Kansas City Public Info Crackdown Sparks EPIC Resignation

Major shifts in the Kansas City Communications Department have been unreported in the local media but the news is resonating amongst journalists who report on City Hall. 

This week the Northeast News broke this story wide open with a scathing editorial.

As always, we previewed, teased and joked the but the "news dog" offered important context and valuable first person reporting. 

Now the story has another component . . .

KCMO PUBLIC INFO PRO JOHN B. JUST QUIT AND HIS RESIGNATION LETTER HAS GARNERED CONCERN FROM KANSAS CITY NEWSIES!!!

Here's a snippet that provides the backstory of A COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT CRACKDOWN AT CITY HALL UNDER MAYOR Q'S WATCH . . .

It is with great sadness I announce my resignation from the city.
 
For the first five-plus years here, I really, really enjoyed representing the city- whether the story was good, bad or indifferent. It was an honor! But in the last year, things have changed. It’s just not an enjoyable environment to work in anymore.
 
The final ‘tipping point,’ if you will, came about a month ago when the entire approach to ‘media response’ drastically changed. It’s just not an approach I agree with and it ultimately led me to this decision.

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As we noted previously . . . 

Former Comms. Dept. honcho Chris Hernandez has been downgraded. He recently confirmed as much by way of a very humble & optimistic post wherein he noted "a different role at City Hall- working with CREO KC, the Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department."

Now . . .

News insiders and journalists at Kansas City TV stations are worried that there will be even less communication and accountability from City Hall as Mayor Q's administration attempts to shift loyal staffers rather than pros with any media experience. 

Developing . . .