Guess what? A suggestion I submitted to the city has gotten absolutely no response whatsoever. The response should have come from either the city manager or the city clerk, but primarily the city manager.
On 9/15/13 I submitted a suggestion to the city concerning the info submitted by the applicants for the soon to be vacated Ward III council seat. See post at http://www.shawneeray.blogspot.com/2013/09/info-on-applicants-for-ward-iii-position.html
The idea was to save time and money for the city, and to make it easier for folks to obtain the info on the applicants so they could review it and submit comments to their council persons. This is especially important since the mayor has already said that there would be no public input at the 10/28/13 special council meeting.
What was the suggestion? To put the applicants' info on line so folks could download them. That would eliminate having to process KORA requests. Well guess what? Not only has the suggestion not been implemented, but I never got a reply saying it was a good idea, a bad idea or even a courteous "thanks for the idea". I bet if certain other folks had submitted the idea it would have been implemented.
Anyway, I did submit KORA requests, and, as usual, our city clerk handled them in a most expeditious manner. For that I am thankful.
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Monday, October 07, 2013
Saturday, October 05, 2013
Questioning Elected Officials
Sitting here, I am reminded of Mayor Jeff Meyers' comments in the Shawnee Dispatch about some folks asking too many questions.
I'm reminded how some members of the city council have complained about citizens asking questions. And even get offended that the questions get asked.
I'm reminded how some local elected officials fail to respond with specific answers to specific, direct questions.
I'm reminded how the city manager dances around certain questions, or refuses to answer altogether.
And then I'm reminded about a scene from the movie "The American President". In this scene, the Michael J Fox character who is on the President's staff, questions the President. The Martin Sheen character, then takes the Fox character to task for questioning the President. This is the result:
A. J. MacInerney: The President doesn't answer to you, Lewis!
Lewis Rothschild: Oh, yes he does A.J. I'm a citizen, this is my President. And in this country it is not only permissible to question our leaders it's our responsibility!
Going forward I will continue to question those items that I feel need questioning. I will continue to point out the hypocrisy of those officials who refuse to provide specific answers to specific questions. And, the City of Shawnee is hereby put on notice that if the person that gets the $70K per year job as PIO becomes a puppet for the city and fails to respond to direct queries, that person will be held accountable. That is our money, and we deserve to have it spent to properly inform and respond to us and not be a propaganda generator.
So, let's reiterate "Lewis Rothschild's" comment: And in this country it is not only permissible to question our leaders it's our responsibility! And we better start getting real answers.
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I'm reminded how some members of the city council have complained about citizens asking questions. And even get offended that the questions get asked.
I'm reminded how some local elected officials fail to respond with specific answers to specific, direct questions.
I'm reminded how the city manager dances around certain questions, or refuses to answer altogether.
And then I'm reminded about a scene from the movie "The American President". In this scene, the Michael J Fox character who is on the President's staff, questions the President. The Martin Sheen character, then takes the Fox character to task for questioning the President. This is the result:
A. J. MacInerney: The President doesn't answer to you, Lewis!
Lewis Rothschild: Oh, yes he does A.J. I'm a citizen, this is my President. And in this country it is not only permissible to question our leaders it's our responsibility!
Going forward I will continue to question those items that I feel need questioning. I will continue to point out the hypocrisy of those officials who refuse to provide specific answers to specific questions. And, the City of Shawnee is hereby put on notice that if the person that gets the $70K per year job as PIO becomes a puppet for the city and fails to respond to direct queries, that person will be held accountable. That is our money, and we deserve to have it spent to properly inform and respond to us and not be a propaganda generator.
So, let's reiterate "Lewis Rothschild's" comment: And in this country it is not only permissible to question our leaders it's our responsibility! And we better start getting real answers.
WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.
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Friday, October 04, 2013
Four Have Now Filed
Another individual has filed for the soon to be vacated Ward III council seat.
That individual is Jeff King.
That individual is Jeff King.
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
Three Have Filed for Ward III Seat
As of yesterday, three individuals have filed for the Ward
III seat which is soon to be vacant because of the resignation of Dawn Kuhn.
They are: Jason Sheahan, Stephanie Meyer and Owen Donohoe.
Donohoe was a three term state representative that represented
Ward III and a portion of Ward I. He is definitely a man who knows what
the folks in Ward III want from a representative.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Shawnee, Open Wide and say Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!
We are not talking about your throat for a doctor to check for an infection. We are talking about your wallets. Yepper, it's coming. What is it? Tax increases.
Let's start with this article regarding a Sept. 17, 2013 council committee meeting in the Shawnee Dispatch. Please read it, along with the other links posted here. I will have some additional comments at the end of this post.
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2013/sep/18/kendall-higher-taxes-coming-soon-shawnee/
Back in April, City Manger Gonzales was so happy about not having to raise taxes for the 2014 budget. Notice though how she doesn't really mention what is in store for 2015 and beyond. Didn't she see it coming? Was the info not being given to the citizens of Shawnee? Was she purposely omitting that. Don't believe me? Please read this article: http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2013/apr/23/city-manager-2014-budget-wont-require-tax-increase/
Then the City of Olathe indicated that they would be looking at tax increases. No kidding, and I wondered if the same would be happening to Shawnee. That can be read here:
http://www.shawneeray.blogspot.com/2013/07/will-shawnee-follow-olathe.html#links
And then , wonder of wonders, Mayor Jeff Meyers plants the seed for a tax increase.
http://www.shawneeray.blogspot.com/2013/07/is-mayor-planting-seed-for-tax-increases.html#links
Now, the Sept 17th committee meeting was one of the few I have missed. I haven't seen the minutes , as they are not posted yet, but it is my understanding that one of the council members (from Ward III, Vaught) had indicated something to the effect that if there was a tax increase then funds normally allocated for street repairs should go to other areas.
Whoooops. If we need a tax increase for street repairs, then let's also keep any "normal" allocations for that purpose. And, let's cut out the nonsense with the $3 million that we get from Deffenbaugh and apply all of it to infrastructure updates/maintenance. This as opposed to the current plan of 50/50 with streets and eco development. That could reduce the tax increases and maybe allow for them to have a specific end date, or project to revert back after a certain time frame.
As I said above, "Shawnee, Open Wide and say Ahhhhhhh"
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Let's start with this article regarding a Sept. 17, 2013 council committee meeting in the Shawnee Dispatch. Please read it, along with the other links posted here. I will have some additional comments at the end of this post.
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2013/sep/18/kendall-higher-taxes-coming-soon-shawnee/
Back in April, City Manger Gonzales was so happy about not having to raise taxes for the 2014 budget. Notice though how she doesn't really mention what is in store for 2015 and beyond. Didn't she see it coming? Was the info not being given to the citizens of Shawnee? Was she purposely omitting that. Don't believe me? Please read this article: http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2013/apr/23/city-manager-2014-budget-wont-require-tax-increase/
Then the City of Olathe indicated that they would be looking at tax increases. No kidding, and I wondered if the same would be happening to Shawnee. That can be read here:
http://www.shawneeray.blogspot.com/2013/07/will-shawnee-follow-olathe.html#links
And then , wonder of wonders, Mayor Jeff Meyers plants the seed for a tax increase.
http://www.shawneeray.blogspot.com/2013/07/is-mayor-planting-seed-for-tax-increases.html#links
Now, the Sept 17th committee meeting was one of the few I have missed. I haven't seen the minutes , as they are not posted yet, but it is my understanding that one of the council members (from Ward III, Vaught) had indicated something to the effect that if there was a tax increase then funds normally allocated for street repairs should go to other areas.
Whoooops. If we need a tax increase for street repairs, then let's also keep any "normal" allocations for that purpose. And, let's cut out the nonsense with the $3 million that we get from Deffenbaugh and apply all of it to infrastructure updates/maintenance. This as opposed to the current plan of 50/50 with streets and eco development. That could reduce the tax increases and maybe allow for them to have a specific end date, or project to revert back after a certain time frame.
As I said above, "Shawnee, Open Wide and say Ahhhhhhh"
WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.
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Tuesday, September 24, 2013
KC Star Comments on Council Selection Process
Last week, the KC Star ran a story about the upcoming selection process to fill the soon to be vacant Ward III seat.
I think it's a pretty interesting story, especially since it's not from anyone with an interest in the outcome.
Read it here at http://www.kansascity.com/2013/09/17/4488440/questions-resurface-as-shawnee.html
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I think it's a pretty interesting story, especially since it's not from anyone with an interest in the outcome.
Read it here at http://www.kansascity.com/2013/09/17/4488440/questions-resurface-as-shawnee.html
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Sunday, September 22, 2013
Why Do We Get Inflated New Job Projections?
In the past couple of months we have been given, what I feel, are inflated job projection numbers for two development projects. This is usually done when the city council has to look and vote on various financial packages for the developments.
Holiday Inn Express
The city council was told that this 112 room, mid-priced, limited service hotel would generate 70 new employees. One of the council members, Michelle Distler questioned this figure, for various reasons. Her figure of approximately 25 employees makes more sense.
Those of us who have either stayed at, or done business with these types of hotels know that the figure of approximately 25 employees makes more sense. Let's break it down.
Maintenance: 2, if they are lucky 3
Housekeeping: 8-10
Front end: 8-10 This would include a GM, ass't GM, front desk clerks during the day and a night clerk/auditor. Unless they have a large number of meeting rooms (which they usually don't) the GM or the assistant would also function as sales manager. Keeping in mind their function would be to get businesses to have folks stay there and use the meeting rooms. With no kitchen, all food would be catered in. Morning continental breakfasts would be handled by one of the front desk personnel.
Do we need this hotel? Yes Would 25 new jobs benefit the city? Yes Do we need the over inflated potential new job figures? No
West Link Business Park
OK, the first building is going in. It will be 170,000 sq ft. That's a nice size. The projected new jobs figure was stated as 250. Who is kidding who? We have all seen buildings like this in other business parks. They are usually subdivided into smaller units. Believe the builder even said no unit would be less than 20,000 sq ft. Where are the 250 potential new jobs coming from? You would need one heck of a manufacturing company, taking the whole building, and possibly running multiple shifts. Or, would dividing the building into smaller units, the kind we've seen elsewhere, that have warehouse space (and workers) and some front office personnel be more plausible? These types of facilities then usually employ between 5-8 people. That means we would be looking at between 40-60 new jobs. It is my understanding that the local chamber was given a presentation about this and that the dividing up of the building was a key factor. Also, look at the artist's rendition of what the building would look like at http://www.shawneedispatch.com/photos/2013/jul/02/52464/
Are there even enough parking places planned for 250 or are they planned for the subdividing of the building?
Do we need this development? Yes Would 40-50 new jobs benefit the city? Yes Do we need the over inflated potential new job figures? No
Going forward, I will have no problems in labeling over inflated potential new jobs as BS.
The city manager has expressed concern that local bloggers and local media sometimes provide bad or misinformation. Maybe, just maybe, she should look at the information that the SEDC provides to the city council when it comes to info that the council relies on to approve financial incentives.
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Holiday Inn Express
The city council was told that this 112 room, mid-priced, limited service hotel would generate 70 new employees. One of the council members, Michelle Distler questioned this figure, for various reasons. Her figure of approximately 25 employees makes more sense.
Those of us who have either stayed at, or done business with these types of hotels know that the figure of approximately 25 employees makes more sense. Let's break it down.
Maintenance: 2, if they are lucky 3
Housekeeping: 8-10
Front end: 8-10 This would include a GM, ass't GM, front desk clerks during the day and a night clerk/auditor. Unless they have a large number of meeting rooms (which they usually don't) the GM or the assistant would also function as sales manager. Keeping in mind their function would be to get businesses to have folks stay there and use the meeting rooms. With no kitchen, all food would be catered in. Morning continental breakfasts would be handled by one of the front desk personnel.
Do we need this hotel? Yes Would 25 new jobs benefit the city? Yes Do we need the over inflated potential new job figures? No
West Link Business Park
OK, the first building is going in. It will be 170,000 sq ft. That's a nice size. The projected new jobs figure was stated as 250. Who is kidding who? We have all seen buildings like this in other business parks. They are usually subdivided into smaller units. Believe the builder even said no unit would be less than 20,000 sq ft. Where are the 250 potential new jobs coming from? You would need one heck of a manufacturing company, taking the whole building, and possibly running multiple shifts. Or, would dividing the building into smaller units, the kind we've seen elsewhere, that have warehouse space (and workers) and some front office personnel be more plausible? These types of facilities then usually employ between 5-8 people. That means we would be looking at between 40-60 new jobs. It is my understanding that the local chamber was given a presentation about this and that the dividing up of the building was a key factor. Also, look at the artist's rendition of what the building would look like at http://www.shawneedispatch.com/photos/2013/jul/02/52464/
Are there even enough parking places planned for 250 or are they planned for the subdividing of the building?
Do we need this development? Yes Would 40-50 new jobs benefit the city? Yes Do we need the over inflated potential new job figures? No
Going forward, I will have no problems in labeling over inflated potential new jobs as BS.
The city manager has expressed concern that local bloggers and local media sometimes provide bad or misinformation. Maybe, just maybe, she should look at the information that the SEDC provides to the city council when it comes to info that the council relies on to approve financial incentives.
WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.
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Saturday, September 21, 2013
Let's Party, Or, Are We Inivted?
A new precedent was set when Uncle Alan Willoughby's appointed term to the council ended. A bye-bye reception was held at city hall.
In an email dated August 8th from city manager Carol Gonzales to Jim Neighbor in which Dawn Kuhn's upcoming resignation was discussed it was stated by the city manager "We will probably plan a reception to thank Dawn, before the meeting on the 14th, similar to what we did for Alan."
Since this reception will probably be held in city hall, (most likely in the conference room across from the planning department), and the costs covered with city (read that as taxpayer) funds, maybe the citizens of Shawnee should also be invited. Bet there are a lot of people who would attend just to see that Kuhn really is going bye-bye, and happy about it. The council will probably be a better place when this classic harridan departs.
Keep that date in mind, Monday 10/14, probably around 6:30PM. (Correction originally shown as 8/14)
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In an email dated August 8th from city manager Carol Gonzales to Jim Neighbor in which Dawn Kuhn's upcoming resignation was discussed it was stated by the city manager "We will probably plan a reception to thank Dawn, before the meeting on the 14th, similar to what we did for Alan."
Since this reception will probably be held in city hall, (most likely in the conference room across from the planning department), and the costs covered with city (read that as taxpayer) funds, maybe the citizens of Shawnee should also be invited. Bet there are a lot of people who would attend just to see that Kuhn really is going bye-bye, and happy about it. The council will probably be a better place when this classic harridan departs.
Keep that date in mind, Monday 10/14, probably around 6:30PM. (Correction originally shown as 8/14)
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Sunday, September 15, 2013
Info on Applicants for Ward III Position
I have sent the following email to the city clerk, with copies to the governing body and the city manager:
In response to a question I sent to members of the council, part of Neal Sawyer’s is quoted below:
“I believe that we should conduct the interview process without public comment. I believe that the people that are interested in the appointment will contact the council members prior to the special meeting to let them know if they have concerns about a candidate or would like for them to support a candidate. That way the council members have time to carefully consider any citizen comments rather than hear them only minutes before a vote is cast.”
There is one minor problem with the above. Access to the information, i.e.cover letter,
resumé, and other items required to be submitted, apparently is only available
right now by KORA request.
The only individual who has applied so far (according to the city’s web site) is a Jason Sheahan, and that was a little over a week ago, and there is no link to the info.
I am suggesting the link for the applicants’ info be created within 24-48 hours of their submission. This time frame becomes important especially if individuals wait until near closing date, since the meeting will be held 6 days after the closing date. This would then allow citizens time to research the qualifications of the candidates, and submit timely comments to the members of the council as Neal Sawyer suggests.
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Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Monday, September 09, 2013
Neal Sawyer Responds
Reference is made to the previous post concerning who did or did not respond to my question concerning public input for the upcoming special council meeting (10/28/13). Councilmember Neal Sawyer responded last night:
Neal Sawyer, Ward II
7/9/2012 Ward 2 Mayor Meyers Willoughby was appointed No Public Comment
I believe that we should conduct the interview process without public comment. I believe that the people that are interested in the appointment will contact the council members prior to the special meeting to let them know if they have concerns about a candidate or would like for them to support a candidate. That way the council members have time to carefully consider any citizen comments rather than hear them only minutes before a vote is cast.
My comments about the above: City government is not as large as county or state and is closer to the people. As such, I'll disagree with Neal, and feel the comments of the people should be live and on the record.
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Neal Sawyer, Ward II
At the state and county levels of grovernment when someone resigns
or leaves their office, the precinct committee people of the party have a
meeting to pick the successor. Those meetings can only be attended
by precinct committee people of that district and the only opportunity
for a citizen to make comments is to find out who their precinct
committee people are before the meeting and talk with them.
I went back and looked at other appointments that have been made
since 1998 and if commits were taken. Please see below.
7/8/1998 Ward 2 Mayor
Allen
Roche was
appointed No
Public Comment
1/14/2002 Ward 2 Mayor
Allen
Sawyer was
appointed No
Public Comment
5/4/2004 Ward 3 Mayor
Meyers Novosel was
appointed Public
Comment
2/7/2005 Ward 4 Mayor
Meyers Tubbesing
was appointed No
Public Comment
5/10/2012 Ward
3 Mayor
Meyers
Neighbor was
appointed Public
Comment7/9/2012 Ward 2 Mayor Meyers Willoughby was appointed No Public Comment
I believe that we should conduct the interview process without public comment. I believe that the people that are interested in the appointment will contact the council members prior to the special meeting to let them know if they have concerns about a candidate or would like for them to support a candidate. That way the council members have time to carefully consider any citizen comments rather than hear them only minutes before a vote is cast.
My comments about the above: City government is not as large as county or state and is closer to the people. As such, I'll disagree with Neal, and feel the comments of the people should be live and on the record.
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Saturday, September 07, 2013
Which Council Members Support Citizen Input?
On October 28th, 2013 seven members of the city council will select an individual to replace Dawn Kuhn who has resigned effective October 14th, 2013.
Based on information contained on the city's web site, it did not appear that there was going to be time allocated for citizen input at that meeting. On August 28th I inquired of Mayor Jeff Meyers if public input would be permitted. The mayor responded that no public input would be permitted at that meeting. Full texts of both emails can be seen by scrolling down here.
So, last weekend I emailed the seven council members with the following:
In reply to a question about the upcoming meeting of 10/28/13 to select a replacement for Councilmember Kuhn, Mayor Jeff Meyers has said there will be no public input permitted.
Do you agree or disagree with the Mayor regarding public input at that meeting?
Thank you,
Here are the replies (and also a list of those who did not reply)
Dan Pflumm, Ward I
I disagree with the Mayor I believe the City of Shawnee should encourage public input, especially after what has transpired in previous appointments.
Mike Kemmling, Ward II
Disagree. I will be sending him an email expressing my opinion. Thanks for being pro-active in this.
Michelle Distler, Ward IV
We are not autonomous. Any decision that impacts the citizenry should involve them and allow for input.
The above three council members apparently believe that the citizens of Shawnee deserve a say at that meeting.
Mickey Sandifer, Ward IV
As the Mayor and I do not always agree on issues. I have asked in the past if the Council had a say in how the City Council meeting was operating. I was told that the Mayor makes the decisions on whether or not someone can address the Council. In this case I do not agree, although I do respect the office of the Mayor I will not challenge the Mayors authority
Looks like Mickey's answer is a breakfast food, a waffle. He was elected to represent the people, not the mayor.
The following three council members have NOT replied: Jim Neighbor, Ward I, Neal Sawyer, Ward II and Jeff Vaught, Ward III.
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Wednesday, September 04, 2013
The Oracle Speaks About Ward Three
The Oracle of Shawnee is located at Gum Springs Park. Unfortunately it is not as historically rich as the Oracle at Delphi that the ancient Greeks had.
Well, I visited the Oracle of Shawnee and inquired as to whom the Oracle feels will fill the soon to be vacated council seat of Dawn Kuhn.
The Oracle responded:
From the west of Shawnee
In the Land of Three
From the House of Meyer, a woman, known as Stephanie.
There you have it folks. The Oracle's prediction.
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Well, I visited the Oracle of Shawnee and inquired as to whom the Oracle feels will fill the soon to be vacated council seat of Dawn Kuhn.
The Oracle responded:
From the west of Shawnee
In the Land of Three
From the House of Meyer, a woman, known as Stephanie.
There you have it folks. The Oracle's prediction.
WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid. If you would like to comment about this post, or any othr post on this blog, or about anything, please go to http://www.shawneeray.proboards.com
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Tax Incentives for Development. What Does USD 232 Really Think?
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Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Mayor Says "NO" to Public Input
Shawnee Mayor Jeff Meyers has responded to my email from the post immediately below.
When the October 28th Special Council Meeting is called to appoint a successor to Dawn Kuhn there will be NO public input permitted.
Specifically, this was the mayor's response:
*************************************
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When the October 28th Special Council Meeting is called to appoint a successor to Dawn Kuhn there will be NO public input permitted.
Specifically, this was the mayor's response:
*************************************
Ray,
There will not be public input.
I believe the Council will have the best and most information with the process
to make a decision for the appointment. As you know, residents may always
contact their representatives to give comment about individuals who apply.
Jeff
*************************************
*************************************
Since this meeting is just about 8 weeks away, and there are no names posted yet as applying, folks still have plenty of time to inform the mayor and council how they feel about this decision.
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Will The Mayor Permit Public Input?
Jeff,
- On October 28, 2013, each applicant will be asked to
give a 3 minute statement explaining why they are interested in serving as
the Ward III Council Member. Following their statement, applicants will be
asked to respond to questions from Governing Body members.
- The order of statements will be determined by random
draw.
- Immediately following all the statements, the Governing
Body will have any discussion they deem appropriate. The Governing Body
may vote on the appointment at this time, or may delay taking action.
- If an appointment is approved, the individual selected
will be sworn into office at that time.
At the meeting which appointed Mr. Willoughby to the council, public input was not allowed.
Will public input be allowed at the meeting on October 28th?
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Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Something I Won't Miss When Dawn Kuhn Goes Bye-bye
Many articles about body
language say that when a woman constantly flips her hair it means “look at me,
I’m great”. Well, that’s one thing I’m not going to miss when Dawn Kuhn
goes bye-bye.
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Awards, A New Hotel (finally) and Kuhn Resigns
Well, let's see what happened last night. There were many things that came up, but let's hit some of the highlights.
First, congrats to Battalion Chief Ryan Pyle who received recognition for successfully completing FEMA's US Fire Administration's National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer program (EFO) and has also been designated as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
Some of you might remember from a previous posting here that while I was on vacation a tossed cigarette started a fire on my balcony. The crew that responded,was under Chief Pyle's supervision and they were able to contain the fire to the balcony with no structural or interior damage.
Another item that came up last night was the issuance of industrial revenue bonds for the proposed Holiday Inn Express at Midland Drive and I-435. This project has been in limbo for about 6 years and it's nice to know that it is finally getting closer to happening.
Then, Councilmember Dan Pflumm did a shout out for my 66th birthday, which was yesterday. Thanks Dan.
To top it off, I got one of the best birthday presents ever. Councilmember Dawn "Motormouth" Kuhn announced her resignation last night, effective at the end of the October 14th council meeting. That should reduce substantially the length of many council and council committee meetings. She claims that it is because she is passionate about things. I say it is because she is self absorbed and likes to hear herself talk. Even though the process for submitting applications hasn't been posted yet, I might just have to go to the Oracle of Shawnee at Gum Springs Park to see if the oracle has any thoughts about who might wind up getting appointed to replace Kuhn.
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First, congrats to Battalion Chief Ryan Pyle who received recognition for successfully completing FEMA's US Fire Administration's National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer program (EFO) and has also been designated as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
Some of you might remember from a previous posting here that while I was on vacation a tossed cigarette started a fire on my balcony. The crew that responded,was under Chief Pyle's supervision and they were able to contain the fire to the balcony with no structural or interior damage.
Another item that came up last night was the issuance of industrial revenue bonds for the proposed Holiday Inn Express at Midland Drive and I-435. This project has been in limbo for about 6 years and it's nice to know that it is finally getting closer to happening.
Then, Councilmember Dan Pflumm did a shout out for my 66th birthday, which was yesterday. Thanks Dan.
To top it off, I got one of the best birthday presents ever. Councilmember Dawn "Motormouth" Kuhn announced her resignation last night, effective at the end of the October 14th council meeting. That should reduce substantially the length of many council and council committee meetings. She claims that it is because she is passionate about things. I say it is because she is self absorbed and likes to hear herself talk. Even though the process for submitting applications hasn't been posted yet, I might just have to go to the Oracle of Shawnee at Gum Springs Park to see if the oracle has any thoughts about who might wind up getting appointed to replace Kuhn.
WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.
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Thursday, August 22, 2013
Jim Neigbor Incapable of a Direct Reply
Please see and read my blog post of 8/12/13 (almost two weeks) at http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2013/08/public-meeting-policy-review-city.html which is titled Public Meeting Policy Review-City Stonewalls Reply.
This is NOT the first time that Councilmember Neighbor has refused a direct response to a direct question. And, it probably will not be his last. It seems that if certain members of the governing body do not want to answer a question they just ignore it.
They don't like being questioned at council meetings, and then they either dance around or ignore answering questions directly. In this case, who is pulling Neighbor's strings?
Come next year this might get real interesting. City Manager Gonzales has gotten approval to spend $70K for a public information officer. Now will we be paying $70K of taxpayer money to get the run around from that individual?
Neighbor is not the only one who has refused direct answers to direct questions..............the list grows.
WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.
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This is NOT the first time that Councilmember Neighbor has refused a direct response to a direct question. And, it probably will not be his last. It seems that if certain members of the governing body do not want to answer a question they just ignore it.
They don't like being questioned at council meetings, and then they either dance around or ignore answering questions directly. In this case, who is pulling Neighbor's strings?
Come next year this might get real interesting. City Manager Gonzales has gotten approval to spend $70K for a public information officer. Now will we be paying $70K of taxpayer money to get the run around from that individual?
Neighbor is not the only one who has refused direct answers to direct questions..............the list grows.
WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.
If you would like to comment about this post, or any other post on this blog, or about anything, please go to http://www.shawneeray.proboards.com
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
New Museum May Close
Back in February the Shawnee Dispatch ran an article about the new Medicine’s Hall of Fame & Museum located in western Shawnee in the former Harley Davidson dealership.
The article is quite interesting and can be read here http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2013/feb/26/new-medical-museum-opens/
It has now come to my attention that the museum may close because of its inability to obtain a tax exemption. I'm not familiar with this subject, but I thought that museums did get special consideration with regards to taxes.
Anybody want to jump on this and check it out? You could check with Dr. Bruce Hodges and/or his wife Cathy at the museum, 6801 Hedge Lane Terrace, telephone 913-888-0777. BTW, that's near the southwest corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Kansas Highway 7.
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The article is quite interesting and can be read here http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2013/feb/26/new-medical-museum-opens/
It has now come to my attention that the museum may close because of its inability to obtain a tax exemption. I'm not familiar with this subject, but I thought that museums did get special consideration with regards to taxes.
Anybody want to jump on this and check it out? You could check with Dr. Bruce Hodges and/or his wife Cathy at the museum, 6801 Hedge Lane Terrace, telephone 913-888-0777. BTW, that's near the southwest corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Kansas Highway 7.
WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.
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Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Shawnee Gets Recognition From DoD
Last night the city was presented with its certificate for being one of the 30 finalists for the Freedom Award as part of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program
There were 2,899 nominations for this very prestigious award.
As a vet, I really would like to congratulate the city for this recognition.
For more background please go here http://www.nationalguard.mil/news/archives/2013/05/052213-support.aspx
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There were 2,899 nominations for this very prestigious award.
As a vet, I really would like to congratulate the city for this recognition.
For more background please go here http://www.nationalguard.mil/news/archives/2013/05/052213-support.aspx
WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.
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Monday, August 12, 2013
Public Meeting Policy Review-City Stonewalls Reply
First, let me apologize up front for the length of this post. It is lengthy because I want to quote some items completely:
For some background, one might want to read this article in the Shawnee Dispatch http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2013/aug/10/kendall-what-shawnees-public-meeting-policy-review/
On Wed, 8/7/13 I emailed Councilmember Neighbor since he is the current council president and as such serves as chairman of the council committee:
Jim,
The below is taken from the brochure that is handed out to
the public concerning meetings.
Please reply as to why do you not ask for public
comments? I believe some folks might have had comments last night.
Going forward it would be nice if you complied with the info
in this brochure.
Ray
City Council Committees
The Council Committee Meetings are
held on the first Tuesday following the first
Monday of the month and begin at 7:00 p.m.
Additional meetings can be called by the
Council Committee and Council President are
elected on by the Governing Body annually at
the first City Council Meeting in April.
Agendas for these meetings are generally
available at City Hall from the City Manager’s
office at (913) 742-6014 or on the City website
at www.cityofshawnee.org by 8:00 a.m. on the
Friday preceding the meetings.
Committee meetings are generally less
formal than council meetings and discussion
is generally more comprehensive. The
chairperson of the committee will invite
comments on an agenda item from speakers in
the audience. The committees do not take final
action on a topic they discuss; however, they
forward their recommendations to a regular
City Council meeting for formal action by the
entire Governing Body. The Committee does
not entertain comments from the public on
items that are not on the meeting agenda.
Just in case you feel that the info in the brochure is not
sufficient, the following is extracted from PS-7 Order of Business, Point
of Order, Obtaining the Floor, Public Comment D.
No interested person in attendance shall speak more than twice to any question,
nor more than five (5) minutes each time, except where such other limitations
may be imposed by action of the Governing Body, or the
Council Committee, prior to hearing such questions.
Well, I remember when Mayor Jeff Meyers once said if I didn't get an answer I liked I'd ask the question again. Well, it's not an answer I don't like, it's the stonewalling and the non-answers that bother me. The bovine scatological attempt at not responding to a direct question.
My reply yesterday:
For some background, one might want to read this article in the Shawnee Dispatch http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2013/aug/10/kendall-what-shawnees-public-meeting-policy-review/
On Wed, 8/7/13 I emailed Councilmember Neighbor since he is the current council president and as such serves as chairman of the council committee:
From: Ray Erlichman
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2013 5:30 PM
To: Jim Neighbor
Subject: Public comments at Committee meetings
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2013 5:30 PM
To: Jim Neighbor
Subject: Public comments at Committee meetings
Much of the actual work of the
Governing
Body is done in the Council
Committee.The Council Committee Meetings are
held on the first Tuesday following the first
Monday of the month and begin at 7:00 p.m.
Additional meetings can be called by the
Council Committee.
The Council President serves as
chair of the
Council Committee. The Vice Chair
of theCouncil Committee and Council President are
elected on by the Governing Body annually at
the first City Council Meeting in April.
Agendas for these meetings are generally
available at City Hall from the City Manager’s
office at (913) 742-6014 or on the City website
at www.cityofshawnee.org by 8:00 a.m. on the
Friday preceding the meetings.
Committee meetings are generally less
formal than council meetings and discussion
is generally more comprehensive. The
chairperson of the committee will invite
comments on an agenda item from speakers in
the audience. The committees do not take final
action on a topic they discuss; however, they
forward their recommendations to a regular
City Council meeting for formal action by the
entire Governing Body. The Committee does
not entertain comments from the public on
items that are not on the meeting agenda.
I then followed that up with an item of additional information:
Jim
Ray
This is the reply I received:
Ray, thanks for your comments. As I mentioned in my opening
comments Tuesday night, the PS-7 will be discussed at a future committee
meeting.
I expect that staff will have a revised draft ready by the
October or November Committee meeting. This will be the opportunity
for more committee discussion, and public input before the final version is
forwarded to the Council for approval.
Jim Neighbor
Jim,
I noticed that you have failed to reply to my original email,
not the “part II” below
I still would like to know
why public input was not asked for last Tuesday night, as indicated in the brochure
handed out by the city with regards to meetings. I will again quote
from that brochure
“The chairperson of the
committee will invite
comments on an agenda item from speakers in the
audience.”
Saying that it will be discussed at a future meeting is
insufficient. There were no limitations imposed by the committee.
It seems that your actions were arbitrary and capricious.
Again, I asked a specific question, and expect a specific reply,
not a dance around. It was an agenda item and comments were NOT asked
for. Did you ever give any thought to the idea that maybe, just maybe,
citizen input might have been helpful towards the staff preparing a draft? And
that could actually result in reduced staff time in that preparation? Or
maybe you feel that citizens don’t have the ability to suggest workable
solutions to various situations.
Thank you
Ray
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Thursday, August 08, 2013
Another Rodrock Development Comes Into Question
Last year there were questions concerning park space at a Rodrock Development in Crimson Ridge.
Now there is a question concerning a swimming pool at the Greens of Chapel Creek.
For more information please read this letter in the Shawnee Dispatch http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2013/aug/07/letter-shawnee-officials-should-keep-eye-greens-ch/
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Now there is a question concerning a swimming pool at the Greens of Chapel Creek.
For more information please read this letter in the Shawnee Dispatch http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2013/aug/07/letter-shawnee-officials-should-keep-eye-greens-ch/
WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.
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Thursday, August 01, 2013
Shawnee Government - Open or Closed
On next Tues, 8/6/13 at city hall, the council committee will have their regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00PM.
One of the items on the agenda is:
DISCUSS PS-7, CONDUCT AT A PUBLIC MEETING.
PS-7 covers various items. Among them how the council president is selected, vise-chairman of the committee, AND how input from the public is handled at council meetings. I'm curious if certain members of the council are going to try and restrict citizen input. At a council meeting a few weeks ago Jeff Vaught tried to stop a member of the public from coming back to the podium to address some of Vaught's comments. Since the mayor didn't interject I had to be rude and mention from the audience that the individual was entitled to a second comment period under PS-7. Ironically, in the next item on the agenda the mayor reiterated that folks are permitted up to two times of no more than 5 minutes on any one subject. Guess Vaught thinks he runs the council meetings. Just like he erroneously thought when he was council president that other members of the council had to go through him to request the city manager put items on the agenda.
It will be interesting to see what changes, if any, the council considers making to this policy statement.
The city inquired of other local governments what their policies and procedures are for meetings and the results of those inquiries are available at
http://www.cityofshawnee.org/WEB/ShawneeCMS.nsf/vwContent/PS7Research?OpenDocument
WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.
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One of the items on the agenda is:
DISCUSS PS-7, CONDUCT AT A PUBLIC MEETING.
PS-7 covers various items. Among them how the council president is selected, vise-chairman of the committee, AND how input from the public is handled at council meetings. I'm curious if certain members of the council are going to try and restrict citizen input. At a council meeting a few weeks ago Jeff Vaught tried to stop a member of the public from coming back to the podium to address some of Vaught's comments. Since the mayor didn't interject I had to be rude and mention from the audience that the individual was entitled to a second comment period under PS-7. Ironically, in the next item on the agenda the mayor reiterated that folks are permitted up to two times of no more than 5 minutes on any one subject. Guess Vaught thinks he runs the council meetings. Just like he erroneously thought when he was council president that other members of the council had to go through him to request the city manager put items on the agenda.
It will be interesting to see what changes, if any, the council considers making to this policy statement.
The city inquired of other local governments what their policies and procedures are for meetings and the results of those inquiries are available at
http://www.cityofshawnee.org/WEB/ShawneeCMS.nsf/vwContent/PS7Research?OpenDocument
WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.
If you would like to comment about this post, or any other post on this blog, or about anything, please go to http://www.shawneeray.proboards.com
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