New Candidates File For City, School Board Seats

​     Candidate filing for mayor and board of aldermen positions with the City as well as the Grain Valley school board began December 17th, and a number of new candidates have filed in the new year.
      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 as of January 13th.  Additional candidates in Ward II have also filed since December. In Ward I, incumbent Jayci Stratton has filed for re-election. Ward II incumbent Yolanda West will face two candidates: Joey Burgett and Rick Knox. In Ward III, Bob Headley has filed for re-election.
Candidates for city positions may file for such offices during normal business hours (8:00am—5:00pm Monday through Friday) starting until 5:00pm on January 21, 2020 in the office of the City Clerk, 711 Main Street, Grain Valley.
     Three positions are open on the Grain Valley school board and five have filed as of January 13th. Candidates include Janice Reding (incumbent), Tisha Homfeld (incumbent), Jeff Coleman (incumbent), Jeff Wolff and Justin Wulff. The top three vote earners in the April election will be seated as School Board members for three-year terms beginning in April.
     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.
 

​Valley News will feature a candidate for City or Grain Valley School board in the weeks leading up to the April election. This week, we profile Jeff Craney, candidate for Mayor.
     “I've been a resident of Grain Valley for close to 11 years, my spouse is Joey Burgett. I am a retired USAF member and currently work at Whiteman AFB as a civilian employee for the 442nd Fighter Wing over seeing all facilities for new construction, remodels, and airfield maintenance and repair.  
     We have two daughters Bridgette and her husband Craig residing in Independence, Kaitlin and her husband Don with our grandson James who live in Windsor Missouri. I am running for mayor for the following reasons: I want to see a more transparent government, I support a more supportive community for all military citizens, both Active Duty, Reserves and Guard.  More communication between the city and residents of our community is necessary.  I have extensive experience in budgets, fiscal responsibility, administrative, and management of personnel and resources. 
     I want to hear from all residents of the city. My contact information is [email protected].”
 

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