- James McClinton
James A. McClinton (born 1961) is a
Kansas politician , originally fromMilwaukee, Wisconsin , and formermayor ofTopeka, Kansas who served a partial term from January 2004 to April 2005. He was appointed by the city council to replaceButch Felker who resigned amid a campaign finance scandal. (Duane Pomeroy served as acting mayor from November to December 2003.) McClinton had previously served on thecity council from 1991 to 1993 and from 1997 to 2001. He is a Democrat.James McClinton was born in Milwaukee, but subsequently moved in childhood first to
Arkansas and finally to Topeka, Kansas. He attendedWashburn University where he received anAssociate's degree inMental Health and aBachelor's Degree inCriminal Justice . He received hisMaster's Degree inPublic Administration from theUniversity of Kansas . He and his wife, Martha, have four children together.McClinton's short stint as mayor is significant for its firsts and lasts. He was the first
African American mayor of Topeka and the first mayor to be appointed by the city council. (He was chosen from a field of 40 candidates by the city council.) However, he was also the last mayor to serve the city with full authority as the populace subsequently voted in a referendum forcouncil-manager form of government in 2004 which stripped the mayor of most of his or her powers. Instead, a newcity manager and thecity council would hold non-ceremonial power. (The decision to include this initiative on the 2004 ballot was made "prior" to the appointment of McClinton, possibly in reaction to Felker's alleged abuses.) In 2004, McClinton decided against running for a full term as a "ceremonial" mayor.He was also the subject of a negative press, prior to his appointment. In 2002, he was alleged to have committed an act of domestic battery, but the charges were subsequently dropped by the district attorney.
During his time as mayor, Topeka celebrated its 150th anniversary. The city was also honored by a visit from both
George W. Bush andJohn Kerry , celebrating the anniversary of the landmarkBrown v. Board of Education decision which ended racial segregation in schools and the renovatedBrown v. Board of Education National Historic Site .External links
* [http://www.jamesmcclinton.com/media/news1231.htm Capital-Journal article about his appointment]
* [http://www.jamesmcclinton.com/media/news0101.htm Capital-Journal article, "McClinton shares background"]
* [http://www.jamesmcclinton.com/media/news0211.htm Capital-Journal article, "City focuses on historic site"]
* [http://www.jamesmcclinton.com James McClinton official website]
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