Brownback Names KCK’s Murguia to Kansas Board of Regents June 27, 2013

Murguia

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has named KCK Commissioner Ann Murguia to the nine-member Kansas Board of Regents.
The Regents is the governing body for the state’s public universities.
The Governor also made two other appointments to the Regents Board.
Helen Van Etten is an Audiologist with the Topeka Public School District.
The other appointment is Shane Bangerter, a lawyer who has offices in Dodge City.
““Shane, Ann and Helen bring a great amount of experience and talent to the board and I am excited they’ve agreed to serve our great state,” Brownabck said in a news release.
Murguia ran unsuccessfully for mayor this spring. She lost the run-off to Mark Holland.
Murguia’s appoint gives the Kansas City metro area two voices on the Regents Board.
Johnson County attorney Fred Logan assumes the Chairman’s position on July 1.
“The Governor has appointed three great Regents. Shane Bangerter’s community college trustee background will be a tremendous asset. Ann Murguia has an outstanding record of civic and public leadership in Kansas City, Kansas and the greater Kansas City area. Helen Van Etten is a passionate supporter of higher education,” Logan said.

Holland Sworn In as New KCK Mayor April 26, 2013

Mark Holland (file)

Mark Holland was sworn in as the new Mayor and CEO of the Unified Government of Kansas City, Kansas and Wyandotte County Thursday night.
The Kansas City Star reports Holland said in his inaugural speech, he believes the city is in better position than ever to continue to meet its challenges and continue grow.
“We’re better positioned to address all these challenges that we’ve ever been,” according to the report.
Among KCK’s challenges is to extend the revitalization and growth of the western end of the county to the core of KCK.
Holland was elected last month after surviving a primary an defeating fellow Commissioner Ann Murgia in the April run-off.
He replaces former Mayor Joe Reardon who surprised many by not running for a third term.

Holland & Murguia Clash on Issues and Flyers in Final Debate April 1, 2013

Kansas City, Kansas mayoral candidates clashed a final time over the basic issue of the campaign, taxes.
At a debate and question and answer session at the downtown public library, candidates Mark Holland and Ann Murguia, both current members of the City Commission, clashed about votes in 2011 and 2012 raising the property tax rate slightly.
Holland said the city had no other option. Without the rise, he claimed, the city would be faced with lay-offs.
“And 30 of those would be police officers, and 30 would be fire fighters. And it’s very important we not make cuts to our public safety,” said Holland. He said he voted for both measures.
Murguia did not vote for either measure. She said it hurt KCK homeowners whose homes were declining in value.
“To charge them more when their homes are worth less, is a contradiction,” said Murguia.
Murguia said the city had other options they could have used.
And she claims even after raising the rate, the Commission went ahead and approved other budget increases.
Holland said he thought the tax rate increase can pulled back off the tax rolls as the economy improves. He also said that in several years, the city will get between $12-15 million dollars when Kansas STAR bonds, used to develop western Wyandotte County and KCK will end and the city will get full tax revenues from that district.
The debate was broadcast live on KCUR radio and the ‘Up to Date’program with Kansas City Star political writer Steve Kraske.
Kraske asked both candidates about the third-party flyers popping up in voters’ mail boxes in the final days of the race.
One flyer attacks Holland. It is from the Americans For Prosperity group, a conservative organization lead by the Koch Brothers of Wichita.
Holland called Americans For Prosperity a group that is involved in “union busting”. He said it was a mystery that he should get attacked at Murguia’s benefit when she claims to have union support.
Murguia said she had nothing to do with the flyer.
Murguia was also the subject of another flyer suggesting she was a Republican. That’s a serious charge in heavily Democratic Wyandotte County.
Murguia says the flyer is confusing. On one side it associates her with Republicans like Kansas Governor Sam Brownback. The other said complains about her voting for tax increases.
Murguia said during the debate it is like the flyer can’t make up its mind.
The polls in Kansas City, Kansas open at 7 Tuesday morning. They close at 7pm. Final results are expected before 10pm Tuesday night.

Mainstream Coalition Denies Anti- Holland Flyer is Thiers March 29, 2013

The Kansas City Kansan is reporting that the race for Mayor of the KCK Unified Government is getting tough in the final weekend.
The Kansan reports the Mainstream Coalition is denying it has anything to do with a new flyer attacking candidate Mark Holland.
The Mainstream Coalition says it has endorsed Holland over rival, fellow Commissioner Ann Murguia.
Mainstream says the flyer contains an incorrect address for the groups as well.
Mainstream, according to the report, has filed an official complaint with the Kansas Ethics Commission.
Given the staffing at the Commission and the timing if the mailer, it’s not likely the Commission will be able to do anything about it before next Tuesday’s election.

Murguia Rolls Out Support from Pols & Unions for KCK Mayor’s Campaign March 9, 2013

KCK candidate for Mayor Ann Murguia is rolling out of long list of endorsements this weekend.
It includes her former primary rival, KCK Commissioner Nathan Barnes.
Barnes finished third in last month snow primary.
Fellow Commissioner Mark Holland finished first in the field of five
Murguia was a distant second.
The run off for the post is April 2.
Two term Mayor Joe Reardon is not seeking a third term.
Two state representative for the city, 33rd District State Representative Tom Burroughs , 37th District State Representative Stan Frownfelter endorsed Murguia today.
So did Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash and former Mayor Joe Stieneger.
Several of Murguia’s City Commission colleagues joined Barnes in backing Murguia’s campaign.
The are UG Commissioner Terrance Maddox, 5th District UG Commissioner Mike Kane, 6th District UG Commissioner Angela Markley, 8th District UG Commissioner Butch Ellison.
“The message delivered was clear; Ann is the people’s choice for Mayor of Wyandotte County. Her ability to work, with federal, state and local officials from both parties is unmatched,” Murguia said at a morning news conference where the endorsements were made.