The Kansas City Star’s endorsement in the Grandview mayoral race. It’s a mystery | Opinion
In the days leading up to April 8’s general municipal election, we asked Grandview Mayor Leonard D. Jones Jr. to tell us something about his opponent, David Robinson.
Jones, the incumbent in this race, said he couldn’t offer much.
“I know nothing about my opponent other than he lives in Grandview,” Jones said.
After much research, digging and scouring social media for a hint of any sort of campaign pledges or promises on Robinson’s part, we can safely say neither do we.
It’s not as if Robinson is a ghost — the voicemail on the telephone number listed for Robinson with Grandview’s city clerk has a personalized greeting — but his campaign is certainly nonexistent as far as we can tell. Voicemail and text messages we left with Robinson were not returned, nor was an email we sent.
On the campaign trail, there have been no public debates between the two candidates, according to Jones. Other than a yard sign or two Jones said he’s seen near Robinson’s Grandview home, there’s nothing to suggest that Robinson is a serious candidate for public office.
Because of this unknown variable and Jones’ track record, we recommend Jones for Grandview mayor.
Lifelong Grandview resident
As a longtime resident of Grandview and a graduate of Grandview High School, we see Jones as someone not only invested in the community but the best choice to help move the city forward.
When a member of our board spoke with Jones, he said he is focused on ensuring the city’s infrastructure needs are up to par and seeing an increase in residential and commercial developments.
In 2022, Grandview voters approved a no-tax-increase $21 million bond package — $12 million was earmarked for road improvements — to upgrade facilities, resurface streets and address capital needs for the city’s fire and police departments.
Repairs, improvements on track
As part of that bond, more than $7 million has already been spent to renovate Grandview City Hall and its department of motor vehicles.
Over the last three years, 25% of Grandview streets have been resurfaced, according to Jones. The next major infrastructure project is remodeling Blue Ridge Boulevard from Interstate 49 to Prospect Avenue in Grandview, Jones said.
“We are moving in the right direction,” he said.
Jones, a former Grandview alderman, was first elected mayor during a special election in 2014. The following year, voters elected him to serve his first full two-year term. In all, Jones has been in office for five full terms as mayor. We see no reason why he shouldn’t serve a sixth.
In this somewhat mysterious race for Grandview mayor, our recommendation is Jones.
This story was originally published April 5, 2025 at 5:02 AM.