Northeast News
February 11, 2015

The Citizens Association of Kansas City Inc., whose influence is slipping quickly with this round of endorsements, had apparently chosen to catapult itself right back in to 1999, endorsing some very familiar and questionable faces in the upcoming municipal election.

Two of their endorsements, Teresa Loar and Ken Bacchus are retreads, having previously served time on the council. The endorsement of Bacchus is a complete mystery to this pooch given Bacchus masterminded the epic, failed Union Hill redevelopment scheme. Anyone remember those two $700,000 Bungalows compliments of Mr. Bacchus. We’re still lookin for that money, kinda like we’re lookin for that missing $15,000 that Pastor Brooks appropriated. Loar, as you may remember, flipped political parties a few years back in a feeble attempt to unseat Congressman Sam Graves in the Sixth Congressional District. To her credit, however, Loar was the push behind JohnTV on the city government television channel. The show spotlighted those arrested on suspicion of prostitution on television.

Another candidate getting the Citizens’ nod is former Jackson County Legislator Theresa Garza-Ruiz, running for the Fifth District At-large seat. Never mind it has been confirmed that she voted in Blue Springs within the past two years. Guess that whole residency thing is over rated, huh Theresa? Speaking of over rated, former State Senator Jolie Justus, interestingly got the Citizens’ nod for the Fourth District In-district race, despite the fact she has spent minimal time working on the neighborhood level, something opponent John Fierro has done for over 20 years. Citizens also like Jim Glover in the Fourth District At-large race, for whatever reason, despite his growing irrelevance and his 180 degree shift against the Kansas City Museum. Glover has become nothing more than a seat warmer on the 26th floor.

One of Glover’s opponents in the race, local neighborhood leader Bryan Stalder, was not screened by the Citizens Association. One should seriously question why Citizens chose to exclude some candidates from the screening process altogether. Makes you really wonder how an objective endorsement can be made as well as where the allegiances are doesn’t it? Influence peddling anyone? The Citizens Association motto says “A tradition of trust since 1934.” We recommend doing a little research and trusting your own judgment before casting your ballot rather than trust an organization that doesn’t allow a level playing field.