In all these years of blogging about Kansas City, I witnessed one of the best thing I've ever seen in local Democracy last night.
Brandon Ellington has been a community-minded volunteer and advocate for many years and he has sought public office since 2007. He has spoken passionately and intelligently about the problems confronting the Eastside. He has proposed solutions so that the entire metro area can help and work to overcome the challenges facing this community that impact everyone throughout the city.
He ran unopposed yesterday but that didn't stop him from campaigning in the cold and rain and doing what he has grown accustomed to for years -- Talking to voters and listening to their concerns.
The culmination of so many years of hard work happened for Brandon, his family and his many supporters last night. Their celebration and promise to continue their efforts was one of the greatest displays of grassroots Democracy I've ever witnessed in Kansas City.
The show of support for Brandon was almost overwhelming.
And just so this post isn't too saccharine . . . What's so impressive about Brandon is that he doesn't represent business as usual in this town.
As of late and as always, Kansas City politics is about expensive scotch, power players and big money influence.
Meanwhile, Brandon and his supporters simply celebrated an achievement that took years of tireless and often unappreciated work. Even now anonymous haters attempt tarnish a victory they could never achieve.
Nevertheless . . . Brandon, his supporters and his family have prevailed and promise to continue their efforts advocating for a community that is so often forgotten by the rest of Kansas City. For me, the photo at the top of this post offers the best look at local Democracy I've ever seen.
Watching Brandon Ellington and his supporters stand together last night and earn a modest victory after so many years of work was nothing less than inspiring. The fact that the young man is eager to do even more work should serve as an example to other elected officials and all of Kansas City.
nice pic.
ReplyDeleteAnd Mr. Ellington has supporters throughout the city, because of his city council campaign, the many people he reaached out to meet, and most importantly, his ideas of neighborhood empowerment and participation instead of the tired old "what's in it for me" rountine.
ReplyDeleteHe'll do a great job in Jeff City and, if you have some ideas or would like to help, get in touch with him. If you just want to complain or are looking for a handout, call someone else. There are plenty of them around.
obviously none of you know how Jeff City works. By next election He will be bamed for doing nothing because that is exactly what he will accomplish for the eastside.
ReplyDeleteToo bad for him
Mr. Ellington has two supporters in West Virginia! It won't be long before other people outside of Kansas City know of him, too.
ReplyDeleteGreat picture.
"community-minded volunteer and advocate for many years"
ReplyDeleteie., unable to hold a paying job
None of what he talks about is dealt with at the state level, and it shouldn't be. If he's so community-minded, he wouldn't run for state rep.
ReplyDeleteBet he's excited to finally have a job.
ReplyDeleteStanding next to Pat Clarke. That says plenty.
ReplyDeleteHere's a more telling picture of Brandon Ellington that he had taken of himself in 2009, which is posted on his own website...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aintnoloveent.com/hp2frontcover.jpg
Change it to what, Detroit? Shit talk.
ReplyDeleteNow go and buy the CD and you will learn why no one said anything negative about it. He's real. For the record I'm going to suggest that NRA support him.
ReplyDeleteHey, shithead why don't you just buy his cd's . The pic's don't shame Ellington he spoke of this while running for council and said he wasn't going to take them down.
ReplyDelete11/9/11 9:00 AM-dumb ass,everything is handled at the state level, he will be connection between the two.
ReplyDeleteKikki Curls stated that she was proud to have Brandon Ellington taking over her seat. Go Brandon,Go Brandon.
ReplyDeleteDamn, Doc I'm glad we didn't go with you!
ReplyDeleteIt's one of three hatein' on Brandon they just mad gay, and won't your seat. FYI we're not going to vote for any of you loser's and you know who you are can't wait til you file so we can see you dirty draws.
ReplyDeleteDoc, is a joke. He was busted out about his degree.
ReplyDeleteJust saw Mr.Ellington, in Jefferson City. Now this man is on the move. Sorry Doc.Kenneth
ReplyDeleteHe ran unopposed. Is his white wife in this picture. Opps my bad. She was out celebrating with Sly's wife.
ReplyDeletealways a cheerleader tony, i remember when you loved sly.. build them up and then rip them apart...
ReplyDeletedemocracy? "the best look at local democracy i've ever seen.." that's what you said... but you also said he ran "unopposed" thats not democracy tony, but your ability to say he ran unopposed AND its your favorite moment of democracy????? that doesnt make any sense...
Good for Mr Ellington, he seems sincere and I have nothing negative to say towaqrds him.. good luck
but your funny, your favorite moment of democracy involved someone running unopposed, thats not democracy tony, democracy requires competing votes.
Mr. Ellington is voluntering to do a tough job, you call it a "victory" and an "achievement" but those words are not applicable, he has stood up and took a job no one else desired.
he has a tough job ahead of him, and seems like a capable and inspired young man.
your endless , impossible mashing of ideas is not well meaning- your simply unconcerned with correct analysis
how does someone "win" an unopposed race? they DONT.
Now he may very well prove to be a great leader and perhaps accomplish some of his goals..oh wait.. you didnt bother to mention his specific ideas, your not interested in analysis
I hope he is smart enough to never be successful around you, if he ever has a nice glass of scotch on his own dime..
you will get to write another parable, "the angry advocate" hey... have you made sure that no one in his family has ever had a DUI??? if they have you better post their picture...
Only in world can someone WIN a race without anyone else on the track.
he didnt win a race, he started jogging
good luck Mr. Ellington-
great PR work Tony
10:53...Huh?!
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell jibberish are you talking? It's impossible to understand.
Now that Brandon Ellington has a paying job, will he finally step up to the plate and pay the $15,000+ in court judgements he has against him?
ReplyDeleteyou have seemed to calm down. good.
ReplyDelete11:56--
ReplyDeleteWhat judgments do you speak of? I curious to know.
Rumor has it that Randy Dunn *Jermaine Reed's buddy that he took out of town with him at the taxpayers expense is behind this slam on Brandon Ellington. Randy has been calling several "Freedom Inc." asking for their support to run against Ellington, on his re election, and it doesn't stop there word is that the fake Doc is in on this also.
ReplyDeleteDunn works for the city in the 3rd district. Becareful whom you invite into your secret circle.
DL
3:03. In Jackson County court.
ReplyDeleteCourt case 03CV234167 - Amount $14,327.13 + costs
Court case 0716-CV30968 - Amount $1,410 + costs
GOOD JOB BRANDON STAY POSTIVE AND
ReplyDeleteLEAVE THE NEGATIVE BEHIND. YOU WILL
PREVAIL JUST KEEP YOUR FAITH IN GOD. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
KEEP IT REAL LOOK FORWARD FOR THE
ReplyDeleteFUTURE. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP BECAUSE YOU ARE A WINNER. I BELIEVE IN YOU.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT YOU. THE TIME YOU SHOULD WORRY IS WHEN THEY STOP TALKING ABOUT YOU.
YOU CAN NO LONGER BE OPPRESSED.
ReplyDeleteYOU NOW HAVE THE POWER TO BE THE OPPRESSOR!
LOVE YOU.
PAY YOUR COURT ORDERED JUDGEMENTS THOUGH SWEETIE.
ReplyDeleteOTHERWISE THOSE REDNECKS IN JEFFERSON CITY WILL EAT YOU FOR LUNCH.
I'M VERY PROUD OF YOU AND I HOPE MY HEALTH REMAIN INTACT SO I WILL SEE YOU GO TO WHITE HOUSE. LOVE YOU
ReplyDelete11/9/11 4:15 PM- now give us the results of your vd test. Strickly dickly.
ReplyDelete11/9/11 4:15 PM-lol Brandon name was not on the paper work he was a minor,so keep digging casenet junkie and you find out. Simply minded people report simple minded things. "What about the money that was paid to Melba Curls daughter?" You have falled to answer the question, all you do is dig up old shit that was reported wrong. Lame
ReplyDeleteRednecks in JC just met the new State Rep.Brandon Ellington today, us Rednecks say finally you people might just get some much needed help with Hughes mia majority of the time.
ReplyDelete4:44, nice try.
ReplyDeleteCase 03CV234167, ELLINGTON, BRANDON, Defendant. Case filed 12/01/2003.
Case 0716-CV30968, ELLINGTON, BRANDON, Defendant. Case filed 10/16/2007.
Deadbeat Brandon Ellington was born 11/18/1980.
So genius, he was 23 in the first lawsuit and 26 in the second lawsuit.
He wasn't a "minor". 4:44, you obviously can't figure out simple math.
Rumor has it that Randy Dunn *Jermaine Reed's buddy that he took out of town with him at the taxpayers expense is behind this slam on Brandon Ellington. Randy has been calling several "Freedom Inc." asking for their support to run against Ellington, on his re election, and it doesn't stop there word is that the fake Doc is in on this also.
ReplyDeleteDunn works for the city in the 3rd district. Becareful whom you invite into your secret circle.
DL
5:50. You already posted that earlier This afternoon.
ReplyDeleteDoes repeating yourself make it true?
Last time we voted for hope and change we got $3.50 a gallon gas and DIDN'T get out of two wars.
ReplyDeleteA new elected lawmaker who doesn't pay off court judgements? That's "hope and change"?
ReplyDeleteSounds like more of the same to me.
Anon 6:29 PM
ReplyDeleteThe stock market crashed today, because of events in Europe. Explain to us Oh Wise Republicans how is this O'bama's fault?
Anon 6:42 PM
Poor people can't pay their bills. Duh.
Yet apparently one of them "poor people" can spend tens of thousands of dollars to run for city council and then for state representative all in the span of less than one year. While all along ignoring the fact that he has over $15,000 in court judgements against him.
ReplyDeleteHe is "CEO" of his own record label.
Nice reasoning Byron. You still "occupyimg"?
CEO of his own record label is just a title (sort of like self-publishing a book.) It doesn't mean he has any money. I don't think he's allowed to use campaign contributions to pay off his private debts.
ReplyDeleteI am not a part of that middle class "protest". Why did you assume that I was?
In fact, why don't you tell use why you really hate him?
ReplyDeleteNever once said I hated him.
ReplyDeleteI am just sick and tired of people being elected/appointed to political office, to set the laws of the land, who can't follow the laws themselves.
And seeing a picture of him from two years ago wearing white gloves while peeking out a window holding an assault rifle and with a pistol in his waistband didn't help my impression of him.
Lawmakers should be held to a higher standard than what Ellington has shown so far.
Fair enough.
ReplyDeleteBut, I'm not clear on what laws he broke. Its not against the law to be unable to pay your debts, or own an assault rifle. I believe it was a pose for a CD cover.
Since you feel so strongly about this, you should consider public office yourself (& I'm not being sarcastic or flippant.)
I work two jobs to pay my bills and support my family. I'm not corrupt enough, nor do I have time to run for any office.
ReplyDeleteThere are laws that require that you pay off your debt if the creditor demands payment.
Mt Ellington was taken to court twice, and both times the court ruled against him.
He is in violation of a court judgement by not paying off the judgement amount set forth by the court.
Well, I'm not sure if you're right or not. It seems that the collection of the debt is up to the creditor, & he can use the judgement to justify a garnishment. This is beyond my ken.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion of Mr. Ellington is based on the testimony of the people he has tried to help in his community (the most recent example being the Green Duck Tavern.) A woman testified that he helped turn her son from a life of crime. He is active in the community & not just rubbing shoulders with the swells. He works every day to be of service to others. I don't think you will find anyone more worthy. When my brother lost his re-election bid, he left town. Mr. Ellington kept working for the community.
Everyone keeps saying you need new leadership in the 'black community'. That can only happen if you give the young a chance. I don't think he will 'retire' to public office, I think he will keep working for the community.
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ReplyDeletetheeconomiccollapseblog.com
ReplyDelete