KC Tenants Power Player Seyz 'I'm Not Anti-Semetic' After Losing Appointment

A local low-level activist probably enjoyed too much publicity this week because he effectively ended his future in the mainstream Kansas City discourse.

Credit to our blog community for getting to this drama FIRST and forcing coverage that attempts to clean up Internets hot talk into something that's presentable but much less believable . .  . 

Check-it:

On Wednesday, he posted a five-paragraph response on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter on which his original comment about Israel appeared earlier in the week.

“I’m disappointed to hear that councilman Willet has written an open letter to Mayor Lucas calling on him to withdraw my nomination…due to my criticism of the Israeli government. These McCarthyist tactics are dishonest, harmful, and are simply an attempt to prevent me from serving on this board.

“To be very clear: I am not anti-semitic.”

Hays did not specify why Willett might want to torpedo his appointment to the board of zoning adjustment. But Hays has been active in public affairs, especially in the Northland where he and Willett both reside. His criticism of a proposed commercial real estate project near Kansas City International Airport has been pointed, describing the project as being undeserving to receive millions of dollars in tax subsidies.

Hays was also one of the organizers of KC Tenants Power, the political wing of the KC Tenants affordable housing group. KC Tenants Power rated Willett a “hell no” in its voter guide that endorsed candidates in this year’s city council election.

Asked during a phone interview if Hays’ outspokenness on development issues north of the river had anything to do with his opposition to the appointment, Willett denied having a political motivation.

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

Former nominee accuses KC councilman of dishonest tactics: 'I am not anti-semitic'

Jaz Hays called Israel's government "a regime with genocidal intentions" after Israel on Monday announced its siege of the Gaza Strip..