A late night at last night's council meeting.
I'm not going into all the details. Not enough time, not enough space.
The first item that involved lengthy discussion was an item concerning Widmer Rd. It is not going to be extended. Why can't the same logic that was used for this be used for other projects? Like Monticello Road? Basically, the residents on the road not wanting the changes.
Then we move on to the brouhaha.
Suffice it to say that Councilperson Straub had sent out volumes of email to other members of the council, the city staff and the media about what he perceived to be inappropriate activities in handling certain contracts.
Basically the mayor had to reiterate certain purchasing polices that are or were in effect, and that Straub was not following procedure for what is permissable at council meetings. Eventually he had to gavel him down. Apparently staff had attempted to sit down and review the policies with Mr Straub but he never had time to do so. Methinks he was trying to grandstand a non-issue, or to create an issue when none existed.
As for the media, apparently they found Straub's emails not worth considering. True, the Shawnee Dispatch and the Shawnee-Lenexa Sun reps were there, as usual. Didn't see the Shawnee/Lenexa rep for the KC Star. But, apparently Straub had contacted some of the major broadcast media. They didn't show up. Not one microphone or TV camera. Guess that just goes to show how much weight they give to Straub's rants. Did they not show because maybe, just maybe, they feel he lacks credibility?
