Pit bulls remain banned in KCK after 4-4 vote

By NICK SLOAN
nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The pit bull ban remains in effect in Kansas City, Kan., after a motion to lift the ban failed by a 4-4 vote.

Six votes were required to lift the ban.

Commissioners Ann Murguia, Angela Markley, Mike Kane and Jane Philbrook voted to over-turn the ban.

Commissioners Hal Walker, Jim Walters, Gayle Townsend and Tarence Maddox voted to keep the ban in place.

Had a fifth commissioner voted “aye,” the vote would have turned to Unified Government Mayor/CEO Mark Holland.

Kane calls for salary raise for UG employees

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Employees who work for the Unified Government have not received a raise in seven years.

In comments after commissioners approved the 2015 budget, Unified Government Commissioner Mike Kane said that needs to change by next year's budget.

"Since 2007, our employees have not had a raise of salary," Kane said. "I would like Mr. Bach (County Administrator Doug Bach) to come up with a plan to give our folks a raise."

Kane said that the raise needs to happen even if it means the mill levy goes up next year.

"When you are an employee here, you're not just behind (in salary) - you're way behind," Kane said.

"SHAME ON YOU": Meeting over, no commissioner selected

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. --- After hours of interviews and three separate votes, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners still do not have someone in the At-Large District 1 seat.

Three votes ended in a 5-5 tie, with Unified Government Mayor/CEO Mark Holland casting both a tie-breaking and tie-creating vote each time, choosing former UG Commissioner Nathan Barnes over Don Budd, Jr. after commissioners voted 5-4 in favor of Budd, Jr.

After one effort by Holland to adjourn the meeting earlier failed, commissioners finally agreed to do so at around 9:20 p.m.

Commissioner Mike Kane, who earlier accused Holland of leading a witch hunt against Don Budd and Nathan Barnes, voiced his disappointment once again.

"We were given a task to pick a winner," Kane said. "To walk away from that is absolutely the wrong thing to do. We owe you people a vote tonight."

Commissioner Ann Murguia announced her support for Don Budd, Jr., earlier in the evening. Commissioners Brian McKiernan and Jane Philbrook said they voted for Barnes. Other commissioners did not disclose their votes.

"I thoughtfully considered who I believed in my heart was the best choice," McKiernan said.

Holland had said he hoped to reach a consensus, meaning one candidate would receive eight or nine votes. After three separate ballots, no candidate received the magic sixth vote required to officially become commissioner.

UG Commissioner Hal Walker, the leading advocate in a strict background check of each of the candidates before the tax issue came up, suggested a number of alternative paths.

First was leaving the seat open for 18 months or dipping back into the original pool of 18 candidates. However, fellow commissioners seemed disinterested in either option.

In their candidate interviews, Barnes and Budd Jr., spoke about The Star article.

Barnes acknowledged the back-taxes, but said he paid them this week and is now caught up on them. He said the problem occurred after a business partnership went wrong. Budd Jr., meanwhile, labeled the article as inaccurate.

After the third vote, the board finally agreed to adjourn the meeting, which led one audience member to shout "Shame on you" as commissioners walked off.

Kane: Holland leading a witch hunt

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Even before the final candidate interviews were given to Don Budd Jr. and Nathan Barnes, fireworks erupted at Thursday night's Unified Government Board of Commissioners meeting.

UG commissioner Mike Kane accused Unified Government Mayor/CEO Mark Holland in leading a "witch-hunt" against Budd Jr. and Barnes.

He also criticized Holland and Wyandotte County Administrator Dennis Hays for not finding out about the tax issues.

"I've been on this commission for eight years," Kane said. "This bugs me in a serious way. This stands to be the best commission we've ever had." 

He also accused Holland of "letting former elected officials lead" him. While Kane did not use any names, it's worth noting former UG Mayor/CEO Carol Marinovich was in attendance in Thursday's meeting.

She, along with Holland's predecessor Joe Reardon, endorsed Holland's campaign. Kane, meanwhile, endorsed fellow commissioner Ann Murguia for mayor in this spring's election.

After Kane's remarks, a portion of the crowd gave him a loud applause.

Candidate interviews are happening now. More soon.

A new era begins in Wyandotte County as inauguration day is held

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

With a new Unified Government Mayor/CEO and four new commissioners on the Unified Government Board of Commissioners, a new era in Wyandotte County began Thursday evening.

Leading the newly shaped government in Wyandotte County was the inauguration of new Unified Government Mayor/CEO Mark Holland.

Holland, who served on the Unified Government Board of Commissioners for six years, replaces former UG Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon.

"I have big shoes to fill," Holland said, referring to Reardon and another former Mayor/CEO - Carol Marinovich.

Holland is the 28th mayor in Wyandotte County's history. A fourth generation Wyandotte Countian, he previously served as an-large commissioner after being pushed to enter politics six years ago.

Now as mayor, he believes the county has made program to address the remaining challenges Wyandotte County faces.

Barnes, Ash lead several announced endorsements for Murguia campaign

Unified Government Commissioner and former mayoral candidate Nathan Barnes has endorsed Ann Murguia for Mayor/CEO of Wyandotte County.

Barnes' endorsement Saturday leads the way for one of several announced endorsements for the campaign.

He came in a close third in the mayoral primary - just behind Murguia, who finished second - and is the first ousted mayoral candidate to make an official endorsement.

"When Ann came on board, it was really a breath of fresh air," Barnes said this morning. "When I would talk to her, she would listen."

Barnes was not the only UG commissioner to make an endorsement for Murguia this morning.

Along with Barnes, Murguia also received the endorsements of current UG commissioners Mike Kane, Angela Markley, Butch Ellison and Terrance Maddox.

Murguia also received a key endorsement from the law enforcement wing of Wyandotte County today. Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash also announced his support for the Murguia campaign. 

Others who endorsed Murguia's candidacy today:

• Former Kansas City, Kan., mayor Joe Steineger

• Former UG commissioners Don DeSeure and Mike Gilstrap

• Former UG Chief Legal Counsel Hal Walker, who's also running for an at-large position on the UG Board of Commissioners.

After the "jump," a full list of the endorsements is available.