By Kathy Feist
Grandview Alderman Dale Taylor, representing Ward 1, has resigned from his elected position. At a February 27 Board of Alderman meeting, his resignation, submitted February 21, was officially accepted. The mayor cited personal and family reasons.
However, in an interview with the Telegraph, Taylor expressed frustration with Grandview City Hall as his primary reason for stepping away along with some family issues.
“I was voted to make decisions for Grandview,” he said. “Instead those decisions are made for me by department heads. I felt like just a figurehead. Vote yes or no.”
Taylor was especially frustrated by the lack of transparency with building contracts. When presented by city staff, several bids were mentioned but only one was presented to the board. The decision had already been made by staff.
“If there are three or four bids, I want to see all of those bids. It’s not fair for the citizens of Grandview [to be given one choice].”
Taylor was elected in April 2023 for a two-year term. He ran against Steven Ballentine for the Ward 1 seat formerly occupied by Damon Randolph.
Taylor was employed 36 years with the Department of Air Force and 29 years with the Department of Defense. “I would like to be in on the decision,” he said. “Right now, the city administrator runs everything.”
The current lack of transparency from city staff leads to a lack of trust, according to Taylor, who said the aldermen need more power. “I had to resign. This was not a good fit for me.”
Taylor thanked his constituency who voted him into office. “But don’t count me out,” said the 35-year resident. Taylor said he will still be involved and is considering running for state office. “I’m reevaluating it. I still want to have a voice.”
Meanwhile Mayor Leonard Jones expressed surprise at Taylor’s announcement. “I was shocked and saddened,” he said.
Many of the aldermen interviewed said Taylor was easy to work with, was an independent thinker, and showed genuine interest in his role.
Had Taylor resigned two months ago, the vacancy could have been filled with an election in April. The filing deadline for candidates running in the April election was December 26.
Instead, Grandview will be on the search for a candidate who will be selected by the mayor and board of aldermen.
Those interested in filling the vacant seat can contact City Clerk Becky Schimmel at 816-316-4811. Qualified individuals must complete and return an application to the City Clerk, along with a letter of interest and a resumé, no later than 5pm, Monday, March 25. Interviews for all qualified individuals will be scheduled for April 2. A special meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held on April 9, 2024 when the new alderman will be selected by appointment by the Mayor with the consent of a majority of the Board of Aldermen.
Qualifications include:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be a US Citizen and a registered voter
- Must be a resident of Grandview for at least 1 year
- Must be a resident of Ward 1
- Must be current on all City taxes and fees, including business licenses
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“I was voted to make decisions for Grandview,” he said. “Instead those decisions are made for me by department heads. I felt like just a figurehead. Vote yes or no.”
This is the administrative state: entrenched bureaucracy which makes a joke of democracy. Scale it up by magnitude of trillions, and you’ve got our federal government. A byzantine maze of entrenched bureaucracy – that some refer to as ‘the deep state’ – which makes a joke of democracy. So vOtE HaRdEr, kids!
More perverse: “Had Taylor resigned two months ago, the vacancy could have been filled with an election in April… Instead, Grandview will be on the search for a candidate who will be selected by – wait for it – the mayor and board of aldermen.”