By Michael Bushnell
Northeast News
January 4, 2012

The Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood Association held their annual election of officers Monday evening and only one incumbent executive board member was retained in office during the standing room only meeting held in the Kansas City Museum’s carriage house.

The neighborhood association’s new president will be Leslie Caplan, who unseated incumbent Adam Schieber by a single vote, 37 to 36 margin. Caplan, on her new position, expressed optimism for the coming year.

“I’m really hopeful we can all work together and make the entire neighborhood better for everyone,” Caplan said. “We have many issues and it will take many hands, but I’m optimistic.”

Will Royster retained his seat as vice president by a large margin and Sean O’Toole will step in as the new treasurer, taking over for longtime Treasurer Mickie Blank who retired to spend more time with her new family. Amanda Stinger will act as the new recording secretary.

The neighborhood association also elected six at-large members to the board. The Scarritt Renaissance At-large board members are Ken Richardson, Frank Murphy, Maria King, Jason Milbrandt, Richard Plackemeier and Adam Schieber.

The election was not without some controversy as six ballots had to be thrown out because of voting irregularities. Some residents apparently voted for at-large candidates to fill the executive board positions. Following a brief discussion on how to properly handle the matter in accordance with the neighborhood association’s bylaws, the situation was quickly remedied and at-large elections moved forward.

When asked about the results of the election following the meeting, former President and newly elected At-large Board Member Adam Schieber stated, “I didn’t make the officers because I don’t live on Gladstone or Benton Boulevard, so I’m not part of the Boulevard Social Club like the rest of the officers.”