#youngdems

David Neal is running for the Merriam City Council in Ward 4. Neal has lived in Merriam for the past 13 years and has a background in engineering and construction. He is also the founder of a successful software company. Neal was inspired to run for the city council when he saw a need for someone with a background in construction and engineering to serve. Currently, none of the members of the council have those skills and experience. 

One issue that’s important to Neal is restoring the balance of the city council. Currently, Neal sees the council as leaning towards the interests of commercial real estate developers at the expense of tax paying residents. Neal is also concerned about the Irene B. French center, which was built in 1911 and was one of the first schools in the Shawnee Mission School District. There is a possibility that it will be torn down to be replaced by an outdoor amphitheater, and Neal thinks that this historic building should be preserved and repurposed. Neal also believes that some of the current municipal codes in Merriam need to be updated due to the changing needs of residents.  Neal thinks local government has the most direct impact on your daily life, and that it is essential to elect competent representatives to act in the best interest of the city’s stakeholders - all of them.  Neal has built a website with tons of information on the issues facing Merriam as well as how he plans to address them: http://www.nealformerriam.com/

Paula Schwach is running unopposed for reelection to the position of Mayor of Westwood Hills. She currently works as a freelance attorney. She has served as mayor since the spring of 2013. Despite running unopposed, Schwach has remained dedicated to interacting with her constituents, allocating at least four hours per week to the campaign and pledging to see her constituents face-to- face in community venues or to knock on most doors in her district at least once. Prior to serving as mayor, Schwach was a three term City Councilwoman and worked in local, state, and federal government.

When asked about the main issue important specifically to her candidacy, Schwach focused on this: “The support for infrastructure reinvestment is a challenge that every first-ring suburb in the metro area faces and the issue which has been the focus of my mayoral term. It will continue to be my focus once re-elected. I obtained a KDOT geometric grant in the amount of $300,000 to fix the storm water problems on Rainbow Blvd and this work is now scheduled for spring construction in 2018, This will be followed by a second construction project to remedy faults in the balance of the existing storm water system. Then I will begin a master planning process for the Green so that our parks infrastructure is also updated and made fully accessible.”

She also provided insight into how her policies help better the lives of young constituents: “Westwood Hills is a community for all ages. We are rapidly ‘re-greening’ and have seen an influx of young families. We are a walkable neighborhood leading to healthier people of all ages... We are sustaining the Green as a community space for gatherings… I have championed systematic code enforcement to assure that even in a mature city that property values are maintained given that this is often the largest investment of younger homeowners.” Once reelected, Schwach will serve a two-year term as mayor.

Below are some links to stories about Schwach’s successes while serving as mayor.

https://shawneemissionpost.com/2015/05/21/westwood-hills-takes-steps-to-preserve-historic-structures-that-helped-land-it-on-national-register- \39472 https://shawneemissionpost.com/2014/09/16/dark-decades-westwood-hills-lamppost-shines-entry-beautiful-little-city-kansas-31664

https://shawneemissionpost.com/2013/09/05/westwood-hills-turns-90-and-throws-a-party-20892

Chris Roesel JCCC Board of Trustees

“Talking with students who work 60 hours a week and take 18 semester hours at the same time convinced me that I should bring different perspectives to the Board—not my perspectives, but rather those of students, faculty, and the community.”

Chris Roesel’s twin commitments to democracy and higher education are clear through his campaign for the Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees. Roesel advocates for these values primarily through social media and face-to-face contact with voters at various organizational meetings across Johnson County. Roesel’s wide-ranging professional history has taken him to four continents, where he has worked as an international development worker, a nutrition program manager, a Peace Corps volunteer, and a teacher. A current student at JCCC (and the only candidate who has recently taken classes at the College), Roesel is active with the JCCC Democrats, the Johnson County Democrats, the League of Women Voters, and many other groups. He advocates for easier registration and voting processes, along with voter engagement and civic participation.

Roesel is committed to engaging young voters, improving stakeholder group representation and inclusion, and identifying future-oriented action plans for the College.

https://www.facebook.com/RoeselforJCCC/

https://www.amazon.com/Development-Experiences-Asia-Africa-Americas-ebook/dp/B01IFC9S66/

Jen Hill for Roeland Park City Council, Ward Two:

Jen Hill is a candidate for the position of City Council Member in Roeland Park Ward Two. Hill is a veteran teacher of 23 years so she has worked extensively in the education sector of government. She is currently working aggressively on her campaign by knocking doors and making phone calls nightly, devoting at least 15 to 30 hours per week to her efforts. She plans to contact all potential voters in her ward at least three times prior to Election Day. Hill states that “Equal Rights for All” is a top priority, citing the non-discrimination ordinance currently in place in Roeland Park; she says she will “work to keep precautions in place to ensure equal rights for all citizens”.

“If elected, my positions on the issues will better the lives of constituents through positive changes in new leadership for all ages in Roeland Park. I will assure fiscally responsible stewardship of business development, streets, public safety, parks, sidewalks and bike lanes, city services and city budget. I hope to create modern technological ways of keeping the community involved and informed of the happenings in Roeland Park.”

Here’s how you can connect with Jen Hill:

https://www.jenhillforroelandpark.com/

https://www.facebook.com/JenHillforRoelandPark/