Did Kevin Makalous Sleep Thru Law School?

 According to his info posted on LinkedIn he received his Juris Doctor from Drake University in 2005.  So as not to confuse the situation he is not currently a practicing attorney in Kansas as he does not hold active certification from the Supreme Court of the State of Kansas.

But still, did he sleep thru law school?  Or at least part of it?  On his Facebook page he has a graphic which says among other things that "no person is illegal".  Sorry Mr Law School Graduate, I would definitely disagree with you.  That phrase has been used by the liberal socialist left to make it politically incorrect to call these illegals what they are. They should be more concerned about what has been happening in this arena.  Illegals are being flown all over the US, in the middle of the night.  And this, after they have been released via the "catch and release"  policy of the current administration.  The costs of these sanctioned illegals will have to be borne by everyday people in our country.

Illicit drugs, human trafficking and a variety of other problems have been on the rise.  These left wing socialists use all kinds of neat little buzzwords.  Truth be known they want to restrict the freedoms of American citizens so as to turn this country into a political model that has never worked.  If you value your freedoms, you cannot allow these individuals to gain entry onto local governing bodies.

Eric Persson - Lying At The Door

 Word has been filtering back that Eric Persson, Ward 2 council candidate has been telling some big fibs about incumbent council member Mike Kemmling.  Seems he has been making statements to the effect that Kemmling spends more time out of town than in Shawnee.

Me thinks that Persson needs to get his story straight.  Let's start with the facts.  For many years Dr. Mike Kemmling was a self employed dentist with an active business right here in Shawnee.  Also known as being a small business owner, right here in Shawnee.  In January, 2020 he sold the business and as part of the sale he has a non-compete clause that expires January 2023 (he is now a little over half way there).  The non-compete clause makes it difficult for him to work in his field within the metro area.

Another dentist who he has known for years has an existing practice in Wichita and offered him a position.  This is what it entails.  He drives down to Wichita on a Tuesday morning.  Works there Tuesday.  Spends the night there Tuesday.  Works there Wednesday and then drives back to Shawnee Wednesday night.  That means he spends two days and one night outside of Shawnee.  He spends five days and six nights a week with his family, right here in Shawnee.  That is not, by my calculations spending more time outside of Shawnee.  Many folks that are involved in sales spend 3-4 nights out on the road a week.  Oh well, seems that Persson can't count.  I find it ironic also that he would be critical of Kemmlings very light travel load.  Especially coming from someone who, since June 2012 has worked for six different companies.  How much travel did/does he do in those positions?

Also, I find it ironic that Persson, as previously stated on this blog, has not listed what he feels are his qualifications for becoming a member of the council.  Just a bunch of liberal double talk.  And we are witnessing all over the country what the socialist liberal democrats are trying to do.  And yes, they are pushing to get their folks in on the ground floor (city councils, school boards, water commissions, etc.) and then work their way up.  So, what is happening nationally is important here (just look at two counties in Virginia, the State of California, parts of Oregon, Michigan,Washington, et al).  Do we want to have these individuals stealthily move into ground floor political positions? Like city councils, school boards, etc. And yes, Persson is "one of them".  Here is a screen capture of his recent request for donations to his campaign.  Click on it to view it larger

Note that he is going thru ActBlue for his donations.  What does that mean?  From the ActBlue web site: (highlights mine)

"...we’ve built a powerful online fundraising platform for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot, progressive organizations.."

Also from their web site: (highlights mine)

".. Our platform is available to Democratic candidates and committees, progressive organizations...,"

These are the folks that are pushing to indoctrinate rather than educate your children, the people who want total control of your daily lives, who want to suppress your freedom of speech (unless it mirrors theirs).  Those who want to spend monies for giveaway programs and basically drive the middle class out.  So far we have been partially insulated from these folks here in Shawnee but they will continue to chip away at our rights.  Let's not let it get to the point where we wake up one morning and say "what happened?"

Shawnee Mission Post Fails the Public on Rattan Tax Story

The Shawnee Mission Post, in a feeble attempt to cover the story behind the past due property tax situation of JCCC Trustee candidate Dawn Rattan, left out some very important info.  Did they deliberately leave the info about the delinquent tax history out?  Were they "covering" for the candidate?  Also, as stated in a previous post here, current Ward 3 Council Member Lisa Larson-Bunnell apparently has no problem with endorsing/supporting Ms. Rattan.  Also, Ms. Larson-Bunnell was on the council when the previous delinquency became known.  I think Larson-Bunnell is morally and ethically challenged for supporting Rattan and needs to publicly withdraw her support.

FYI, more specific info on the previous tax delinquency (2015 & 2016 not paid until 2019 and only after a member of the community brought it to light) is contained in my email to the reporter, editor and owner/publisher of the Shawnee Mission Post, quoted below:

++++++++++++++++++

I read the article that you published concerning the 2019 back property taxes that were owed by Dawn Rattan on your web site at

https://shawneemissionpost.com/2021/10/08/dawn-rattan-property-taxes-133785/

The reasons given for the late payment were something about miscommunication with her spouse and a death in the family.

Was your article based on the blog post at http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2021/10/lisa-larson-bunnell-supports.html ?

If you read that blog post there was info that indicated that just two years ago (in 2019) when Ms. Rattan ran for city council that another member of the community brought out info that there were multiple years of delinquent taxes.

That info is easily verifiable at the JoCo Tax Office.  What was the reason for those delinquent items?  Was it also miscommunication with the spouse?  Were there other deaths in the family?

Why was this info not mentioned in your article?  Was it selective editing?  Don’t you feel a responsibility to report these types of situations to the public?  Or, are you being protective of a candidate who appears to adhere to the maxim, “the rules are made for thee, not me”?

Anyway, it was the 2015 & 2016 taxes that were not paid until 2019.  Curious if that member of the community had not made the info public how much longer would they have gone delinquent.  IMHO, your “newspaper” was very remiss in not adhering to the old Paul Harvey saying of “….and now for the rest of the story…..”

2016       Payment History                             Details

TAXING ENTITY RATE      TOTAL TAXES DUE            AMOUNT PAID BALANCE

Installment 1                     Last Paid Date: 7-11-2019

Installment 2                     Last Paid Date: 7-11-2019

Property Fees                                                  

TOTALS 0.133095              $21,596.35           $21,596.35           $0.00

2015       Payment History                             Details

TAXING ENTITY RATE      TOTAL TAXES DUE            AMOUNT PAID BALANCE

Installment 1                     Last Paid Date: 7-11-2019

Installment 2                     Last Paid Date: 7-11-2019

Property Fees                                                  

TOTALS 0.136589              $24,302.75           $24,302.75           $0.00

Sophia Theodore Is Wrong for Shawnee - Ward 1 Council

 Oh my gosh.  Wasn't this nice?  Sophia Theodore posted well wishes to all the Shawnee workers.  Now take a closer look.  Do you see that clenched fist symbol in the right hand area?  That symbol has, for many years, become associated with communism.  That's right!!  Don't believe me?  Look it up for yourself.  You can click on the image to make it larger.

Hmmm, is she another one of these left leaning liberals who are part of what the problem is today in this country?  Starting at the lower levels of government and then creeping up to the top.  Probably, considering her campaign treasurer is one of the most liberal left wingers on the current council.  She is running to replace him, since he chose not to run again.  

Her web site indicates that she is in favor of more commercial businesses so as to reduce the tax burden on private home owners.  But, just like Persson who is running in Ward 2 (see my previous post).  She is talking a good game but reality would set in.  What do I mean?  Because she would most likely approve every project with heavy incentives, thereby giving away the farm with the city not seeing any appreciable changes in the tax base.  Projects are good, but incentives have to be selective as to who gets them.  The liberal majority on the council just willy nilly gives them to everybody.  And she would most likely follow suit.  Why else would Matt Zimmerman not only support her, but take on the role of her campaign treasurer.

If you want a council member in Ward 1 who will be selective as to who gets incentives and therefore realistically work towards reducing the burden on homeowners then you want Tony Gillette.

Eric Persson - Terrible Choice for Ward 2 - Shawnee City Council

 It is my opinion that Eric Persson would be a terrible choice for the Ward 2 seat currently held by Dr. Mike Kemmling.  Mike is running for reelection.

Why do I say that about Eric Persson.  If you go to his website by clicking here, you will see why.

First, Persson does NOT give you any biographical data about himself.  That's right.  No background info.  No mention of what types of jobs he has held, what types of responsibilities he's had, what his education level is, what his community involvement is, what organizations he belongs to. Nothing! Nada!  Zero!  His background is, by his omitting it, a big blank, a nothing.  No indications of what qualifications he has to be a member of the council.  Why doesn't he mention any of these things?  Is he embarrassed by his background?  Or maybe there is nothing in his background that would qualify him to be on the council?

Maybe that explains why this statement, from his website, is empty of reality.  Read it first, and I will explain below.  Oh, if you want, click on it for a larger image:

What he says, sounds good.  And it would be nice.  But why is it unrealistic?  First, let's look at some facts.  Commercial property taxes account for the low 20's in percentage of property taxes received.  As a comparison, Lenexa's runs in the mid 40's.  Wow.  So, with a bunch of new developments over the past 10 years why hasn't the commercial tax base increased?  The answer is easy.  It's the alphabet soup of incentives that city council with a traditional overload of liberal socialistic democrats has fostered on the citizens.  They all claim to want the increase in commercial property taxes, but then they vote to give away the farm.  Mike Kemmling feels that certain projects warrant that, but not all.  And yes, Dr. Mike has fought against some of these overloaded incentives.  But the liberal wonks say if we don't give them, then the developers won't come.  Heck, and when they do, what does the city get?

We can look at many of the more recent ones, but one in particular comes to mind.  Westbooke Green.....75th and Quivira.  The initial presentation by the developer was beautiful.  Apartments, retail, restaurants, an amphitheater for public use.  The council (or the liberal element in the majority) really gave away the farm in incentives, property tax abatements, and a plethora of others to include giving up the city's 1% sales tax and giving that to the developer.  Needless to say, what the city is getting no way comes close to what we were told.  The project has been greatly reduced in scope.  Yet, the incentives are still there.  Don't even ask about the abomination that was going to be Belmont Promenade.  That is a story by itself.  Also, some of these projects also get various alphabet soup additional taxes (over and above the 1%) which also go to the developer.  

Some folks say we shouldn't bring out political philosophies.  Sorry, can't help it in this case.  With all of the problems we are facing nationally, much of it trickling down, we do not need liberal influencers on the city council.  We cannot afford to have council members who would vote to give away the farm to every project.  We need council members who will be selective to vote for projects that are truly win-win.  Persson is not that man.

Kevin Makalous Misleads & Misinforms

Kevin Makalous, candidate for a Ward 4 city council seat in Shawnee posted the below item on his Facebook page.  You can read his entire page at https://www.facebook.com/Kevin4Shawnee/.

If you want you can click on the image for a larger version.

You can also read the email thread by clicking here http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2021/08/kevin-makalous-is-wrong-for-ward-4-in.html

I'll try and keep this short and sweet.  I didn't refuse to meet with this individual.  He just did not like the idea that I wanted to record the conversation and have a third party present.  These are actions that left wing liberal liars don't like to have happen.

The divisive item (which he refuse to mention in his post) was the teaching of critical race theory in our schools.  Eventually he admitted that he aligned with the thoughts of David French.  Do a "google" on French.  A person who definitely supports critical race theory.

He claims I did not publish his last email asking again to meet.  Hmmm, did I miss that one?  Does it matter?

Interesting that he tells folks they can read the info at my blog but does not provide a link.  At least I provided a link to his FB page.

Does he mislead?  Does he misinform?  Or, is he an outright liar?  Read the emails and decide for yourself.

Do we need or want someone who is a far out left wing socialist whacko on the city council?  Someone who is a disciple of the current far left council rep Lindsey Constance?  This has been mentioned before, but in case you did not read it, here's the deal.  Constance filed to run for reelection, and then on the last day that withdrawal was permitted, 6/1/21
she withdrew.  That was also the last day that a candidate could file to run, And that is what Makalous did.  And, Constance wound up as his campaign treasurer. All documents are viewable at the JoCo election web site. Hmmmm, how long had they been planning that?  

Lisa Larson-Bunnell Supports PropertyTax Delinquent for Public Office

 It seems that Lisa Larson-Bunnell, candidate for reelection to Ward 3 council person supports a property tax delinquent for public office in Johnson County.

The campaign finance report for 9/1/21 for Dawn Rattan, candidate for JCCC Board of Trustees lists Larson-Bunnell as having contributed to her (Rattan's) campaign for $150 on 7/19/21.  As of 10/3/21 the taxes for 2019 are still unpaid.

It's outrageous that a sitting city council person, running for reelection would support another candidate who is not up to date on their property taxes.

Ironically, Rattan has a history of being delinquent on property taxes.  When she ran for city council in 2019 the property was delinquent for multiple years.  That can be verified by researching the tax records and viewing dates  when paid by clicking here to go to the JoCo tax office. When another citizen of the city brought out that information the multi year delinquencies did get paid.  Currently, the 2020 taxes have been paid, but over $21,000 remains past due for 2019.

Larson-Bunnell had to know of Rattan's previous tax delinquencies.  And, you'd think as an attorney and a sitting city councilperson she would have researched that candidate's records before contributing to her campaign.  Not really a smart move on Larson-Bunnell's part.  Not sure if I'd want someone like Larson-Bunnell representing me on the city council when she apparently can't use due diligence on researching those she contributes to for public office.  Will she demand a refund of her contribution?  Will she come out and withdraw any perceived endorsement that that contribution represents?

Or, do both of these left wing liberals have an attitude that "rules are for thee, not me"?

Larson-Bunnell should not be returned to the council in the upcoming election.

Rattan should not be elected to the JCCC Board of Trustees

The Distler Dilemma - Part 3

 Well it looks like our illustrious mayor still has not apologized publicly for her illegal, immoral and unethical actions.

For those who need some background you can read the info at:

this posting from 2/16/2021  and,

this posting from 5/19/2021 

If you want to read a copy of the affidavit that the JoCo DA's office used to obtain the arrest warrant you can do so by clicking here for the link.   Also, near the end of the affidavit what is really interesting are the timeline discrepancies. Her comments just did not gel with what took place.

There are also numerous items about the situation on various local web sites to include the KC Star, KCTV, The Shawnee Mission Post, just to name a few.  And various news outlets in other states.

Madam Mayor, this is not going to go away.  Even if you successfully complete your diversion program and the county then drops the charges, your actions still happened.

Yes Madam Mayor, you still owe public apologies to me, the governing body and most importantly the people of Shawnee.  Filing a complaint with the attorney general's office is the right of every citizen.  Filing a complaint using someone else's name because you lack the intestinal fortitude to stand by your actions is outrageous, and, as we have all found out, illegal.

Do the right and honorable thing.  Stand up during a council meeting during "Mayor's Items" and issue those apologies.

9/11/2021

It's been twenty years.

I will pray for those who lost their lives that day, and those who passed later as a result of their injuries and illnesses.

I will pray for those that responded to the scenes of the terror attacks.

I will stand for the Star Spangled Banner and I will salute it.

I will ask you to never forget, I won't.

Game 3 of the World Series, 10/30/01, Yankee Stadium, NYC

Game 4 of the World Series, 10/31/01, Yankee Stadium, NYC

Ward 4 Needs Jacklynn Walters for the Shawnee City Council

Jacklynn Walters, is a very strong conservative candidate for Shawnee’s Ward 4. Her web site is http://www.jacklynnwalters.com and her email is jacklynnwalters4shawnee@yahoo.com

 

Who is she running against?  Kevin Makalous.  Why is he running?  Because the current Ward 4 council member Lindsey Constance chose at the last minute to drop out and he was ready to file (how long was that being planned?).  Now, here’s the kicker.  Constance is the campaign treasurer for Makalous.  Two left wing liberal whackos.  Remember her?  She ran against Mike Thompson for state senate.  Makalous is terrible.  

Now Makalous  wants folks to carry a COVID passport on their smart phones.  Think I’m kidding you?  Below is a screen shot from his FB page, complete with his photo making that comment.  This man is one of those power hungry, we want to control your life liberal democrats. Click on the image to view it larger.

He was also a supporter of the Shawnee Community Center project………….which thankfully failed at the ballot box.  He didn’t care how the cost of that project would affect the average Shawnee resident.  He said the community wanted it.  It didn’t and proved it by voting it down 72-28.  And if ya don’t believe me there are three FB screen captures below with his comments. Again, click on the images to view them larger. Makalous is a man who won’t listen to the voters.

I urge you to support Jacklynn Walters  by volunteering to help her and if you can with some funding.  Even if you don’t live in Ward 4, for the council, to be able to do the right things for Shawnee we need her on the council.   When council members vote, they are voting for the whole city, not just their wards.

 

Biden: Resign, or Impeach

 Short, sweet and to the point.

Why is the MSM not holding Biden totally accountable for his actions regarding Afghanistan?  If it had been Trump they would have been screaming for impeachment.

Biden says he is told by "them" who to call on at press conferences

Biden says he is told by "them" not to take questions.

My opinion, he needs to resign or be impeached.  Then, after he is out of office how about 13 counts of criminally negligent manslaughter?  Probably wouldn't hold up in court because defense attorneys would claim that he was not of a right mind.  And that would probably hold up.

That would put Kamala "The Laughing Hyena" Harris in the driver's seat.  That should be the impetus to change the make up of the US Congress (both the House of Representatives and the Senate) in the 2022 elections. Even more so if he is not impeached or doesn't resign. These "woke" liberal democrats need to be shown the door.  And we don't need any of them elected to office in the upcoming local elections.

BTW, my opinion that his presence at Dover AFB for the return of those military members killed in Kabul was an insult to their memory.

Shawnee State Bank Returns to Johnson Drive

 Well, not the bank business itself, but the beauty of this historical icon for Shawnee.  

The current ownership of the building which rests with Dan Pflumm, a descendant of the original bank's owners, has plans to remove the ugly glass and steel overlays that cover up the beautiful stone work of the original building.  This will be a welcome beautification project for  the southwest corner of Johnson Drive and Nieman Road.  Now that block of Johnson Drive will look like it once was and can become a major attraction to downtown Shawnee.  Not old, not ancient, but classy

 Plans call for a high end restaurant to become a major tenant of the building.  Great idea.

Some folks have questioned the use of $300,000 of SEED money for the project.  The total cost will be $1 million. Apparently these folks are not aware of what the SEED money is for or where it comes from.  Years ago the city entered into an agreement with Deffenbaugh now WMA for that company to pay an impact fee of over $3 million dollars annually with periodic increases.  The council at the time designated 1/2 of that money for road repairs and 1/2 for economic development.  The funds going into this project do not come from the general fund, ergo not from city taxpayers. A portion of the funding for the Aztec Theater downtown came from the same source.

Anyway, this is one project that I'd like to commend both the building's ownership and the city for making it happen.

Sidebar:  IMHO this project along with the Blume Shawnee development a few blocks south on Nieman can only add to the positive appearance of the redevelopment of that corridor.  Unlike IMHO the project that I have nicknamed the Starship Nieman.  I don't consider that building to be attractive.  But, I guess there are those who do.  Oh well.

SMSD Teacher Resigns Over the Teaching of Critical Race Theory

 Josiah Enyart, a teacher in the SMSD's Comanche Elementary has resigned over both the teaching of Critical Race Theory and mask mandates.  He was also fined $1,000 by the SMSD because he missed a cut off date for resigning,

From the news article at  the NY Post  it also states "that the district began Deep Equity critical race theory training for teachers at a cost of $400,000, NY Post said. District officials also  told teachers to “reject and resist any parents who disagree with” critical race theory, the Sentinel reported. "  It should be noted that $7500 has been raised on go fund Me to pay his $1000 fine.  The item was also picked up by Fox News at this web page.

Guess which news outlet hasn't reported on this?  If you guessed the Shawnee Mission Post you are correct.  Guess they don't think this left wing socialist dogma is worth reporting about.

Now let's look at this from another perspective.  Lindsey Constance, current Ward 4 council member in Shawnee and a teacher in the SMSD has refused to answer whether or not she supports the teaching of critical race theory.  In her case it is important because it is my understanding that she is some type of coach to other teachers.  

Taking it one step further, Constance is the campaign treasurer for Kevin Makalous who is running to take her place on the council since she is not running for reelection.  When pressed, he has said he aligns with David French on the subject of CRT.  Not good.

All of the above about Constance and Makalous, or is it makaLOUSY, can be read by scrolling down to see some of my more recent posts.

Kevin Makalous is Wrong for Ward 4 in Shawnee

 

On Friday 8/6/21 Kevin Makalous, candidate for Ward 4 of the Shawnee City Council and I engaged in some back and forth dialogue via email.  This was prompted by my inquiring as to his stance on critical race theory and the 1619 project being taught in schools.  This is a little on the long side but you might find it interesting if you read all the emails.  Decide what you think for yourself.  My additional commentary is at the end.

Here we go with the emails:

My initial email

On Aug 6, 2021, at 8:19 AM, Ray Erlichman wrote:

Good morning,

As a candidate for the Shawnee City council, Ward 4, it is felt that the following questions need to be answered.

Do you approve of the teaching of critical race theory and the 1619 project in schools? 

Now before you say that city councils have no control over what is taught in the schools allow me to interject.  First, you are a former member of the USD 232 School Board and I believe that your spouse is a current sitting member of that board.  Second, elected officials at all levels usually have influence on other elected bodies.  As such it is felt that you need to be completely forthcoming on the above issues.

It is also noted that your campaign treasurer, Lindsey Constance, the current Ward 4 council member, is a teacher in the SMSD.  It should be noted that she wimped out on answering the same questions.  See the posts at http://www.shawneeray.blogspot.com  Additionally, you seem to be very enamored of her as evidenced by comments in an article in the Shawnee Mission Post:

Makalous, who works as a financial adviser for Edward Jones, said he’s glad to have Constance’s support.

“She has been a strong public servant and will continue to make a lasting impact through her work across the region,” Makalous said.

In case you forgot what you said, you can read it here https://shawneemissionpost.com/2021/06/02/lindsey-constance-shawnee-council-123584/

That now begs another question:  What is your opinion of her failure to respond to those same questions?

Looking forward to your response

His reply

From: Kevin Makalous

Sent: Friday, August 06, 2021 8:39 AM

Ray I appreciate you reaching out. 

I respectfully decline to address these issues in an email but would welcome a chance to meet with you over coffee to discuss. 

Can I gently suggest your email has a sort of "gotcha" tone to it and something you'll learn about me is I'm passionate about de-escalating the intensity and emotion in our politics.  Face to face dialogue is always better, in my humble opinion, than email or blogs or social media.  It's amazing what we'll say on a computer screen that we'd never say in person (I have been guilty of this many times too but I'm trying to be better). 

Would you like to meet up for coffee and conversation?  When would be a good time and where is convenient?  McCain's?  I'm buying! 

Kindest and warmest regards, 

Kevin Makalous 

My response

On Aug 6, 2021, at 2:08 PM, Ray Erlichman  wrote:

Kevin,

Hmmm, ya think my email has a “gotcha” tone to it.  Rest assured that when a political candidate declines to state their position in writing I detect a Tijuana Two Step, and an attempt to avoid a direct answer to a specific question.

Ya wanna meet face to face?  OK………..Sunday 8/8/21 9:00AM at Dunkin’ Donuts on Shawnee Mission Parkway across from 10 Quivira.

As for you buying……..noper……..doesn’t work.  Neither one should pay for the other.  We cover our own.

Next, since I already detect a Tijuana Two Step and do not wish to be put in a he said, he said, situation that aspect will be covered by the fact that I will have a third party with me and the conversation will be recorded.

See ya Sunday.

Ray

His reply

From: Kevin Makalous
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2021 2:21 PM

Ray, 

I genuinely want to visit. I think you're level of intensity says you're not going in with an open mind and a truly honest desire to be in conversation and dialogue on issues but rather a sense of fear and worry about what might be said and how it would be conveyed. 

Again I truly want to open a line of communication. I don't know you. I've never met you. I'd love to visit but, Sunday mornings are never an option. Stephanie and I are the leaders of our local worshipping community so Sunday mornings I'm focused on that. Perhaps Monday morning?  Starbucks or McClain's?  I prefer sitting on outdoor patios for the time being and I don't think Dunkin has an outdoor patio (am I mistaken?).   And please, if you can't come with an open mind and an open heart to having honest conversations about tough issues then let's not waste each other's time. Yours is valuable as is mine. I'm approaching this with a wide open desire to meet you and visit about your passions and concerns and I would ask you give me the same benefit of the doubt. Is that doable?

K 

My reply

On Aug 6, 2021, at 2:47 PM, Ray Erlichman wrote:

Kevin,

Weekdays are not good for me.

Sundays are my best options as for the next couple of Saturdays I will be doing volunteer work for some public service events that are ham radio related.

My mind is open.  You apparently want to beat around the bush.  

So, let’s forget the idea of meeting face to face.  

You can choose to either reply to the very direct questions with very direct answers or you can choose not to.  That is up to you.  If anyone has a sense of fear and worry it would be you for refusing to answer these questions directly.

Basically what you are telling me is that you don’t want to commit yourself to letting folks know where you stand.  Beating around the bush with flowery phrases of open hearts and passions etc. doesn’t cut it with me.  Direct answers is what does.

You want to have “discussions”.  I want answers.

This is going nowhere. 

Ray

 

His reply

From: Kevin Makalous
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2021 3:07 PM 

I’m sorry weekday's don’t work.  I could do a Sunday afternoon?  

Ham radio?  I didn’t know that was something you were interested in… I was a ham radio operator back in 3rd grade as part of 4H!  Love it!  

As for direct answers… here’s the thing.  I think each side of the political spectrum has decided it has buzz words or phrases that they’re going to use to divide us as a society.  My heart breaks for our community seeing so much division and fear and hate ON BOTH SIDES.  Neither side is angelic in its approach here.  When I see questions about Critical Race Theory, and 1619 Project, I immediately wonder if this isn’t just a moment for us to divide each other more on divisive issues? 

Honestly, in my entire time on the school board, and in my 46 years on the planet, I’d never heard of either of these two items until the last year in the political universe where somehow they’ve become front and center.  

I grew up as a product of the Shawnee Mission public schools.  Mill Creek Elementary, Trailridge Middle, and SMNW (class of 1994).  The education I was presented, in my humble opinion, was great.  I’ve been blessed to lead a highly successful life in my personal endeavors and my professional pursuits and so much of that I credit back to my public education K-12 and some unbelievable teachers that poured into me along that journey.  I’m deeply passionate about public education.  I think it’s the bedrock of our society.  I support a family’s right to send their student to any private school they would want to, but you’ll never find me less than totally supportive of our public school system first and foremost.  It’s the great equalizer (as imperfect as the system is) in my opinion.  

If you genuinely want to talk about CRT and 1619, the problem is, I don’t know much about either topic, so it’s hard for me to give direct answers.  I’m not trying to avoid anything, I truly and genuinely don’t know much about either (I’m an attorney no less, and I don’t remember ever hearing the term CRT in law school and supposedly it’s a term largely used in legal settings???).  So, when someone asks me where do I stand on these issues, I truly seek to understand what their understanding is of all of this, as perhaps there are things I need to learn and become aware of as a hopeful elected leader in our community.  Does that make sense?  It’s hard for me to answer a question on a topic I don’t know much about and you clearly seem to know enough to have formed a solid opinion.  I really want to sit down and learn from you what it is you know of both topics and what is worrying you so much that you’re asking me for “direct answers” about each topic.  

So again, my offer stands, and I’m happy to meet on a Sunday, it just can’t be before noon.  

I hope this is helpful?  Feel free to call me anytime too 913-609-5129 is my cell phone.  

Can we grab coffee Sunday at 1pm?  

My Best - 

Kevin Makalous 

My reply

On Aug 6, 2021, at 3:29 PM, Ray Erlichman wrote:

 

With everything that has been in the news about CRT and the 1619 project I find it hard to believe that you truly do not know what they are.

Study up about them, do your research, then answer the questions.

Until then, no sense in meeting.

Off the topic:  I am a member of JoCo ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service)  JoCo ECS (Emergency Communications Service….the only amateur group that is actually government supervised – County Emergency Management for weather spotting) and SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network) and am part of the EComm Team for Shawnee CST (CERT)  Public service events are usually bike rides, runs etc, mostly for charity and ham radio operators are used to provide communications support in case there are any problems on the rides, runs etc to include equipment and/or medical.

His reply

From: Kevin Makalous
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2021 3:43 PM

Love how much you are investing in helping our community with communication resources.  This is GREAT!  I know Ham radio has always been a bedrock communication system for disaster preparedness!  

I’ll do my best to keep learning about CRT and 1619.  I do read A LOT and have learned much from the following on these topics: David Brooks, Peggy Noonan, David French, and Jonah Goldberg.  But again, none of them seem to agree exactly what CRT is and what the 1619 project is under one concrete definition.  It’s more amorphous, describing various ways to look at and address racial reconciliation/social justice movements and ideas.  So, again, I would like to hear how you perceive each topic and then I’ll share with you my views on race relations broadly, but again, prefer to do that in an open dialogue cuz topics like that can go off the rails when it’s e-mail, text, social media, or blogs, so quickly.  

I would welcome the chance to meet up anytime.  

My Best - 

Kevin Makalous

My Reply

On Aug 6, 2021, at 3:51 PM, Ray Erlichman wrote:



After you learn exactly what they are.  Not as amorphous as you may think.

 

His Reply

From: Kevin Makalous
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2021 4:18 PM

Let's meet up to discuss.  Again I have views on racial reconciliation and the such. But would like to learn your perspective.  I suspect there's more we agree on than we don't. Let's meet up. Just tell me when is convenient. September works well too.

My best- 

K

My Reply

On Aug 6, 2021, at 4:35 PM, Ray Erlichman wrote:

 My perspective does not matter.  Yours does.  You are the one running for office.  Not looking to see where we agree or disagree.  Just want to know where you stand on specific issues.

If you don’t know what these issues really are then learn and then answer the questions.  Nuff said.

 

His Reply

From: Kevin Makalous
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2021 4:44 PM 

I would say my views align very closely with David French’s views on these issues.  

Hopefully that is helpful.  

Again, let’s meet!  You carry tremendous influence in Shawnee. Widely followed.  You’re a leader.  So yes, your voice matters greatly.  Perhaps more than an elected leaders?  

My Best - 

Kevin Makalous 

My reply

On Aug 6, 2021, at 4:57 PM, Ray Erlichman wrote:

 I’m not asking who your views align with.  I’m asking what are your views.

Your attempts at stroking my ego are falling on deaf ears.  

His reply

From: Kevin Makalous
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2021 5:11 PM

Ray, How do I say this any more clearly!  I won’t write down my views, cuz it would take 5 pages.  I will not provide a sound bite quote on a topic as sensitive as racial reconciliation in the United States.  THAT IS A BIG TOPIC - and politics and social media are killing us with Twitter answers and FB posts and blogs that have no context.  Hence the reason we need to be in dialogue with one another.  I don’t know what more I can say about this.  I greatly appreciate you reaching out.  I want to visit.  I will not be backed into a corner on a topic as big and broad as this. 

My Best - 

Kevin Makalous

PS: Let me know when you have changed your mind and would like to sit down and meet face to face? 

My final reply

On Aug 6, 2021, at 6:15 PM, Ray Erlichman wrote:

Actually your comment that your views align closely with David French are sufficient.

Thank you

My additional commentary on this:

So he aligns with David French.  Hmmmm, interesting.  Wanna learn a little about David French?  Try this  https://nypost.com/2021/07/09/disingenuous-defenses-of-critical-race-theory/

Makalous’attempts at trying to stroke my ego are typical liberal democrat claptrap.  Like he really cares what my perspectives are!  On the contrary, he wants to be able to, IMHO, create an answer that he thinks would appease me, as opposed to stating his actual position. Why did he appear to not like the idea of a third party and/or a recording present at any discussion?  Maybe he doesn't want the possibility of bovine scatological statements going on the record? His kumbayah approach doesn’t cut it with me.  Electing him to represent Ward 4 on the Shawnee City Council, would, IMHO be a mistake.

 

 

 

Lindsey Constance Wimps Out

 Well, well, well.  It looks like Shawnee Council Member Lindsey Constance has ignored responding to my email and post of July 25th, 2021.

As a city council member and a teacher in the SMSD it is my opinion that she has an obligation to let the citizens of Shawnee (and in particular Ward 4, which includes me) know what her stand is on the teaching of CRT and the 1619 project.  And, since there are schools that are teaching these items at the elementary level, it is even more important that she come clean with her stance as that is her supposed area of expertise.  Actually, IMHO the children aren't being taught anything.  They are being indoctrinated with a political philosophy at a very young and tender age.

Her unwillingness to answer these questions makes her unfit IMHO to ever again hold public office.  If she is unwilling to answer these questions as they pertain to teaching these items should she even be in the classroom?

She did drop out of the race to run for reelection in Ward 4.  Maybe losing her bid for the state senate told her something.  According to a spokesperson for her, she has no intention of running for office, for the time being.  Hmmmmmm    Read it here.   Maybe she will run for something else again.

Hmmm, if she won't answer these questions why should we believe anything she says with her little pet project Climate Action KC.  Lindesy, ya wanna clean up the climate?  Answer questions!!!!

Does Lindsey Constance Agree With the Teaching of CRT & the 1619 Project?

 I have sent the below email to Shawnee Council Member Lindsey Constance.

She does need to respond with specific answers.  Will she?  

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

Good afternoon,

As an elected official of the City of Shawnee and a teacher in the Shawnee Mission School District, it is felt that you have an obligation to let the citizens of Shawnee know what your opinions are of two

As a matter of fact I am of the impression that you are a teacher that coaches other teachers and that is at the elementary school level.

The two items are:

1.  Do you approve of the teaching of critical race theory in our schools?

2.  Do you approve of the teaching of the “1619 Project?

These are very specific questions.  I am expecting very specific answers, not a bunch of dancing around them.

So there is no misunderstanding, a copy of this email is being posted to my blog http://www.shawneeray.blogspot.com

To be fair, your reply will be posted, without edits.

I personally feel that you should be able to respond within 72 hours or less.

Thank you

Seventy-seven Years Ago, Today

Do you know what happened 77 years ago today?  Based on when folks are able to start remembering things I'd guess that you'd have to be at least 83-85 years old to remember first hand.

So, have you been taught what it is?  My generation was taught, and my children's generation.  What about my grandchildren?  Are the young folks of today really being taught American history or are they being indoctrinated by a socialistic, liberal, communistic ideology in our school systems?

So, again, I ask:  Do you know what happened 77 years ago today?  If you know what happened you might want to be thankful that it did happen.  And grateful.  If you don't know what happened, you might want to research it. Or at least take a view at what is below.

Shawnee Has Two Very Lame Lame Duck Councilmembers

 The filing deadline has come and passed for folks to file (or withdraw) from city elections this year.

Shawnee has two currently sitting city council members who will not be returning after the election and when the new members are sworn in.

Matt Zimmerman (Ward I) apparently chose not to run again. Lindsey Constance (Ward IV) originally filed to run again, but then withdrew from the race at the last possible moment.  Kevin Makalous filed at the last minute to run.  Was this planned ahead?  And if so, for how long?

Seeing Zimmerman and Constance departing from the council leads me to say "No big loss!!". 

Did these two read the handwriting on the wall?  Did they realize that their actions made them prime targets for the voters to tell them to kiss off and not return to office?

Both of them were strong proponents of the failed community center project.  They apparently didn't care that they were proposing a plan that was going to stick it to the citizens of Shawnee. A whopping 72% of the voting public told them they were nuts.  The project went down in flames at the ballot box. 

They also voted last year, at the beginning of the Covid crisis to give our neophyte city manager an approximate 25% salary raise (about $40,000).  Gee, what kind of compensation increases did the real workers of the city get?  

Then these two also voted for the monster five story apartment building on King Street (the location of the former Wonderscope).  Fortunately that project did not make it.  That brings up another question that only three people can answer, Constance, the mayor and the city manager.  The vote for that project kept getting delayed until after last year's state senate election, which Constance lost to Mike Thompson.  Was the vote on the project delayed so that her "yes" vote would not cost her votes in Ward II for her senate run?  Anyway, looks like the folks in that area smelled where she was coming from and did not like the odor.

Now my concern is that being lame ducks what garbage will these two try to foster on the city knowing that they won't be held accountable?  My guess is that Constance in particular might try for another office down the road.  Especially since she is trying to be the local area's version of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.  

Two Minutes and Thirty-Seven Seconds

 That is all it will take, two minutes and thirty-seven seconds to watch this video.

So, step away from the BBQ grill on Memorial Day, put the video game down, let the young'uns watch this with you.  Explain to them what Memorial Day is.

And, if you can spare an additional five minutes and fifty-two seconds you might want to view this from last year's Memorial Day activities in our nation's capitol.

Is it asking too much to take a little over eight minutes to remember why you have this long weekend?

The Distler Dilemma, Part 2

 I'd like to direct you to my post, on this blog on February 16, 2021 by clicking here

It has now been over three months since that posting, and Mayor Distler has still not responded by apologizing as requested.  She owes three apologies.  One to me personally, one to the council and one to the people of Shawnee.  The perfunctory apology by her paid mouthpiece in the local media is, IMHO a non-apology.

There is an agenda item at city council meetings called "Mayor's Items".  She needs to get up at a council meeting and issue those apologies.  Her failure to do so would, IMHO be indicative of someone who is morally and ethically corrupt.  Or am I expecting too much from a person who would file a complaint with the State of Kansas posing as someone else?

Madam Mayor, do the right thing, apologize.

Shawnee City Council Needs to Get Back to Normal Operations, Now not Later!!!!!

With the JoCo mandate lifted our governing body needs to get back to normal operations.

Last night's council committee meeting was a step in the right direction.  All members of the governing body were in physical attendance.

As we go forward it is imperative that certain things regarding council meetings need to be done:

1.  Continue with all members physically present.  Say sayonara to Zoom.

2.  Move business from the floor back to its position on the agenda as specified in PS-7.  This nonsense by the mayor of having it near the end of the meeting is exactly that, nonsense.  She should be ashamed of herself for her comments of 3/8/21 that staff has priority over citizens.

3.  Take action to remove both the city attorney and the city manager from sitting on the dais at council meetings.  We are the only city in the area that does this.  I have brought this up before and even provided pix of other city's meetings. They are not elected members of the governing body.  They belong either in the gallery with other members of the staff or at a table in the well.  If comments from them are needed (like with other staff members) they can proceed to the podium or if at a separate table, have that table equipped with a microphone.  This will eliminate the whispering comments that periodically take place.  Get their comments live and on the record.  We hear about transparency......now prove it.

4.  With budget time approaching, the council needs to direct staff to research what it would take to bring the city attorney position on as a full time employee as opposed to the current contractor situation.  As the city grows we need this to be a full time employee position under the direction of the council.  A study was done a few years back and the idea was rejected at that time.  Let's make it happen now.

Coin Toss Constance

 In a recent email, Lindsey Constance, Ward IV, was touting the fact that she is the current city council president.  And that she is.  How did it happen?  Because of a coin toss.  Why a coin toss?  Now that is an interesting story by itself.

At the beginning of the year when the new council president is selected the vote was tied.  Whoops.  Now, theoretically the mayor can break the tie.  Mayor Distler refused to do that.  Her reasoning was something to the effect that the council president needs to be the choice of the council and the mayor shouldn't take sides.  Happy horse manure.  In a situation like this the mayor has an obligation to break the tie.  The mayor has an obligation to vote for the individual that she feels would best serve the city in the capacity of mayor should that become necessary.  See, the council president would fill in if the mayor was unable to perform.

But our mayor wimped out and didn't want to offend anybody. Wouldn't make a big person, an adult decision.  Just like other items that she has played both ends against the middle.

So, now how did we get to the coin toss?  Because the mayor wouldn't act in an adult manner, the procedures for selecting a council president were modified to include the coin toss to break a tie.

I supported her for 13 years.  She could have done so much for Shawnee.  Such a great cheerleader, if only she had become a leader.  Instead she took the gutless way out by trying to make everybody happy all the time.  BTW, that is an impossibility.  And that is how we wound up with coin toss Constance.

So Lindsey Constance, be honest with your "bio" statements.  Let folks know how you became council president.