Did Mayor Mickey Sandifer & Council Members Jeanie Murphy and Laurel Burchfield Abuse City Funding?

 OK, here goes.  On Monday, 4/8/24 I addressed the Shawnee City Council regarding the recent trip that the three individuals named above took to Washington, DC for the National League of Cities Conference.

I pointed out, that based on information received from the city's finance department via a KORA request that these three spent very, very, very, little time attending meetings.  That based on that information, it appeared that most of the 6 days spent in Washington were used for activities not a part of that conference.

Rather than repeat it all here, you can hear the presentation, and actually see the info on the power point presentation by going to this page on the city's website.  Move the timeline control to the 15:40 mark.

Out of over $17,000 spent it would appear that maybe half, if not more, was wasted.  I trust that these members of the governing body (and their spouses) enjoyed themselves.

It should also be noted that in that presentation I made mention of an email I had sent them which they refused to answer.  That was also posted on this blog at this link.  Why didn't they answer it?  Was it because they felt they did not have to respond to a citizen inquiry?  Or was it because they did not want to tell the truth about apparently wasting a bunch of money?

Sidebar 1:  It was brought to my attention that an individual by the name of Alex Welch Blattner posted an item about the presentation on another web site.  I read it and I laughed.  First she says that after coming back from DC they gave a full presentation at a previous council meeting.  A three minute quickie about what they did does not a full presentation make, and they said very little about how they spent the six days.  But apparently Ms. Blattner would like to denigrate my conclusions even though I had the info from the city's records, again, via a KORA (Kansas Open Records Act) request.  This individual has blinders on and does not want to face facts.  As they say in German, Das tut mir leid (sorry about that).

Sidebar 2:  Back in January when the item about rejoining the NLC came up, former councilmembers Lisa Larson-Bunnell (via an email) and Jeff Vaught (live at the meeting) voiced how they thought rejoining NLC was a good idea.  Would either of them care to reimburse the city for the funds that these three apparently wasted.

Hypocrisy of Mayor Mickey Sandifer & Councilmembers Jeanie Murphy & Laurel Burchfield

On Sunday, March 24th, I sent the following email to Mayor Mickey Sandifer and Councilmembers Murphy & Burchfield, with regards to the recent trip they took to the National League of Cities in Washington, DC:

Good morning,

 Would you be kind enough to provide the following information with regards to the March 2024 NLC meeting that you recently attended.

1. Did you bring a guest or guests with you?

2. Specifically, which meetings, seminars, lectures, classes, events did you attend?

 Thank you,

 Ray Erlichman

Suffice it to say, none of these individuals has responded.

Why do I say that their lack of response is hypocrisy?  Gee, what about their election campaigns?  With calls for unity, open government, etc.

Let's look at them individually.

SANDIFER:  Knowing Mickey for many years I again figured he wouldn't respond.  First, he doesn't like me.  Second, he appears to have an aversion to committing himself to written responses to questions.  Let's now look at his recent State of the City address as noted in the Johnson County Post

“While I do stand here as today as Shawnee’s 24th mayor, I stand here with the entire community, east and west of 435, north and south of Shawnee Mission Parkway,” he said. “Every resident, every business, every soul in our community has a reason for calling Shawnee home.”

Using his speech as a call for unity, Sandifer asked for people to stand together to get work done in the city.

“Today we put our divisions behind us,” he said. “Today we look for what will drive Shawnee forward, what will bring the next generation to Shawnee, what will define our city’s future.”

Nice words Mickey.  LOL, if you've ever heard him speak at council he can't put more than four words together in a cohesive manner.  Must have been somebody else who wrote that speech.  In house or was an outside source used?  Also, since he stumbles over reading from the agenda at meetings he was fortunate to have what appeared to be a teleprompter on stage.  Anyway, he needs to realize that he does have a responsibility to respond to citizen inquiries, all citizens.

MURPHY:  Even though I don't reside in her ward, when she is on the council she is representing the entire city, not just Ward 2.  Strange attitude coming from an individual with many years as an ordained minister.

BURCHFIELD:  Another individual who apparently feels she can ignore requests from citizens.  And in this case, a request from a resident of Ward 4, her ward.  Not a good move by this young lady.  Wonder who is advising her to ignore citizen requests.

Congrats to Angela Stiens - New State Rep in Dist 39 - JoCo Post Misses The Story

 I waited two weeks because I wanted to see if the "illustrious" JoCo Post did anything with the story.

State Rep Owen Donohoe has retired.  We wish him well in his retirement and thank him for his many years of service in Topeka on behalf of the citizens of Shawnee.

When a state rep does not finish their term, the precinct committeemen/women from that party elect the replacement who serves until the next election.  Hopefully, Angela will choose to run for a full term as she would be a great advocate for the people of Shawnee.

As for the JoCo Post not covering this, yours truly approached their reporter last night after the city council meeting.  Basically I was informed that their editor thought she might be running in the next election to replace Owen.  Apparently they don't understand the system here in Kansas or they did not perform proper research.  Or they don't like saying nice things about folks with a conservative philosophy.

Oh, they have just announced another rate increase for monthly subscribers....wheeeeee.

The Real Threat to Democracy

 Regardless of the various talking points by Joe Biden and his allies have mentioned, Donald Trump is not the real threat to democracy.

I will for now just touch base on a few items.

First, the border crisis.  Since taking office, Joe Biden has in effect created open borders.  Unless you are blind, we are talking about millions of illegal migrants crossing the border.  We are talking about unusually high numbers of unaccompanied, military aged men, from countries that we are not friendly with, crossing the border.  Biden wants the VA to provide health care for these illegals.  That is a slap in the face to every veteran who has served our country and who needs that health care.  The care provided to illegals will create wait times that are unimaginable for our veterans  to obtain that care.  The VA is stretched as it is now.  Crimes committed by these illegals ar mounting, and the "woke" prosecutors are letting many of them walk.  Their presence has stretched the budgets of the "sanctuary" cities and states who touted their sanctuary status until they have now gotten hit with putting their money where their mouths are.  Police departments are, in many cases unable to perform their duties as needed, because of these woke policies, including the stupid BS of defunding the police. Trump was controlling the border situation.

Second, voting rights.  The US Attorney General (fortunately he was stopped from becoming a member of the SCOTUS) Merrick Garland has publicly announced that he will fight any state that pushes for voter ID laws.  What?  Unbelievable.  We're not talking about voter taxes, or literacy tests.  We are talking about proof of eligibility to vote (usually a driver's license or state issued ID card).  How is that discriminatory?  Go ahead, try getting on a plane without an ID.  Try opening a bank accout without an ID.  Try cashing a check without an ID.  And so many other things, but my favorite (because MLB cancelled the All Star game in Atlanta) try getting into MLB's Hqs without a voter ID or picking up tickets at a will call window for  major sporting event.

Nest up, census counts.  Biden wants the Census Bureau to start counting illegals so that it can affect the figures for congressional apportionment and the electoral college.  Whoa, that is outrageous.  Now correlate that to his open border actions.

Let's look at red flag laws.  Proponents of this including Biden and Kamala (she who can't put together an intelligent statement) Harris are really treading on citizen's rights.  They make these things sound good, but those who don't look into them do not realize how controlling by the government and/or certain individuals this will become.  Basically, any person who feels that any other person is a threat can petition the courts to have that individual's weapons confiscated (without a hearing).  Then the person so designated has to prove that they are not a threat (guilty until proven innocent).  So, if you are having a dispute with your neighbor, let's say over a tree hanging into your yard, an dyou know that person owns guns you could claim action under a red flag order.  The potential for abuse is outrageous.  We see it every day now in other areas.  The nasty divorce when one of the spouses claims that the other sexually abused their children when they did not do so.  Then the battle to keep parental rights. Not to tke away from those cases ehere it does happen, but the false claims just to "get even" can ruin many lives.  The same with false applications for protective orders.  They take away from those who do have claims.  Again, the potential for abuse is high and happens.

What about the states that attempted to have Trump's name removed from the ballot.  The SCOTUS quashed that.  In a 9-0 ruling.  Wow.  The most egregious IMHO was Maine, where it was the secretary of state that tried it.  The attempts at using the 14th Amendment were a definite threat to democracy.  Why?  Because their made up basis that Trump led an insurrection has been shown to be baseless.  He has never been charged with that, by any of the various investigations and/or special counsels.  Let alone convicted.  So, these self appointed judges and juries have in some cases taken it upon themselves to do that.  Wrongo.  As a matter of fact it is now coming out that the Nancy Pelosi appointed committee to investigate the Jan 6th situation has been holding back info.  Specifically, that days prior to it Trump offered to send in 10,000 members of the National Guard to prevent problems and guess who tuned that down?  Nancy Pelosi.

We will touch on other items as the election gets closer.  Those who don't like Trump because he is loud mouthed, belligerent, obnoxious, vulgar, narcissistic, misogynistic, too bad.  If you continue to support Joe Biden I don't want to hear you crying about inflation, resources that are needed for our citizens going to illegals, rising crime, reduced police protection, government control of our lives or a myriad of other things, or our country being shut down for two year and its effects on education.

The real threat to democracy....Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and any of their like minded followers.

No Surprise, Mickey "The Mouse" Sandifer Did NOT Respond to My Email

 

Earlier this month I sent our not so illustrious mayor an email and published it here on this blog.

You can view it by clicking here

Now, why hasn't "The Mouse" responded?  I can only guess at the reason(s).

1.  As stated in my original post, he doesn't like me.  Too bad Mr. Mayor.  I am a citizen of Shawnee.  You work for me.  All you are doing is showing an arrogance that you feel you are above responding to citizen inquiries. Or are selective in who you respond to.  String pullers??

2.  He was presented with three possible scenarios and he quite likely didn't want to commit in writing to any of them being the factual response.  Maybe he didn't want to get caught lying.

3.  If I were to attempt a guess at which answer was the correct one, I'd guess number three.  Answer number one would be outrageous IMHO, and answer number two would be laughable.

Maybe some folks who voted for him and swallowed his BS during the campaign will eventually see him for what he is.

 

Will Sandifer Answer to What Took Place at a Previous NLC Conference?

 My email to Mickey "The Mouse" Sandifer sent this evening.  It speaks for itself.  

"Mr. Mayor,

Years ago you went on one of your many junkets to a National League of Cities conference in Washington, DC you took your granddaughter with you.

Nothing wrong with that.  You apparently personally covered all of her expenses.  No problem there.

She was at the time a very young girl.  So, here’s what I would like to know.

You were there to learn about things that could help the City of Shawnee.  Your rationale for getting us back involved with the NLC.  So, what did you do with your granddaughter?

Did you:

1. Go to the meetings and leave that little girl in the hotel room in Washington DC?
2. Go to the meetings and take her to them with you?  Oh, and how often would a child like that ask “Are we ready to leave now grandpa?”  Bored silly.  Expected.
3. Go to the meeting rooms, sign in as if you were attending, then go back upstairs and take her sightseeing?

I know you don’t like me, and history has shown that you don’t respond to my emails.  Let me clue you in.  I am a citizen of Shawnee and I have a right to question your actions.  You have an obligation to respond.  Or are you selective in who you respond to?  Like only to folks who agree with you?

Ray Erlichman"

What is Mickey "The Mouse" Sandifer Afraid Of?

 Here's the situation.  "The Mouse" has directed staff to cancel the March 11, 2024 city council meeting.

Why?  Because three members of the governing body will be going to the National League of  Cities conference in Washington, DC.

That doesn't make sense.  That still leaves six members of the governing body in Shawnee including the council president who can chair a council meeting in the mayor' absence.  Six members is more than enough to constitute a quorum.

What is "The Mouse" afraid of?  Does he feel the council will stage a mutiny without him here?  Does he feel that he is such an all knowing (LOL) leader that meetings cannot proceed without him?  Heck, he has already displayed his dictatorial tendencies.  Or did he want to protect his investment?  Yepper, he provided over $19,000 in financing out of his pocket for the election.  Figures are available at the JoCo election web site.

Johnson County Post Disrespects President's Day

This is an easy post to write.  A couple of weeks ago I wrote the editor of the local left leaning rag sheet and asked if they were closing down for President's Day.  Just like they did for Martin Luther King Day.

Apparently they did not close down.  Also, he never responded to my inquiry.  Gee, what a rude dude.  First, I am a resident of the area that they are supposedly covering, and also a monthly subscriber.   The editor's PR skills leave a lot to be desired.  Not the first time he has ignored an email from me.

Oh well.............................we understand the attitude of elitists....................

Yesss!!!! Yesss!!!! Yesss!!!!

Giving Patrick Mahomes and the KC Chiefs the ball with less than two minutes to play, when they are behind, has proven many, many times to be a prescription for a Chiefs victory.  They did it again last night.  Using Kelce as a decoy and throwing to Hardman.  Absolute genius.

Congratulations to them.  Can they threepeat?  Strong possibility.  Remember all of the experts last year who said they would not even make the playoffs (especially with the loss of Tyreek Hill)?  Wow, did they fool the experts.  Then this year, halfway through the season the same naysayers were saying it again.  Two underdog victories, on the road to get to the Super Bowl and an underdog victory at the Super Bowl.

Wanna see that play again:

And an appropriate final commentary:

Mickey "The Mouse" Sandifer Wants to Waste the City's Money

 Well guess what happened at the city council meeting of January 22, 2024?  Four members of the council and our not so illustrious mayor voted to waste city (taxpayer's) money on what, IMHO are unnecessary junkets.

OK, here's what they did.  First they voted to rejoin the National League of Cities.  The current membership fee for a city of our size is $5,999.  Now that gives us the opportunity to send a delegation to two of their meetings.  One is held in March and is always in Washington, DC.  The other meeting is rotated around the country in November.  The November 2024 meeting will be in Tampa Bay.

When Mickey "The Mouse" Sandifer was a council member he went to all of the meetings.  He also spent more time there than anybody else, and as such his expenses for attendance at these taxpayer paid vacations were usually the highest.

Here's a question that someone might want to dig into.  If these meetings (and I'll concentrate right now on the one in DC) are so beneficial how come they've been cut back from four days to two days?  On many occasions "The Mouse" would go out the night before and come back the day after.  Other folks from Shawnee did not stay as long.

For the record, besides voting to break the 4-4 tie on rejoining this organization, "The Mouse" had the backing of the following council members:  Ward 1 - Sierra Whitted, Ward 2 - Jeanie Murphy, Ward 3 - Kurt Knappen & Ward 4 - Laurel Burchfield.

Sidebar #1:  While the discussion was going on Knappen made a comment to the extent that he did not feel "book reports" were necessary.  Don't think that came up in the meeting. But it did come up in a phone discussion he and I had.  I explained to him that at one time a suggestion had been made by a council member that those who attended these conferences should file reports as to what transpired.  The purpose of the reports was supposed to be for the benefit of those who did not attend.  Think I might push for that.

Sidebar #2:  Unless I missed it, I can't figure out why the city attorney did not politely correct "The Mouse" on a procedural error.  The council was supposed to go into an executive session and "The Mouse" kept saying they were going to "reconvene to an executive session".  Heck, you recess to an executive session and then reconvene to the council meeting.  I bring this up for two reasons.  First, "The Mouse" touts his 16 years previously on the council and his "knowledge" of government.  And second, because it is in the agenda.

Recommendation: Recess to Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of a personnel matter involving a non-elected official in accordance with K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1), for the purpose of protecting the confidentiality of those communications and protecting the privacy interests of such personnel.  At the conclusion of the Executive Session, the meeting will reconvene in the Council Chambers.

 

 

Recommendation: Conclude the Executive Session and Reconvene the meeting.

Kinda reminds me of what Leslie Winkle (played by Sara Gilbert) used to call Sheldon Cooper (played by Jim Parsons) on "The Big Bang Theory"........she used to call him.......'dumba$$'  Heck, "The Mouse" can't even read the agenda..........does he suffer from BCD?  Biden Cognitive Disorder.

Chiefs vs Bills Sunday 1/21/24 - My Predictions

 OK, here goes my predictions for tomorrow's game.

Let's talk defense first.  Steve Spagnuolo will have his "D" all fired up.  My guess is that we might even see some new defensive looks during this game.  Things that are not on any tapes.  On this subject my prediction is that the Bills score 13 points ( 1 TD, 1 PAT, 2 FGs) and that Josh Allen gets sacked three times.  And there will be a Chiefs pick 6.

Now, let's look at the Chiefs offense.  Andy Reid will have at least 6 new plays, never before seen, drawn up, and will use at least four of them.  The offense will score five times, all TDs......Pacheco 2, Rice 2 and Kelce 1.  Kelce will have some great plays, lots of yards, setting up his teammates. 

So, 5 offensive TDs, 1 pick 6 and Butker going 6 for 6 on PATs and the final score will be 42-13 as the Chiefs move on up the ladder.

Sidebar:  Mahomes throws for 350+ yards, and no interceptions.

Short Term Rentals & JoCo Post Reporting

 At a recent (1/8/24) meeting of the Council Committee I spoke on a few things regarding short term rentals.

One suggestion I made was that if the ownership of a short term rental was located more than 150 miles from the property that an agent be appointed who could accept service of citations, NTAs, subpoenas, etc. Some on the committee thought that might be viable and one member (Tony Gillette) even suggested that the mileage be even closer, 100 miles,

So, now we have a pretty good idea/suggestion, IMHO.

Well, guess what?  In their reporting of that subject the Johnson County Post (formerly known as the Shawnee Mission Post) failed to include that item.  Hmmm, could it be because they don't like me?  Could it be because they don't like good ideas submitted by non-left leaning persons in general?

Here's the kicker.  In the packet for the 1/22/24 council meeting the city attorney included that idea as a possibility for inclusion in the rewrite of the chapter of the municipal code.  Ain't that a kick in the butt.

Let's take it to another item.  When the JoCo Post stated on their web site that they would be closed for MLK Day I sent an email to their editor asking if they ever closed for Memorial Day, Veteran's Day or even President's Day.  Needless to say I never received a response. I can only guess as to why not.  My guess would be that the southpaw swinging staff does not like to admit that it is because of those who have served their country that rag sheets like theirs can exist.  Yes folks, it is because of veterans defending freedom of speech and freedom of the press that the JoCo Post and bloggers are able to post their commentary.  Not to take away from MLK and what  he did for the civil rights movement, southpaws don't usually like giving credit to the military, IMHO.

I'm reminded of a long item that has been around for many years, and has been quoted here.  A portion of which says:

"It is the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the Veteran, who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, and Whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag." 

Let's see if the lefties at the JCP close next year for Memorial Day and Veteran's Day.

How To Waste $3,882.96

Well, we can kiss that money good bye.  What am I talking about?  That's what the cost was for former Mayor Distler's bye bye reception.

The breakdown was $3,525.59 paid for by the city and $357.37 paid for by the Sister City Committee.

The breakdown of the city's share is shown in the below image of the document I received in response to a KORA request.  I was wondering if in the video (total cost $2,300...$2,000 for the video itself and $300 for scripting) made mention of her accomplishment as being the only Shawnee mayor to be arrested for a felony.  I wouldn't know since I did not attend the event.

The breakdown by the city indicates that the cost of the beverages was donated by the Sister City Committee.  I sent them a request for the info and an attorney replied with the amount of $357.37 and indicated that that was for alcoholic beverages only.  BTW, a separate KORA request to the city returned the info that last year (2023) we gave the Sister City Committee $7,500 (those are taxpayer dollars) for the city's annual sponsorship of that organization.  Oh yes, did I mention they are a 501(c)3 charity organization.

Ditler still hasn't apologized to the citizens of Shawnee.  Sure would be nice if she reimbursed the city and the Sister City Committee for their expenditures.  Kinda like a delayed addendum to the diversion agreement she got..

Oh well, maybe it was worth it to finally be rid of her from city government.

Here's the breakdown that the city sent:

Who Has Trained Mickey "The Mouse" Sandifer?

 I've always wondered who trained him and who pulls his strings.

Looks like the answer is out there.

Actually, I think these little ones might be more intelligent than our newly elected dictator, I mean mayor, excuse me.  A Freudian slip.

What is Special About December 13th?

 Everyday of the year is special to someone, somewhere.  I am sure that there may be thousands of folks who can claim a special meaning for December 13th.  I will touch on four of them.

December 13th of the year just past (2023) was the second anniversary of my heart attack, which resulted in my needing a quadruple bypass.  I learned a few things.  First, a quadruple bypass is annotated in one's medical records as CABG x4 (spoken as cabbage times 4).  No it's not something that goes in salad.  Coronary artery bypass graft times 4.  Also, I would have to change my dietary regimen.  I've lost a person (110 lbs) and weigh just 5 lbs more than the day I went into the army, 29 Oct 64, and feel great.  Actually, some folks I've known for years have walked past me, not recognizing me, until I spoke.....apparently I have a distinctive voice......LOL

Many folks were born on December 13th.  Two of them have a local connection.  One is Taylor Swift, soon to be known as Mrs. Travis Kelce (my prediction, engaged by summer 2024 and married within two years of now).  The other one is our very own Dr. Mike Kemmling, currently a councilmember in Ward II here is Shawnee.  Happy belated birthday Dr. Mike.

The fourth event that I want to touch on just happened on December 13th, 2023, nineteen days ago.  The city held a reception for former mayor Michelle Distler.  I have submitted a KORA request to ascertain how much the reception cost the city.  Actually, it doesn't cost the city anything.  The city has no money.  The money comes from us, the taxpayers.  We all know the story.  Distler was arrested and charged with felony perjury.  She eventually was given diversion.  What is diversion?  It's a court approved plan where an individual performs various acts of what can best be described as punishment, and if completed successfully charges are dropped.  Or, as some would say, do the time and then forget about the crime.  Two things about the reception really bother me.  First, she never publicly apologized to the person whose name she used when performing the falsification that caused her to be charged with the felony perjury.  Me!!!  But more importantly she never apologized to the citizens of Shawnee.  She has said many times how much she cares about Shawnee and it's people.  Actually, she kept saying how much she loves the city and its people.  She's a damned liar.  If she cared about the people she would have apologized to them, especially to those who voted for her, twice, to be mayor. And, if you are really interested in how much of a liar she is, ya need to read the DA investigator's affidavit for her arrest warrant and see how many different stories she told the investigator. 

So, that's my take on December 13th.