Hmmmmmmm, I've been quiet this week, and, forgot to comment on a few items.
Monday's (4/13/09) Council meeting: The recycling task force recommendations took up most of the time of the meeting. A copy of their full report is available on the city's web site http://www.cityofshawnee.org/cityclerk/pdf/recycling_report_040709.pdf . It is quite lengthy and at the meeting a synopsis was presented. The city staff still needs to do more work on a final proposal for the council to consider, and the council is going to have some tough questions to answer (continue with multiple trash haulers, go with a city wide contract for only one, and various other items).
What I found a little strange was the manner in which some council members made inquiries of the task force members. Some of the questioning seemed to be almost brutal and bordered, IMHO on "third degree" old fashioned interrogations.
Was really laughing when the subject of political contributions came up regarding those made by Deffenbaugh. One council member (Straub) stated something to the effect that he didn't want folks to feel that his vote was influenced by that. Another council member (Kuhn) said she thought it was a positive that Deffenbaugh thought she could best represent her ward. Then a representative from Deffenbaugh made a comment that his company donated to any candidate that asked. A little chuckling on my part. Only one council member has never received any donations from anybody (individual or company) and that is Michelle Distler.
State Legislature: I blew this one. The state has been considering many items. Two of which I'd like to make brief comments on.
A possible change to the state constitution to be more specific about all persons having the right to keep and bear arms. That would change the expression from the "people" which some have interpreted as meaning a militia. That change is definitely needed.
A requirement that before a city can annex land that the property owners of the proposed annexed area be allowed to vote on that. Definitely a needed item. The recent debacle in southern Johnson County near Stilwell by Overland Park is a classic example of why that is needed. Many folks buy land in the country because they don't want to be part of a city. They deserve the right to choose.
