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Posted on Fri, Jan. 09, 2009

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Barfield says he'll stand up to council status quo

BY BRENT D. WISTROM

The Wichita Eagle

James Barfield thinks the Wichita City Council has largely lost its way.

"Right now, there's a big disconnect between the council and the average Joe," he said.

And that's one of the main reasons he plans to run for the District 1 City Council seat, a position that represents central northeast Wichita.

He'll face incumbent Lavonta Williams.

Barfield, 68, said he would stand up to the status quo.

He said he thinks the city has spent too much on loaning businesses money and disagrees with the city's plan to pay for up to $10 million in parking near Intrust Bank Arena.

All that, he said, "yet we can't do anything about streets and sewers."

He said he would push for a six-month moratorium on tax increment finance districts and call for more stringent analysis of that incentive.

He also pledged to try to attract nonaviation businesses to create jobs -- and to not approve any tax increases.

"We've got an economic crisis across the country," he said. "Wichita is no exception to that. We've got to cut spending."

He suggested cuts be made from travel budgets that council members and city staff use to attend conferences and association meetings.

Barfield, a host on KCTU Channel 5's River City Forum, is a longtime observer of city politics. He ran for City Council against Carl Brewer, who is now mayor, eight years ago. He also ran 12 years ago.

He was also a candidate to fill the vacancy created when Brewer became mayor -- a position council members gave Williams.

Barfield has been a precinct committeeman for about 15 years and is a former member of the city's planning commission. He sits on the city's racial profiling task force and is on the state's African American Affairs Committee.

He said he attended East High, but didn't go to college.

In addition to hosting the television show, he is the owner and operator of a computer repair company.

"I'm not controlled by special interest groups and won't take money from them," he said. "I'll be a voice for the people."

Reach Brent D. Wistrom at 316-268-6228 or bwistrom@wichitaeagle.com.