Clark-West, Finn-East

The two alderman races are very similar. Two veteran city legislators facing opponents who have no city government experience. Two citizens who have attended countless public meetings on your behalf versus two who found it expedient to attend meetings beginning in January of this year after they filed their candidacy. Two have time on their hands to be able to serve, two have made time in their lives to serve. Who will you choose when the reins of city government change hands at the next Board of Alderman meeting?

Tanya Finn stepped forward and was appointed by the Board to fill the vacancy Steve Clark left when he moved from the East to the West ward. Her active involvement in the community made her an ideal person to fill the gap. Since then she has served ably. She takes her job seriously. If you want to know how the City spends your tax dollars, ask Tanya. She painstakingly reviews each invoice and bill the City pays every month. Why? Because she feels another set of eyes on expenditures is time well spent. She is unafraid to speak her mind. She is truly looking out for you and me. Ironically her opponent, Brian Stevenson, has only good things to say about Tanya. He has no quarrel with her service as alderman. He simply believes it is his turn to serve.

Steve Clark would still be on the Board, in my opinion, if it weren't for the fact he moved from the East Ward to the West Ward. A very popular veteran alderman, Steve helped the City navigate through some pretty tough financial times. He has a keen budgetary eye, I can recall many times when he caught a budget detail that escaped others. He has been an outspoken critic of some of the development around us, the so-called Owens development in particular. He lent his talent and skills to the Anders-Jack Cemetery project, just ask Marge Stockwell. Gene Roberts will certainly leave a void for the West Ward as he leaves office. I can think of no better replacement than Steve Clark.

Vic Dejong stopped by last night, we had a nice talk. My impression is he is just getting an appreciation for the challenges facing the City. My recommendation to Vic is to make himself available for appointment to a board or commission. Learn the business of the City well. If he does, I think he would be a great candidate for the Mary Hoy seat in 2009.

I'd give the same advice to Brian Stevenson. Get involved, come forward with specific ideas on how to make the city better. I think he could be a great candidate for his sister's seat, Pat White, in 2009.

Roper for Municipal Judge

If you attended the Candidates Forum and listened to the responses of Mark Geran and Beverlee Roper this post probably won't provide much additional food for thought. However, a majority of the voters in WL did not attend the Forum, if you didn't, see my review of the Forum under the title "Forum Fun". Here are the reasons I believe Beverlee Roper is the best choice for Municipal Judge:

• She has been active in the community. A Director on the WLIC board, she knows first hand the challenges our lake community faces in regards to trespassing, as she puts it "environmental or physical".
• She has been a Municipal Judge, Federal Prosecutor, and Trial Attorney.
• Her expertise includes various aspects of the law as it applies to the environment.
• I believe her application of the law and judgements will be fair. That being said, it is my belief our court should not be seen as a "patsy". After listening to her remarks at the Forum and reviewing her campaign materials I feel certain her court will not be viewed as a push-over. This is a good thing.
• Ms Roper mentioned at the Forum her concern about "assault to the community" from the outside. I feel confident we have the vigilance of our citizens and members to resist this assault, a mayor and police department to cite the wrongdoers and the City Attorney who is willing to prosecute. Beverlee Roper as Municipal Judge will complete the package we need to deal with the assault, which no doubt is coming...and that is As I See It.

I'm voting for_______ because...

He/she is a nice guy/gal
He/she/they go to our church
He/she has big business experience
He/she (or spouse) is a member of our _____ club
I don’t know anything about the other guy/gal.

I have heard these reasons when I have asked individuals who they are going to vote for and why. Really. Often, the reasons come in multiples, such as, “He’s a nice guy and he goes to our church. Or, “He has been a business executive and his wife is a member of our ____club. Reason #5 is usually added as the trump card…”besides, I really don’t know anything about the other person.”

There is still time to mend your ways if you want to make an informed decision for next Tuesday. What is important to you as a citizen of Weatherby Lake? Where does each candidate stand on issues important to you? If you don’t know, call them up. I’m sure each candidate would be excited to share their views with you.

Just in case:
Mayor
Alan York incumbent Jery Bos candidate

East Ward Alderman
Tanya Finn incumbent Brian Stevenson candidate

West Ward alderman
Steve Clark candidate Vic DeJong candidate

Municipal Judge
Mark Geran incumbent Bev Roper candidate

Proposition One
Allows City of Weatherby Lake to charge KC MO franchise fee for electricity use…Yes/NO

Follow the Money, Part II

As promised, here is the financial report for Alan York.

Background: Candidates are required by the Missouri Ethics Commission to report campaign contributions on a periodic basis. Itemized contributions and loans have to be submitted for amounts >$100. These reports are available at Platte City upon request or, of course, from the candidates themselves. This is the information for Citizens for York, as of March 27th.

3 contributors are listed, one for $300, the other two >$100. Two of the contributors are business owners and residents of Weatherby Lake. One is a school teacher and lives in Paducah, KY. Additionally, both Alan York and Paula York have loaned the campaign $100 each.

How much money is in the York campaign fund? As of March 27th:

$2,035

Follow the Money

I hesitated to post this on April Fools Day for fear some would suspect it was a joke. But one week from today is the election, and this is information that might escape most voters...unless you read this blog.

Background: Candidates are required by the Missouri Ethics Commission to report campaign contributions on a periodic basis. Itemized contributions and loans have to be submitted for amounts >$100. These reports are available at Platte City upon request or, of course, from the candidates themselves. First up, Committee to Elect Jerry Bos, as of March 27th.

A couple of observations. 23 contributors donated $300 to the Bos campaign (plus one by Mr Bos himself). All those contributors live outside the City of Weatherby Lake. Where do they live? As listed from the Bos report: Dallas TX, Frisco TX, Denver CO, Manchester MA, Springfield MO, Platte City MO, Overland Park KS, Kenilworth IL, Cabool MO, Naples FL, Wichita KS, Wills Point TX, Chandler AZ, Villa Park CA, Venice FL, Litchfield IL, Englewood CO, La Canada, CA, Platte City MO.

Contributions $100 or more came from: Captiva FL, Kansas City MO, Roy WA. A total of 29 contributions were reported in the two reports filed. Only two were from Weatherby Lake. One by Mr Bos, the other by alderman Pat White.

Occupations? As listed on the reports: CEO (7) COO (3) CFO (2) VP (1)
as well as Housewife (2).

How much money is in the Bos campaign coffers? As of March 27th:

$8,301

Next up, Report Summary for Alan York