OK, the results are in:
Mike Kemmling.................197
Alan Willoughby................138
Jill Y Reed............................52
Trishelle Miller.....................22
So, now what happens? Well, Dr. Mike Kemmling and Alan Willoughby will now face off in the general election on April 2, 2013.
Is there a possibility that the citizens of Ward II are thoroughly disgusted with the way that Willoughby, the mayor's uncle by marriage, was appointed to the council to finsih out the term of David Morris who had resigned the seat?
It would be nice if the people in Ward II elected Mike Kemmling in April, and showed that they no longer wanted to put up with "backroom deals" initiated by the mayor as "ringleader", (terms used by JoCo District Attorney Howe in his letter about the KOMA violation investigation).
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Primary Voting Times And Location Changes
These changes are for the Ward II Shawnee primary election. If you live in Ward II please make a note of these changes. If you know someone who lives in Ward II who may not have heard the news please pass this on.
Early voting has been extended until 7:00PM this evening, Mon 2/25. This is for in person voting at the JoCo Election Office 2101 E Kansas City Road, Olathe 66061.
Tomorrow, Tue 2/26, because of the weather all Ward II Shawnee primary voting will be held at
Early voting has been extended until 7:00PM this evening, Mon 2/25. This is for in person voting at the JoCo Election Office 2101 E Kansas City Road, Olathe 66061.
Tomorrow, Tue 2/26, because of the weather all Ward II Shawnee primary voting will be held at
Merriam Christian Church 9401 Johnson Drive Merriam, KS
from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Voting and Expected Snow Storm
With a possible snow storm coming late Monday, this is a reminder that folks can still vote early, on Monday instead of Tuesday:
From 9 am until 12:00 noon, at the Johnson County Election
office located at 2101 East Kansas City Road, Olathe, KS
Less Than 48 Hours To Go
In less than 48 hours, the polls will open in Ward II in Shawnee for the primary election for city council. The election will narrow a four person field down to two, with the two biggest vote getters going on to the general election on April 2.
Dr. Mike Kemmling is undeniably the best qualified for this position. He proved it in the last election that he had the confidence of a large number of the Ward's voters since he barly lost to Neal Sawyer by only 11 votes.
When David Morris resigned, and that position came open, instead of appointing an individual that the voters wanted the city council gave the job to the mayor's uncle by marriage, Alan Willoughby.
And that was done, without allowing public input, and according to the JoCo DA, the result of "backroom deals" with the mayor as the "ringleader".
If you'd like to read the back up documentation for that, go here:
http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2013/01/das-statement-on-shawnee-koma-violation.html
Dr. Mike Kemmling is undeniably the best qualified for this position. He proved it in the last election that he had the confidence of a large number of the Ward's voters since he barly lost to Neal Sawyer by only 11 votes.
When David Morris resigned, and that position came open, instead of appointing an individual that the voters wanted the city council gave the job to the mayor's uncle by marriage, Alan Willoughby.
And that was done, without allowing public input, and according to the JoCo DA, the result of "backroom deals" with the mayor as the "ringleader".
If you'd like to read the back up documentation for that, go here:
http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2013/01/das-statement-on-shawnee-koma-violation.html
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Kemmling for Ward II
About a week and a half ago I stated on this blog why I thought Mike Kemmling deserved the votes of the citizens in the Ward II primary to be held next Tuesday, 2/26/13 http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2013/02/ward-2-primary-coming-feb-26-2013.html
I still feel that way and hope the readers of this blog agree.
Check out Mike's page at http://mikekemmling.blogspot.com/
I still feel that way and hope the readers of this blog agree.
Check out Mike's page at http://mikekemmling.blogspot.com/
Friday, February 15, 2013
Dealing with a COW
I wrote about this during the last election cycle. What is a COW? A COW is a "councilmember from other ward"
OK, let me explain. We each live in wards in Shawnee. We vote for councilmembers to represent us. When the council meets and votes on items they are representing the entire city.
Now let's say that there is a councilmember in another ward that you feel does not vote for what you feel is right. Well, you cannot vote for that person's opponent. But, you can help that person's opponent. You can contribute to the other person's campaign. You can help distribute flyers. You can make phone calls for them. You do NOT have to live in the ward to do those things.
Remember, every coucnilmember represents you. So, if you are unhappy with the way a COW functions, support their opponent. The reverse is also true. If you feel that a COW truly represents your feelings and beliefs, then you can do the same things to help them get reelected.
OK, let me explain. We each live in wards in Shawnee. We vote for councilmembers to represent us. When the council meets and votes on items they are representing the entire city.
Now let's say that there is a councilmember in another ward that you feel does not vote for what you feel is right. Well, you cannot vote for that person's opponent. But, you can help that person's opponent. You can contribute to the other person's campaign. You can help distribute flyers. You can make phone calls for them. You do NOT have to live in the ward to do those things.
Remember, every coucnilmember represents you. So, if you are unhappy with the way a COW functions, support their opponent. The reverse is also true. If you feel that a COW truly represents your feelings and beliefs, then you can do the same things to help them get reelected.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Shawnee Heroes Pull
OK, here's the deal. After the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Sunday March 10th at 2PM there will be a charity event at the Splash Cove parking lot (Johnson Drive and King St in downtown Shawnee)
Various teams have been formed and will attempt to pull a police armored vehicle and a firetruck 50 feet.
This is being done to raise money for Kansas Special Olympics. All money raised stays in Kansas and helps the Special Olympics Athletes with physical fitness training and sports programs, health and nuitrition programs, and leadership development. Special Olympics is not just about the sports, but it uses sports to build the athletes' confidence, self esteem, physical well being, and gives them the opportunities to be doing things they normally would not have.
OK, so what about donating. Each team member is trying to get as many doantions as possible, and there is a little challenge going on to see who can raise the most money.
One of the teams is the City Hall Crusaders and their page is http://heroespull.ksso.org/2013/crusaders/
You can click on the name of an individual team member and make your donation in their name. I chose to make mine on behalf of my Ward 4 councilmember Michelle Distler, and her page can be accessed directly at http://heroespull.ksso.org/2013/crusaders/michelledistler/
Join in..........the donations don't have to be big..............every bit helps............it's for a good cause.........and then turn out on the 10th of March to cheer the team on............I can hardly wait to see them pulling those vehicles.
Side note: If you're bashful, the donation page (since this is a charity) has a box that you can check to be anonymous.
Various teams have been formed and will attempt to pull a police armored vehicle and a firetruck 50 feet.
This is being done to raise money for Kansas Special Olympics. All money raised stays in Kansas and helps the Special Olympics Athletes with physical fitness training and sports programs, health and nuitrition programs, and leadership development. Special Olympics is not just about the sports, but it uses sports to build the athletes' confidence, self esteem, physical well being, and gives them the opportunities to be doing things they normally would not have.
OK, so what about donating. Each team member is trying to get as many doantions as possible, and there is a little challenge going on to see who can raise the most money.
One of the teams is the City Hall Crusaders and their page is http://heroespull.ksso.org/2013/crusaders/
You can click on the name of an individual team member and make your donation in their name. I chose to make mine on behalf of my Ward 4 councilmember Michelle Distler, and her page can be accessed directly at http://heroespull.ksso.org/2013/crusaders/michelledistler/
Join in..........the donations don't have to be big..............every bit helps............it's for a good cause.........and then turn out on the 10th of March to cheer the team on............I can hardly wait to see them pulling those vehicles.
Side note: If you're bashful, the donation page (since this is a charity) has a box that you can check to be anonymous.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Ward 2 Primary Coming Feb 26, 2013
Since four individuals have filed for the Ward 2 council seat in Shawnee there will be a primary on Tuesday, Feb 26, 2013. The top two vote getters will move on to the general election on Apr 2, 2013.
Let's see what we have here:
Mike Kemmling ran against Neal Sawyer last April and only lost by 11 votes, 661-650. Clearly there were many citizens in ward 2 who supported his candidacy. A very intelligent individual, Dr. Kemmling has his dental office in Shawnee.
A couple of months after that election, David Morris the other ward 2 counilmember at the time resigned because of a conflict with the city manager. Five individuals, including Mike Kemmling applied to fill the remaining time for the position. The selection was to be made at a special city council meeting.
Alan Willoughby was selected by the council to fill the unexpired portion of Mr. Morris' term. Ironically four members of the council ignored the strong support that Kemmling had received in the election and chose Willoughby, the uncle by marriage of the mayor. Additionally, the mayor did not allow public comments/input at the special meeting.
Subsequent to that selection a complaint was filed that Mr. Willoughby's appointment may have violated the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) because discussions were held prior to the meeting.
The JoCo DA stated that "KOMA was enacted to prohibit the 'backroom' deals that were going on in Shawnee."
The DA also said " the spirit of KOMA was violated" and that the the actions of the mayor, as ringleader, were found to be "unacceptable".
Jill Y Reed and Trishelle Miller have also filed to run but I can't find much about either one.
Personally, I sincerely hope that the voters of Ward 2 elect Mike Kemmling.
Sidebar: With regards to citizen input at meetings, by not allowing it at the special council meeting it is my opinion that the mayor violated the oath he took to defend the Constitution of the State of Kansas.
Section 3, of the Bill of Rights of the Kansas Constitution says:
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.
Let's see what we have here:
Mike Kemmling ran against Neal Sawyer last April and only lost by 11 votes, 661-650. Clearly there were many citizens in ward 2 who supported his candidacy. A very intelligent individual, Dr. Kemmling has his dental office in Shawnee.
A couple of months after that election, David Morris the other ward 2 counilmember at the time resigned because of a conflict with the city manager. Five individuals, including Mike Kemmling applied to fill the remaining time for the position. The selection was to be made at a special city council meeting.
Alan Willoughby was selected by the council to fill the unexpired portion of Mr. Morris' term. Ironically four members of the council ignored the strong support that Kemmling had received in the election and chose Willoughby, the uncle by marriage of the mayor. Additionally, the mayor did not allow public comments/input at the special meeting.
Subsequent to that selection a complaint was filed that Mr. Willoughby's appointment may have violated the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) because discussions were held prior to the meeting.
The JoCo DA stated that "KOMA was enacted to prohibit the 'backroom' deals that were going on in Shawnee."
The DA also said " the spirit of KOMA was violated" and that the the actions of the mayor, as ringleader, were found to be "unacceptable".
Jill Y Reed and Trishelle Miller have also filed to run but I can't find much about either one.
Personally, I sincerely hope that the voters of Ward 2 elect Mike Kemmling.
Sidebar: With regards to citizen input at meetings, by not allowing it at the special council meeting it is my opinion that the mayor violated the oath he took to defend the Constitution of the State of Kansas.
Section 3, of the Bill of Rights of the Kansas Constitution says:
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.
Friday, February 01, 2013
KC Star Editorial About the KOMA Situation
The KC Star's editorial can be read at http://www.kansascity.com/2013/01/31/4042455/wrist-slaps-for-open-meetings.html
Please read the full editorial at the above link................quoted below are two of the paragraphs:
The latest incident involved Shawnee Mayor Jeff Meyers and the City Council members who basically agreed on a deal in private to elect the mayor’s uncle to the council in 2012, according to Howe. (my note: the councilmembers were Neighbor, Sandifer, Kuhn and Vaught)
Ultimately, Meyers and all the other politicians who have abused the public trust need to stop bellyaching about the open meetings law and start obeying it.
I'm just wondering if Councilmember Vaught is going to treat us to a repeat of one of his diatribes about how it's not right for the media to publish negative items about Shawnee. Hey Vaught, if ya don't want negative items appearing in the media don't do negative things. Don't appoint someone to the council as the result of a "backroom deal" (the DA's term, not mine).
Please read the full editorial at the above link................quoted below are two of the paragraphs:
The latest incident involved Shawnee Mayor Jeff Meyers and the City Council members who basically agreed on a deal in private to elect the mayor’s uncle to the council in 2012, according to Howe. (my note: the councilmembers were Neighbor, Sandifer, Kuhn and Vaught)
Ultimately, Meyers and all the other politicians who have abused the public trust need to stop bellyaching about the open meetings law and start obeying it.
I'm just wondering if Councilmember Vaught is going to treat us to a repeat of one of his diatribes about how it's not right for the media to publish negative items about Shawnee. Hey Vaught, if ya don't want negative items appearing in the media don't do negative things. Don't appoint someone to the council as the result of a "backroom deal" (the DA's term, not mine).
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