Cortez pushes back on Cowles’ concerns about Joplin City Hall

Joplin Mayor Pro Tem Keenan Cortez is defending city leadership following Brian Cowles' resignation, saying he has not experienced the problems the former councilman described.

When asked by Newstalk KZRG about Cowles' concerns over transparency and differing viewpoints, Cortez pointed to his long tenure and said city employees have not approached him with similar complaints about supervisors or working conditions.

"A lot of the things that were expressed in a Facebook post, I have not experienced in the seven years, seven-plus years that I've been on the council," Cortez said.

Cowles raised concerns about city leadership and the treatment of dissenting opinions. Cortez said disagreements are inevitable on a nine-member council, particularly when members make competing requests of the city manager.

"Politics is messy," Cortez said. "At whatever level you go to, politics is messy."

He defended city employees' commitment to Joplin and pointed to infrastructure improvements and the council's work through difficult issues as reasons for confidence in city government.

He called Cowles' resignation unfortunate but said he remained proud of the city's accomplishments.

Cortez also defended participation in city discussions by people who live outside Joplin, noting that residents of surrounding communities come to the city for shopping, education and health care.

Details about filling Cowles' vacant seat are expected at the November 16 council meeting.

He said the process would likely include applications outlining candidates' qualifications and reasons for serving, followed by interviews or public presentations before the council selects a replacement.