BETH GOTTSTEIN
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Gottstein’s work makes waves on council
By: Kurt Kloeblen, Staff writer
Kansas City Councilwoman Beth Gottstein has not kept a low profile during her first year in office.
The 4th District at-large councilwoman has made a name for herself and has received plenty of attention from Kansas City media.
For Gottstein, her first year will go down as a success.
“I think it’s been a great first year,” she said. “It certainly hasn’t been without its challenges. It’s been good to be out in the neighborhoods with the folks. We’ve had to be creative because the economy has changed. But I think we have set our mandate for the next three years.”
Making news recently, Gottstein said she would return the pay raise council members are scheduled to receive. According to city charter, each council member will earn an additional $2,000.
Gottstein said she is unable to speak about the issue because of a Supreme Court decision and by the city attorney’s recommendation.
But Gottstein is quick to talk about other issues facing the city. She said crime is a priority.
“In the 4th District crime is pervasive,” Gottstein said. “It’s a symptom of a bigger problem across the city. You have to remember that a year ago on April 30, I was in a Starbucks at the Ward Parkway Mall. I went to buy a pair of shoes and a guy walked in and started shooting. So it happens everywhere.”
Gottstein said the council has a good relationship with the Police Department but does not have power over its decisions.
“We fund them, but we don’t govern them,” she said. “They certainly have engaged us quite a bit. I have a good relationship with all the patrols. But fighting crime isn’t just up to the Police Department. Everything the city does has to incorporate how to reduce crime.”
Gottstein said the city can help fight crime with strong neighborhood associations, which are some of the most important groups to the city.
“They are absolutely key,” she said. “They are the on-the-ground soldiers. That may not be the right word, but they are out there. I was at the Wornall Homestead Neighborhood meeting … that’s how I find out what’s going on. They’re the experts. They hired me, so they’re crucial.”
Gottstein said she also is concerned about neighborhood businesses, such as bars and restaurants in the Waldo, Brookside and Westport areas. She said she worries how they will be affected by benefits given to Power and Light District businesses.
“I’m fighting for them,” Gottstein said. “I’ve been to Jefferson City several times. If it’s important to local business, it’s important to us. The Power and Light District is a fantastic tribute to Kay Barnes. I’ve been pleased with most of what I’ve seen. But Waldo and Westport and Three Trails are all crucial to the future of the city.”
Gottstein said one of her campaign promises was to look at reforming some of the city’s economic development programs.
“We’ve spent nine months of the past year implementing a new economic development incentive program,” she said. “It has the potential to work really well. I sit on the Finance and Audit Committee. We’ve been aggressive there and got on the budget right away to reduce next year’s cost. That had never happened before.”
Gottstein said things can move slowly at times, but she wants to look back in three years at real accomplishments.
“There’s certainly a learning curve,” Gottstein said. “I want to work on infrastructure and making sure that we are economically sound. We have to be looking at those and seeing where we were at when we started and what we achieved in three years. It’s baby steps.”
Contact Kurt Kloeblen at (913) 385-6087 or kkloeblen@sunpublications.com
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The 4th District at-large councilwoman has made a name for herself and has received plenty of attention from Kansas City media.
For Gottstein, her first year will go down as a success.
“I think it’s been a great first year,” she said. “It certainly hasn’t been without its challenges. It’s been good to be out in the neighborhoods with the folks. We’ve had to be creative because the economy has changed. But I think we have set our mandate for the next three years.”
Making news recently, Gottstein said she would return the pay raise council members are scheduled to receive. According to city charter, each council member will earn an additional $2,000.
Gottstein said she is unable to speak about the issue because of a Supreme Court decision and by the city attorney’s recommendation.
But Gottstein is quick to talk about other issues facing the city. She said crime is a priority.
“In the 4th District crime is pervasive,” Gottstein said. “It’s a symptom of a bigger problem across the city. You have to remember that a year ago on April 30, I was in a Starbucks at the Ward Parkway Mall. I went to buy a pair of shoes and a guy walked in and started shooting. So it happens everywhere.”
Gottstein said the council has a good relationship with the Police Department but does not have power over its decisions.
“We fund them, but we don’t govern them,” she said. “They certainly have engaged us quite a bit. I have a good relationship with all the patrols. But fighting crime isn’t just up to the Police Department. Everything the city does has to incorporate how to reduce crime.”
Gottstein said the city can help fight crime with strong neighborhood associations, which are some of the most important groups to the city.
“They are absolutely key,” she said. “They are the on-the-ground soldiers. That may not be the right word, but they are out there. I was at the Wornall Homestead Neighborhood meeting … that’s how I find out what’s going on. They’re the experts. They hired me, so they’re crucial.”
Gottstein said she also is concerned about neighborhood businesses, such as bars and restaurants in the Waldo, Brookside and Westport areas. She said she worries how they will be affected by benefits given to Power and Light District businesses.
“I’m fighting for them,” Gottstein said. “I’ve been to Jefferson City several times. If it’s important to local business, it’s important to us. The Power and Light District is a fantastic tribute to Kay Barnes. I’ve been pleased with most of what I’ve seen. But Waldo and Westport and Three Trails are all crucial to the future of the city.”
Gottstein said one of her campaign promises was to look at reforming some of the city’s economic development programs.
“We’ve spent nine months of the past year implementing a new economic development incentive program,” she said. “It has the potential to work really well. I sit on the Finance and Audit Committee. We’ve been aggressive there and got on the budget right away to reduce next year’s cost. That had never happened before.”
Gottstein said things can move slowly at times, but she wants to look back in three years at real accomplishments.
“There’s certainly a learning curve,” Gottstein said. “I want to work on infrastructure and making sure that we are economically sound. We have to be looking at those and seeing where we were at when we started and what we achieved in three years. It’s baby steps.”
Contact Kurt Kloeblen at (913) 385-6087 or kkloeblen@sunpublications.com