KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Andrew Davis, who is commissioner for the 8th district of the unified government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, expressed outrage on Monday at being removed from all standing committee posts.
Davis said he was notified Friday by KCK Mayor Tyrone Garner that he has been removed from his positions on the Economic Development/Finance and Community/Neighborhood Development committees.
“While the majority of the governing body received new assignments, I was the only commissioner to receive none in this new iteration of standing committee membership,” Davis said in a news release.
Davis described the removal of representation from more than 20,000 voters as “reckless” and “unfair,” citing his involvement with voters over the future of property upkeep of the former Indian Springs site.
“This singling out of the youngest commissioner of color on stage is a complete disservice to my constituents who have needs and concerns that both standing committees can address,” the release said. “I will not cease until this is resolved and will continue to do everything in my power to defend the 8th District.”
But Davis wasn’t the only commissioner angered by Garner’s action.
District 3 Commissioner Christian Ramirez called Garner’s maneuvering “retaliatory” and said “the mayor’s office has gone too far.”
The community must take a stand! The mayor’s office’s retaliation has gone too far. He reorganized the committees, removed some Commissioners from the position of President and even a Commissioner has NO committees. https://t.co/94mmej6v49
— Commissioner Christian Ramirez (@Ramirez4WyCo) January 30, 2023
Ramirez, who was elected in 2020, also shared the link to a Facebook event page called “Reforming the Rules at WYCO,” which encourages community members to speak Thursday at 7pm at City Hall.
Davis was elected the eighth district commissioner in 2021, serving north central KCK.
KSHB 41 News reached out to the unified government for a statement about removing Davis from the committees, but received no response on Monday at 3pm.
Digital In-Depth Reporter Tod Palmer contributed to this report.
