Joplin’s newest city council member isn’t new to city politics. Kennan Cortez has served as chairman of the Public Safety Sales Tax Task Force, the Joplin Police Advisory Council and Public Safety Coalition. He’s a former member of the Capital Improvement and Public Safety Sales Tax Oversight Committee and was member and chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission. City Council chose Cortez last week to fill the vacant General Seat on the council. He’ll serve until the next election in 2020.
Ten citizens applied to fill the seat that became vacant upon council member, Jim West’s resignation in February.
Mayor Gary Shaw said they look forward to having Keenan, who brings “good experience with city business and proceedings” on the Council.