Stand Up for Johnson County: It’s Time to Vote for Real Change!
The recent decision by the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners shows the irresponsible behavior of Mike Kelly and his supporters, highlighting the urgent need for better leadership. In a surprising 5 to 2 vote, the Commission voted down a requirement that Americans would have use of the proposed homeless shelter.
The Lenexa City Planning Commission and City Council both wisely rejected the entire plan to turn the La Quinta Inn into a homeless shelter, following the recommendations by the city staff leadership, including the Lenexa Police Chief, in opposition to the project, including over 1,000 pages of due diligence presented by the city staff.
As the Chairman of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, Mike Kelly has been a key advocate for this poorly planned project, which many believe is more about his political ambitions than helping those in need. His push for this costly initiative, despite widespread community disapproval, raises serious questions about who he is really serving.
From the beginning, this shelter project faced numerous problems. The high cost of the project, the lack of funding for operating the facility, and the poor choice of operators all led to its failure – yet the project was still pushed by the BOCC more for serving a political agenda rather than a genuine solution for the homeless.
This situation highlights the importance of making informed voting decisions. It’s crucial for Johnson County residents to re-elect Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara and to choose Mike Storm and Mark Hammill to replace those who have blindly supported Mike Kelly – all people who have consistently ignored the needs of our community.
To stop wasteful spending that harms taxpayers, and to establish transparency in our elected officials, we must elect leaders who truly care about our community rather than their own political goals. Mike Kelly’s push for this project is part of a worrying trend where local officials seem disconnected from the concerns of the people they represent.
The choices made at the county level have a big impact on how our tax dollars are spent, which projects get approved, and the future of our communities. If we want leaders who will really advocate for our interests and ensure our tax money is used wisely, we need to pay attention to these local races AND VOTE!
This $10 million+ misstep is a wake-up call for all residents of Johnson County. It’s time to hold our local leaders accountable by participating in every election. The future of Johnson County relies on our collective action at the polls.
