Three candidates run for UG Commission at large, 2nd District

The incumbent, John Mendez, is not running for re-election.

The primary in this election will be held on the south side of Kansas City, Kan. In the general election, voters countywide will elect the commissioner.

The candidates, in alphabetical order:

Unified Government Commission, at large, 2nd District

Thomas (T.J.) Reardon

Thomas (T.J.) Reardon, 60, is the editor of a website, rottenpolitics.com.

His reasons for running include stopping political corruption, graft and greed; reducing the city budget and reducing taxes; supporting police, firefighters, city and BPU employees but not city and BPU executives; and to stop the sale of the BPU.

Reardon attended K-State, and previously ran for the BPU and UG Commission, losing both contests. He has served as a precinct committeeman. He is a member of the American Legion and the Taxpayers League.

Daniel Serda

Daniel Serda, a city planner and University of Kansas faculty member, is currently serving on the UG Planning Commission.

Serda has an undergraduate degree in political science from Harvard University, a master’s degree in city planning and a doctorate in city design and development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  He is from Wyandotte County.

His reasons for running include broadening the benefits of economic development throughout Wyandotte County, enhancing public safety and quality of life, strengthening neighborhood vitality and making local government more transparent, accessible and accountable to citizens and taxpayers. He is in favor of property tax relief and safe neighborhoods.

Hal Walker

Harold T. (Hal) Walker, 62, attorney, is running to achieve real reductions in the citizen cost of taxes and public utilities. He stated he would like to see reductions by the Unified Government, and also through development of a coordinated countywide approach involving all taxing units in a combined effort to reduce taxes.

Walker, the UG attorney for more than 20 years, stated he wanted to see economic growth and development in all communities and neighborhoods of Wyandotte County.

Walker holds a bachelor’s and a law degree from the University of Kansas, and is the president of the Turner Community Connection neighborhood group; vice president of the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association; past president of the K-State Research and Extension Council of Wyandotte County; and past president of the Wyandotte County Historical Society.