Issues | Culture of Collaboration

When I was elected four years ago, I focused on creating a collaborative culture on the city council and encouraged council members to break from voting in blocks, because it was hurting the City and preventing us from getting things done. Most voting blocks had nothing to do with partisanship such as republican or democrat, but stemmed from years of adversity and division within Lee’s Summit. I asked council members to give each other grace and start finding common denominators that we could agree upon. 

There are 9 council members including the mayor. In my nearly 4 years as mayor we have had only 3 votes that were split 5-4. All other votes were unanimous, 8-1, 7-2, and a few 6-3 votes. When our council appeared to be headed toward a divisive 5-4 vote I slowed the process to find greater consensus.

I continued public hearings and pushed votes until a better path, development, or ordinance could be brought forward. Along the way I made sure all citizens, stakeholders, city employees, and council members conducted our meetings with a civil decorum and respect to help facilitate a productive and healthy process, but also to make sure our citizens were proud of the City Council after years of infighting and impasse.

Our City Council Members have been role models for our community the last four years. We worked as a team airing out our differences and debating our positions, but we did so in good faith wanting to move forward and do what is best for Lee’s Summit. I ran for a local office because I felt I could have the greatest positive impact for my friends, neighbors, and community. I felt I could bring people and council members together and end the partisanship and turmoil surrounding it. 

By design our local elections are not partisan. Putting a D or and R by your name does not make you a good elected leader, especially at the local level where we are face to face with the neighbors and friends we are impacting with our decisions.

If you want a mayor that prioritizes our men in blue and first responders, look at my track record including the expansions of both police and fire.

If you want a fiscally conservative mayor, research how I found $4.2 million in budget savings to pay for fair market pay for our employees in 2019.

If you you want a mayor focused on economic strategy, including bringing good jobs to Lee’s Summit, Vote Baird for Mayor.

If you want a mayor that wants the city to be the most welcoming and inclusive we can be, vote Baird for Mayor.

If you want to continue the culture of collaboration that is vital in local governance, vote Baird for Mayor, and keep divisive partisan politicians out of Lee’s Summit.