About Leigh Phillips
I've lived in Independence for more than 40 years. I've raised a family here, watched the city change, and spent the past several years digging deeply into how our local government works.
That has meant a lot more than attending Council meetings. I've spent years reading budgets, ordinances, development agreements and public records; attending Council, Planning Commission and public hearings; and following issues from the first proposal through the decisions that followed.
I currently serve my second term as an elected Jackson County Committeewoman and was the only citizen who participated in Independence's two-day City Council retreat, where I had the opportunity to listen and learn as City leaders and staff worked through the City's operations, challenges and priorities.
I tend to get in the weeds. I want to know what was planned, what was promised, what we've spent, what happened afterward and whether something is actually working.
That's the experience and approach I would bring to representing District 1.
How I Approach Leadership
I ask a lot of questions. Usually because one answer leads to three more.
I like to understand how something got where it is — what was originally planned, what decisions were made along the way, what changed and what the records actually show. Sometimes that means going back years before looking at what should happen next.
I also don't expect to have every answer myself. Residents often know things about their streets, neighborhoods and businesses that won't show up in a staff report. I think that knowledge matters.
Then I do what I've always done: dig into the details, ask questions, listen to the people involved and keep following the issue until I understand it well enough to make a decision.
Rooted in District 1
Independence isn't just where I live. It's where I've spent more than 40 years raising a family, building relationships and watching our community change.
District 1 has its own character — older neighborhoods, historic places, longtime businesses and areas with opportunities we haven't fully explored yet.
I care about what happens here because this is home. I want to build on what's good about District 1, understand what needs attention and help make sure the decisions we make today give the people who live here good reasons to be proud of where they live.
Why I’m Running
I've spent years preparing for the opportunity to serve District 1 — following City issues, studying the records, attending the meetings and learning how decisions move through City government.
I'm running because I'm ready to put that experience to work for the people of District 1.
What the Work Has Taught Me
Years of following City government closely have taught me that the details matter.
The original plan matters. The numbers matter. The history behind a decision matters. What happens after Council votes matters too.
I've also learned that residents often know things about their neighborhoods that can't be found in a report, and some of the most important questions don't have simple answers.
Good decisions come from doing the homework, asking questions, listening to different perspectives and being willing to follow an issue wherever the facts lead.