KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hickman Mills Elementary School students asked the tough questions while interviewing the candidates for KC mayor.
“Understanding the decisions their parents make, will not only impact the parents but the students and the community,” said Dr. Connie Smith, Director of Technology at Symington Elementary.
They are too young to vote, but no doubt in touch with the important issues facing Kansas City families.
"Put better protection around here, have cops roll through here,” said Josiah Grigsby, a sixth grade student at Symington Elementary.
“We have got to do more as a city for education,” said KC mayoral candidate Henry Klein.
“In addressing gun violence you have to deal with three things, homelessness, mental health and substance abuse,” said Councilwoman and mayoral candidate Alissia Canady.
Kansas City’s next mayor will have a direct impact on these kids future.
“We have to do everything that we can to provide real solutions that impact the people who live in our city,” said Councilman and mayoral candidate Jermaine Reed.
“To impact your parents and other parents, you must have a strong tax base,” said mayoral candidate Vincent Lee.
One by one, each candidate made the case as to why he or she is the top candidate.
“We gotta keep creating small business because that supports families locally,” said Councilman and mayoral candidate Scott Taylor.
“Getting public transportation into every corner of our city,” said Councilwoman and mayoral candidate Jolie Justus.
“We want to make sure you have access to good fresh food,” said Councilman and mayoral candidate Scott Wagner.
“Safety making sure that we are all safe, making sure that our community does not have to deal with crime,” said Councilman and mayoral candidate Quinton Lucas.
“For a lot of families in KC, not having good enough health care, not having a good enough job and not having a house or apartment that is good for your family that can stress you out,” said mayoral candidate Phil Glynn.
“We need to make sure we have good transportation options here to make sure people get to places,” said mayoral candidate Steve Miller.
A unique opportunity, that will likely stay with these students not inside and outside the classroom.
On April 1, the students will do a mock vote for KC mayor.
