Kevin Straub - Ward III Special Election

Kevin Straub has tossed his hat into the ring for the Ward III special election (primary) to fill the unexpired 2 years of the term by former council member Justin Adrian.

Kevin will be facing Lisa Larson-Bunnell who was appointed to temporarily fill the position until this election and Greg Sitzman.  The top two vote getters in this election on August 6th will move on to the  general election November 5th.

You might want to visit Kevin's web site at  Kevin Straub for Shawnee City Council | Ward 3 Special Election  

Kevin will help to get the city council set on going down the right road for Shawnee's future.  Vote for Kevin.

Jenkins/Kemmling Proposal for Storm Water Pipes

The condition of Shawnee's storm water pipes has been a subject of discussion since the recent presentation that pipe failures could cost as much as $140 million over the next 10 years.

Councilmembers Eric Jenkins and Mike Kemmling have prepared a proposal and resolution to address this item. It can be read at https://cityofshawnee.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/24449?preview=24451

This item is going to be discussed at the Council Committee meeting on Tuesday June 18, 2019 at city hall beginning at 7:00PM

The proposal makes sense.  Citizens are encouraged to attend the meeting and to support this important concept.

Stephanie Meyer - Talks From Both Sides of Her Mouth

Well it looks like I missed some fun and games at city hall Monday night.  Not gonna get into much of what was said.  I do want to discuss procedures.

Seems like some citizens had a few things to say and then Councilmember Mickey Sandifer decided to wait until "Miscellaneous Council Items" to get real down and dirty with a member of the public.  Based on eyewitness accounts and audio files this is basically what happened next.

A citizen got up to rebut what he was saying.  Stephanie Meyer and Mickey Sandifer shouted out you can't do that it is not allowed.  City manager Nolan Sunderman whispered into the mayor's ear with what was probably an interpretation of the council procedures and the mayor said that the citizen couldn't say anything.  It was not allowed.  Former Councilmember Jeff Vaught yelled out to that citizen to sit down and that it was not allowed for them to speak during that part of the meeting.

Well, that was bad information.  On Oct 26, 2015 Policy Statement 7 was modified in Section IV(D)(2) to give citizens the right to speak during miscellaneous council items.  And if anybody is interested the Shawnee Dispatch had a nice article about that change and it is still available on line at http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2015/oct/29/council-approves-additional-public-comment-meeting/

What is really interesting is Stephanie Meyer's quote in the above referenced article.  "Anytime we can increase public participation at meetings, I'm for it."  Looks like she became a little two faced on that subject.  Guess citizen participation is only good if she feels the same as they do.  And this individual, who apparently now wants to restrict citizen input after saying how great it was, wants to be mayor of our city.  Which side of her mouth will she be talking from tomorrow?  She'll say just about anything to get elected. 

Now as for Vaught.....what gives him the right to tell another citizen to sit down?  What gives him the right to say it is not allowed for them to speak at that time?  Go back to various on line articles and previous meetings before Oct 26, 2015.  Jeff The Bully Vaught was the major impetus for getting that part of the policy statement changed.  He had a nasty habit of using Miscellaneous Council items to say some negative things about citizens and they couldn't, until the change, rebut what he said.

As for the City Manager, Nolan Sunderman, if he did in fact advise the mayor that citizen input was not allowed at that time he was way off base. 

 

We Steal a Good One From Lenexa

I think it has finally happened.  Last week Hayward's Pit BBQ relocated to 10901 W. 75th St in Shawnee (two blocks east of Nieman).  That is the building that has seen a revolving door effect with restaurants.

Well, it looks like we finally have a winner in that building.  Went there Friday night.  Wait time was about 45 minutes.  They were jammed.  Parking lot was full.  Fantastic.  Friend of mine told me that parking lot was also jammed at lunch.

Enjoyed dinner.  Food was good.  Wait staff was friendly, upbeat and checked back which, considering how crowded they were could have  taken a hit.  Kudos to the wait staff.  Kudos to the kitchen staff. 

Even with all the previous owners it had been a long time since the interior was remodeled.  It finally happened now. 

Looks like we finally have a keeper at that location.

The Longest Day

In 1962 the film "The Longest Day" was released.  It was a portrayal of the Normandy landings on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Tomorrow is the 75th anniversary of that momentous occasion.  Below is the theme song from that movie with lyrics.  Listen to the lyrics, please.  And if you get a chance, watch the movie. 

Who Is Running?

Today was the last day to file and/or withdraw from the local city elections.

So, what is happening now:

Primary Election:  August 6, 2019.  The top two finishers in each contest will advance to the General Election November 5, 2019

Mayor

Michelle Distler (Incumbent)
Dawn Tubbesing
Ajay Sood
Stephanie Meyer

Council Member Ward 3 Full Term Four Years

Kurt Knappen
Nick Reed
Dawn Rattan

Council Member Ward 3 Unexpired Two Year Term

Kevin Straub
Lisa Larson-Bunnell (Incumbent)
Greg Sitzmann

Council Member Ward 4 Full Term Four Years

Kris Durbin
Matthew Shaw
Jill Chalfie

General Election:  November 5, 2019  These individuals will run in November as they do not have any primary challengers in August

Council Member Ward 1 Full Term Four Years

Tammy Thomas
Jim Neighbor (Incumbent)

Council Member Ward 2 Full Term Four Years

Eric Jenkins (Incumbent)
Andy Rondon

Does Stephanie Meyer Really Care?

Below is a screen capture from her FB page.  The sentiments are really nice.  I would even agree with them.  But, does she mean them?

 

 

 

Why do I ask if she really means what she wrote?  Easy.  Apparently, prior to the council meeting a citizen had done some research and discovered the names of five Shawnee folks who gave their lives in Vietnam.  While Mayor Distler read those names aloud for as a tribute, Ms. Meyer could be seen pecking away on her cell phone.  Gosh Stephanie, couldn't those texts have waited just a few minutes so you could really pay tribute.  Or are you all lip service?  Maybe.  Do you ever pay attention to what is happening at any council meeting or are you always pecking away on your cell phone?