adminBy Leslie Collins
Northeast News
Feb. 16, 2011
Seven candidates are vying for the position of Kansas City Mayor and each has a vision for Kansas City.
To help our readers make a decision in the Feb. 22 general election, Northeast News interviewed the candidates and compiled their profiles below.
Charles Wheeler
Education: Graduate of University of Kansas Medical School; holds an A.B., M.D. and J.D.
Political background: coroner of Jackson County, judge of the Western District of Jackson County Circuit Court, served two consecutive terms as mayor of Kansas City in the ‘70s. In 2002, Wheeler ran unopposed in the general election and was elected to the Missouri State Senate, representing the 10th District.
What he likes about Kansas City: “I like this location in the middle of the country, its weather and its water supplies, all kinds of things.”
Website: Charles Wheeler, Jr., on Facebook
Why he wants to run for mayor: “I think Kansas City’s best days are ahead of us. I’m very bullish about its opportunities.
“Because I’ve been the mayor (in the past), I know it’s a good job and I know my recent political office in the Missouri Senate helps me to be a better mayor.”
Two key issues he’s focusing on: Maintaining the state’s involvement in Kansas City’s police department and alleviating the dissention at City Hall.
Why Historic Northeast should vote for him: “Because I’m a known person. They’ve dealt with me for eight years in the past and I get along fine with people in the Northeast.”
How he plans to positively impact Historic Northeast: “I served for a long time on the board of the Kansas City Museum and the Long Mansion, and I will impact the Northeast by dealing with their at large and district council people.”
Sly James
Education: Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and served as a military police officer for four years. He received an honorable discharge in 1975. When his service ended, he graduated from Rockhurst University and later earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota.
Political Background: 26 years experience as an attorney
What he likes about Kansas City: “Kansas City has unlimited potential. I believe that if we work together – north, east, south and west – there is no challenge we can’t meet.”
Website: www.slyjamesformayor.com
Why he wants to run for mayor: “For the last few years, our City Hall has been consumed by drama and dysfunction. It’s time for new leadership that can bring people together to get better results.”
Two key issues he’s focusing on: Restoring the public’s confidence in City Hall by making the city more efficient and effective. James also wants to boost employment.
Why Historic Northeast should vote for him: “I have the plan and the capability to provide the city with the leadership it needs at this time. We need to move past the drama of the past and focus on creating a smarter, stronger, safer city in the future.”
How he plans to positively impact Historic Northeast: “Education, jobs, crime reduction and efficiency at City Hall will benefit the entire city. Our plans for a comprehensive approach to supporting communities are ideally suited for the Historic Northeast.”
Jim Rowland
Education: Graduated from Rockhurst University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial and labor relations
Political Background: Served two terms on the City of Kansas City Council and is a former civic chair of the council’s Budget Committee. He also served on the Planning and Zoning, Aviation and Operations committees, among others,
What he likes about Kansas City: “What I love about Kansas City is our community’s amazing spirit and diversity. The Kansas City spirit is one that says that ‘we’re all in this together.’ Kansas Citians are concerned about one another and do all they can to help when they see others in need.”
Website: www.jimrowland.com
Why he wants to run for mayor: “I am running for mayor of Kansas City to restore confidence in our city government. Our city needs to get on the right track by balancing the needs of economic growth with the delivery of basic services and improvements in our neighborhoods.”
Two key issues he’s focusing on: Creating jobs and reducing crime
Why Historic Northeast should vote for him: “I have a record of getting things done for Kansas Citians – from my time as a neighborhood leader to serving on the City Council (1999-2006) to leading the renovations at Arrowhead and Kauffman Stadiums.
“My commitment is to lead and to restore confidence in our city government by making it more responsive and effective, focusing on the issues that matter, like jobs, crime and neighborhoods.”
How he plans to positively impact Historic Northeast: “As mayor, I will work every day to create jobs, reduce crime and improve the livability of every neighborhood in Kansas City, including Historic Northeast. I will make sure that no neighborhood is ever ignored and that every part of the city gets the services and attention it needs and deserves.”
Henry Klein
Education: Graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business marketing
Political Background: For more than 20 years, he’s worked for the Fortune 500 company R.R. and Donnelley and helped open the Kansas City office, which netted more than $200 million in sales for the company. He was a staff member for the Emanuel Cleaver for Congress campaign.
What he likes about Kansas City: Check out his video on www.kleinforkansascity.com titled, “What I Like About Kansas City.” “There is no one thing I like about Kansas City but rather the incredible range and diversity of people and places that are all wrapped inside what we call home.”
Website: www.kleinforkansascity.com
Why he wants to run for mayor: “I ran four years ago on the idea that we could do more to better the lives of everyone in Kansas City.
“While we saw a significant amount of activity in some areas of the city, there were a host of issues – safety of our citizens, housing, public transportation, jobs – I felt needed much greater attention.
“The issues I ran on four years ago are still with us and still in need of leadership ready to address them.”
Two key issues he’s focusing on: Greater safety for citizens and a functioning housing department, among others.
Why Historic Northeast should vote for him: “With my background in both large and small business, along with my involvement in the non-profit world, I offer voters a different perspective based on doing more with less and doing more through innovation.”
How he plans to positively impact Historic Northeast: “Housing is one of the keys. As a board member for Habitat for Humanity, I believe that we have to rebuild our communities one block at a time. The Northeast offers an incredible opportunity for our city. People are going to need affordable housing and the Northeast is in a unique position to provide it. Through the renovation of existing homes and the building of new on vacant lots, the Northeast has a lot to offer.”
Klein also plans to focus on small job creation.
Deb Hermann
Education: After graduating from Radcliffe High School in Iowa, Hermann married her husband, Tom, and became a “Navy wife.”
Political Background: Current member on the City of Kansas City Council and currently serves on the city’s Finance and Audit Committee
Hermann has also served on the City Planning Commission and was appointed Chairperson of the Property Maintenance Advisory Committee.
What she likes about Kansas City: “The livability of its neighborhoods, old and new; the decency of its people; its history and its potential; its framework of beauty bequeathed by the Parks and Boulevard system at the turn of the 20th Century…”
Website: www.debhermannforkansascity.com
Why she wants to run for mayor: “The Mayor is in a unique position to lead Kansas City into a better future. I want to focus all the knowledge and skills I’ve learned in a lifetime to that cause.
“I also want to use the inspirational power of the Mayor’s Office to restore pride in City Hall and in our city.”
Two key issues she’s focusing on: Jobs and smart economic growth and restoring pride in Kansas City
Why Historic Northeast should vote for her: “For eight years, I’ve been there.”
She plans to use representatives through the Public Improvements Advisory Committee (PIAC) to support PIAC projects “sorely needed” in Northeast. As chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, she will provide funding for revitalization of Independence Avenue and strongly supports the Independence Avenue and St. John area plans and streetscape improvements.
She’s resolved drainage issues in the Northeast Industrial District and funded new bridges from Northeast neighborhoods to Chouteau Bridge.
She will continue to support the Kansas City Museum.
How she plans to positively impact Historic Northeast: “I want to see significant resources focused on crime prevention through restoration of community policing.”
She will also focus on home repair and other housing resources to preserve the “priceless housing stock that can make Old Northeast a model for older neighborhoods throughout Kansas City.” Hermann will continue to support the revitalization of Independence Avenue as an “ethnic, institutional, economic development and cultural attraction for the entire city.”
Mark Funkhouser
Education: Holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, an MSW, an MBA and a PhD. in public administration and sociology
Political Background: Current mayor of Kansas City
He’s also served as a State of Missouri auditor and City Auditor of Kansas City, among other titles.
What he likes about Kansas City: “I like the parts of Kansas City that are authentic and original and don’t exist anywhere else, like Historic Northeast and Brookside.
“I like the many entrepreneurs and artists who call it home. We once were known as the Paris of the Plains and we’re not far from it today.”
Website: www.reelectmayorfunkhouser.com
Why he wants to run for another term: “We have made great progress in the last four years. We’ve repaired the city’s finances and returned its focus to basic services that support our families and their neighborhoods. But the job is not done. We need to make Kansas City safe so that people and businesses will return, bringing jobs and economic development.”
Two key issues he’s focusing on: Continuing to keep the city’s finances in order and making Kansas City the safest big city in America
Why Historic Northeast should vote for him: “I have worked hard to support all of Kansas City’s neighborhoods, not just the neighborhoods with the most development attorneys.
“I worked to find $67 million for neighborhood infrastructure improvements.
“During my administration, we have reduced overall crime in Kansas City by 31 percent from 2007 to 2010. Homicides are also down according to the CQ Press Ranking 2008 v. 2010.
“I have made myself available to the residents of Historic Northeast through town hall meetings, and I’ve worked with the city manager and the Northeast Chamber of Commerce to restore the Northeast CAN Center or HELPS center to the Northeast community. Ranking 2008 v. 2010.”
How he plans to positively impact Historic Northeast: He plans to continue working with the Northeast Chamber of Commerce on the platform of the Chamber Roundtable to spur economic development in this area. He will also significantly reduce crime in the Historic Northeast and work with the Public Infrastructure Advisory Committee and the Housing and Community Development Department to appropriate more federal, state and local funding for the infrastructure and housing improvements in Northeast.
Mike Burke
Education: Graduated from Rockhurst University and later from Georgetown University and Law School in Washington, D.C.
Political Background: Former city council member, who’s served on the Aviation, Legislative, Audit and Operations committees, among other committees.
What he likes about Kansas City: “It’s a city of great opportunities. We have a terrific arts community that we need to tell the world about.
“Our parks and boulevards, downtown, riverfront, the Plaza, Westport, the Northeast area and all our great neighborhoods enhance our quality of life. It’s my hometown, which is reason enough to like it a lot.”
Website: www.burke4kc.com
Why he wants to run for mayor: “I have a passion for this city, but I love it enough that I want to make it better. This city needs leadership and vision in the mayor’s office.”
Two key issues he’s focusing on: Restoring professionalism in city government and creating more economic development and jobs
Why Historic Northeast should vote for him: “I’ve always appreciated the significance and history of this great part of Kansas City. And I have always been a fan of the Kansas City Museum. As chairman of the Public Improvements Advisory Committee, I saw that money got appropriated for repairs to the structure. It’s important to that neighborhood.”
How he plans to positively impact Historic Northeast: “I will do what I can to make the Northeast vibrant.”
He plans to use a targeted approach by restoring one block at time and offering home repair and improvement programs.
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