Kansas City Mayor Q Rebuked After Mayor Pro Tem Appointment

Mayor Quinton Lucas confronts scathing criticism after a recent appointment and local media headlines that don't match up with Kansas City history.

Remember a not-so-long ago triumphant announcement from the Mayor's office that has subsequently been debunked . . . 

It turns out . . . 

MAYOR Q'S TEAM INCORRECTLY TOUTED COUNCIL LADY PARKS-SHAW AS THE 1ST BLACK WOMAN MAYOR PRO TEM!!!

Something all students of local history might remember . . .

FORMER KCMO COUNCIL TITAN JOANNE COLLINS SERVED AS MAYOR PRO TEM DECADES AGO!!!

Check out the very worthwhile biography of Joanne Collins . . . TKC has often spoke with the local leader and we're also guilty of temporarily forgetting her achievements . . . Which is easy because Ms. Collins is formidable, charismatic and very knowledgeable . . . But not one to brag. 

Now . . . 

This oversight and surprisingly controversial appointment has sparked renewed criticism against Mayor Q's administration that's mostly focused on his continued support of City Manager Brian Platt.

 

Here's an important note sent our way which outlines the situation and reveals the rising push back directed against the Mayor's office which is, once again, gaining momentum . . .

"The Mayor, in his haste to disparage and disrespect yet another Black woman (Melissa Robinson), lied about the historic nature of his appointment of (Councilmember) Ryana Parks Shaw as Mayor Pro Tem. According the KC Globe Joanne Collins served as Mayor Pro Tem under Mayor Berkley. She was even acting mayor. It is also in her biography.  The mayor should stop chasing headlines for empty symbolic gestures and do something to combat the  bigotry and misogyny permeating the Lucas/Platt administration; and initiate substantive policies, programs, and practices to address the pathologies afflicting this city.

"While succeeding at posturing he is failing at reducing homicides, his self- proclaimed number 1 priority when first elected. Seeking credit for an hollow appointment, even if was an historic first, while snubbing the residents of the 3rd district for a second term is indicative of narcissistic  and misguided priorities."

It gets worse for Mayor Q.

Another note from a local leader takes his administration to task and was recently distributed far and wide throughout the community. 

Check the money line from a statement which references recent legal complaints directed against the city manager and argues the complicity of the current administration . . . Here's the word . . . 

"Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City said, “I am not impressed with the Mayor’s appointment of the first African American woman as Mayor ProTem, which is a largely ceremonial, powerless position. While this empty gesture may be good for Councilwoman Ryana Parks-Shaw’s resume, and for that I congratulate her, it does not address our concerns about sexism against African American women, systemic and structural racism against Blacks in City government, and the lack of economic inclusion in city procurement under the Lucas/Platt administration. We want to know what Mayor Lucas is going to do about the proliferation of violent crime in our neighborhoods, hostility toward African Americans in City government, including but not limited to the removal of Andrea Dorch as the Director of the Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department, the failure to implement the recommendations made to remedy discrimination in the Fire Department, and passing over qualified African Americans to head the Communications and Housing Departments.”

Read the words in their entirety via www.TonysKansasCity.com press release screencap . . .

Developing . . .