Stupid Is..........as Vaught Does

Very few of Shawnee's citizens go to council meetings, read the minutes or listen to the audio (either streaming or after the fact).  Because of that very few people get to see Jeff "The Arrogant One" Vaught in action.  They miss out on his bullying tactics, insults to fellow members of the council and the public, lack of knowledge and a variety of other negatives.  He says he has proven leadership.  Of what?  Leading in being obnoxious maybe.

Anyway, there are many instances of him thinking he knows what is happening, because he says so. Here are just three incidents where he is totally clueless, but attempted to come across as if he was the "expert"

First, let's look at what happened when the new ordinance came up regarding emergency management, and specifically who in the city should declare an emergency.  Even after Eric Jenkins, a 30 year FEMA official and, in many cases, FEMA's lead on site, tried to explain it to him (mayor, governor, president), He claimed it should be the city manager, like (according to him) in other cities. The fire chief had to set his arrogance straight.  You can read more on this item in the Shawnee Dispatch, here

Another time he didn't even understand his job the one time he was council president.  A member of the council wanted an item on the agenda.  Apparently his royal egomaniac thought that council members had to go through him to do that.  Wrong!  The chain of events here are funny as the city manager needed to clarify that Vaught did not have that power.  Read the email exchanges here


We'll give you one more, but there are many, many examples of him trying to claim he knows the law, ordinances or whatever, just because he says so.  

This one is good.  It involves basically two items.  In one he tried to claim that the KSRA was trying to buy an election.  Dumb thing to say Vaught.  Does that mean that the contractors and developers that have contributed to his campaign are trying to buy the election for him? Then certain elements of the city tried passing an ordinance that was contrary to state law.  Vaught in all his wisdom said it wasn't because he read it and it was ok.  Wrong!  And yes the city attorney even had to go along with the fact that it was wrong  Want more info?  Click here 

There are so many more instances of him trying to make it sound like he knows what he is doing.  We don't have the space today.

http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2012/03/another-response-by-ksra-to-jeff-vaught.html

Lesser of the Evils

Over the years many of us have periodically become conflicted about who to vote for in a particular election.

Many times we are not sure, for a variety of reasons.  So we wind up voting for the “lesser of the evils”

Well, in that case then the current mayoral candidate who best fits that description is Michelle Distler.  She would be the least divisive among the candidates and therefore the one who would most likely be able to build consensus on the council when it matters

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She definitely would not use bully tactics like one individual in particular, and also, unlike that individual, would not be insulting to others on the governing body or to citizens.

So, vote for Michelle Distler, “The Lesser of the Evils”

When Your Next Door Neighbor Openly Opposes You

The house on the left belongs to Jeff "The Arrogant One" Vaught.  The house on the right is his next door neighbor.

What does it say about a candidate to have his next door neighbor openly oppose him?  He's not a good neighbor.  That right there epitomizes Jeff Vaught.

You can click on the image to see full size.

The Pinocchio Effect - Part III

Let's talk about the Pinocchio Effect Part III

We all pretty much remember how the appointment of Alan "The Mayor's Uncle by Marriage" Willoughby resulted in a KOMA investigation and the JoCo DA's ultimate decision.  We also remember the involvement of Jeff "The Arrogant One" Vaught's participation in that charade, as one of the four who voted for Willoughby.

What some folks may not remember is what happened at the appointment meeting, when Vaught explained to Mike Kemmling (who had recently lost to Neal Sawyer for a council seat by only 11 votes) why he, Vaught could not support Kemmling.  His bovine scatological reasoning is shown in the video below, which was originally posted on this blog on 7/30/2012

Wild, and Vaught continually interrupts and belittles people.

After the fact:  This is a kicker.  When Willoughby ran for an election on his own, Kemmling won.  Then Dawn Kuhn resigned from the council which created an opening.  When Stephanie Meyer was appointed to fill that spot, it created an opening on the Planning Commission.  So, what happened?  Mayor Jeff Meyers submitted his uncle's name to be a commissioner (again). 

The council split 4/4 on this one, with Vaught (who else?), Neighbor, Sawyer and Sandifer voting for Willoughby.  So what happend?  The mayor voted the tie breaker and Uncle Alan was on the Planning Commission.  I'm going to love seeing who has been financially supporting Vaught's candidacy.  Hi Pinocchio......

The Pinocchio Effect - Part II

Guess what I got in the mail?  Jeff "The Arrogant One" Vaught's campaign postcard.

It's wonderful that he sent it out.  He makes it sooooo easy to show why he is not qualified to be the mayor of Shawnee.

From the postcard:  "...we must forego the devisive politics and rhetoric that only attempt to separate us"
My comment:  Who belittles his fellow councilmen if they don't agree with him?  Who belittles members of the community when they voice opinions opposite of his?  So, who really is the divisive (note the proper spelling) one?

From the postcard:  "...Our next mayor requires the vision and proven leadership......."
My comment:  Well what proven leadership does he have?  Nada

From the postcard:  "Jeff is a Proven Leader"
My comment:  Of what?

From the postcard:  He indicates that he is a small business owner in downtown Shawnee and that he is President of the Vaught Group.
My comment: He makes it sound like as president of his company he is a corporate executive. Or, runs a substantially sized company.  Not true.  Ask him how many employees he has, other than a receptionist/admin person. Real small business, but when convenient he tries the other approach.

Ahhhh, the Pinocchio factor keeps growing.  Pretty soon a larger pic will be needed.

Noticed this at Nieman and 65th St, NW corner

My questions:
1.  Was this subliminal advertising?
2.  Was this a Freudian Slip?
3.  Was this a prophecy?
4.  How much?

The Pinocchio Effect or "As the Nose Grows"

Looking back at some of the items that have been posted here about Jeff "The Arrogant One" Vaught it just totally ticks me off that he lies, belittles members of the public and fellow council members and claims to stand for things that he really doesn't. He pulls the wool over people's eyes because they don't go to council meetings and do not see the "The Arrogant One" in action., and his speaking style, well like I've said before he can sell a junk vehicle as a custom classic.

We will have more examples of his nonsense over the next few days.

Until then:  The Nose Grows

Changes Needed in Wards I & II

IMHO, we definitely need changes in both Wards I & II in the Shawnee City Council races

In Ward II Eric Jenkins needs to be elected to replace Neal Sawyer

In Ward I Ben Terrill needs to be elected to replace Jim Neighbor

In the next few days I will be more specific as to why I am making these statements.

Words to Regurgitate By - Update

Three days ago on 2/13/15 I posted an item below about how Jeff Vaught is against open government.  I also mentioned that there was a media clip that I would provide, pertaining to why he wanted an allowance for a laptop as opposed to a city provided one.

This originally appeared on this blog on July 9, 2013

Here it is again:

One thing about Vaught. A person does not have to make up reasons not to want him to be mayor. He provides enough reasons himself.

Raffle for the benefit of Becky Bieker at She's A Pistol

There will be a four gun raffle with all proceeds to benefit Becky Bieker at She's A Pistol

Click on the image below to see all the info

Words to Regurgitate By

Every time I hear Jeff "The Arrogant One" Vaught mention how he supports more open government I have to reach for something to prevent my lunch from coming back up.

1.  When we lost the ability to have full minutes of council meetings who was the "leader" in pushing to eliminate them?

2.  When action was taken to restore full meeting minutes who was the "leader" in trying to stop that at the committee and when it came to the full council he eventually voted yest, but not willingly.

3.  When the policy statement was being reviewed who was the "leader" who wanted to eliminate public input at committee meetings?  Because those were work sessions.  What better place for public input, before it goes to council.  Fortunately his "leadership" didn't hold on this one, and neither did it when he tried to limit the number of times a citizen could speak (twice on the same subject).

Since many folks don't go to council and/or committee meetings or research the minutes they may have a tendency to believe this silver tongued snake oil peddler.

He has consistently pushed for less open government, less citizen input and then has the gall to say the opposite while running for mayor.

When the topic of providing council members with laptops or an allowance to provide their own, he openly stated he wanted to provide his own, otherwise citizens (under KORA) could request a review of the contents of a city owned device.  That media clip has played on this blog and will be resurrected to play again.

Leader or Bully

Jeff Vaught claims to have proven leadership.  My opinion, he has proven bullyship.

The below media file is from the 2/3/15 Council Committee meeting.  You will hear Vaught on one of his tirades.  You will hear Jim Neighbor, the elected council president and therefore the chairman of the committee:
1.  Count to 3 to get Vaught to stop
2.  Vaught telling Neighbor to "hold on"
3.  Neighbor gaveling Vaught down (so loud that some thought the gavel would break)

How can Vaught claim proven leadership when he insults not only another member of the council but then ignores the admonishment of a duly elected committee chair?  This is not the first time he has done something like this.  Leader? nahhhh  Bully?  Yehhhhhh

Mayoral Candidate Forum

From the League of Women Voters web site

Shawnee Mayor Candidate Forum

Shawnee Library

13811 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66216, USA SHOW ON MAP

   

 Feb 12 7:45pm to 9:00pm

LWV JoCo will hold a forum with all four candidates for Shawnee mayor. The candidates are:

Michelle Distler, Dan Pflumm, John Segale, and Jeff Vaught. Come learn about the candidates; then plan to vote in the Primary Election on March 3.

Jeff Vaught Ignores Municipal Code Part II

I have been informed that the sign involved in the post below meets size requirements because it is a "monument" sign.  Business property owners may replace business signage with poliitical signage in monument signs up to 50 square feet (70 if bordering a street with a 55 mph posted limit).

Even so, the municipal code was not initially complied with, as a permit to change the signage is required ($75 in this case).  The permit fee was not paid until after the inquiry into the sign's validity.  Specifically, it was paid I believe yesterday.

So, Vaught did not comply with code by not obtaining a permit ahead of time.  And, unless a complaint had been filed he may have gotten away without paying the fee.  Should the signage change back to business from political another permit will be required.

Sidebar:  The business signage that was removed was not advertising his business, but rather that of his tenant, Nalia School of Dance.  Nice way to show support for a downtown small business. Which comes first, Vaught's ego or a small business?

Jeff Vaught Ignores Municipal Code

You would think that an individual who has twice run for city council and is now running for mayor would both know, and comply with the sign code regarding political signs.  Well, most folks would, unless they are Jeff  "The Arrogant One" Vaught.

Here is the info from Info on Political Signs in Shawnee

What it says is:  The City of Shawnee regulates the placement and size of political signs. Political signs may not be placed in street or highway rights-of-way. On streets with a sidewalk the sign must be placed behind the sidewalk. On streets or on the side of the street without a sidewalk, signs must be placed at least ten feet behind the curb with some exceptions as noted. On K-7 Highway, I-435 and Shawnee Mission Parkway, signs shall be placed behind the Frontage Road or fence line. On Blackfish Parkway, the right-of-way on the north side of the street west of Park Street is approximately twenty feet in width.

Signs may not be placed on City-owned property (parks, Shawnee Town 1929, fire stations).

The maximum size sign placed on residentially zoned property and agriculturally zoned property with a residence shall be six (6) square feet. The maximum size on commercial, industrial, office zoned property, as well as agriculturally zoned property without a residence is twenty (20) square feet, or thirty-two (32) square feet if the property is adjacent to a street with a posted speed limit of 55 m.p.h. or greater.
The candidate must have permission from the property owner to place their sign on private property. Property owners may remove signs placed on their property without permission

Here is a picture of Vaught's sign, clearly over 20 square feet (closer to 32) and not adjacent to a street that is posted at 55 m.p.h.

Click on image to see full size.

Another touch of irony is that Vaught has repeatedly reminded folks at council and committee meetings that he is in commercial real estate.  So, couple that with his political status you'd think he'd know the rules about political signs on commercial property.  Or, was he willing to "chance it" knowing that if he got caught it could possibly take up to 30 days before he would be forced to remove it?

Proven Leadership?  Ha! Folks who want to lead a city don't violate the municipal code.

Nice going, but, ya got caught Vaught.

Terrill Challenging Neighbor in Ward I

Ben Terrill has filed to challenge Jim Neighbor in the Ward I council seat.

Neighbor, who has been shown on this blog to avoid direct answers to specific questions needs to go.

Visit Ben's web site http://www.benterrill.net/index.html