Former Clay County presiding commissioner and County Clerk Pam Mason has entered the race for Kansas City’s 1st District-At-Large seat as perhaps the most accomplished candidate, vowing to give citizens a stronger voice.
In addition to spending 16 years as an elected official in Clay County, Mason is a current member of the Kansas City Missouri Tax Increment Commission.
Her considerable list of accomplishments includes having been chair of the Kansas City Zoological Board, a member of the Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund, winner of the “Working for the Public Good” award from Vocational Services Inc., and 38 years as a Sunday school teacher for Pleasant Valley Church.
As a grandmother of eight and lifelong resident of Kansas City, now she’s putting her efforts and experience to work in hopes of moving Kansas City forward on “the path to success.”
She wants to reinvigorate the people’s pride in their city, and is tired of politics as usual. She wants city council members who represent the people, not their own interests.
“Kansas City has been a wonderful place for my family to call home. Our sense of city pride is known nationwide,” Mason told The Heartlander. “I want to channel that spirit of community into restoring our political climate and ensuring our city council is one that represents the true interests of our residents. I look forward to meeting voters on the campaign trail and learning about all the incredible neighbors we have across our fine city!”
If elected, she vows to ensure public safety by supporting local law enforcement; to promote economic development and support local businesses which “have been the targets of recent political policies”; and to give citizens a stronger voice on the council by giving the residents of District 1 a seat at the “decision-making table.”
“Crime and inflation are skyrocketing in our communities,” she said. “We need leaders who will fight to put Kansas City back on the path to success — without resorting to insider deals and ethical compromises. People are tired of the ‘politics as usual’ mentality that currently has its grip on City Hall.
“The police defunding caused violent crime to soar in our city; that’s why in November the people of Missouri overwhelmingly voted to restore funding to the Kansas City Police Department. Small businesses are being micromanaged, while large corporations and pet projects get special treatment. It’s wrong.
“Our city has much more to offer than what we’re seeing today. It’s time to stop snubbing half of our residents because they live on the other side of the river, and create a new culture in City Hall that works for everyone.”
Mason said she feels incumbent Kevin O’Neill embodies a “politics as usual” mentality and vows to work directly with the people to address their concerns every day.
“Not many people know my opponent, except for the political bosses and insiders. Sometimes at-large incumbents sneak into office like he did when he was unopposed four years ago. I will go to work at City Hall every day, returning phone calls and emails from citizens rapidly, and not delegate to an assistant to answer citizen issues.”
Mason hopes readers who would like to get involved or support her campaign will follow her on social media or email her directly at PamMasonKCMO@gmail.com.
