Mayor John Bacon (left) and chair of the persons with disabilities advisory board Mark Gash cut the ribbon at Olathe’s first universal playground. The park near Indian Creek Library first opened to the public earlier in 2021 and is accessible to citizens of all ages and abilities.
Mayor John Bacon is seeking another term as Olathe’s top elected official. As of Tuesday evening, he's the first and only person to join the mayor's race.Â
Olathe City Council member Wes McCoy is the first to file for the 2023 Olathe municipal elec…
The City Council deals with primarily local issues, like setting city property tax rates, funding construction and infrastructure projects and studying ordinance updates as suggested by city government staffers. The mayor is effectively considered part of the council governing body, getting the seventh but equal vote on all matters.
Additionally, the mayor is in charge of appointments to subcommittees and city boards, which are usually approved by the council unanimously. There are ceremonial responsibilities as well, like representing the city at community events.
BACON’S BACKGROUNDÂ
Bacon became Olathe’s mayor in 2020 after the death of longtime Mayor Mike Copeland. At the time of Copeland’s death in August of that year, Bacon was the mayor pro tempore or vice mayor and an at-large representative on the City Council. As such, he was tapped to become mayor.Â
In 1995, Bacon was first elected to the Olathe City Council as a Ward 3 representative. Online Johnson County Election records show Bacon also won in 1999 and 2001. Then, he was appointed to an at-large seat after the 2001 spring municipal election, filling a vacancy created by Copeland’s win as mayor that same year.Â
Copeland served almost 20 years as Olathe’s mayor, which followed multiple terms as a general council member. Bacon won reelection to the council in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019.Â
Mayor John Bacon (left) and chair of the persons with disabilities advisory board Mark Gash cut the ribbon at Olathe’s first universal playground. The park near Indian Creek Library first opened to the public earlier in 2021 and is accessible to citizens of all ages and abilities.
In addition to city offices, Bacon served almost 20 years on the Kansas State Board of Education and the Kansas State High School Activities Association Board of Directors. He and his wife Melanie run Bacon & Associates CPA in downtown Olathe.Â
ELECTION 2023
In addition to the mayor’s seat, the Ward 1, Ward 2 and one at-large race are also all on the municipal election ballot in 2023. Four Olathe Board of Education seats are also in this election cycle.Â
Municipal races in Olathe are nonpartisan, though sometimes political action groups and coalitions affiliated with certain parties get involved.Â
The general election is scheduled for Nov. 7. The filing deadline is June 1.Â
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So who can we get to run against him? almost anyone would be better
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
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