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.

KC Star: Murguia’s Dual Roles Draw Fire in. KCK Mayor’s Race February 22, 2013

From the KC Star:

For nearly six years, Ann Murguia has worn two hats – commissioner for Wyandotte County’s Unified Government and executive director of the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association.

Now one of her opponents to become the county’s next mayor and CEO says those dual roles constitute a longstanding conflict of interest.

Fellow commissioner Mark Holland says Murguia crossed the line several times in 2007 and 2008 in voting for county budgets that sent money to her employer, often referred to as ANDA, and thereby benefited herself.

“You cannot be on both the giving and receiving end of public money,” Holland said.

Murguia denies any conflict. She asked for ethics opinions from local, state and national officials. Each time, she said, she was cleared of any conflict and allowed to cast votes.

“I went the extra mile to sign documents that said none of the money coming through my organization would be used to pay my salary,” Murguia said.

The issue is neither new nor settled. Concerns about the potential conflict have divided the county’s elected officials and altered how ANDA can receive money from the Unified Government.

Holland and Murguia are competing with three other candidates in Tuesday’s primary election. The top two finishers will then square off in the April 2 general election.

KCK Mayoral Forum Set February 1, 2013

One of the first debates of the KCK Mayoral raced has been set. It will focus on mass transit.
The Kansas City Regional Ttransit Alliance (KCRTA) and BikewalkKC has set a forum for February 11, 6:00-7:30 at the KCK downtown Public Library, 625 Minnesota Avenue.
Organizers say space at the library forum is limited. They’re urging people to register in advance.
Check here: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=gvxbiodab&oeidk=a07e6z18m8ndfb7cdc3&oseq=a016ig93l1s0j
The current mayor, Joe Reardon is leaving office after two terms.
Five people are running to replace Reardon.
They include Nate Barnes, Mark Holland, Cordell Meeks III, Ann Murguia and Janet Witt.
The KCK Mayoral and City Commission Primary is Feb. 26. The run-off election is April 2.

Cordell Meeks III to Join KCK Mayor’s Race January 15, 2013

KCK Businessman Cordell Meeks III is the latest to enter the KCK race for mayor.
Meeks is expected to formally announce his campaign at a noon news conference at City hall.
He is currently the Chairman of the city’s Human relations Commission.
A news release says he’ll try to convince voters “his ability to attract continued economic development that will benefit all parts of Wyandotte County,”
Meeks now owns his own business consulting firm.
The race for KCK mayor was thrown wide open by last week’s surprise announcement two-term Mayor Joe Reardon would not seek another term.
Meeks joins a growing field that includes Unified Government Commissioners, Nate Barnes, Mark Holland and Ann Murguia.

Update: Confirmed Reardon Not Seeking 3rd Term January 9, 2013

Reardon

City Hall at KCK is buzzing after the announcement KCK Mayor Joe Reardon will not seek a third term
The city elections are approaching. Now that Reardon has decided not to seek another term, the race for Mayor becomes wide open.
In a letter, Reardon says there is much more work to be done. He says he is confident “great people” will step and lead the city.
Insiders say Reardon, who has a young family has decided to step back from public life for a while.
Reardon is a Democrat. In heavily Republican Kansas, his political options in the future may be limited.
As Mayor, Reardon is credited with bringing Google’s ground- breaking ‘Fiber City’ project to the metro first. Google promises the fiber optic system will speed up the internet and provide a base for residential and commercial development to the area.
Reardon has been a close ally to Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Sly James in developing cooperation across the Kansas-Missouri state line.
Developing.