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.

Blume Shawnee - Looking Good

 The project "Blume Shawnee" seems to be moving along.  This has the potential to be a very positive addition to downtown Shawnee.  A more detailed explanation of the project can be found by reading a recent article at the Shawnee Mission Post.  

This is definitely, IMHO a more attractive concept than the monstrosity that had been proposed for the old Wonderscope property.  It is my understanding that the developer of that project is now looking at a town home type project.  That would, IMHO make more sense.

Architectural styles can evoke a variety of responses from the public.  Different folks have different ideas as to what looks good.  As an example, I feel the aforementioned Blume Shawnee is much more eye appealing than the soon to be completed apartment building to its north which to me looks like the Starship Enterprise.  Yet, I am sure there are those that find that design appealing.

Now, if we can just do something about that old post office building. Keep in mind that there are no deliveries coming out of that unit.  It is basically a mailing center.  Are their boxes still active?  Can't somebody find a storefront location that can be used for this post office?  C'mon Shawnee Economic Development folks.  There's your challenge.  Are you up to it?

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