A last-minute change to the Clay County Commission agenda sparked sharp criticism after several commissioners questioned Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte's decision to postpone a citizen recognition just days before the Aug. 4 election. 

 The criticism centered on Jennifer Justice, a candidate for Clay County presiding commissioner, who was scheduled to receive a Clay County 250 Citizen Challenge coin after completing the county's civic engagement program. Justice's recognition appeared on a draft agenda but not the final version after Nolte said he asked that the presentation be moved to the following week because of the election's proximity. During the recent meeting, multiple commissioners criticized the decision, while Nolte maintained he had requested the presentation be rescheduled rather than removed. 

 Eastern Commissioner Jay Johnson raised the issue during approval of the agenda, questioning why Justice's recognition had been moved from the final agenda. 

"So, you wanted her removed from the agenda from getting her award, like everybody else does, because she's running against you for presiding commissioner. Is that why you had her removed from tonight's agenda?" asked Johnson. 

 Nolte disputed Johnson's characterization, saying he had not sought to remove the recognition but instead asked that it be rescheduled. 

“I had talked to Commissioner (Scott) Wagner, and he said it didn't matter to him when it was,” explained Nolte. “So I thought, given the proximity of the election, if he would be so kind as to wait until next week, and he agreed to do so.”  

 Johnson called the decision "highly unethical," saying Justice had earned the recognition and should have been treated no differently than other participants who completed the program. 

He argued the decision placed politics ahead of the county's residents, saying Justice was "a citizen, just like all the other citizens that come before us" who had completed the program and deserved the same recognition. He also criticized what he described as career politicians making decisions based on "what's best for them, not what's best for our community and for our citizens." 

“You're making a decision, quite frankly, a stupid decision, to keep her off our agenda tonight to get an award simply because you think a few people are going to be swayed by this and it's all about Jerry,” stated Johnson. “The fact that we'regoing to keep her off the agenda just because you're afraid it might look bad for you or good for her a few days before the election, that's ridiculous. That's absolutely ridiculous.”  

 Before yielding the floor, Johnson noted the situation reflected what he described as a pattern of "behind the scenes games" that had eroded confidence in Nolte's leadership. 

"Nobody on this commission supports you,” he said. “You don't have leadership ability at all with this commission because of stupid things like this you've done over and over again. There’s an old saying: for evil to triumph, all it takes is for a few good men to say nothing, do nothing and just idly stand by. I don't idly stand by, Jerry. I'm not going to idly stand by with this.”  

 Before recognizing additional commissioners wishing to speak, Nolte attempted to address a separate agenda item involving proposed improvements on 144th Street. Johnson raised a point of order, arguing Commissioners Jason Withington and JoAnn Lawson had been waiting to speak. After the county counselor advised the waiting commissioners should be recognized first, Nolte yielded the floor to Withington. 

 Withington then echoed Johnson's concerns, saying the decision reflected what he described as a pattern of Nolte using his position to benefit himself and his friends. 

Withington explained he had seen a text message in which Nolte requested that Justice's recognition be removed from that week's agenda for political reasons. He also alleged Nolte had previously removed Justice from the Kansas City TIF Commission because she was a candidate. 

He questioned why another county commission candidate, Theresa Leaming, continued delivering the meeting's invocation while campaigning against Western Commissioner Jon Carpenter. 

"You don't have a problem with Teresa giving the invocation once or twice a month, who is a candidate against John Carpenter because she's your friend," stated Withington. "I have not seen you ever request since she filed to run against John to not give the invocation." 

 Withington also referenced comments made during the previous week's meeting about recognition from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, accusing Nolte of using the commissioner’s comments to make it appear the sheriff had singled him out for recognition, before the sheriff later returned to the podium and thanked the entire commission. 

"You are hypocritical. You are unethical and it needs to stop," he said. "You owe Jennifer an apology and you should apologize to her before we move this agenda forward. I'm not kidding. We will sit here all night." 

 As Withington continued pressing for an apology, Nolte compared the exchange to past instances when commissioners "would hold the agenda hostage."  

Withington responded Nolte was doing the same thing before again demanding an apology. 

 Nolte declined, responding, "I am not going to indulge in this conversation." 

 Withington continued pressing for an apology before broadening his criticism of Nolte's leadership. 

"Who's the common denominator? You are," stated Withington. "There's a reason why not one person on this body is supporting you for re-election. You are not a leader. You're trying to be a dictator." 

 He later called on Nolte to resign or step aside from running the meeting, arguing the recognition should have remained on the agenda. 

"You have politicized this meeting, and you were scared we were going to say nice things about Jen Justice,” he said. “You would have been better off just giving her the damn coin or allowing Scott to give her the coin. Do better, Jerry. You're a disappointment." 

Lawson also criticized the decision, emphasizing she was "extremely disappointed" and believed it forced political divisions she had hoped to avoid. 

She praised Justice's “clean” campaign and business ethics, saying she had not supported either candidate because she wanted to avoid "drama and things of that nature."  

 Lawson also noted Justice's family had attended the meeting expecting to see her receive the recognition but would not be able to return the following week. 

"The girl worked for it. She deserved it, and I would have loved to have seen her get it while her family was here," explained Lawson. "This is unbelievably petty and lowlife to do this to her, very underhanded. It should have never happened." 

 Before concluding, Lawson said the incident undermined the commission's efforts to work together after the 2022 election. 

"This is another thing that pulls this commission apart," she said. “Right after I won the election, we talked about, ‘Let's pull everybody together. We've got some great people who have been elected. We're going to make changes. We'regoing to do wonderful things for this county. You had me so fired up and I was ready to win the world. Then things like this happen, and it's just such a punch in the gut. I’m extremely disappointed, but in a lot of ways, I’m not surprised." 

 The amended agenda was approved on a 4-2 vote, with Johnson, Wagner, Eastern Commissioner Megan Thompson and Western Commissioner Jon Carpenter voting in favor.  Withington and JoAnn Lawson voted against it. 

 After completing the remainder of the agenda, the group returned to the issue during commissioner comments, with several again apologizing to Justice and addressing the controversy. 

 Withington again apologized to Justice before presenting her with his own Clay County 250 Citizen Challenge coin, which he said had been given to him by Wagner several weeks earlier. 

"You were coming tonight expecting a challenge coin, so I want you to leave with my challenge coin," stated Withington. "I apologize for how this presiding commissioner handled that tonight." 

 Wagner confirmed Justice was expected to return the following week for the official presentation before encouraging residents to become informed voters, saying the challenge itself was intended to promote civic engagement. 

 Nolte closed commissioner comments by encouraging residents to research the issues before casting their ballots. 

"Don't be swayed by hyperbolic promises. Don't be swayed by political theater," said Nolte. "Go out, do your research, be a thoughtful and informed voter." 

 The election will be held tomorrow, Aug. 4.