It’s been a path for this Platte County resident that has included participating in leadership roles for local civic and non-profit organizations, time as a City Councilman, and a career as an attorney working on some of the area’s largest economic development projects. Now, with an impressive resume of public involvement and private business accomplishments, Burke believes he is the right person to be elected Kansas City’s next mayor, the first Platte County resident to ever hold the position.
“I’m very fortunate to look around and say that I had a role to play in numerous projects that have had a lasting and positive impact on our city,” Burke said. “I am proud of my accomplishments and want to take these experiences with me to the mayor’s office. I want all of us to realize these success stories again and be proud of Kansas City.”
A crowded field of six seek to unseat incumbent Mayor Mark Funkhouser, all of which also have credentials to their name.
Although Burke grew up in Midtown and attended Rockhurst High School before going on to graduate from Georgetown University and Georgetown Law, he moved to southern Platte County when he returned from school to start his career, and later a family, and has now lived here going on close to 35 years. His interest in community was sparked from involvement in small organizations such as the one that worked to improve Barry Road in the 70’s followed by the development of what are now Synergy Services and SafeHaven. He served as director of what is now known as the Northland Chamber of Commerce which motivated him to run for the City Council representing the Northland in 1985 to fill an unexpired term. As a councilman, he gained a reputation for being straight forward and having an ability to build relationships.
With a wealth of knowledge gained in the processes and functionality of city government while serving as a member of the Council, he decided to not run for re-election at the end of his term. A young family at home, Burke decided to focus more time there while also re-entering the private sector working to represent clients working on economic development projects. At this point in his life, he thought his Council days would be his last as an elected official, but it didn’t take long for his passion to participate in the public arena motivate him to dedicate his time to local causes. Throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s, he used his expertise in economic development techniques and knowledge of local government processes to serve as Director of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City along with the Port Authority, two of the leading economic bodies for the city of Kansas City, Missouri. One of his most visible contributions was in the form of his professional assistance along with personal commitment to the development of Berkley Park on the Missouri Riverfront where he later helped create the KC Riverfest event held each summer.
It was a little over a year ago when Burke, who had participated in the growth of his hometown his entire career, saw a city government he didn’t think was living up to its full potential. An economic recession and an inability for the current council and mayor to work together were allowing important problems to go unaddressed like businesses relocating to Kansas, building the infrastructure needed for a strong and vibrant downtown, capital improvements and maintenance, providing jobs and housing. All issues Burke has extensive experience with and an in-depth knowledge of from his past work on the Council along with private sector application.
“I have unique insight into how to draw and keep businesses and jobs in Kansas City,” Burke said. “Over the years, I’ve taken part in a wide variety of civic and charitable groups and forged a reputation for optimism, coalition-building, and for enticing businesses to invest in our community.”
But the most troubling thing of all to Burke was the type of leadership that had taken over City Hall and the affect it was having on the overall city. He says one of his most important priorities would be to provide leadership that makes Kansas Citians proud of their city and have trust in their elected officials.
“I would restore leadership and professionalism to the mayor's office. We have had neither for four long years. We have a great city with many successes and opportunities. Building on them is within our grasp, but only with a mayor who reaches out to the city council, to business, to other area governments and to our citizens,” Burke said.
