Sob Sisters And Their Ilk Still Don't Get It

 While walking thru the display put on by the company that was contracted to study the potential Shawnee comprehensive plan (at a cost of $250K), one item stood out to me.

This was the question "Of the following choices which do you believe are the top 3 critical issues facing Shawnee (choose 3)"

I was intrigued by the item that drew 19.85% (number 10 of 10). "Division amongst City Council members".  This caught my eye because of a recent article in the Kansas City Star in which the two Shawnee Sob Sisters (former council member Stephanie Meyer and current council member Lindsey Constance) seemed to weigh in on that.

So, let's look at that.  Maybe a little civics/history lesson might come in handy.  First, if you have nine members of a city council and if there was never any division, then you have some serious problems.  If any legislative body is always in agreement you might as well dissolve it, go to Office Max, buy a huge rubber stamp and let an overpaid neophyte city manager do whatever he wants.

Now, for many years one could say that the city council was divided ideologically 6 (liberal thinkers) to 2 (conservative thinkers).  Bet ya didn't hear any crying from the likes of Meyer and Constance.  Then what happened?

A coterie of "we know better than the people" tried jamming a community center down the throats of the citizens of Shawnee.  The two sob sisters were part of that group.  Especially Constance who wouldn't admit that the cost was really $54 million not $38 million.  What happened?  The people of Shawnee revolted, democratically, via their votes.  A 46% turn out (a record for a mail in ballot) turned down this local version of the Taj Mahal 72% to 28%.  That should have told these miscreants something.  But it didn't.  Get out the crying towels.  They tried saying the "Vote No" group lied.  Wrong.  Who misrepresented the project?  Who buried important info deep on a web site?  The folks who wanted the project!!!!!

What happened next?  Again, the people revolted and by their votes changed the make up of the council to 4-4 (split between liberal thinkers and conservative thinkers).  Now the sob sisters and others of their ilk are blaming the "divided council" for Shawnee's ills.  Wrong!!!!!!!  

The sob sisters are refusing to accept the fact that the people of Shawnee are starting to get tired of the paternalistic approach of certain elected officials.  It showed at the last council election.  And more and more people will rise and be heard at the polls and not permit certain arrogant "we know better" types to remain in government.

Continuing the Battle About Business From the Floor

 For reference purposes please see my post of 3/14/21 (last Sunday)

Below is my latest email to the Mayor, the city manager and the governing body.

*****************************

Nolan,

I see that Business From The Floor is thankfully again on the agenda for 3/22/21 but still at the end of the meeting.  This is outrageous.

If you reread your email to me from last week the double talk on your part is so obvious that a two year old could spot it.

Again, folks were permitted to come to the council chambers to comment on other items but Business From the Floor was held back because "We did not want a large number of people gathered in the Council Chambers when there were other (safer) methods for members of the public to express their concerns".  

Two things need to happen.  First Business From the Floor needs to be moved up on the agenda to its former position.  Again, the mayor's comments that staff has priority over the public is total garbage.  Additionally, any member of the council that agrees with that is not considering who they were elected to represent.

The other thing that needs to happen is that the council needs to meet back in chambers and cut out this virtual nonsense.  Some of the council members have been doing this.  Others are hiding behind their computers.  There are many ways to make this happen and maintain social distancing.  One of those is to eliminate the seating of you as city manager and the city attorney from the dais.  No other city does this.  You and he are staff.  You belong in the staff section of the gallery and if your input is needed you can come to the podium.  Or, another possibility is a separate table in the well.  This would also eliminate the off the record whispering that you and he do during council meetings.  The governing body itself can be split with half on the dais and half at tables in the well.

Let's get both of the above items back in force for the April 12th council meeting.  

Ray

City Manager's Bovine Scatological Response

 For reference please see my post of 3/6/21, "Shawnee is as Transparent as a Rock"

Here are the email exchanges.  What a bunch of nonsense that the city manager tries to get us to believe, and the mayor's comments at the last meeting about staff having priority over citizens were outrageous.

*************************************************************************

Nolan,

The delay in my response was caused by my racking my brain trying to figure out how to be politically correct in that response.  Impossible based on most of your comments. 

Also, besides the mayor, I have on this reply included the governing body.

To make it easier for you and them to understand my responses, I have interleaved them, below, in your email, in red.

Ray

From: Nolan Sunderman [mailto:nsunderman@cityofshawnee.org]

Sent: Monday, March 08, 2021 9:40 AM
To: Michelle Distler; rerlichman
Subject: Re: Business from the floor - revisited

Ray,

I hope you are doing well and have not had any early morning trash pickups recently. Issuing fines in Municipal Court to WMA and the driver appears to have curbed that problem. Just to be clear....public comments are not being stifled.  Horse nonsense, look at the delay in getting business from the floor back on the agenda, when folks could coment on other items.I do not want you or others in the community to feel that way.  Members of the public can speak to any item that is on the meeting agenda.Why wassn’t business from the floor brought back sooner?  Any comments/feedback/concerns can also be emailed to governingbody@cityofshawnee.org that will be directed to the entire Governing Body at the same time.  Each elected official can also be contacted directly and their information is available on the City's website, published in the CityLine, and residents can call City Hall to get that information if needed.  I realize you know that, and I know you were not happy with that direction. Of course I wasn’t happy because it was outright BS.  Emails to the governing body did not become a matter of record, but comments on other items would.

The decision to bring back Business From the Floor is directed by Council policy under PS-7.  Just so we are on the same page, the reason we suspended Business From the Floor and public comments was because of COVID-19. BS We did not want a large number of people gathered in the Council Chambers when there were other (safer) methods for members of the public to express their concerns. More BS.  Unfortunately it was seldom that we had large groups of people at council meetings.  One of my other complaints.  We should be so lucky as to have large numbers of citizens at these meetings. The Mayor did decide to allow for public comments on agenda items several months ago.  There have not been many members of the public attend our meetings since COVID began so there hasn't been a lot of public comments on agenda items.  Again, we have only restricted business from the floor which is for comments regarding issues that are not on the meeting's agenda. Tijuana two stepping!!! For those type of concerns, we requested residents email their Councilmember, email the entire Governing Body, call their Councilmember, and/or meet with the Councilmember directly at their choosing.  We want to encourage residents to reach out to their elected official as needed and not feel they have to wait until the second or fourth Monday to voice their concern.  But again, those methods of communication do not become a matter of public record.  More Tijuana two stepping if folks could address other items, why not business from the floor?  Stifling citizen input!!!!

The City is not trying to block the thoughts of select individuals/groups.  You are welcome to contact any elected official at your choosing.  We have collected more public input and provided more public engagement opportunities over the last few years than anytime I can remember. That is something I am very proud of and I wish you were too.  Even through a worldwide pandemic, we have attempted to provide a multitude of opportunities for residents to engage and provide comments in a safe manner.  We met with the Citizens For a Better Shawnee multiple times including providing the Shawnee 101 presentation for feedback.  We have given the Shawnee 101 presentation and have seen great success offering that in a virtual format.  Along with that, we have done a number of virtual public project neighborhood meetings where previously we have only done those in person.  Our attendance at those has also increased.  Over the years, I have offered to meet with you meet you personally.  You have been in frequent contact with our elected officials over the years as well.  Mayor Distler has championed more public engagement through her Third Thursday Coffees and Quarterly Q & As. Again, you are avoiding the issue, but I expected that.  Just recently, you also visited with our lead consultant for the Comprehensive Plan in a one-on-one meeting which I hope was productive.   Waste of my time  

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we continue to navigate a national pandemic and work to keep our community safe.  

Take care and stay safe.  If you would ever like to meet with me, the offer is always there.  

Now, let’s address the other issue.  Business from the floor has been brought back but it has been placed near the end of the meeting after miscellaneous council items.  That too is BS, when it used to be earlier in the meeting.  Asking folks to sit and wait (and even longer if there is an executive session) is a subtle way of stifling input.  There are times when staff and other items can be quite lengthy.  Asking folks to wait until the end is nonsense, and in reality rude, and is not, IMHO anywhere close to open government.  What is even worse, is that at the last council meeting the mayor said that that was done because staff had priority.  What????  Staff has priority over the citizens of Shawnee?  What was the mayor thinking?  I realize that lately her judgment appears to be clouded but that is one of the most egregious uses of chairing a council meeting that I have ever witnessed.  This is tantamount to a dictatorship, or actions in a third world country.  Staff has unlimited time to speak.  If the topic involves a project the developer has unlimited time.  Citizens are restricted to 5 minutes and the possibility of a second 5 minutes.  And the mayor wants them to wait until the end of the meeting.  BS.  Business from the floor needs to be brought back up to its former position.  And you say that this has not been an attempt at stifling citizen input.  Maybe not in so many words, but definitely a subtle way to do that by possibly forcing folks to wait an inordinate amount of time to voice their opinions.  Citizens do not work for staff.  Citizens do not work for council.  Citizens do not work for the mayor.  The citizens are the employers.  Saying that staff has priority is an insult to the people of Shawnee.

Thanks,

Nolan

______________________________________________________________

Nolan Sunderman | City Manager | City of Shawnee, Kansas

City Hall: 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203 |Office: 913-742-6200

nsunderman@cityofshawnee.org

 

---

From: Ray Erlichman <rerlichman
Sent: Saturday, March 6, 2021 7:07 PM
To: Michelle Distler <mdistler@cityofshawnee.org>; Nolan Sunderman <nsunderman@cityofshawnee.org>
Subject: Business from the floor - revisited

 

[CAUTION]: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

 

Madam Mayor and City Manager Sunderman,

First, let me say I am happy to see business from the floor back on the agenda for 3/8/21.  It's placement near the end of the meeting could discourage folks from hanging around an exceptionally long meeting to bring up items.

Neither one of you has answered the question as to why this item was removed from the agenda all these months.  So, we will ask it again.  Why was business from the floor removed from the agenda?  Please don't blame Covid as citizens had the opportunity to comment on other agenda items.  Was this an attempt to stifle input from specific individuals or groups? 

You both have an obligation and a responsibility to answer inquiries from citizens.  Both of you work for us, we do not work for you.  Rest assured we will continue to request answers until we get them.  Your continued actions of ignoring the questions will be brought to the attention of the voters of this city.

 

A copy of this email has been posted on my blog along with additional commentary.

 

<><><><><><><><><><> 

Ray Erlichman

Internet Sale Results in a Murder

 A recent sale of a mountain bike, negotiated  over the internet resulted in the murder of one of the parties.

You can read the full story by clicking here (this link updated 3/10/21 3:36PM CST) 

We are fortunate in Shawnee that our police department, years ago, created an internet sale exchange zone.  Information about that can be read here.

You can also view an image of the exchange zone by clicking here.  It is about in the middle of the page on the left hand side.

I urge everyone to take advantage of the exchange site.  It does not matter if you are the buyer or the seller.  You are dealing with a stranger.  This is not the first time that an internet sale has gone awry.  If the party you are dealing with does not want to meet at the PD, no matter how good of a deal it sounds like, please, pass the action.

Shawnee Is As Transparent As A Rock

To fully understand what I am about to say you might want to read my posts of 3/1/21 and 2/2/21 entitled "City Continues to Stifle Citizen Input" and "Shawnee, Quit Stifling Citizen Input".

These items were concerning the city removing business from the floor from council meeting agendas.  Ridiculous, because citizens could still comment on other items on the agenda.  So, why remove business from the floor?  

Now we have some updates:

The Good:  Starting Monday, March 8, 2021 this item, business from the floor, has been added back to the agenda of city council meetings. A big thank you to those council members who pushed for it.  Those council members who did not support returning it to the agenda can expect to be held accountable should they decide to run for reelection.

The Bad:  The item has been placed near the end of the agenda.  Right after miscellaneous council items and before adjournment.  It used to be much earlier in the meeting.  Was this a subtle move to continue to stifle input?  On a long drawn out night someone who wants to bring something up to the council could conceivably have to wait hours.  Yes, some meetings have lasted hours..............and hours........and hours.

The Ugly:  Neither the mayor nor the city manager have responded to an email demanding the info as to why the item was removed from the agenda to begin with.  Is that the norm now?  Selectively answering emails?  Refusing to explain their actions!!!!  Are they so arrogant that they feel they do not owe the citizens an explanation?

Well, here is the new email, being sent tonight:

Madam Mayor and City Manager Sunderman,

First, let me say I am happy to see business from the floor back on the agenda for 3/8/21.  It's placement near the end of the meeting could discourage folks from hanging around an exceptionally long meeting to bring up items.

Neither one of you has answered the question as to why this item was removed from the agenda all these months.  So, we will ask it again.  Why was business from the floor removed from the agenda?  Please don't blame Covid as citizens had the opportunity to comment on other agenda items.  Was this an attempt to stifle input from specific individuals or groups?  

You both have an obligation and a responsibility to answer inquiries from citizens.  Both of you work for us, we do not work for you.  Rest assured we will continue to request answers until we get them.  Your continued actions of ignoring the questions will be brought to the attention of the voters of this city.

A copy of this email has been posted on my blog along with additional commentary.

City Continues to Stifle Citizen Input

 On Tuesday Feb. 2, 2021 I published an item on this blog entitled:  "Shawnee, Quit Stifling Citizen Input"

Since nothing has happened to change the city's gross actions of stifling citizen input I feel compelled to address this subject again.

The item "Business From The Floor" has been removed from city council meetings.  It cannot have anything to do with Covid as folks can still attend meetings and comment on other items on the agenda.

The city advises that folks can email the governing body with their comments.  The problem with that is that emailed comments do not become part of the record/minutes of the council.  In person comments by citizens do become a part of the record of the meeting.

I am under the impression that four of the council members (Jenkins, Thomas, Kemmling and Knappen) have indicated a positive opinion about bringing back "Business From the Floor".  I am also under the impression that the remaining four members (Zimmerman, Larson-Bunnell, Constance & Chalfie) along with the mayor are opposed.  It also was brought to my attention that when the item came up at the recent council retreat/planning session that the city manager said something about shelving it until a future date.

Why is the city stifling citizen input?  What is the city afraid of by having folks address the council in "Business From the Floor"?  Is the city trying to block the thoughts of selected individuals?  Groups?There is a rumor going around that that could be a possibility.  Personally I only hope that it is a rumor and not fact.  Because, if it is fact that smells of tyrannical behavior.

Does the council need a review of Section 3 of the Bill of Rights of the Kansas State Constitution?  A document that they have sworn to protect, defend etc. etc.  Here it is, again, for those not familiar with it:

§ 3. Right of peaceable assembly; petition. The people have the right to assemble, in a peaceable manner, to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to petition the government, or any department thereof, for the redress of grievances. (highlights mine)

I am sending an email to both the mayor and the city manager, not asking, but demanding an answer as to why "Business From the Floor" is not being brought back.

The email will read as follows:

Dear Mayor and City Manager,

Your attention is directed to my blog post of this date entitled "City Continues to Stifle Citizen Input" at https://www.shawneeray.blogspot.com

This has gone on long enough.  We are past civil niceties.  As such, I am not asking for your comments, rather I am demanding your responses.  So there is no misunderstanding, responses will be posted on the blog.

Shawnee Mission School District Board - Dumb Move

 This one is easy.  With the resignation of the current superintendent the board needs to find replacement.

They advertise for applicants..............restricting it to internal applicants only.

Dumb move, IMHO.

It is quite possible that there may be an individual within the district who could conceivably be the best qualified.  And then again not necessarily.  Why not?  Because by making it internal only the board is limiting the size of the applicant pool.  Is it possible that there is somebody out there who is more qualified than any of  the internal applicants?  Quite possibly!!!  Bigger pool.  

Many organizations look outside of their sphere for many reasons to include the idea that an "outsider" might bring new, fresh ideas to a position and possibly to look at operations with more of an open mind, especially to changes.

If the call had gone out for internal and external applicants and an internal individual was still deemed to be the best qualified, then so be it.  But, the taxpayers will never know if they may have lost out on someone more qualified.  

Question:  Is it possible that the board may have already had a good idea as to who they wanted for the job from the internal pool?

Dumb move SMSD board.

The Distler Dilemma

 By now most folks in Shawnee are aware that our mayor, Michelle Distler has been approved for a diversion program after being charged with felony perjury.

In an article published February 4, 2021 in the Kansas City Star (and a similar one in the Shawnee Mission Post), Distler's lawyer, Robin Fowler is quoted as saying:

"She looks forward to moving on with her life in a constructive way, and plans to do her part to try and make her community a better place to live."  He is also quoted as saying "She also wishes to express her heartfelt apology to anyone impacted by these events."

OK, let's take the second part of the above first.  A "heartfelt apology"?  Coming from a paid mouthpiece (old east coast term).  IMHO she needs to go on the record, at a council meeting with a three way apology.  First to me, for using my name because she was "afraid of political repercussions" if she had used her own name.  Secondly, to the city council itself, because as mayor she sits as the head of the governing body.  And thirdly, and most importantly, to the citizens of Shawnee for actions that were a disgrace to the city and an insult to all those who voted and worked the streets for her.

Now as far as making the community a better place to live.  She needs to stop trying to be friends with everybody and start to become a real leader.  And that means being able to make decisions rather than excuses for not making them.  I supported her for many years and actually thought that because she was such a cheerleader for the city that she would become a good leader.

Wow, was I mistaken.  It really hit home with the Community Center project which fortunately got defeated 72%-28%.  She was asked where she stood, even at one of her Thursday coffee sessions.  She wouldn't say.  All she would say is that it was on the ballot and the citizens would choose.  That is not leadership.  Folks wanted to know where she stood.  She didn't want to alienate anybody so she took no stand.  She wouldn't endorse candidates for state rep and/or state senate because they were running as "party partisans" and the mayor in Shawnee is "non-partisan".  Horse nonsense.  The mayor has an obligation to endorse and support folks for state office that he/she feels can best represent Shawnee at the state level.  And even gubernatorial, Congressional and US Senate

Then we come to the city council president selection.  The council was tied 4-4.  She didn't want to break the tie because "it would make the council appear even more divisive".  Horse nonsense, in a situation like this it is incumbent upon the mayor to voice their opinion as to who they think would be best qualified to assume the mayor's seat if needed.

Her unwillingness to make decisions or take sides is not leadership.  It's a person who thinks by straddling a fence they can make everybody happy.  Ain't gonna happen.  A leader has to make decisions........."ya can make some of the people happy all the time, all of the people happy some of the time but ya can't make all of the people happy all the time"  She had an opportunity to really take Shawnee forward, especially as the first female elected mayor in this city.  She blew it.

Now as a side note, the Shawnee Mission Post has published the emails that Distler was complaining about.  First, the chain was started by a non elected individual, who included five elected officials in the chain.  The topic was not about how to proceed or vote on an item coming up but rather a discussion of something that had already happened.  One of the two council members who responded was explaining what had happened.  The other one asked that they be removed from that mailing list.  I'm no legal eagle, but I believe that discussing something that has happened as opposed to planning on how to act on an upcoming item is not, IMHO a KOMA violation.

Side bar:  In a previous article in the KC Star former city council member Stephanie Meyer was quoted as saying she thought the emails should still be investigated as possible KOMA violations.  All she has to do is download them from the Shawnee Mission Post web site and then attach them to an on line complaint form (being sure to use her real name).  Keep in mind though, my comments in the preceding paragraph.  

Edited 2/17/21 for typos

Shawnee, Quit Stifling Citizen Input

 On January 28, 2021 I sent the following email to the governing body.

It speaks for itself.

Short, sweet and to the point.

Even though folks are encouraged to listen to the live stream of council meetings there are provisions for individuals to attend in person.

It’s high time that the agenda item “Business from the floor” be brought back. 

The idea that citizens can email the council with their thoughts is fine, except that does not replace an actual live commentary possibly with back up documents.

IMHO there is no valid reason not to have the opportunity for individuals to address the council on matters that are not on the rest of the agenda. 

The citizens of Shawnee deserve the opportunity to address the council, live and in person.  This continued stifling of input is outrageous.

Lindsey Constance - Bad for Shawnee

 Well looks like council member Lindsey Constance is again showing a lack of common sense and fiscal responsibility.

Let's make it easy.  The city wound up with $2.3 million that needed to be spent.  Not gonna go into detail right now how that happened.  Anyway, the not so illustrious Ward 4 council member was pushing to have sidewalks put in on Johnson Drive, from Barker to Lackman.  See the map below, and click on it if you want to see it larger.

Yes, that monstrosity at the top left quadrant is the land fill.  Johnson Drive is right above the extended yellow arrow, Barker on the left, then going east to the area of Lackman on the right.  The structure right below the center of the landfill is the Shawnee Public Works complex and just to the east of I-435 is the PD, Municipal Court and Fire Station 72.  If anybody is interested the structures south of the arrow and public works is that residence that belonged to the late Ron Deffenbaugh and is on the market for I believe approximately $13 million.

Anyway, what was Constance thinking?  First, if you want to spend the money on sidewalks what about the areas on the east side that don't have any.  You know, the areas where kids have to walk in the street to go to school.  One would think that as a teacher that would be a concern of hers.  Apparently not.  And yes, those are areas where there are drainage ditches for runoff as opposed to storm water pipes.

Now speaking of storm water pipes, it has already been discussed numerous times that ours are in sorry shape.  Multi millions of dollars in projected replacement costs that are scheduled to take many years to complete.  And, we are constantly having failures that require spending funds on an emergency basis.

That $2.3 million would surely help in that regard.  That is a much needed infrastructure improvement as opposed to sidewalks with little or no foot traffic. Fortunately, folks with common sense have directed staff to look at using the funds for storm water repairs. 

But what would one come to expect from a council member who pushed for a $38 million dollar community center ($54 million with interest, and projected to run in the red)?  Oh, and we can't forget that she was one of the council members who voted to give our city manager a 25% raise (approximately $40K) at the beginning of the pandemic economic negative situation.  BTW, did anybody else get a 25% raise.  Bet the city employees who do the day to day work to keep our city going would have loved that.  What did they get?  Should we even mention that she pushed for that five story monstrosity on the old Wonderscope property?  Fortunately that didn't fly.

Question:  Who got to Constance for her to push for those sidewalks?  Inquiring minds want to know. 

She is up for reelection this November.  If she chooses to run, folks need to take a good hard look at herrecord, particularly when it comes to financial matters.

Prediction Concerning Biden Presidency

 Has anyone noticed how the upcoming Presidency of Joe Biden is being referred as?

The major media is constantly referring to it as the Biden-Harris administration.  Even Biden and Harris have done that.  Harris even went so far at least once to reverse the names (LOL).  Many other senior democrats have also double named the administration..  I cannot remember any other time when a Presidential administration was referred to by both the President and Vice-President.

Why?  Is it possible that the Democrats are planning to take down their own leader?  Why did Nancy Pelosi start making plans for a congressional panel concerning the matter?  Was it to go after Trump?

Check out the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.  Please pay particular attention to Section 4.

Here's my prediction.  Joe Biden will resign the Presidency (health, dementia?) sometime after January 21, 2023, or he will be forced out by the 25th Amendment (health, dementia).  Why after January 21, 2023?  Read the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution and then do the math.

Former Council Members Can't Handle Rejection

 On Monday, 12/21/20 the KC Star ran an article about the political divide in Shawnee, Kansas.  Various individuals were quoted for the article.

Two that stand out for the volume of their quotes were former council members Stephanie Meyer and Jeff Vaught.  Apparently these two have a problem in handling rejection.  

They were quite critical about the fact that recent local elections have resulted in the increase of individuals who lean towards a conservative philosophy on the city council.  Would they have been as critical if the elections had gone the other way?  I doubt it.  They say they are concerned because local elections are supposed to be non-partisan.  Golly gee, that just means that there is no party affiliation listed on the ballot.  Can candidates and elected officials really be non-partisan?  These two jokers are whacky.  People run for office based on what they want to accomplish (their agendas).  And when elected they push those items.  And that means that the only time someone having an agenda is bad is when that agenda runs counter to yours.  Do I smell a little hypocrisy here?

These two pillars of pomposity apparently can't get over rejection.  They both were strong advocates for the Shawnee Community Center which went down in a city wide election 72%-28%.  Meyer lost in her bid to become mayor of Shawnee.

Vaught has a more colorful history of losses (and some victories).  Let's start with the fact that he was elected to the city council in 2009 and reelected in 2013.  Now it gets interesting.  He ran in 2015 in a four way primary election for mayor.  He did not make the cut, so he never got to the general election.  City wide he was not in the top two.  What was interesting is how the voters of Ward III (his ward) rejected him as shown by just that ward's results:

Distler   229  26.29%

Pflumm 216  24.80%

Segale   145  16.65%

Vaught  261  32.26%

Translation:  2/3 of the electors in his ward did not want him as mayor.  Were they finally seeing that his concepts were not what they wanted?

Now let's move on to 2017.  There was a three way primary for his council seat in Ward III.  Again, he did not finish in the top two.  Whoops, were the voters in Ward III, rejecting him? Again!!!  Had they had enough of his philosophy and braggadocio?  What were the numbers?

Adrian    415   31.16%

Myres     609   45.72%

Vaught    308   23.12%

Wow, almost 8 out of 10 voters in his ward told him to hit the road.  

Is it at all possible that the voters in Shawnee do want change from the philosophies of folks like Meyer and Vaught?

The Story Behind "I'll Be Home For Christmas"

 Many folks are not aware of how this holiday favorite came to be.

Here is some info from Wikipedia:

"I'll Be Home for Christmas" is a Christmas song written by the lyricist Kim Gannon and composer Walter Kent and recorded in 1943 by Bing Crosby, who scored a top ten hit with the song. Originally written to honor soldiers overseas who longed to be home at Christmas time, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" has since gone on to become a Christmas standard.  The song is sung from the point of view of a soldier stationed overseas during World War II, writing a letter to his family. In the message, he tells the family he will be coming home and to prepare the holiday for him, and requests snow, mistletoe, and presents on the tree. The song ends on a melancholy note, with the soldier saying, "I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams".The flip side of the original recording (Decca 18570B) was "Danny Boy" 

So, this holiday season please take a minute and think about our troops, some overseas, some stateside, who will not be home for Christmas.......but "only in their dreams".

Personal memories, Long Binh, 1967.

The video below is from 2019

Example of a Dumb COW

 Let's talk about how a COW (council member from other ward) made a big mistake.

By now most folks are familiar with the fact that the proposed apartment building for the old Wonderscope property was turned down.  

Here is what I was told.  The neighbors that banded together naturally expressed their opinions with their council reps (Ward 2).  And that is the way it should be.  On the other hand, remember that when the council votes, regardless of which ward the council member was elected from, that council member is voting for the whole city.  Yes, including the area where the building was proposed to go.

Apparently, the folks that were against the project asked for a meeting with Matt Zimmerman, from Ward 1.  The neighborhood folks wanted to at least present their opinions to him, knowing that when he would vote it would  affect them.  Supposedly he told them to "contact your council rep" and refused a meeting.  Dumb, stupid and arrogant, IMHO.  Regardless of which ward the project is in, council reps need to at least hear what the citizens in that ward have to say.  Why?  Because how they vote on the council will affect those folks.  Now, they may not agree with those citizens but they sure as heck ought to at least listen to them.

Those citizens who he ignored can't vote for or against him in the next election (should he choose to run again).  But, they sure could do certain things that are legal to help an opponent of his.

Time to Discuss COWs Again (Councilmembers from Other Wards)

 I've written about this subject before, and feel that with a city council election coming up in about a year (or sooner if there are primaries) it needs to be discussed again.

What is a COW?  Shawnee has four council wards.  Each ward has two council members. 
So, each citizen has 6 COWs.  Council members from other wards.

Let's switch for a second to the US Congress.  We here in Kansas might have an interest in a bill that is before Congress.  Naturally we would express our feelings to our rep.  At the same time we might contact, oh let's say a Texas rep and express our feelings (for passage or decline).  Because when the Congress meets as a whole they are voting for the whole country.

Same thing with our city council.  The members may represent a particular ward, but when they are on that dais and vote, they are voting for the entire city.  And that is why council members need to listen to citizens who may contact them, even if they are outside of their ward.  An example:  For argument's sake let's say some citizens of Ward 2 have an issue and want some support, besides from their reps, but from other council members.  So, let's say they contact a council member from Ward 1.  but that member doesn't want to be bothered with them because they are not in that member's ward.  Big mistake.

See, all citizens from all wards have the right to support or voice non-support for candidates in any of the four wards.  They can't vote outside their ward, but they can contribute to a candidate that they approve of.  They can even volunteer to distribute literature, make phone calls, etc.  So, when a council member from one ward turns a deaf ear to a citizen or group of citizens from another ward they are making a big mistake.  They may not agree with them, but they should not turn their arrogant noses up at them.  They need to at least listen.  Remembering that how they vote on the dais will affect those other citizens.

My previous comments on this subject:

https://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2018/12/do-you-know-who-your-cows-are.html

https://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2015/03/its-important-to-support-good-cows.html

 https://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2013/02/dealing-with-cow.html

https://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2012/01/dealing-with-cows.html

Trash Containers Being Pulled

 It's happening!!!  

Tuesday at around noon two 53' trailers were seen loading those trash containers up at Splash Cove to get them out of the city.  Good, go store them somewhere else.  And just as important, don't bring the used items back here to be stored at Splash Cove and/or Shawnee Town 1929.

For background see my posts below of 11/10, 11/14 & 11/15.

I would venture a guess that this change came about because some members of the governing body paid attention to what was happening. They realized that the citizens of the city had a valid complaint.  And they realized that city staff works for the governing body, not the other way around.

We have two council members in particular that need to go bye bye.  One is up for reelection in 2021. If she decides to run again we will have to do whatever is legal to stop her from being re-elected.  The other one is up again in 2023.  Can the city survive?  Maybe we should consider action under K.S.A. 25-4318 et seq

Planning Commission Debacle Continues

 Let's continue the discussion from my last post, just prior to this one.  The comments made by certain planning commissioners, were, IMHO totally out of line.

Let's look at what that fine body did with the proposed apartment complex at 5700 King Street.  They were willing to go along with a five (5) story unit that contained 189 apartments.  Now, here's the kicker, they gave a variance for 68% of the units.  Huh???  Seems that Shawnee has a requirement that a residential unit have a minimum of 800 sq ft.  Well, 129 of the 189 units were well under that.............some were in the mid 600s and some were even as small as 460 sq ft.  Wanna know what 460 sq ft looks like?  Go outside and look at a striped parking lot.  Depending on the striping you will be looking at 2, maybe 2-1/2 spots.  Teeny tiny huh?  Naturally those are studio apartment units, but still, when you take away kitchen areas, bath areas, washer/dryer set ups etc etc not much walking around room.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the commission also go along with the concept that any excess vehicles could park at city lots.  Always thought that overnight parking was not permitted at city lots.

Anyway, methinks the three commissioners who did not (so far) follow Braley out the door might want to consider doing the same.

Willoughby was, IMHO the most egregious for a variety of reasons. He made the comment during the open meeting that citizens should rise up and vote out the council members who voted against the project.  Let's take  a trip down memory lane.  Let's see if "Uncle" Alan remembers.  He was appointed to fill the vacancy of a council member who had resigned.  The way his nephew by marriage (former Mayor Jeff Meyers) had orchestrated the appointment process resulted in a KOMA investigation by the JoCo DA.  That resulted in a scathing letter of rebuke by the DA.  Subsequently, when Uncle Alan ran for an actual full term he was soundly defeated.  No wonder.  His performance as a member of the council was, politely speaking, lackluster.  

Some folks have asked me my thoughts about what can be done at that location.  Personally, I feel that an apartment set up could be beneficial and blend in, if done properly. If it was kept at 2 or a maximum of 3 stories.  Actually, what about a "village" of duplexes, triplexes and even fourplexes.  Or, maybe designed like that but two stories.  If the designs were right, they could conceivably blend in with the rest of the neighborhood and also add to the downtown area with additional people residing there.  But a five story monstrosity.............no way.

Planning Commissioners Who Overstep

 

At this past Planning Commission meeting it appears that four members of the Shawnee Planning Commission overstepped their position.

First, let's make one thing clear.  Planning Commission members have volunteered for the position, and that is to be commended.  At the same time, they are not accountable to anybody.

At this last meeting, four of them seem to have gone over the line.  It had to do with the fact that the  City Council (who is accountable to the citizens of the city) voted down the rezoning action for the proposed apartment unit at 5700 King Street.

At the end of the meeting, while still in session these four saw fit to complain about the action of the City Council.  It is NOT their position to take sides on these issues.  They cannot be champions for either the developers or the residents.  That is beyond the scope of their function.  Freedom of speech?  Yes, when the individual is not sitting in a session.  Taking sides while sitting in a session is abhorrent.

So, what happened?  Commissioner Les Smith (5 years) started the ball rolling with attacks of the council. Randy Braley who has been on the Planning Commission for six years announced his resignation because he disagreed with the council's actions.  He has been on the Commission since 6/2014.  Good riddance.

Commission chair Dennis Busby made some scathing comments about the city council.  He has been on the Commission since 8/2007.  That is 13 years.  Too long. Methinks he should follow Braley out the door and not let the door hit him in the rear.

Next up.....Alan (Former Mayor Jeff Meyers' Uncle by Marriage) Willoughby.  He was advocating, from his position on the Commission, that residents in the wards of the council persons who voted against the item should rise up and vote them out.  That is a personal view, and if he wants to state that away from a Commission meeting that is fine.  But to make that statement while the Commission is in session is a breach of protocol.  He too should follow Braley out the door.  His service on the commission has been split over the years, but amounts to approximately 10 years.

Again, it is not the Planning Commission's responsibility to advocate for either side in a matter that has come before them.  These four  have tarnished their positions.

 

It Gets Worse - More Revelations About the Trash Container Situation

 In my first post about this situation I mentioned the agreement that the city entered into with the sub contractor for Waste Management.  As a point of reference you can view it by clicking here.

There is something very important missing in the agreement.  There is no way for the city to opt out, even in an emergency or for cause.  Usually agreements like this have such a clause, especially to opt out "for cause".

Who drafted this?  Was it the assistant city manager who notified a member of the council that she had authorized this action?  Was it the city attorney?

Here is my problem.  We all make mistakes.  Nobody is perfect.  But for some reason we have some folks who say that our staff (especially senior members) are world class.  We have a very good city staff.  And most of the time they function very well.  The problem is, and it starts at the top (City Manager Nolan Sunderman), there is a culture of an unwillingness to admit to mistakes.  It is for this reason that I have not asked him directly about this trash container debacle.  Previous experience has shown that he tap dances around questions, seldom provides direct answers, and refuses to acknowledge mistakes.

The lack of an opt out clause in the agreement is, IMHO, one such mistake.  Actually, the entire situation is one big mistake.  If Sunderman does not take full responsibility for this debacle, then IMHO he needs to go.  The sign of a true leader is to take responsibility, especially when things go wrong.  He is not a leader.

Part 2 - Shawnee is the New Storage Facility For Waste Management

 This is getting worse each and every day.  See my original post of 11/10/20 below'

Here is what we know:

1.  A sub contractor for Waste Management is storing tens of thousands of trash containers on the north side of both Splash Cove and Shawnee Town 1929 adjacent to the visitor center.

2.  The same sub contractor will be bringing in used, unsanitary containers to store at these locations.  These can spread infections, diseases and attract various vermin and animals (and not all domesticated either-----think coyotes, raccoons and foxes)

3.  This action involves swapping containers with Waste Management customers and not just Shawnee customers.

4.  The agreement with the sub contractor was signed by the Assistant City Manager.  Who authorized it?  IMHO, whoever it was should be terminated, post haste.

5.  Why?  Waste Management has hundreds of acres out by their landfill.

6. How was some of this information gathered?  Not from the city.  Staff ignores inquiries from citizens.  So, a member of the community had a nice conversation with the persons representing the sub contractor.

7.  Please, just see two of many emails below:

11/12/20 Thursday

I told you earlier about seeing the TV4 truck at Splash Cove this morning and the two obvious delivery trucks.

I did not get to see 7 am news for WDAF but do intend to watch the noon edition to see if anything.

But I then decided to go back and see if anyone around and ask where they might be delivering those on the two trailers.

Wow, glad I did.   There were two guys in a pickup with Rehrig name on it. (The mfgr of the containers.)  The one guy got out and talked with me for about 15 minutes. He and his  bro own a company who contracts with WM to do this all over U. S. Said he had no knowledge of what is involved with City and Rehrig but he filled me in on details which I can guarantee you most folks, including our city council members and perhaps even the mayor are not aware of. Not sure I can recall all he told me but will tell you enough to make your blood boil and want some damned heads to roll from our "world class city staff".

Here are some highlights.

1. He and his assistant were awaiting arrival this morning of FOUR more 53' trailers of the WM bins!!!

2. He pointed out what is now the beginning of a second area of USED WM containers.---he also expressed frustration with mgmt of WM as they have not instructed him WHERE or  WHAT is to be done with these unsanitized containers!!!

3. He did say these are definitely NOT going to only Shawnee, but to several surrounding cities having contracts with WM.

4. Now here is the part you will find amazing.  A few years ago you might remember WM offered smaller size containers.  The largest one has always been what they refer to as a 96gallon.   I think he said next is 60 and smallest is 18.  According to my understanding these NEW containers are going to be delivered to all WM customers, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE.   Customers will have no choice!! The plan is to send by some method a notice after  TG I believe, but not sure of date, explaining to customer.  They will attempt to deliver the NEW ones the day after the customer's current pickup date. Can you imagine that nightmare?  He SAYS he and his bro own the company contracting with Rehrig and have done several of these "switchouts" over the past 10 years.  He never did explain the WHY of such action.

4. He did admit there will be many instance where the customer will end up with double qty/styles as they do not coordinate the delivery/pickup.  The info letter mentioned above  is supposed to explain that he stated.

I know there were other thing he covered but these are highlights I remember.  This thing I guarantee you is headed to be a much bigger fiasco and quite frankly I would guess strongly that Caitlin nor her illustrous leader Nolan, neither one know the real plan that is being implemented.

And think about it---those dirty, unsanitized used containers---how long will they sit at Splash Cove?  Good thing cool weather is with us.   NEW ones piled all over with more to come---WHILE old used ones are brought to same storage area to be held for who knows what.

Folks, this is a true "hidden agenda" I feel and no one at City Hall truly knows the workings!!!

11/13/20 Friday

I just came by SC on my way to Cap Fed. Those two white pickups with the hauler trailers were there (7 a.m.) loading up for another day of distribution I guess.  And looked like more used containers had been added to the storage also.

Veteran's Day - 2020 - A Sad Day This Year

 This is probably the saddest Veteran's Day that I can ever remember.  Some miscreants found it necessary to deface the WWI Memorial in KCMO.  They spray painted " No to elections" and "Yes to revolution" along with the communist hammer and sickle.  Would you like to see what it looked like?  Then all you have to do is click this link.

The anarchists are looking to turn this country into a communistic/socialistic nation.  Just see some of the statements coming from the Democrats about black balling Trump officials and efforts to reeducate  Trump supporters.  Typical communistic/socialistic moves.  Adhere to the party line or you are in deep trouble.  Funny thing is that many Democrats that supported some of these socialists would also in the end (if a takeover were to happen) would also be swallowed up.  Kinda like some animals that eat their young.  

Freedom of speech is great.  Vandalism, destruction of property, arson, murder, looting is not.

Something I published here from an internet source many years ago.  If you don't want to read the whole thing, then at least scroll down to the last highlighted paragraph.

WHAT IS A VET? 

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a

missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye. Others may carry the

evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the

leg - or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul's ally forged in the

refinery of adversity. Except in parades, however, the men and women who have

kept America safe wear no badge or emblem. You can't tell a vet just by

looking. What is a vet? He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi

Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers

didn't run out of fuel. He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden

planks, whose overgrown frat boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the

cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel. She -

or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing

every night for two solid years in Da Nang. He is the POW who went away one

person and came back another - or didn't come back AT ALL. He is the Quantico

drill instructor who has never seen combat, but has saved countless lives by

turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and

teaching them to watch each other's backs. He is the parade-riding Legionnaire

who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand. He is the career

quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by. He is the three

anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington

National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes

whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's

sunless deep. He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied

now and aggravatingly slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who

wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the

nightmares come. He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a

person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his

country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice

theirs. He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he

is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest,

greatest nation ever known. So remember, each time you see someone who has

served our country, just lean over and say Thank You. That's all most people

need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been

awarded or were awarded. Two little words that mean a lot, THANK

YOU!

It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom

of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of

speech. It is the soldier, not the preacher, Who has given us freedom of religion, It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the

freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, 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.

Shawnee is the New Storage Facility For Waste Management

Actually that should be Rehrig Pacific Company, a sub-contractor for Waste Management.  In a nutshell, the parking lot of Splash Cove has become a storage facility for thousands of trash containers.

There has been much back and forth between city staff and various members of the community with staff NOT being totally forthcoming.  

Wanna see pictures of this mess?  Click here - you might have to scroll down And if you want to see the written agreement you can do that by clicking here.

The city entered into an agreement with Rehrig for the storage of these items.  It would appear that the city is not being compensated for this.  Why is the city the storage facility?  Info from city staff indicates that the city was asked to help store the items which were going to Shawnee citizens.  But, certain questions have yet to be answered, and as is typical for certain members of city staff it is like pulling teeth to get specific answers. 

Here are the questions that various citizens want answered:

1.  Who approved this arrangement?

2.  Why isn't Shawnee being compensated?

3.  What assurance does the city have that all of the containers will be distributed to Shawnee residents?

4.  Produce a copy of the distribution list for these containers.

This is an outrage.  Unfortunately, previous experience has shown that senior city staff (City Manager Nolan Sunderman) will attempt to tap dance around this

Democrats' Hypocrisy Rears Its Ugly Head - Again

 Well, the Presidential election is for all practical purposes over.  It would appear that Joe Biden is the President-elect and I seriously doubt that any lawsuits filed will change that.  In all probability there will be some instances of irregularities proven, but not enough to change the outcome.

So, why do I say that the Democrats' hypocrisy rears its ugly head-again?  Actually the answer to that is very obvious. 

First, let's make one thing clear.  Joe Biden did not get a mandate.  The vote totals for President were not a "wipe out".  Democrats apparently retained control of the US House of Representatives, but with less members.  Instead of the predicted "blue wave", they have lost seats.  Maybe it's time for them to wake up and not reaffirm Nancy (the wicked witch of the west) Pelosi as Speaker.  The Senate results are still very much in limbo.

OK, now for the hypocrisy.  Biden is calling for unity.  Where was the unity when Trump won in 2016.  It was non-existent.  Hillary Clinton has spent the past four years spewing venom.  The House of 
Representatives wasted years and millions of dollars trying to play "gotcha".  This is all very well said by Jason Chaffetz in this opinion piece.  Methinks turn around is fair play.  What's good for the goose is good for the gander.  First, continuing investigations need to be conducted into the financial machinations of Hunter Biden and to finally pinpoint the involvement of his father.  

Some folks may not remember what happened when Stacey Abrams lost her bid for governor of Georgia in 2018. How the liberal press fawned over and supported her legal challenges to the results.  That is the same liberal press that is now attempting to excoriate Trump for his legal challenges.  Need a reminder? Click here.

Some predictions from yours truly:

1.  Our NATO allies, who under Trump finally ponied up hundreds of billions of dollars in owed contributions will revert back to their old ways of holding back.  

2.  The recently negotiated accords between Israel and some of its Arab neighbors will come to a halt.  Biden does not have the necessary skills to move forward to bring others into the realm of these accords.

3.  Biden will resign after serving at least two years and one day of his term.  The reason for that time frame is based on the terms of the 22nd Amendment to our Constitution. The reason for the resignation will be medical, probably a diagnosis of early onset of dementia.  The time frame that was just mentioned would theoretically allow Kamala Harris to run and be elected to two terms of her own.  Any resignation prior to the time specified would limit her to just one run.

4.  When the unemployment numbers for minority citizens rise and they experience a widening of the pay gap, folks will realize that Trump was not the racist that he was portrayed to be by the Dems.  Under Trump, minority unemployment was at an all time low.  The pay gap was narrowing (still needed more work), and thousands of Opportunity Zones were being created to bring jobs, home ownership and positive commerce in low income neighborhoods.

5.  Various groups of anarchists will continue their actions of rioting, burning buildings, looting, assassination of law enforcement, and physical attacks of those not aligned with them.  Biden, aided by local Dems will continue to refer to these folks as peaceful protesters.  And, they will be aided by the Communist News Network and the Most Stupid Network Broadcasting Company.  Eventually they will destroy our country.  That's right folks.  Unlike Trump who understood a strong law and order position Biden/Harris will cave.  The Republicans were not out to destroy our country.  It has been the Democrats with their left leaning (and leaning even more) that will destroy our country as we know it. Their cradle to grave philosophy of government controlling its citizenry will change our country for the worst.  The only way out will be for a strong Republican surge in the Congressional elections of 2022.  Will we survive until then?

Friend's Sister-in-Law Needs Help

 I recently received an email from a very dear friend here in Shawnee.  Rather than attempt to explain it myself I will copy|paste his email below, complete with the Go Fund Me link.

Please consider a donation.  Thank you.

Hello, Barb and I are fine. However, here sister in Galena IL, had a serious fall in her home last Friday. The details are a on the link to a GoFundMe page created by her family and a friend.

We are asking if you have a Facebook account, please post the link. Also, please forward this message to anyone willing to help out a pet lover.  Barb's sister loves pets and has been earning extra money as a pet sitter for residents in her small community of Galena. She will not be able to do this pet sitting in the near future as she will have braces on her back and neck. She will have these braces for at least three months.

The link to the GoFundMe story:

http://gf.me/u/y52fq6

Nieman Road Signage - Deplorable

 After many years of delays, millions of dollars spent, tens of thousands of residents and visitors inconvenienced this is the signage that appears at Nieman Road and Shawnee Mission Parkway.  Photos were taken today but the signage has been there for quite some time now.

Who approved it?  Somebody had to sign off on it.  I would have asked our overpaid neophyte city manager but he has a history of not responding with clear, specific answers.  Tijuana two stepping is his modus operandi.

Anyway, here are the pics, day and night.  You can click on the images below to load a larger view.

Note that in the day image, from a distance, it is difficult to read "Shawnee".  Try it for yourself.  Drive by and see if you can read it clearly.

The evening picture is wild.  Those LEDs look like a bad string of Christmas tree lights.  One member of the community told me he thought that it looked like the wording on a marquee for a gentleman's club.  Check it out for yourself some evening.

Day image:

Evening image

Hillary Clinton Disgusts Me

 I've been holding back, but something that came up today could not be ignored.  Hillary Clinton has said on her podcast that the thought of Trump winning reelection made her sick to her stomach.  Well Hillary, the thought of you ever being President of this country is a horror film.

Hillary Clinton, who didn't care about our guys in Benghazi.

Hillary Clinton who told State Dept employees they could not use private emails for government business and then did it herself.

Hillary Clinton who used that private email for classified documents.

Hillary Clinton whose campaign paid for a phoney dossier that resulted in a multi year and multi million dollar investigation that proved absolutely nothing (except that Trump did NOT collude with Russia)

Hillary Clinton who has spent the better part of the past four years undermining the President instead of trying to work with him and who has blamed everybody but herself for losing the election.

Below is a list of names of the individuals who lost a presidential election since 1952 (the earliest one I can remember).  There is only one name on the list that has spent the time after the election belittling and denigrating the individual who won.  That name is Hillary Rodham Clinton.

1952 - Adlai Stevenson

1956 - Adlai Stevenson

1960- Richard M. Nixon

1964 - Barry M. Goldwater

1968 - Hubert H. Humphrey

1972 - George McGovern

1976 - Gerald R. Ford

1980 - Jimmy Carter

1984 - Walter Mondale

1988 - Michael Dukakis

1992 - George H. W. Bush

1996 - Bob Dole

2000 - Al Gore

2004 - John Kerry

2008 - John McCain

2012 - Mitt Romney

2016 - Hillary Rodham Clinton

 

Jeff Meyers - King of Nepotism - Bad for Shawnee and the County Commission

 Jeff Meyers is running for County Commissioner in JoCo to represent mostly Shawnee.  He does have name recognition.  Former council member, mayor and football coach.

He has also shown a proclivity to engage in nepotism, not always in the best interests of the citizenry.

As the result of a vacancy created by a resignation on the Shawnee city council various individuals applied for the position.  The position eventually went to Alan (Jeff Meyers' uncle by marriage) Willoughby.  The circumstances behind  Willoughby's appointment met with a scathing rebuke by the JoCo DA.  You can read about it here from a posting on January 30, 2013 which also includes a link to an article from the Shawnee Dispatch (yepper it is still up there).

Eventually Uncle Alan actually ran for the office and was defeated.  OK, then what?  An opening occurs on the city's Planning Commission.  Enter his cheerful nephew (by marriage) who appoints Uncle Alan to the Planning Commission.  the appointment has one stumbling block.  The council votes to a 4-4 tie on the appointment.  So, what does Meyers do?  He breaks the tie and Uncle Alan winds up on the Planning Commission.  You can read more about it in this post from December 10,2013

In November of 2014 Meyers was fired as the football coach at Olathe East when his team had their first losing season in 15 years.  Huh?  Fifteen years of winning seasons, lose one season and get sent packing.  And he then wound up in the Independence, Missouri school district.  Something does not seem right here. Really strange after all of those winning seasons.  By the way, did/does any of his campaign literature mention the time spent in Independence.  Anyway, his firing from Olathe was reported by the KC Star on November 25, 2014 and can be read by clicking here.

Anyway. methinks the folks of Shawnee would be best served by voting for Rob Patterson, a small business owner who knows what it takes to make things run. Especially in these trying times.

5700 King Street Apartments, Constance and Chalfie.......Something Strange

 Strange things happening regarding the apartment building development for 57th & King.

Where do I begin?  First, the project was to come before the council on 9/28/20.  A request to postpone it for two weeks came about because Council Member Jenkins was undergoing surgery.  Surprise, surprise, it never did show up on the agenda 2 weeks later (10/12/20) nor is it on the agenda for four weeks later (10/26/20).  Why not?

Now let's look at some other interesting items relative to that project.  Many folks who live in the area of the project are not happy with it.  One of the things that they tried to do was to get Council Members Lindsey Constance and Jill Chalfie involved with their cause.  I recently found out that four (4) meetings with them were cancelled because one or the other could not make it.  They (the council members) had a requirement that they had to appear together and this finally happened last week.  Huh?  Constance and Chalfie would only appear if they could do it jointly?  Many times various members of the council have met with citizen groups without a requirement that another member be present.  This just solidifies, IMHO, that these two are joined at the hip and that Chalfie cannot act independently.  Is she a puppet for Constance?

Now, back to the delays of the vote on the council for this project. I can just guess as to why it has been postponed.  If the vote had been taken 10/12 or 10/26 and Constance had voted for it (Chalfie will mimic Constance), the folks in that area would have most likely voted against her candidacy for State Senate.  Hmmmm, would that have an effect on that candidacy?  Did somehow Constance get this item postponed until after the election?

I don't know.  Right now it's speculative.  But, if I lived in that area I wouldn't trust Constance to represent me in the State Senate.  The 10th State Senate District encompasses virtually all of Shawnee and a small segment of Merriam.  As a matter of fact, I don't live in that area and I still don't trust her to represent me in the State Senate.  I classify her as part of the Democrats/Socialists movement out to destroy our country from within. 

Edited 11/5/20:  When I said I did not live in that area, I was referring to the part of Shawnee where the apartment project is being proposed.  I most certainly do live in Shawnee and within the boundaries of the 10th State Senate District.

One Half of Shawnee City Council Ignores Their Responsibilities

 I previously posted about this on August 30th, 2020.

Below is a copy of an email I sent to the governing body on 10/6/20.  You will note that it references a previous email from 9/28/20.  It is pretty self explanatory.

********************************

Mornin’

On 9/28/20 I sent an email covering two items.

One of the items is listed below.

How about an answer?

Council meetings

If folks can still go to city hall for council meetings why can’t “business from the floor” be brought back into the agenda?

More importantly, when are we going back to in person council meetings?  Like OP, Lenexa, Olathe, and the BOCC?  Five on the dais, (Thomas, Jenkins, Mayor, Knappen and Chalfie, with or without movable barriers)  four at tables in front of the dais. City manager and city attorney in the gallery, where they belong.  Staff should be able to figure this out.  Instead of making excuses as to why it can't be done how about finding a way to do it?  Just gave you a starting point.

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Other citizens have given info on how the necessary electronic hook ups could be done.  But staff should be able to figure that out

So, what do we have?  We have:

The "good":  The four council members who show up willing to be a true city council.  These are Eric Jenkins, Mike Kemmling, Tammy Thomas and Kurt Knappen.

The "bad":  The four council members and the mayor who still sit out at home using Zoom.  Matt Zimmerman whose specialty seems to be to lecture the other council members with an arrogance reminiscent of former council member Jeff Vaught.  The difference?  Zimmerman does it in a softer speaking tone.  What a rip off!!!  Lisa Larson-Bunnell...............whose hypocrisy on this item has already been covered in another post.  Lindsey Constance........a little bit of two faced actions.  Can't bring herself to show up at city hall for a meeting but wants to be a state senator where they have been meeting in person.  A poor choice as a council member, an even poorer choice to be a state senator.  Jill Chalfie whose only claim to fame appears to be as a puppet for Constance.  The mayor?  All kinds of excuses.

The "ugly":  The over paid frat boy city manager Nolan Sunderman who can't seem to advise the council on how this can happen.  What are his underlying motives?

Election Choices for 11/3/20

These are my choices.  Some of them I will go into detail in specific posts within the next few days.

President/Vice President:  Donald Trump/Mike Pence

US Senator:  Roger Marshall

US Representative:  Amanda Adkins

KS Senate-District 10:  Mike Thompson

KS Representative Dist 17:  Kristine Sapp

KS Representative Dist 18:  Cathy Gordon

KS Representative Dist 23:  Jeff Shull

KS Representative Dist 39:  Owen Donohoe

District Attorney 10th District:  Steve Howe

County Commissioner Dist 2:  Rob Patterson

Sheriff:  Cal Hayden

Council member Larson-Bunnell More Hypocrisy

 Well the council member from Ward III has shown us, again, how she can be hypocritical.

At the August 24th council meeting there was a discussion about council members meeting in chambers live.  That info can be found in the minutes of the meeting by clicking here.

Here are her comments: (click on the image to view a larger version)

Now, with that said, her concerns about gatherings didn't stop her from this shoulder to shoulder photo op for the opening of a new drinking establishment in Shawnee: (oh, that's her on the right hand side with the patterned dress):  (click on the image to view a larger version)

That pic is from her FB page which can be viewed by clicking here.

Congratulations Lisa, you just won the bovine scatology award for the month.