EDITOR:
Are you planning to vote on Tuesday, April 6? This is the annual municipal election and voter turnout is historically low. It is, however, an important opportunity to have input into matters that affect you close to home so please mark your calendar and remember to vote.
The election this year will include city official positions in 15 cities, school board members in four districts, and commissioners in two road districts. There will be six ballot questions that include bonds and taxes. Not all of these will be on every ballot, of course. The items that you will find on your ballot depends on where you live. Find out what will be on you ballot by visiting the online Missouri Voter Outreach Center (voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov/).
The selection of a trustee for the Platte County Health Department is the only item that will appear on every ballot in the county, regardless of where you live. It is a nonpartisan position. Over the last year we have seen how party politics in health matters leads to conflicting information, confusion, and frustration. Party politics in public health threatens our health and personal freedoms.
I am concerned about this because there appears to be an effort to instill party politics into the health department. Last summer, the Platte County Commission, a partisan body, attempted to usurp the authority of the health department for political purposes. When a vacancy occurred on the board of the health department in December, that same commission appointed an individual to serve in the position pending the April 6 election. That individual is now also a candidate for the position of health department trustee.
It appears this candidate is likely to bring party politics to the health board if elected. For example, a political party committee in Platte County has made a substantial financial contribution to this individual’s campaign. Also, a partisan county commissioner (who believes face masks may cause brain damage) has contributed to his campaign. Their financial support indicates they expect the individual to behave in a partisan manner.
I am also running for the position of health department trustee and if I am elected, I will ensure orders, policies, and decisions are based on well-established scientific principles while also seeking out and considering public input. I am the only candidate with extensive experience with handling these types of matters in a nonpartisan manner. Also, I will strongly advocate for COVID vaccinations in Platte County for all residents who want to be vaccinated.
So, please remember to vote on April 6 and please vote for David Park for health trustee. Thank you.
–David Park
Kansas City in
Platte County