City Councilman Wes Rogers launches mayoral campaign focused on public safety, affordability and effective government.

An excerpt of Wes’s prepared remarks: To make Kansas City a place where people want to live and work and raise families, we are going to focus on three big issues.

1. 01

   Public safety.

   If we want to make Kansas City the place where everyone wants to be, it needs to be safe. Wes’s experience as a prosecutor and a public defender showed him the complexities of public safety first-hand. He will work with local prosecutors to hold bad actors accountable, while making sure those who deserve a second chance get one. Data-driven, community-based solutions are the best way to make sure we live in a safe city.

2. 02

   Affordability.

   It is too difficult for too many Kansas Citians to get by. The impact of this tough economy is being felt across nearly every neighborhood and income level. We can do more to help ease that burden for folks. Wes’s mom raised him and his brother by herself, which gives him an understanding of the tough choices families have to make. A good-paying job and better city services will go a long way to making life just a little easier for all Kansas Citians.

3. 03

   Reimagining the way city government works.

   Wes would like to see a lot fewer headlines about drama at City Hall and more headlines about basic services being delivered well. We also need to get serious about cutting red tape, true transparency, and being good stewards of your tax dollars. While no one enjoys talking about the city’s 100 million dollar shortfall, we have to. Families in this city are having hard discussions about their budgets every day and our elected leaders should, too.