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City loses suit to honor new ward boundaries for April election; affected voters to be notified3/3/2023
The City of Grain Valley issued a press release March 3rd in an effort to inform voters who are in a new ward following a boundary change approved by the Board of Aldermen last October.
As reported March 2nd, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Marco Roldan declined to order the Jackson County Election Board (JCEB) to make changes to the ward boundaries before the April 2023 municipal election. The City of Grain Valley filed suit in Jackson County Circuit Court requesting that JCEB use the district ward boundaries that were updated and approved by the Board of Aldermen on October 24, 2022 for the upcoming April 2023 municipal election. The approved ordinance was sent to JCEB on November 14, 2022, which JCEB contended did not provide adequate time to implement the change. Judge Roldan agreed, stating the submission by the City “three weeks prior to first day for candidate filing for the April 2023 election did not give Respondents sufficient time to implement the Redistricting Ordinance, especially considering the inaccessibility of the MCVR (Missouri Centralized Voter Registration) system which continued beyond the first day of candidate filing.” In a March 3rd press release, the City of Grain Valley stated "the result of the case is that a disconnect now exists between two governmental agencies regarding the upcoming election." The ward boundaries in place prior to the City’s approved changes on October 24, 2022 will be used for the April 2023 municipal election. In accordance with the City’s ward boundary ordinance, candidates registered for a ballot position within the updated ward boundaries. Additionally, as the nature of the lawsuit was time sensitive, JCEB printed the ballots to reflect the updated ward boundaries. JCEB has not administered the change of ward boundaries for the voters who are affected. The City states it has been told voters who reside within an area that was affected by a boundary change will vote for the candidate registered for the ward they previously resided in, not the candidate for the ward they are in per city ordinance. For instance, a voter who was a part of Ward 1 prior to the boundary change now resides in Ward 2, they will only be allowed to vote for those candidates running in Ward 1 but will be represented by those elected to serve in Ward 2 after election day. "The City recognizes that this is not an ideal situation but due to the quickly approaching election date must move forward with the judge’s decision. Those properties affected by this situation should be receiving notice via mail within the next week. However, citizens who have questions about their voting situation may contact the Jackson County Election Board at (816) 325-4600 or view a sample ballot at jcebmo.org," the City's press release stated. To view the judgement, visit Microsoft Word - Proposed Judgment Grain Valley v. JCEB (mo.gov). Prior reporting: Board of Aldermen meeting recap 3/2/23: Quick News - Grain Valley News City of Grain Valley files suit against Jackson County Election Board: https://www.grainvalleynews.com/news/city-of-grain-valley-files-suit-against-jackson-county-election-board Former mayor and alderman Chuck Johnston has thrown his hat in the ring once again, running for the Ward I seat currently occupied by incumbent candidate Tom Cleaver. "I don't like the way things are going," Johnston said. "There is no focus on roads, curbs, and infrastructure. When I was mayor, we had allotted 3.2 million over 3 years to the roads budget, and now it's dropped again." Johnston also expressed disappointment in the building site of the new police station near the city's Butterfly Trail and expressed disappointment in the City's decision to expend City resources to file suit against Jackson County Election Board regarding their refusal to update the approved changes to ward boundaries in time for the April election. Johnston is pleased with the growth in the city. "We are getting a good mix of businesses. We (the city) have little control over which businesses decide to locate in Grain Valley and where, but I am happy with the growth we are seeing." Another priority for Johnston is ensuring the city has the right mix of housing options for residents. "One of the ongoing concerns for the board is deciding what mix of multifamily housing is appropriate. They (multifamily housing) have their advantages. Not everyone can afford to buy a home right away. It is important for the residents to have options." Johnston said he would like to see a survey of residents to find out what they would like the city to focus its efforts on. "It is important for the residents to have a voice in what they would like to see in their city." Johnston was in the news in November after having been arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence, and offered the chance to comment, reflected on the incident. "I had been going through a tough time the past year and a half, and what happened wasn't like me. I haven't had a ticket since the early 1980's. I regret what happened," Johnston said. Looking to the possibility of a new term, Johnston said he is focused on infrastructure, smart growth in terms of businesses and housing, and listening to what the residents want in their town. Valley News will profile each candidate on the ballot in the weeks leading up to the election, provide a voter guide, and plans a candidate forum on March 21st at Grain Valley South Middle School. To search for all election related articles, click on “Elections” under the categories on our News page. For voter information and links to resources, visit our Voter Resource page. Chuck Johnston is running against incumbent Tom Cleaver for the Ward I alderman seat in the April municipal election. File photo.
Ward II alderman Darren Mills is seeking a second term in the April 4, 2023 municipal election and is running unopposed. Mills said he is pleased with the progress the Board and City has made over the past two years and looks forward to seeing several projects through in his next term. “I’m looking forward to seeing the police station completed. We’ve made a lot of progress in the last two years with several improvement projects, including the water tower, street repairs, and looking at adding additional parks and trails on the north side of town. I’ve enjoyed the last two years, and I think I have made a difference on the Board,” Mills said. Mills is also pleased with the selection of the newly hired police chief, Ed Turner. “I think the City handled the process really well, and I am excited to see what he is going to do.” Mills is also excited about the City’s recent branding process, and the efforts to revitalize downtown. “The census figures showed us how much our population has grown over the past 10 years. We experienced a bigger population growth than our neighbors in Blue Springs and Lees Summit. The challenge is to provide the growth residents need and want and keep our small town feel.” One of the challenges with a growing population is housing, and Mills said he is also focused on making sure there are options for all residents. “We need to provide affordable housing for the next generation. We don’t want to shoo them out of city if we have no options for them. Having apartment and multi-family options is going to benefit the city and bring in more tax dollars. This way we can keep tax dollars here and continue to grow the city.” As far as goals in his own ward, Mills is still focused on providing more sidewalks, particularly in Winding Creek where he said they are lacking. Mills enjoys representing the city at business events, including the Grain Valley Partnership luncheons and ribbon cuttings, and said he has enjoyed working with the board to do what they can to promote business development in the area. Mills is the Sales Manager with Blue Compass RV (previously Lifestyle RVs) in Grain Valley, is a past President of the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), and is an active member of First Baptist Grain Valley, where he leads the Kids Connect program. Valley News will profile each candidate on the ballot in the weeks leading up to the election, provide a voter guide, and plans a candidate forum on March 21st at Grain Valley South Middle School. To search for all election related articles, click on “Elections” under the categories on our News page. For voter information and links to resources, visit our Voter Resource page. Ward II Alderman Darren Mills is running for re-election on the April 4th ballot. Photo credit: City of Grain Valley
Grain Valley News is pleased to once again host a candidate forum for residents to learn more about the Board of Aldermen and Board of Education candidates on the April 4, 2023 ballot.
The Candidate Forum will be held Tuesday, March 21st from 6:30pm - 8:00pm at Grain Valley South Middle School, 901 E Ryan Road, Grain Valley. There is no cost to attend and all are welcome. All Board of Education and Board of Aldermen candidates were contacted in advance regarding their availability, and as of press time, all candidates indicated they plan to attend. Grain Valley News will also public a candidate guide in addition to our ongoing candidate profile articles in the weeks leading up to the election. For voter information and resources, visit our Voter Resources page. Ward I Alderman Tom Cleaver, first elected in April 2019, is seeking re-election this April. Cleaver has lived in Grain Valley since 2005, and his two stepchildren graduated from Grain Valley Schools. Cleaver said his desire to work to aid business growth and improve the city's infrastructure was his reason for running for alderman and continues to be his goal as he looks toward another term. Cleaver points to QuikTrip, Starbucks, and Culvers on the north side of town and the recent grant to begin redevelopment efforts downtown as highlights of city development efforts over the past couple of years. "I feel like the city is moving in the right direction. We have great staff leadership at the city," Cleaver said. "We are a growing City, so it is important for the Board to continue to focus on the right growth in the City. And I think we are focused on that." Looking at challenges the city faces, Cleaver said budget constraints that affect the City's ability to remain competitive in terms of staff wages and benefits to recruit and retain talent, as well as continued work to maintain and improve City streets is top of the list. "I think we've done a good job the past couple of years in improving many of our side streets and working with MODOT to improve those they maintain." Housing developments, and the recent approvals of multi-family developments, has created some debate in Board meetings regarding the right mix of housing for the community. "Of course, single family housing is preferred, but we still need to offer, for a city of our size, apartment options for residents." When contentious issues arise among the Board, Cleaver said one of the keys as a leader is to ensure all voices are heard. "I think it's important to listen to everyone's opinion. Let's talk about it, meet in the middle if possible, and do what is best for residents." "I love our community and really love living here. I want to continue to see our city do well, be safe, and be a place for everyone to feel welcome." Valley News will profile each candidate on the ballot in the weeks leading up to the election, provide a voter guide, and plans a candidate forum in late March. To search for all election related articles, click on “Elections” under the categories on our News page. For voter registration information, visit www.jcebmo.org. Ward I Alderman Tom Cleaver is running for re-election. Photo credit: City of Grain Valley
After years of service to the city as a member of the Grain Valley Park Board, long time resident Brian Bray is running unopposed for the open Board of Aldermen seat in Ward III. Bray, a Principal Solutions Architect in the financial services industry, has lived in Grain Valley since the early 2000s with his family, settling first on the south side of town before moving to a home on the north side of Grain Valley in Ward III. Bray has a freshman at Grain Valley High School (GVHS) and two grown sons who graduated from GVHS. Bray has served on the Park Board since 2018, currently serving his second term as president of the board. Parks and trails, and the continued development of recreation amenities for residents, are top of mind for Bray, who says he hopes to continue to be an advocate for the parks as alderman. “I’m really focused on the parks and trails system, but also in responsible growth. There is continued debate about the right mix of businesses and types of housing, and the challenge is determining how we do that in a way that makes sense for our community,” Bray said. “Coming from an IT world, I work with a lot of single people in their 20s and 30s. Many of them are choosing to live in an apartment and are looking for those types of communities. They don’t want to maintain a yard or upkeep on a home. That’s the lifestyle they want. So these types of housing opportunities are important to look at as well. We have to have a balanced approach.” While this is his first foray into elected office, Bray believes he will make an easy transition into working with the Board of Aldermen. “I’ve had some exposure through my service on the Park Board. I’ve had the opportunity to interact with the members of the board and I am sure I will be able to work well with everyone.” Bray said his experience on the Park Board has cemented his belief in the importance of all residents getting involved in their community and speaking up about their needs and wants. “I really encourage people to get involved. Come to the park board meetings and other board meetings. I can count on less than one hand the number of times we’ve had a citizen attend a meeting. When people do not attend or voice their opinions on what the city needs, we have to start making assumptions about what people want. Get involved. You don’t have to run for office, but show up. Share your ideas and make your voice heard.” Valley News will profile each candidate on the ballot in the weeks leading up to the election, provide a voter guide, and plans a candidate forum in late March. To search for all election related articles, click on “Elections” under the categories on our News page. For voter registration information, visit www.jcebmo.org. Brian Bray is running unopposed for the open Ward III seat on the Board of Aldermen.
Photo credit: Valley News staff Education has been at the cornerstone of Jan Reding’s life, and the main focus of a life in service to the community. “Education has been an important part of my life. My father was in education, and I live by his words: ‘The more you learn, and the more you give, the better you’re going to be,” Reding said. Jan Reding is serving her twenty-third year on the Grain Valley school board. She has one son who is a 1990 graduate of Grain Valley High School and has three granddaughters. She received a BS in Business Administration from Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri) and served as building manager of the Power & Light Building in Kansas City from 1961 until her retirement in 1998. She holds a master’s certification from the Missouri School Boards Association. Reding serves on the Grain Valley Education Foundation Board, is a Director Emeritus of the University of Central Missouri Foundation Board, and serves on numerous community and nonprofit boards, including the Grain Valley Assistance Council, United Methodist Women of Faith UMC, Grain Valley Historical Society, and is treasurer of FOCUS of Grain Valley, treasurer of the Oakland Cemetery Association, and secretary of the board of the William Chrisman Class of 1953. She also creates a quarterly newsletter to help keep her classmates in touch. As Reding looks to serve another term, two focus areas are top in her mind. First, Reding said, is the challenge of wisely growing and maintaining the district’s facilities to accommodate the more than 4,400 students attending K-12. “We continue to be such a growing community. We need to put our resources to work in the best way we possibly can,” Reding said. Reding is also focused on equipping teachers with the resources and support needed in their roles. “We have an excellent teaching staff, and our focus should be on attracting and retaining quality people with the resources they need to be successful.” As for the board’s role in supporting these focus areas, Reding says their role is clear. “It is our role to not bring an agenda to the table, to represent every student, and be willing to participate in active discussions in all areas. We must also work to make sure the public understands the reasoning behind the decisions we make and to be responsible and trustworthy. Our main role is to ensure we are effectively educating every student, every day, and that we are making decisions that are good for all kids. Grain Valley School Board incumbent Jan Reding is running for re-election. Photo credit: Grain Valley Schools
Sarah Swartz may be a first-time candidate for the Grain Valley School Board, but her connections to Grain Valley run deep. Swartz attended Grain Valley schools from 5th grade until she graduated from Grain Valley High School (GVHS) in 2002. She married her high school sweetheart, also a Grain Valley grad, and has one son who attends Sni-A-Bar Elementary, where Swartz is the secretary of the school’s PTA. Swartz is also active in her homeowners’ association. Swartz says her decision to run for school board simply stems from her desire to be involved in her community. “It is something that has always intrigued me. Really, it is just an opportunity to give back to a community I love. I’ve lived here a really long time. I went to school here, and now have a child in the district. I think I could add a different ear to the current board.” After attending the University of Central Missouri and starting a career in the advertising and public relations industry, Swartz felt called to become a teacher. Swartz taught at GVHS, teaching journalism, photography, and yearbook for five years before moving to William Chrisman High School to teach English. Swartz later earned a counseling degree and now serves as a counselor at William Chrisman. Pointing to heated issues surrounding public education that tend to make headlines regionally and nationally, Swartz maintains the focus of members of the school board should be on thoughtful, patient leadership, and making sure the district staff entrusted with students “need to know they are appreciated and valued for what they do.” “When you look nationally, we seem to be super divided right now as a nation. I think this person over here on this extreme is loud, and this person on the other extreme is loud, and most of us live in this middle that is pretty content and happy. We like each other and once we understand each other we work really well together,” Swartz said. “I’ve had great experiences with my son’s teachers, and any issues he’s had, it has always been resolved and done appropriately. Through my involvement with the school, I feel like I know what is going on, because I have chosen to be involved. I think that what happens often is we make a lot of assumptions about what is going on in our schools without really getting involved or taking time to understand.” When asked about how she views the role of a board member and the priorities the school board should be focused on in the next few years, recruitment and retention of staff and equitable facilities for all students were top of mind for Swartz. “The role of the board is very defined. Hold the adults accountable that are in charge. Making sure you have the best staff in place. Making sure you are attracting the best staff to meet the needs of all students, and thoughtfully looking at policies and procedures.” Swartz says the best practice for board members to navigate tough issues and ensure the community is heard and involved is to carefully consider each issue and not make impulsive decisions. “Really vetting something out, really taking time to understand fully what is going on and how a decision may impact staff and students. I also think it would be great if we got more student input on issues.” In terms of priorities, Swartz believes the board should focus on staffing and planning for future growth. “One of our top priorities should be attracting the best teachers, because ultimately that is who our kids spend their day with all day, every day. I could still tell you the names of all my teachers from kindergarten to sixth grade. They (teachers) are the true foundation of how our kids grow up. We want to make sure we are attracting the best qualified, diverse pool candidates so we are sure we represent our population appropriately.” “We also need to continue to make sure class sizes are equitable for all students and that we are focused on thoughtful future growth.” Swartz said that she has noticed that while there is understandable focus on the achievements of high school students during school board meeting recognitions, she would like to see highlights of achievements in all grades more regularly. “We celebrate all the state finalists, high school scholarship and other award recipients, which is common and understandable. Our early childhood, elementary, and middle schools deserve just as much love as sanctioned high school activities.” “Our early childhood center is phenomenal. And we know that if we get kids the early interventions they need, their success can be that much greater and much quicker. There are so many great things going on at the elementary and middle school levels that should be celebrated as well.” Asked if there was anything else she would like to share with residents, Swartz had one plea. “Vote. Just vote. In a town of more than 15,000 people, it is surprising we have such low voter turnout. Whether I get elected or not, or whether the board looks like who I would choose or not, it is what our community wants. But when we have such a low voter turnout, it is hard to believe that it is a true reflection of what our community wants. I want everyone to vote because I want our board to be a reflection of the people who live here, who love our schools and the community that we have.” Swartz is one of seven candidates running for Grain Valley School Board, just one of several issues for voters on the April 4, 2023 municipal election ballot. For voter registration information, visit www.jcebmo.org. Valley News will profile each candidate on the ballot in the weeks leading up to the election, provide a voter guide, and plans a candidate forum in late March. To search for all election related articles, click on “Elections” under the categories on our News page. Sarah Swartz is one of seven candidates running for Grain Valley School Board.
Photo credit; Grain Valley News staff The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen will consider adding a 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana sales to the April 2023 ballot at its January 23rd meeting. The Board will consider the ordinance's first and second read on January 23rd. If approved, the tax will be imposed on retail sales of adult use marijuana sold in the City of Grain Valley.
The Jackson County Legislature is also in the process of perfecting language for their own ballot measure to add a county-wide 3% retail sales tax of adult-use, non-medicinal marijuana. Neighboring cities are following suit with their own ballot measures. As of January 17th, Kansas City, Grandview, Raytown, Sugar Creek, and Lake Lotawana have already approved ballot language. Blue Springs, Independence, and Lee's Summit have language under consideration. Voters head to the polls April 4th. For information on voter registration and voter information in Jackson County, visit Jackson County Missouri Election Board (jcebmo.org). by Cole Arndorfer On December 6, nearly six months after stepping away from teaching at Grain Valley High School, Dr. Julie Taylor announced that she would be running for Grain Valley School Board. In a Facebook post announcing her candidacy, Taylor shared that she has spent 22 years working in Missouri schools. Seven of those years have come at Grain Valley High School, where she served as English teacher, National Honor Society sponsor, and cheer coach.
Taylor has been a part of the Grain Valley community since 2009, and said the decision to run comes out of her love for the community and the schools within it. “I love everything about Grain Valley, and I want to give back to the district and community that has given me so much,” Taylor said. Taylor shared her belief that there are always multiple paths to student achievement. “Success, like education, is not one-size-fits-all, we owe it to each student to meet them where they are, academically, culturally, emotionally and physically. I am committed to understanding what academic excellence means for every student, every day." Taylor said that her goal, if she were to be elected, is to create a collaborative, safe, inclusive learning environment that adequately prepares students for life in an ever-changing society by providing inspiration, and mentorship to each student. In addition to understanding the classroom, Dr. Taylor says that she understands the school board’s responsibilities for the district. "As an accountability body, we must reflect on previous decision-making and ensure we implement school board governance best practices, initially focusing on strengthening communication with the community.” “I promise to take time to understand the connectedness and consequences of each decision. For me, it’s not just a line item, it’s not just a number; a paragraph in a policy is more than just words. These decisions affect the success of our students, our teachers, our schools, our district, and the legacy that they will leave for the future of Grain Valley and each person they impact throughout their lives,” Taylor said. Taylor is one of seven candidates running for Grain Valley School Board, just one of several issues for voters on the April 4, 2023 municipal election ballot. For voter registration information, visit www.jcebmo.org. |
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