KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr., showed up Monday evening at a town hall where the discussion centered around the recall vote he faces on Sept. 30.
The event, “A Frank Decision,” was held at the Kansas City Public Library’s Plaza Branch.
White has been widely criticized for the county’s handling of property tax assessments and his lack of attendance at county legislative meetings.
The panel Monday night consisted of a UMKC professor, Jackson County Legislator Megan Smith, Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith, and Greater Kansas City Urban League CEO Gwen Grant.
White surprised many people with his appearance and gave his first public remarks in a long time.
"Vote 'no' on the recall because the recall itself is a power grab," White said at the start of the event.
KSHB 41's Alyssa Jackson approached many people waiting for the event to start to ask their opinion on the recall effort.
The majority of the room was against White staying in office, some people were neutral and few were vocal supporters.
Stances on Frank White
Diana Knittel-Pace is not a resident of Jackson County.
However, she does own a business in Lee's Summit.
She was unsuccessful in appealing a 700% assessment increase on her business, Lee's Summit Equestrian, LLC.
Knittel-Pace shared since she is not able to vote in Jackson County, she doesn't have a say in keeping him in office, but wanted him to answer why this happened to her business.
"I am unrepresented, so the only voice I have is here with you," she said. "I can't imagine anybody wanting to move to Jackson County with this kind of risk every two years having massive changes in property valuation."
Richard Ridge, a Jackson County home owner, attended the town hall with his wife. He voted for the county executive and is neutral on White's removal.
The couple attended the meeting hoping to hear more about the process for replacing White.
"I didn’t have strong expectations one way or the other," Ridge said. "The appraisal issue was poorly handled...I think he had some responsibility for that and also getting tired of the constant discussion about the ball teams."
White had a supporter sitting near the front row who cheered with some of his responses.
She disagreed with Urban League CEO Gwen Grant that the recall is not about race.
The woman called panelists "disgruntled employees".
"When someone says this has nothing to do with color," she said, "I want you to look at this audience we have here today."
She continued: "The question...is we [Black people] have to go above and beyond. You [Frank White] hold your head up and march out of here knowing you've done a good job."
Grant cited what she said were many failures of White, including the assessment process and delayed county budget.
White stated Grant does not understand his job.
"Frank's recall is about poor leadership and incompetence and unwillingness to work with the legislature to solve problems on behalf of the people," Grant said. "We can go on and on and on and list a number of reasons. I know what your job is about and your not doing it so we need to recall your behind."
Frank White pushes back against scrutiny
White defended his reputation against opponents at the meeting.
He listed many decisions he has made during his tenure.
“I’ve just put out $30 million in funds for disadvantaged communities," he said. "I don’t want to leave the next county executive in the same mess I got when I got in here. I took our pension plans from 74% to 93%.”
White mentioned many of the decisions he has made behind the scenes — outside of the public eye — to support the county.
His office is steps away from where the Jackson County Legislature holds regular meetings.
However, during Monday's town hall, White made it clear he does not have to attend.
White said: "As far as the meetings go, I do not have to attend the meetings. I send my people as a courtesy."
KSHB 41's Alyssa Jackson followed up with White following the meeting.
She asked White: "I heard a gasp from some people in the audience when you brought up not having to go to the legislature meetings and sending your people as a courtesy. Is it too much to ask for people wanting to see you show up? Is that something you will reconsider your stance on after hearing people just want to see you involved?"
White responded: "If you look at way county government is set up, we’re set up like the state. You have the governor, you have the legislature. The governor doesn’t go to legislative meetings. He sends his people to legislative meetings. When I do go, it turns out to be performative politics."
White said if voters keep him in office, he will follow through on his decision not to run for re-election.
KSHB 41's Alyssa Jackson asked White: "After tonight, hearing people with their experiences and frustrations — do you take accountability for how the assessment process played out? And this being the reason a lot of people want you out of office."
"I think the old saying…'heavy is the head that wears the crown,'" White told Jackson. "I think that falls on me at that point. I want to make sure people know once the assessment process is in place that's also passed by the legislature. We just have to work together as we go forward to try to get a better process."
What's Next?
White's term ends on January 1, 2027.
If he is voted out of office, the chairman of the Jackson County Legislature will choose an interim executive.
A majority vote from the Jackson County Legislature must be taken within 30 days of the recall to determine who fills the remainder of White's term.
Voters will elect a new executive during the 2026 general election.
In-person absentee voting begins tomorrow in Jackson County.
The special recall election is on Sept. 30th.
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KSHB 41 reporter Alyssa Jackson covers portions of Johnson County, including Overland Park, Prairie Village and Leawood. Share your story idea with Alyssa.
