OFFICIAL VOTERS GUIDE

OFFICIAL
VOTERS
GUIDE
M UN I C I PAL P RI M A RY,
S C H O O L & S P E C I A L EL EC TI O N
Jermaine
lee
quinton D.
kenneth
City Council
3rd District
City Council At-Large
5th District
City Council At-Large
3rd District
City Council
5th District
Reed
barnes
lucas
bacchus
Hvote tUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015H
Thriving Neighborhoods and a Vibrant City!
Message from the Leadership Team
Leadership Team (l-r): Dr. Gayle Holliday, Gwendolyn
Grant and Senator Shalonn “Kiki” Curls
We are pleased to report, THANKS TO YOU THE VOTERS, the hard work of a
committed and engaged board of directors, a hard-working Nominating Committee,
and a stellar group of active members, we are moving forward!
Our strategic plan is in place and we are working on your behalf to ensure that
we fulfill our mission to impact public policy decisions, foster economic
development and generate wealth to improve the quality of life for African
Americans.
These Freedom-endorsed candidates for Kansas City, Missouri City Council have the
requisite skills, aptitude, and equally important, the commitment to the values and
principles embedded in our mission. They are experienced, committed, talented,
focused and accessible. They are best suited to represent our issues, our priorities
and our agenda.
For more than 50 years, Freedom, Inc. has been on the battlefield fighting for you,
fighting for justice, fighting for equal access, and fighting to ensure that you have a
voice at City Hall! Our history speaks for itself, but our future is in your hands.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND WE ASK THAT YOU VOTE THE ENTIRE FREEDOM
BALLOT ON TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015. Your vote for every FREEDOM-endorsed
candidate is a vote for Thriving Neighborhoods and a Vibrant City!
Yours in Service for Freedom, Justice, and Equality,
Senator Shalonn “Kiki” Curls
Gwendolyn Grant
Gayle Holliday
Kenneth
c ounc ilman
5 th D ISTR ICT
H
BACCHUS
Experience
Matters!
After four years of
stagnation, residents of
the 5th District need an
experienced councilman.
Ken served as 5th District At-Large
Councilman from 1991-1999. As
Chairman of the Plans, Zoning &
Economic Development Committee, he
negotiated financing and development
packages for job growth, business
retention and expansion, and
economic development policies. Ken
also served as Commissioner for the
City’s Redevelopment Authority and
Tax Increment Financing Commissions
for 15 years.
5 5
STAR
PLAN FOR
DISTRICT
HPut Residents to Work
Renovating & Rebuilding
Houses
HRaise the Minimum Wage
– All Workers Deserve to
Earn a Livable Income
HEliminate Blight–Demolish
Dangerous Structures
HFacilitate Investment &
Business Development
HStimulate Home Ownership
to Stabilize Neighborhoods
Ken’s involvement in the Brush
Creek Corridor Plan and his work
with the Blue Parkway Boulevard
Improvements (Shops on Blue Parkway
and Thomas-Roque Child Development
Center) led to the renovation and
development of hundreds of housing
units and stimulated development
throughout the 5th District.
Now is not the time for
on-the-job training. we need
a councilman with a proven
track record!
WWW.K ENB ACCHUS. CO M
H
councilwoman
2nd district at-large
Teresa
Revitalizing Inner-City
Neighborhoods is a Priority!
LOAR
is a lifelong resident of Kansas City and graduate of Park
University. She served two terms on the NKC School Board,
one year as President. As a City Councilwoman, 1995–2003,
she assisted in managing and balancing the City’s $1 billion budget;
served on the Aviation Committee, where she oversaw past
improvements to KCI; and the Neighborhood and Community Service
Committee, where she formed the Northland Neighborhoods
Inc., a community development corporation that focuses on
neighborhood stabilization and prosperity. Loar also served on the
Operations Committee and the Infrastructure and Public Facilities
Committee.
H Economic Development in the Urban Core
H Neighborhood Renewal Over Big-Ticket Projects
H Allocate Our Tax Dollars for Basic City Services
www. e l ecttere saloar.com
H
councilwoman
4th district at-large
Katheryn
A History of Collaboration
with the African-American
Community!
SHIELDS
served as Councilwoman under Mayor
Cleaver where she worked to protect
equal rights and equal access to jobs and
housing. She was elected three times as Jackson County Executive, where her “Asset
Management” program resulted in better and safer roads and bridges and the restoration
of the Downtown Courthouse. Shields focused on Crisis Management
Training for police officers to make both police and civilians safer,
creating a Mental Health Unit in the jail annex and funding Mental
Health courts to reduce recidivism.
H Enforce Fair Housing Practices Throughout the City
H Eliminate Illegal Dumping and Clean Up Our Streets
H Allocate Tax Increment Financing for Inner-City Projects
H Create and Attract Good Jobs with a Living Wage
H Implement Programs to Foster Safe Neighborhoods
Jermaine
c ounc ilman
3rd D ISTR ICT
Reed
We Need Reed
to Continue
Our Progress!
Jermaine was elected in 2011. During
his tenure, he generated over $200
million of investments in the 3rd District
for infrastructure improvements, new
housing, and retail outlets, including:
• Leon Mercer Jordan Campus East
Patrol Station & Crime Lab
• Morning Star Youth & Family Life
Center
• Monarch Manor – New Family
Housing Development
• Seven Oaks Estates – 44-Unit
Senior Living Facility
• Ivanhoe Gateway at 39th Street –
New Duplexes
• Beacon Hill Development–New
Student/Family Housing,
Apartments, Grocery Store and Hotel
• ALDI Grocery Store – 39th &
Prospect
Reed puts 3rd District residents to
work through the Section 3 Program.
He currently serves on these City
committees: Public Safety & Emergency
Services (Vice Chairman); Transportation
& Infrastructure; Neighborhoods, Housing
& Healthy Communities; and Small
Business, where he is a strong
advocate for the 3rd District.
H
Re-Elect an
Effective & Energetic
Councilman!
H Raise the Minimum Wage
H Create Jobs on Local &
Federal Projects
H Eliminate Blight –
Demolish Dangerous &
Abandoned Buildings
H Increase Home
Ownership & Property
Values Throughout the
Third District
H Implement More Crime
Prevention Programs
www.JERMAINEREED . CO M
H
councilman
6TH district at-large
Scott
Re-Elect an Advocate for Small
Businesses East of Troost!
TAYLOR
was Vice President of the Center School Board and
a COMBAT Commissioner for Jackson County’s
anti-drug program. He was Chair of the first-ever
KCMO Small Business Committee. He advocated strong support for small “mom and pop”
businesses, which in turn helped revitalize and anchor neighborhoods all
over the City. He championed a microloan program for small businesses to
make it easier for them to secure loans, start up and hire workers. To date,
154 loans have been made under this program in Kansas City and 51% of
these loans have been made East of Troost.
H Economic Redevelopment in the Prospect Corridor
H Expand the Microloan Program to Support
Entrepreneurs in the Urban Core
H Safe & Prosperous Neighborhoods
H A Living Wage for all Workers
www.taylo r4 council . com
Over 70 neighborhood leaders and activists attended the Freedom, Inc. breakfast meeting
on March 14, 2015 to meet the Freedom-endorsed candidates. These candidates share our
commitment to Thriving Neighborhoods and a Vibrant City!
Quinton D.
councilman
3RD DISTRICT AT-LARGE
LUCAS
Focused on
Improving
the Quality
of Life for All
Residents!
Quinton grew up in Kansas City’s
inner city. As a child, his family moved
around often and at one point stayed
in a motel. He did not allow these
setbacks to hold him back. As a young
man he understood the value of hard
work, education, employment and
perseverance in building a successful
life for himself, his family, and his
community.
After earning his law degree from
Cornell University in New York, Lucas
returned home to Kansas City where he
began working for a federal judge and
practiced business law. At age 28, he
was appointed to a law professorship
at KU, making him one of the youngest
law professors in the U.S.
Lucas serves on the Board of Zoning
Adjustment (BZA), where he works
to support job growth and economic
development throughout the City.
W W W. LUCASF ORKC . CO M
H
H Create Private-Sector Jobs
and Job-Training Programs
H Raise the Minimum Wage
H Allocate City Resources to
Neighborhoods with the
Greatest Needs
H Increase Funding for
Minor Home Repairs and
Housing Renovations
H Generate Home
Ownership in the Urban
Core
H
A Champion for Our Most
Vulnerable Citizens!
councilwoman
4TH district
Jolie
JUSTUS
served as a State Senator from Kansas City for
the last eight years. During her time at the state
capitol, she was a tireless advocate for children,
social justice, working families and economic growth. She passed legislation
including the Justice Reinvestment Act and a complete revision of the
Missouri Criminal Code to make sure we are not just tough on crime,
but we are smart on crime too. Since 2003, she has served as Director
of Pro Bono Services for the law firm of Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP,
where she is a champion for Kansas City’s most vulnerable citizens.
H Make every Neighborhood Safe, Healthy & Vibrant
H Sustain Economic Growth CITYWIDE
H Effective, Timely and Efficient City Services
www. j o liejustus.com
H
councilman
6TH district
Kevin
Renewing Hickman Mills and
Ruskin Neighborhoods!
McManus
serves the 36th District (south
Kansas City) in the House of
Representatives. He is chairman of
the Bipartisan Caucus, which brings legislators of both parties together to work on issues to
benefit Kansas City. Kevin passed legislation to end the tax credit and job
poaching “border war” with Kansas. He is a leading voice for transparency
and accountability in government, swift prosecution of criminals who use
firearms, free health clinics, and early childhood education. Kevin serves
as co-chair of the SKC Alliance’s Strategic Planning Committee and has
helped lead the group’s efforts to improve the quality of life in south
Kansas City.
H Safe Neighborhoods to Call Home for all Residents
H Citywide Infrastructure Maintenance & Improvement
H Stop Jobs & Businesses from Moving to Kansas
www. ke v in4kc.com
Lee
councilman
5th DISTRICT AT-LARGE
H
BARNES
Making A Real
Difference!
Committed to making
the 5th District a thriving
community with an
abundance of businesses
and well-paying jobs!
Lee is a native Kansas Citian. He
graduated from Central High School
and earned an Engineering degree
from Kansas State University. After
graduation, Lee purchased and
successfully managed several
businesses. Today, Lee is the Director
of Operations for Swope Corridor
Renaissance/Upper Room, Inc., a nonprofit organization whose goal is to
transform neighborhoods by developing
educational programs, providing a child
development center, and rehabilitating
abandoned housing.
Lee has served on the Tax Increment
Finance Commission and is currently
Chairman of the Planned Industrial
Expansion Authority (PIEA).
www. l e ebarn e sforkc .com
H Support Businesses to
Create New Jobs
H Raise the Minimum Wage
H Reduce Crime with
Innovative Prevention
Strategies
H Eliminate Blight to
Increase Property
Values and Revitalize
Neighborhoods
H Improve Delivery of Basic
Services Citywide
H
Darrell
hickman mills c-1 school district board of directors
CURLS
HCURRENT BOARD
MEMBER focused
on restoring full
accreditation and
improving student
achievement.
“I pledge to make certain that
all students reach their highest
potential and are college/career
ready with quality teachers,
resources and facilities.”
Carol
GRAVES
H SPECIAL
EDUCATION teacher
with the experience,
expertise and vision
our schools need to
improve.
“I will be a voice that always
puts the needs of our students
first. Restoring confidence in our
schools and community is what I
am about.”
?
How Does The Freedom, Inc.
Endorsement Process Work
To be considered for endorsement by Freedom, Inc., a candidate must complete an official
questionnaire and an interview with the Nominating Committee. (The Committee devoted
over 40 hours to the process for this election.) The City Council Candidate Questionnaire can
be read on our website: www.freedomincorporated.org.
The Mayor and Virginia “Dee” Evans (candidate for 3rd District At-Large), did not respond to
our questionnaire and declined invitations to be screened.
Incumbent Scott Wagner (1st District At-Large), was screened. Based upon his interview and
his record which includes opposition to the appointment of an African-American Municipal
Court Judge and his support for the effort to outsource jobs held primarily by AfricanAmerican women, we made no endorsement in his race.
Incumbent Jim Glover (4th District At-Large), was also screened. His plan to displace and
relocate African-American residents from the Bainbridge Apartments in his district, a Fair
Housing Complaint filed against him, and his support for outsourcing jobs held primarily by
African-American women were factors that led to the endorsement of his opponent, Katheryn
Shields. She has a record of supporting equal access and equal employment opportunities
for African Americans and women.
Each candidate endorsed by Freedom, Inc. supports Thriving Neighborhoods and a
Vibrant City! They will work with our community to ensure that no neighborhood is
left behind.
OFFICIAL Ballot
MU NIC IPA L P R IMA RY, SC H O O L & S PE C I AL E L E C TI ON
HTUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015H
mayor
detach and bring to the polls H need a ride to the polls? call 816-483-vote
no Endorsement
Councilmember At-Large 1st District
no Endorsement
Councilmember At-Large 2nd District
Teresa Loar
Councilmember At-Large 3rd District
Quinton D. Lucas
Councilmember At-Large 4th District
Katheryn Shields
Councilmember At-Large 5th District
Lee Barnes
Councilmember At-Large 6th District
Scott Taylor
Councilmember 3rd District
Jermaine Reed
Councilmember 4th District
Jolie Justus
Councilmember 5th District
Kenneth Bacchus
councilmember 6th District
Kevin McManus
HICKMAN MILLS C-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR DIRECTOR (vote for 2)
Darrell Curls
Carol Graves
Question No. 1 vote yes
Funds from the sale of Park property (534 Highland Ave.) will be used for neighborhood improvements.
Question No. 2 vote yes
Renew fees to cover the cost for regulating payday loan businesses.
VOTE APRIL 7, 2015 H
Paid for by Freedom, Inc. Bruce Beatty, Treasurer.
H vote tUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015 H
Leon Jordan & Bruce R. Watkins,
Founders
H
WWW.FREEDO MINCO RP O RATED.ORG
1202 Brooklyn Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64127
816-483-VOTE (8683)
Fax 816-483-1246
Email info@freedomincorporated.org