.
District 6: Steve Neal
Neal, a pastor of First Baptist Church of Turner in KCK, could bring to the commission a sense of calm and history working for the better good of the community.
Editor’s note: Our next local elections are next week, Tuesday, Nov. 7, and average voter turnout across the Kansas City area has been low. This week in Opinion, we’ll have editorials and columns on several elections across the metropolitan area. We can’t cover each one, but we’ll highlight a few that are hotly contested.
The Kansas City Star has published a Voter Guide for several areas in our metro to help voters keep informed. Before you cast your vote, use the guide at kansascity.com/election to research what’s on the ballot. Stay tuned this week for more on the elections on these Opinion pages.
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This story was originally published November 3, 2023 at 5:08 AM.