Merriam recently rediscussed their dangerous dog ordinance and rejected BSL! Good for you Merriam! However, it is disappointing that some other bad legislation made its way in - a pet limit of only two dogs. 

Members with an Asterisks are not up for re-election -- all other races are contested. 

Mayor - Primary Election March 3, 2009

Carl Wilkes  -- Incumbant Favors BSL. This quote ran in an article in the Kansas City Star discussing Merriam's new dangerous dog ordinance. "It doesn’t negate my feelings on the pit bull issue. At this point I don’t want to consider more changes right now. But I think eventually we are going to have to revisit the pit bull issue.” 

Dan Leap - Dan is a current member of the city council and does not support breed specific legislation, and is a strong supporter of Animal Haven adoption center in Merriam. He even voted against the current dangerous dog ordinance (that is actually pretty good by most city's standards) because he disagreed with the pet limits. Dan is consistant across the board on thinking that the government does too much to interfere with people's lives and rights and tries to keep that in check.  Dan is a friend to the animal community.

Ken Sissom  -Ken is former police chief and a former owner of Bull Terriers. He thinks the city's breed neutral dangerous dog ordinance is working well. Would not be opposed to looking at some type of tethering restrictions in the community.  Would favor a Johnson County regional animal shelter (which Animal Haven is actually working on).  Feels like Merriam as a community has been very supportive (maybe even overly so?) of Animal Haven's goal of creating a no-kill community.

 Ward 1

*Bryan Burks -

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Chad Rowe - From the KC Star: Councilman Chad Rowe said that while he supports the revisions he still favors a pit bull ban because he believes breeds of the dog are dangerous. He also fears that as more surrounding cities implement bans, Merriam will become a refuge for pit bull owners.

John Canterbury  - Is a strong supporter of the no-kill movement and has worked in the past with the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City (a group we like) on several fundraisers.  He opposes breed specific regulations, and notes that it is the owner's fault, not the dog's. Is a fan of off-site adoption drives at places liek the Merriam Farmer's Market and the Turkey Creek Festival.   Would even be a fan of donating booth space to these organizations at no cost to the shelters.  He would be interested in talkng about an ordinannce on tethering restrictions and working with rescues and other experts on the best ways to address issues.

Ward 2

John Crabtree - stance unknown

Eric Hoffman -- Stance unknown

Jim Wymer - Stance Unknown

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*Dan Leap - Dan is the incumbant and does not support breed specific legislation, and is a strong supporter of Animal Haven adoption center in Merriam. He even voted against the current dangerous dog ordinance (that is actually pretty good by most city's standards) because he disagreed with the pet limits. Dan is consistant across the board on thinking that the government does too much to interfere with people's lives and rights and tries to keep that in check.  Dan is a friend to the animal community.

Ward 3

*Nancy Hupp  - Does not support BSL. Also favors the current ordinance that provides for humane tethering (limits time out, must have proper water and shade/shelter). 

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Christine Evans Hands - Stance Unknown

Kevin Buchta - Is a former dog owner that calls the idea of building KC into a no-kill community "commendable". He is opposed to raising pet limits and is not certain about many of the other policies that are part of no-kill, including being uncertain about breed discriminatory laws. Is open to hearing from groups like KCDA as long as their information is germane to the issue with constructive alternatives.

Norman L. Morris - Stance Unknown

Ward 4

Gayle Stephens (Incumbant) - Stance Unknown

Sam Matier -  I would never own a pit bull, but I respect the rights of those residents who do enjoy them as pets. Merriam was correct in not banning any specific breed. We only need to rid the city of animals that pose a threat to the physical safety of our residents whether that animal is a pit bull, cocker spaniel or poodle. Unfortunately, I believe the council spent too much time studying the issues and wasted money. Matier doesn't favor tethering for dogs, but overall thinks government should interfere with people's lives as little as possible.

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*Pam Bertoncin  -  It is the responsibility of every city to ensure the safety of its citizens, whether it be from vicious animals or people. Merriam has an outstanding record of providing safety for our citizens. …The only addition I would recommend would be … requiring the animal owner to attend or pay for professional training classes when an offense occurs, so that (the owner) can understand what is causing the bad behavior and correct it.  outside boarding kennels at their new facility because it would be too noisy.