Earlier this month, we asked readers what issues they wanted to hear the candidates running office address. Based on input from our readers in Prairie Village, we developed the following five-item questionnaire for the three candidates seeking to become Prairie Village’s next mayor: councilmembers Serena Schermoly and Andrew Wang; and former councilman Eric Mikkelson.
Here are the questionnaire items:
- Question 1: A majority of residents say they are concerned about the teardown-rebuild trend and the impact it’s having on neighborhoods. Should the city be taking additional steps to ensure new homes “fit” the neighborhoods where they are built? Should the city being looking at ways to reduce disruption to neighbors from new home construction?
- Question 2: What’s your view of the role of a mayor in a city like Prairie Village? Should the top elected official be setting a bold vision for the city? Primarily minding spending? Focusing on some other priority?
- Question 3: Prairie Village homeowners have seen their appraised home values increase faster than most of the rest of the county the past few years. What’s your view of the city’s property tax rate in the face of these rising home values?
- Question 4: The governing body has considered a number of initiatives in recent years to expand bike and pedestrian trails throughout Prairie Village — but has backed away from some projects after the objection of homeowners. Do you think expansion of bike and pedestrians trails is a priority for the city? If so, what would you do to see such projects become a reality?
- Question 5: If you were elected mayor, what’s the top thing you hope you could say about Prairie Village at the end of your term that you can’t say today?
We’ll be running the candidates’ responses to one question a day for five days starting Monday, July 16. All three candidates have been sent the questionnaire.
The top two finishers in the August primary will advance to the general election ballot this November.
