By Tyler Schneider
Founded in 1934 in an effort to collectivize the working people of Kansas City against the Pendergast political machine, The Citizens Association of Kansas City claims to be the oldest regional non-partisan political organization of its kind.
Now revitalized amidst contemporary recollections on its historic past, the Citizens Association has relaunched itself in 2023 by hosting eight candidate forums ahead of the April 4 Municipal Elections in Kansas City. The second and fifth of these, set for Feb. 7 and Feb. 23, respectively, will focus primarily on South Kansas City candidates and issues.
Set for 6 p.m. on Feb. 7 at the Colonial Presbyterian Church (9400 Wornall Rd.), the first of these South Kansas City forums will feature the city council candidates from the Fourth and Sixth Districts At-Large who accepted their invitations.
The follow-up starts at the same time on Feb. 23 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (9420 James A Reed Rd), and will bring in the First, Second, and Fifth District At-Large candidates for city council to discuss the issues. Both regional forums are organized by Stacey Johnson-Cosby and Karry Palmer.
“Our SKC neighborhoods came together to make sure that our voices are heard in this city council campaign. This is a way for regular everyday citizens to have a voice on who represents us on the city council,” Johnson-Cosby said. “The Citizens Association is going to recommend a slate of candidates that we believe best represent the voice of regular everyday Kansas Citians.”
The Citizens Association kicked off their 2023 run at the KC Public Library’s Plaza Branch on Jan. 26. This kickoff forum featured four former Kansas City mayors: Emanuel Cleaver II, Kay Barnes, Mark Funkhouser, and Sly James. Kansas City PBS’s Nick Haines was present to cover the event.
Following the municipal election cycle, the Citizens Association has planned additional events such as the Housing Industry Candidate Forum, set for 6 p.m. on April 20 at a location which has not yet been announced. Visit CitizensAssociation.Eventbrite.com to register for any of the free forums.