The Kansas City Star’s endorsements in Johnson County mayoral races | Opinion

Here are The Kansas City Star Editorial Board’s recommendations in three contested mayoral races in Johnson County, Kansas.

De Soto

De Soto voters have two quality choices in this year’s mayoral race. On balance, we think incumbent Mayor Rick Walker is the choice over Rob Daniels, his challenger.

Walker has served during a time of great change in De Soto. The Panasonic battery plant, now open, has brought investment to the community — and, in some cases, the headaches that suburban living can prompt.

Taken as a whole, Walker appears to have managed the transition well.

The city’s property tax levy has dropped substantially, even as property values have risen (as they have throughout Johnson County.) That means most residents have seen their city taxes remain flat, or up slightly. That, too, is an accomplishment.

“My focus remains on ensuring that De Soto’s growth is strategic, fiscally sound, and community driven,” Walker told us in an email. As new opportunities come to this growing community — a new data center, new housing, infrastructure improvements — that approach will be essential.

Daniels is a current member of the De Soto City Council. He has criticized secrecy in city government, and the uneven benefits of the city’s improvements. “Recent growth hasn’t always included residents,” he said in an email.

Those are valid concerns. De Soto should move forward slowly enough to make sure all residents can be heard. But we think Walker, the incumbent, has performed well enough to have earned another term in office.

Merriam

This race pits incumbent Mayor Bob Pape against challenger Billy Croan. The choice in Merriam should be Pape.

Merriam has seen substantial change in recent years, including redevelopment of the former K-Mart shopping center. Those improvements are significant. Additionally, the city is working on new housing on the north side of 63rd Street, on the site of a branch of the Johnson County library.

The projects have used public incentives, which have been controversial in Merriam. But rebuilding the K-Mart site — which, abandoned, was a terrible blight on the community — has worked well. Pape has been a part of that.

As in De Soto, Croan has made the lack of transparency and community involvement a central theme of his campaign. “I aim to preserve our Merriam identity and small town feel,” Croan said in an email.

Croan also promises to “reduce the tax burden,” a familiar promise in this year’s local elections. Remember: City governments are just one part of your property tax bill.

This election is non-partisan. At the same time, Croan says he “affiliates” with Libertarians, which is important information for voters.

In this race, incumbent Pape is the better choice.

Mission Hills

In this race, Braden Perry faces Andy Weed. Both are well-qualified candidates, familiar with Mission Hills government and the city’s challenges. There is no incumbent running.

Perry is a lawyer, and was once president of the Mission Hills City Council. Weed is retired, after four decades in corporate work, and is currently president of the council.

In a very close race, Weed receives our endorsement.

Mission Hills is a small community, but it is home to some of the region’s wealthiest families. Its general fund is roughly $10 million, which provides for road maintenance, parks, public safety and other community needs.

“Mission Hills is a well-run city with a talented and professional staff,” Weed told us in an email. That appears to be the case. There has been discussion of the wisdom of a recent church purchase at 6400 State Line Road, and concern about potentially intrusive cell towers.

Weed has a deep understanding of the church decision, which will be important in the months ahead.

Perry emphasizes transparency in city government. It should be clear to all candidates that citizens are demanding openness and candor from their leadership, something governments should pursue when the campaign ends.

Voters in Mission Hills have two excellent choices in this race. We think Andy Weed is the better option.