By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com
As of 6:20 p.m., on Thursday, it appeared the Unified Government Board of Commissioners would be welcoming its newest member by the end of the night.
Instead, a vote-tallying mistake will keep the seat vacant for one more week.
Don Budd and Melissa Bynum appeared to be the two finalists for the seat, but just before the Thursday Planning and Zoning meeting was held, it was revealed that an error in the second ballot count had been made.
Instead of Bynum edging out former Unified Government Commissioner Nathan Barnes 5-4, the actual vote was 5-4 in favor of Barnes.
Budd had advanced out of the first ballot after winning four of the possible nine votes. Barnes and Bynum tied at two a piece, thus requiring the second ballot.
Because Barnes thought he had been eliminated from the process, he left City Hall --- and because of that, the final part of the process could not be held Thursday evening.
UG Mayor/CEO Mark Holland said the process would extend to next week's meeting.
Holland expressed regret about the mistake.
"I feel terrible about that and I'm not happy with it," Holland said.
The mistake capped off a long day for commissioners, which began early Thursday afternoon. Eighteen candidates were interviewed for the position. Former Kansas Sen. Mark Gilstrap removed himself from consideration during the interview process.
All votes were made via a secret ballot - none of the commissioners votes were made public.
Holland said all of the votes in the Bynum and Barnes ballot were verified with the commissioners who made them.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Budd, Bynum advance to final vote for vacant UG seat
By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com
The newest member of the Unified Government's Board of Commissioners will either be Don Budd or Melissa Bynum.
After five hours of interviews and debate, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners selected Budd and Bynum to advance to tonight's final vote.
Budd earned four votes on the initial ballot, while Bynum edged out former commissioner Nathan Barnes on the second ballot. Bynum and Barnes each received two votes on the initial ballot, requiring the second ballot.
Commissioners did not announce their votes publicly, as the ballots were kept anonymous.
UG Mayor/CEO Mark Holland, however, noted that four candidates stood above the pack in the interview process, one of which included Bynum.
Holland said his goal was to find a candidate who could receive 8 or 9 votes from the board.
"My challenge has been one in the same for the board," Holland said, saying the ideal candidate would "bring a voice that would bring people together."
Commissioner Ann Murguia said her votes were made based on the candidates' ability to get things done.
"We are not short on vision with this commission," Murguia said. "(My vote) was determined based on who has the ability to get things done."
Two of the more prominent names in the competition did not play too much of a role in the final outcome. Kelly Kultala did not receive a vote, while Mark Gilstrap pulled out of the "race" during the interview stage.
While commissioners did not disclose who they voted for, Jane Winkler Philbrook came the closest to making an endorsement, singling out Bynum on being someone who "actually answered all of the questions."
The choice between Budd and Bynum will be made at tonight's regularly scheduled meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. The vacant seat was created after Holland was elected mayor in April.
The newest member of the Unified Government's Board of Commissioners will either be Don Budd or Melissa Bynum.
After five hours of interviews and debate, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners selected Budd and Bynum to advance to tonight's final vote.
Budd earned four votes on the initial ballot, while Bynum edged out former commissioner Nathan Barnes on the second ballot. Bynum and Barnes each received two votes on the initial ballot, requiring the second ballot.
Commissioners did not announce their votes publicly, as the ballots were kept anonymous.
UG Mayor/CEO Mark Holland, however, noted that four candidates stood above the pack in the interview process, one of which included Bynum.
Holland said his goal was to find a candidate who could receive 8 or 9 votes from the board.
"My challenge has been one in the same for the board," Holland said, saying the ideal candidate would "bring a voice that would bring people together."
Commissioner Ann Murguia said her votes were made based on the candidates' ability to get things done.
"We are not short on vision with this commission," Murguia said. "(My vote) was determined based on who has the ability to get things done."
Two of the more prominent names in the competition did not play too much of a role in the final outcome. Kelly Kultala did not receive a vote, while Mark Gilstrap pulled out of the "race" during the interview stage.
While commissioners did not disclose who they voted for, Jane Winkler Philbrook came the closest to making an endorsement, singling out Bynum on being someone who "actually answered all of the questions."
The choice between Budd and Bynum will be made at tonight's regularly scheduled meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. The vacant seat was created after Holland was elected mayor in April.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Two more candidates file for vacant seat
By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com
Add two more candidates to the list who are vying for the vacant Unified Government Commission seat.
Rev. Jimmie L. Banks and Melissa Bynum have applied for the vacant seat.
They join six others - Nathan Barnes, Donald Budd, Jarvis Collier, Mark Gilstrap, Kelly Kultala and Robert Milan Jr.
There's still a little under two days to apply for the position, which was left vacant after Mark Holland was elected as the UG Mayor/CEO last month.
The deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday.
Add two more candidates to the list who are vying for the vacant Unified Government Commission seat.
Rev. Jimmie L. Banks and Melissa Bynum have applied for the vacant seat.
They join six others - Nathan Barnes, Donald Budd, Jarvis Collier, Mark Gilstrap, Kelly Kultala and Robert Milan Jr.
There's still a little under two days to apply for the position, which was left vacant after Mark Holland was elected as the UG Mayor/CEO last month.
The deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Wyandot community relations director recognized
Melissa Bynum, community relations director, Wyandot, Inc., recently received the Community Partnership Award from Liveable Neighborhoods and Community Policing, Kansas City, Kan., Police Department.Bynum was recognized for the strong and exceptional support she provides local neighborhoods through her roles with Wyandot, Inc., and with Shepherd’s Center where she is community outreach and program director.
Representatives of Liveable Neighborhoods and the police department described Bynum as highly respected in every corner of the community and as an incredible humanitarian.
Her award read: “Your leadership, motivation and inspiration are contagious as shown when you led the way for our neighborhoods to all turn green for Google.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
