Today Mayor Sly James was joined by 26 mayors from across the State of Missouri to discuss issues that are important to municipal governments. The group voted to form a 501C6 called Missouri Mayors United for Progress. The initial Board of Directors include: 1) Mayor Sly James, 2) Mayor Tom Schneider of Florissant; 2) Mayor James McGee of Venita Park, 4) Mayor Karen Best of Branson; 5) Mayor Garrett of Lohman
The issues discussed included strategies to fight crime, increase transportation funding and restoring low-income housing tax credits. The group collectively signed a letter voicing concern about the Missouri Housing and Development Corporation’s recent decision not to issue low-income housing tax credits. Low-income housing tax credits have been a widely-used tool in cities across the state to provide safe housing for seniors and persons with disabilities. In addition, Kansas City’s efforts to functionally eliminate veterans homelessness would have been severely hampered without low-income housing tax credits.
“Mayors across the country are leading the charge when it comes to innovation and problem solving,” said Mayor Sly James. “I’m optimistic that the state’s mayors can make an impact on the lives of our residents without waiting for help from Jefferson City or Washington, DC.”
Mayors in attendance included:
Mayor Brian Treece, City of Columbia
Mayor Tom Schneider, City of Florissant
Mayor Bill Kolas, City of Higginsville
Pat Kelly, Executive, Director, Municipal League of Metro St. Louis
Richard Sheets, Deputy Director, Missouri Municipal League
Dan Ross, Executive Director, Missouri Municipal League
Mayor John Olivarri, Osage Beach
Mayor John Smedley, City of Platte Woods
Mayor David Slater, Pleasant Valley
Mayor Kristofer Turnbow, City of Raymore
Mayor Kathy Rose, City of Riverside and President of the Missouri Municipal League
Mayor Carrie Tergin, City of Jefferson City
Mayor David Wilson, City of Manchester
Mayor LeRoy Benton, City of Fulton
Mayor James W. McGee, City of Vinita Park
Mayor Patrick Botbyl, City of Weatherby Lake
Mayor Len Pagano, City of St. Peters
Mayor Michael McDonough, City of Raytown
Mayor Pam Freese, City of Houston Lake
Mayor Holly Stark, City of Peculiar
Mayor Terry Epps, City of Pine Lawn
Mayor Karen Best, City of Branson
Mayor John Burroughs, City of New Florence
Mayor John Gwaltney, City of Edmundson
Vice Mayor Garrett Elliott, City of Lohman
Mayor Tom Kirchner, City of Lohman
Mayor Don Tottingham, City of Houston
John Mayheid, Designee, City of Independence
Mayor Matt Silvering, City of Breckenridge
READ>> MHDC Letter from Missouri Mayors
