Third District City Council Candidate Forum

Third District Candidates: (L to R) Melissa Patterson Hazley, Brandon Ellington (Incumbent), Melissa Robinson (Incumbent), and Sheri Purpose Hall

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, the Northeast News, Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Citizens’ Association hosted a candidate forum for the upcoming City Council primary race on April 4, 2023. Candidates running for Third District In District and At-Large attended.

(L to R) Melissa Patterson Hazley, Brandon Ellington (Incumbent), Melissa Robinson (Incumbent), and Sheri Purpose Hall

The questions the candidates were asked at the forum, and some submitted by the audience that time didn’t allow to be asked, are below:

Every year the City seems surprised by the need for low-barrier shelters for our neighbors experiencing homelessness during extreme weather. What plan do you think could address this?

City communication is done almost exclusively in English. The website has a Google translate option, which is often inaccurate. How do you plan to expand language access to city services and programs?

How do you convince developers to build on the East Side when they learn their Return on Investment (ROI) falls short?

The Third District is large, but all six neighborhoods have monthly meetings. Will you commit to coming to our meetings at least once a year to show your support?

No job are (or?) home for homeless people can not medical treatment hydrant. (?)

I was homeless here in Kansas City for 2.5 years and now I’m a consultant for a real estate company, which has inspired me to go forward to become an inspector. But those that are homeless I believe is receiving benefits from the government due to finance their addictions. – Tip Johnson

What can be done to clean up trash throughout the city? Community service hours? We’re the trashiest city I’ve been in.

To follow on the trash question, most of you are likely aware of the landfill issue in South Kansas City whereby a developer is trying to develop a landfill in a residential area. Resolution #23061 addressing this to some degree, comes before the Council tomorrow. For existing councilmembers, what is your position on it. For the other candidates, if a permit request for a SKC landfill came before you, would you approve or deny it?

What can the City do to put pressure on the county prosecutor to do her job to punish offenders & keep them off the streets?

Language devices. In the Northeast, a lot of our residents do not speak English. When you offer solutions like more recycling and you don’t offer instructions for recycling in English only, you guarantee that folks will be left out.

Many of the residents cannot vote and have no way to hold you accountable, what will you do to better serve our non-English speaking neighbors in services, meetings and on your campaign trail?

In St. Louis, the alleys are used to place dumpsters in so that residents can place trash continuously. Is there a way we can improve such as this?

Does the City receive funds for recycling?

Everyone (senior citizens) don’t use apps. How do you address seniors and all the tech. Seniors are being shut out with tech.


Candidate Questionnaires that have been received can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gPwA2WC8Yw_V_87IC6i2lZ_EgWW79uM-?usp=sharing

Want Northeast News articles sent straight to your inbox each week? Subscribe below!
Enter your email address and click on the Get Instant Access button.
We respect your privacy

Comments are closed.

  • Annnnnnd They’re Off!

    March 24th, 2023
    by

    Eight students from Alta Vista High School loaded up this morning for the Spring Break Youth Experience weekend in Chicago. […]


    The Northeast News is seeking qualified summer interns

    March 24th, 2023
    by

    Qualifications The candidate should have at least two years of university-level news reporting experience on a variety of platforms including […]


    Murder charges filed in Elizabeth Stivers homicide case

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    Charges have been filed against Elizabeth Stivers’ neighbor, 24-year-old Darion Hall, for her murder last week. On Wednesday, the Jackson […]


    Pearl’s Beauty Salon closes as longtime owner retires

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    With nimble fingers, Pearl Battaglia wraps short, silver hair around perm rods for one of her regular customers at Pearl’s […]


    Kansas City Museum’s Derby Party fundraiser celebrates Worlds of Fun 

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    Tickets are on sale now for the 8th Annual Derby Party. The Kansas City Museum’s annual fundraiser is back on […]


    Loved ones gather to mourn homicide victim Elizabeth Stivers

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    Family and friends of Elizabeth Stivers gathered in front of her home on 7th Street Sunday evening to mourn, lighting […]


    Jazz Draft takes over 18th and Vine!

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    UNESCO Creative City of Music – USA, in collaboration with the American Jazz Museum, will present a 12-hour jam session […]


    Let there be STEM!

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    Over 300 students, ranging from kindergarteners to seniors in high school, packed into Union Station’s north waiting room on a […]


    ¡Que haya STEM!

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    Más de trescientos estudiantes, desde niños de preescolar hasta estudiantes de último año de secundaria, abarrotaron la sala de espera […]


  • Childcare owner marks 43 years of caring

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    The classroom is dark, and toddlers are stretched out on small cots for their afternoon nap. But Vonnie Occhipinto’s phone […]


    Suspect cites voodoo for Independence and Olive Homicide

    March 17th, 2023
    by

    Ibrahim A. Sharif Ahmed, 38 of Kansas City North cited voodoo as the partial cause for the killing of Abdullahi […]


    Family mourns homicide victim, plans vigil

    March 17th, 2023
    by

    The family of Elizabeth Stivers is mourning after she was killed Tuesday evening in Lykins. They plan to hold a […]


    One dead in Independence and Olive homicide

    March 16th, 2023
    by

    Wednesday evening just before 9 p.m., Kansas City, MO Police officers (KCPD) were called to the area of Independence Boulevard […]


    Disturbance ends in homicide near 7th and Spruce

    March 15th, 2023
    by

    One woman is dead following a disturbance in Lykins. Tuesday evening just after 9:15 PM, Kansas City, MO Police officers […]


    Lead To Read increases literacy rates in Northeast elementary schools

    March 15th, 2023
    by

    Abby HooverManaging Editor In a James Elementary first grade classroom, students are paired off with adults, quietly reading or working […]


    Community outreach programs brought to you by Jerusalem Farm

    March 15th, 2023
    by

    “WHAT CAN WE DO TODAY, SO THAT TOMORROW WE CAN DO WHAT WE CANNOT DO TODAY?” KC Tenants is organizing […]


    RevEd Hosts Parent Power, an Event Celebrating the Power of Northeast Families

    March 15th, 2023
    by

    Daisy Garcia-MontoyaEducation Reporter Community members filled the RevEd space last Wednesday to celebrate parents who played an important role in […]


    North Lawn tenants demand safe, affordable housing

    March 10th, 2023
    by

    Tenants of the Gladstone Court Apartments are making demands for safe, affordable housing of the building’s new owner after the […]


  • Want articles sent directly to your inbox each week? Subscribe below!
    We respect your privacy and will not distribute your information.