Filing Period Ends For City Election; West Withdraws

​     The filing period for mayoral and aldermen candidates ended January 21st, with only one minor change since Valley News last reported on candidates.
     Ward II incumbent Yolanda West originally filed for election but has withdrawn. Voters in Ward II will now choose between Joey Burgett and Rick Knox.
     In Ward I, incumbent Jayci Stratton has filed for re-election and remains unopposed. In Ward III, Bob Headley has filed for re-election and will run unopposed.
      Two candidates have filed to challenge Mayor Michael Todd, who is up for re-election in April. Jeff Craney and Chuck Johnston have both filed as candidates for the mayoral race.
     The election for both City candidates and school board candidates will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2020. In order to be eligible to vote you must be registered at your current home address by the fourth Wednesday prior to the election in which you wish to vote.
     Residents may register in person at the Jackson County Election Board office at 215 N. Liberty, Independence, MO 64050 or any one of the authorized locations in this jurisdiction. Locations in Grain Valley include the Mid-Continent Public Library Grain Valley branch and Grain Valley City Hall. Residents may also print and complete the Missouri Voter Registration Application form found at the Election Board website, www.jcebmo.org, and deliver in person to JCEB or mail to Jackson County Election Board, P.O. Box 296, Independence, MO 64051.
 

Candidate Profile: ​Chuck Johnston

​     Valley News will feature a candidate for City or Grain Valley School board in the weeks leading up to the April election. Information is provided by the candidates and edited for space and clarity. This week, we profile Chuck Johnston, candidate for Mayor.
 
     I have been married to Diana since 1981. We have two sons, 8 grandchildren, and 1 one great granddaughter. I served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps from 1967 to 1971.We built a home in Grain Valley in 2001 and have lived here ever since. I have worked at OOIDA since 1988; the first 25 years as manager of the insurance claims department. I retired in 2014, and within 7 months found out retirement wasn't something I was good at or really wanted to do. I went back to work at OOIDA in 2015 and still work there.
 
Background:
2006 Grain Valley Citizen of the Year
2008 Pillar of the Community, Grain Valley
24 Years operated the GV Santa Bus (My favorite activity)
10 years Alderman Ward II Grain Valley
1-year Mayor Pro Tem Grain Valley
6 Years Board of Directors State Bank of Missouri
15 Years Grain Valley Economic Development Council
10 years volunteered as cook for Night Out Against Crime Grain Valley
10 Years Board of Directors Grain Valley Assistance Council
7 Years Treasurer of Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce
10 Years held every officer position in the Grain Valley Lions Club
5 Years Board of Directors Grain Valley & Oak Grove Police Dept. Victims’ Rights Committee  
 
     I have taken an active role, as my history shows, in this city since I started working in Grain Valley. I care deeply about his community and want to see it prosper. I feel the city needs to take a different path on its past spending practices. We need to do more to repair streets, curbs and infrastructure that have been overlooked too long. We need to stop investing tax dollars in properties that don't directly benefit the city.
     I have a well-rounded background that I feel makes me the best candidate available to guide this city in those endeavors as your next Mayor. I'm asking for your support, the voters of Grain Valley, to help me get this city back on the right path. 
 

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