Residents Invited to Sheriff’s Town Hall Meetings

Clay County Sheriff Will Akin

Clay County residents can get answers to their questions about Proposition A and what’s happening at the Sheriff’s Office at one of two upcoming town hall meetings.

The meetings will be:

- 6 to 7 p.m. Wed., Oct. 25, at the North Oak Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 8700 N. Oak Trafficway, KCMO

- 6 to 7 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 2, at the Woodneath Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 8900 N.E. Flintlock Rd., KCMO

Sheriff Will Akin will answer residents’ general questions about the Sheriff’s Office. He also will share information about Proposition A, which asks voters on Nov. 7 to approve a $1 monthly fee on cellular devices to fund the County’s portion of the regional 911 system.

Bulldogs Finish Strong at Golf Tournament

Kearney High School Girls Golf team members JoJo and Jessi Kutch finished their 2023 season with notable results on Oct. 16-17 at the Class 3 Missouri State High School Girls Golf Tournament.

“Both girls did an outstanding job of playing golf and representing Kearney School District,” Head Coach Troy Resler said. “This has been a great season for our entire team, and I’m proud of the effort put in by all of our golfers.”

Both girls did an outstanding job of playing golf and representing Kearney School District. - Head Coach Troy Resler

JoJo, a senior, shot a 95 on day one and an 89 on day two. She finished with a 184 and tied for 60th place. Jessi, a freshman, shot a 98 on day one and an 85 on day two. She finished with a 183 and tied for 57th place.

JoJo ended her high school golf career as the 2023 Suburban Conference Blue Division Champion, 2023 All-District, and a three-time state qualifier.

“She had a great senior season and a phenomenal high school golf career,” Resler said.

Jessi is one of the very few freshmen to qualify for the state tournament. She finished her first year of high school golf as a 2023 Suburban Conference Blue Division All-Conference honoree (tied for third) and 2023 All-District.

Lucas Ignores KCATA Representation Statute

Jerry Nolte, Clay County Presiding Commissioner

Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte and Platte County Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker have released a letter charging Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas of ignoring state statute regarding the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) Board of Commissioners. The County Commissioners believe Clay and Platte County are being unfairly taxed without representation on the KCATA board.

One of the questions on this November’s Kansas City ballot is QUESTION #1 (Public Bus Transit System) to approve a continuation of the current 3/8 cent sales tax. The projected $421 million raised over 10 years will go to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) governed by a 10-member Board of Commissioners who spends those funds on area transportation needs, including buses.

Missouri Statute (238.060) authorizes Clay and Platte Counties each to have one seat on the KCATA Board of Commissioners. Clay and Platte County Commissions each submit a panel of three persons to the Mayor of Kansas City, who shall appoint, with the approval of the city council, one person from each county’s list.

the Mayor of Kansas City has instead ignored recommendations from both counties and has seated commissioners of his choosing

“However, the Mayor of Kansas City has instead ignored recommendations from both counties and has seated commissioners of his choosing,” the County Commissioners say. “One of the appointments made by the Kansas City Mayor is a city employee, which raises concerns about the independence of the KCATA Board and the undue influence of the Kansas City Mayor.”

According to the press release, “the citizens of Clay and Platte Counties do not have proper representation on the KCATA Board of Commissioners. And more importantly, by not following the lawful procedure under state statute, Clay and Platte County citizens are being taxed without proper representation as required by the law.”

The County Commissioners want inform residents that before they vote to extend this tax, Kansas City should comply with the law and appoint members to the KCATA Board of Commissioners as required by Missouri Statute.

“On November 7, Clay and Platte Kansas Citians should consider whether or not to support this taxation without the legitimate representation as guaranteed to us by law.”

Kearney Softball Players Are District Champs

The Bulldogs have again demonstrated their softball domination.

The Kearney High School Softball team earned the 2023 Class 4 District 8 Championship by defeating a formidable Platte County Pirates team 10-3 last night in Excelsior Springs.

The Bulldogs came out strong at the plate and scored in every inning but the sixth. The defense was solid behind Alyssa Quick, who struck out seven as she pitched for seven innings.

Quick brought the heat to the plate as well, going 2-3, earning 3 RBIs and hitting her 12th home run of the season. Bri Reynolds also had 3 RBIs and hit her first home run of the season.

Other Highlights:

Macy Morrow went 1-4 with 1 RBI

Kennedi Casey went 1-3 with 1 RBI

Brooke Paalhar went 3-4 with 1 RBI

Morgan Pennington went 1-4

Jocelyn Lincoln went 2-3 with 1 RBI

Ryleigh Van Emmerik went 1-3

The Bulldogs’ road to the state championship tournament continues when they play Nevada this Saturday, Oct. 21.

Kearney Residents Respond to Pitbull Ordinance

The City of Kearney asked residents to respond to a Polco poll they created to help Aldermen with the decision to repeal the current pit bull ban or keep it in place.

To ensure that city officials received responses from residents living inside Kearney city limits and to avoid fraud and ballot box stuffing, only answers from verified respondents were considered. 

58% of the respondents strongly support a repeal of the pit bull ban and 33% strong support keeping the ban.

City Administrator Shelia Ernzen reported that the poll received a total of 950 responses. Out of those responses only 450 were verified responses. Out of those responses, 407 were from residents who lived inside the city limits.

According to the poll, 58% of the respondents strongly support a repeal of the pit bull ban and 33% strong support keeping the ban.

Respondents to the poll also said that if the ban is repealed then they wanted stronger leash laws, mandatory dog registrations, and harsher penalties for dog bites.

This was an opinion poll and not a vote to change policy or the pit bull ordinance. No discussion or action was taken by the Aldermen at the meeting.