Counterfeit 'Citizens Association' Exposed: Iconic Kansas City Political Legacy Forged

The so-called "Citizens Association" gathering assembled in Kansas City last night doesn't have much in common with a legendary and iconic group that worked to battle local government corruption. 

The new 2.0 version doesn't have any elected officers, there are no neighborhood representatives, there aren't any board members listed and the new group hasn't filed any significant campaign disclosures as of yet . . . Check the MEC files (MECID: C000833) . . . The legacy listing updated a "limited" filing in 2023 that wasn't associated with any of the organizers of the new Citizens Association presented to the public last night. 

For those who don't know . . . 

The REAL Citizens Association was one of the most influential political groups in Kansas City history with a reputation for battling Pedergast-Era graft. The real group dates its origin to 1934 wherein middle-class neighborhood leaders risked their lives to confront rampant organized crime which had corrupted the highest levels of government up-to-and-including the locally controlled police department. 

Meanwhile, back in la-la land we give credit where it's due . . . 

The fun time and cheap talk did inspire Congressman Cleaver to make a 20 minute Zoom call to give all of his old friends a shout out . . . Former Mayor Sly even broke out one of his old bow ties to wear with fancy red sneakers. 

Still . . . The main takeaway . . .

THE NEW CITIZENS ASSOCIATION IS A FAKE REBRANDING EFFORT RUN BY DEVELOPERS AND DOESN'T AT ALL REPRESENT THE LEGACY OF ONE OF KANSAS CITY'S GREATEST NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS!!!

It's a cynical marketing ploy for a low turnout election and the lowly, local reporters didn't even catch on to the scam. Probably because it doesn't REALLY matter if only 5% of all registered voters are going to show up to the April primary anyhoo.

I guess people can call themselves whatever they'd like . . . There's a gas station bbq place that named themselves after this blog. 

We only regret that a few of Kansas City's top elected officials think so little of local voters that they would try and run this scam along with an upcoming string of rigged forums without any semblance of a real organization so that they can INVARIABLY offer some rigged ballot that doesn't have any community support.

Prove us wrong . . . 

SHOW TKC THE ELECTED OFFICERS OF THE NEW KANSAS CITY CITIZENS ASSOCIATION!!!

 That might take a while because, unlike the REAL group, the new guys don't have any current membership.

Again . . . Maybe we're just being picky and spoiling everyone's fun.

Here's the MSM write-up that didn't think it was worth covering anything remotely resembling an accurate history of this group's namesake . . .

Several city leaders were in attendance to hear the mayors’ advice including Kay Barnes former intern, now current Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.

Despite its challenges, these mayors believe Kansas City is in a better place than when they took office.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Four former Kansas City mayors share vision for city's future

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Four former Kansas City, Missouri mayors reflected on their time in office and what still needs to be done Thursday. Those mayors served Kansas City from 1991 to 2019. It's the first time the four have ever been on the same stage.