Vaught Proves Again He Does NOT Believe in Open Government

Council member Jeff Vaught once again has proven he doesn't rreally believe in open government.

At the 4/13/15 council meeting an item came up and he recused himself from the discussion and then abstained from voting.  That happens, and it's usually when a member has an interest (usually financial) in the outcome.

So, based on that I sent him an email:

At the recent council meeting when that item came up you recused yourself from the discussion and then abstained from voting.

Those are the proper actions to take when one has a personal interest in the item being discussed/voted on.

Please provide me with the nature of the interest that you have that required your recusal and then abstention.

Thank you

Needless to say he doesn't answer.  So, guess he doesn't believe in full disclosure, nor in responding to citizen inquiries.

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Sidebar:  At this evening's council session I came up with a proposal regarding the Deffenbaugh Impact fees and road repairs.  Used my 5 minutes.  Guess what happened? Instead of questioning my reasoning at that time, which would have allowed me an additional 5 minutes to respond, Vaught waited until the end of the meeting during miscellaneous council items to voice his comments.  Knowing full well that I could not, under meeting policy, get up to answer.  When I was in the military (something he never did) we'd call that a chicken s*^t move.

DTJVSD

Another Applicant for the Open Ward IV Council Seat

Another individual has applied to fill the open council seat in Ward IV.

Douglas Hill
6935 Bell Road
Shawnee, KS 66217
(913) 248-0401

The final day for filing is Wed, 5/6/15.  The council will interview the applicants at a special meeting to be held prior to the regular council meeting on Monday 5/11/15.

For more info go here.

Ward IV Vacancy - Need More Applicants

So far only two folks have applied for the open position in Ward IV created when Michelle Distler was elected mayor.

The city's web site lists these two individuals as having applied and provides info on how to apply:  click here to view

Christine "Chris" Loomis-Nay
6745 Vahalla Ct.
Shawnee, KS 66217
(913) 962-9119

Brandon Kenig
13502 W 72nd St.
Shawnee, KS 66216
(913) 548-3297  66216

I have reviewed the filing documents and think we need some more applicants.  More info later.

Ward IV Vacancy - Applications Being Accepted

With the election of Michelle Distler as mayor there is now a vacancy in Ward IV for a member of the council.

Applications are being accepted up until 5/6/15.  There will be a special council meeting, prior to the regular council meeting on 5/11/15 to make the selection.  For information on what documentation is required please visit the city's web site at this location http://www.cityofshawnee.org/WEB/ShawneeCMS.nsf/vwNews/779CD50C9E2AA8CA86257BD400666DE0?OpenDocument

If a selection is not made within 60 days of the vacancy occurring then the matter goes to a special election.

Ward III - Most Apathetic in Shawnee

Well, it looks like Ward III in Shawnee is the most apathetic in the city when it comes to participating in local elections.  Now, I'm sure this statement of mine will ruffle some feathers.  Too bad.  The election results prove it.

First let us look at Shawnee overall in the most recent election:
Registered voters  40,682    Voted   5,780     14.21%      (overall this is not good)

Now we will break it down by ward.  The first figure is the number of registered voters, the second figure is the number who voted and then the percentage.

Ward I         10,718            1,821          16.99%
Ward II          9,518            1,446          15.19%
Ward III       10,499            1,241          11.82%
Ward IV         9,947            1,272          12.79%

Did you notice another interesting item?  Both Wards II & IV have fewer registered voters than Ward III. But, not only did they have higher percentage turnouts, they also had higher actual turnouts.  

Michelle Distler's Swearing In- Vid Clip

Last night Michelle Distler took the oath of office as Shawnee's first female mayor.  A new era is beginning at Shawnee's city hall.

We witnessed a subtle, but very important change last night.  In the past when an item came up before the council a motion would be made and seconded to approve.  Then discussion and input from the public and council would be asked for.  After that, the motion would either be changed or voted on.  Mayor Distler now asks for comments from the public and the council before entertaining any motions on an item.  This should give the council opportunities to hear various points on an item prior to making any motions.

The New City Council

After Monday's swearing in ceremony the Shawnee City Council will be short one person as our soon to be new mayor, Michelle Distler will be vacating her Ward IV council seat.

Look for the announcement to be made as to the procedure for filing to fill the seat and how the appointment will be handled.

One qualification that is mandatory is that the individual has to live within the boundaries of Ward IV.  A map of the city's wards and then each ward individually can be found here:  https://gis.cityofshawnee.org/GISImages/PDF_Maps/WARDS.pdf

Come See History Being Made

History will be made Monday evening 4/13/15 when Michelle Distler takes the oath of office as Mayor of Shawnee, the first female mayor in the city's long history.

The meeting starts at 7:30PM at City Hall 11110 Johnson Drive (Johnson & Nieman).  Newly elected Council Member Eric Jenkins will also be sworn in along with returning Council Members Stephanie Meyer, Jim Neighbor and Mickey Sandifer.

Come witness history being made.

Shawnee Has A New Mayor

The unofficial final results are in and it looks like Michelle Distler will be Shawnee's new mayor.  And, she will also become the first woman to be elected to that position.  

After the primary election many people commented on the high road that both Michelle Distler and her opponent Dan Pflumm took towards each other.This will prove beneficial to the city as Dan Pflumm still retains his council seat.  They both deserve to be congratulated for their hard work in getting their messages out, and in the manner that they conducted their campaigns

In Ward I Jim Neighbor was able to hold on to his seat and fend off first time challenger Ben Terrill.  Don't count Ben out.  Look for him to be involved in city happenings going forward.

In Ward II Eric Jenkins defeated the incumbent Neal Sawyer.  Eric will bring some well deserved freshness to the council.

Stephanie Meyer, running unopposed in Ward III will be serving a full term, and Mickey Sandifer, also running unopposed, in Ward IV will be returned to his seat.  But, there were 34 write-in votes in Ward IV  :-)  :-)


WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.

His Ego Won't Let Go

Like a scorned lover, it would appear that Jeff "The Arrogant One" Vaught can't seem to accept that he was bounced out of the primary election for mayor on March 3, 2015.  Today it is five weeks since the voters told him he was out of contention for mayor.

Why do I say he can't accept it?  Easy, his "Mayor" Facebook page is still up, even though he has another one as a council member.  His "Mayor" web site is still up, even though he has another one as a council member.  His monument sign on Nieman Road has not been changed out,  back to a commercial one, and I have been told (unverified) that he still has some yard signs out there, particularly in Ward III. 

It's time to let go.............you lost...........

 

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Sidebar:  A big thank you to all those who have been visiting this blog from outside of Kansas.  I hope you have found it interesting and will continue to check it out.  A particular thank you to whoever has been visiting from Mansfield, Massachusetts.  Our form of government out here is different than your Selectmen/Town Manager/Town Moderator style  :-)   :-)

 

WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.

 



DTJVSD

Two Days to Go

Two days to go before the election.

Let's keep it simple:

For Mayor:  Michelle Distler

Ward I Councilmember:  Ben Terrill

Ward II Councilmember:  Eric Jenkins

Ward IV Councilmember:  Write in my name, your name, the name of any resident of Ward IV as a statement to Mickey Sandifer

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I have been asked why the sudden move for a write-in campaign against Mickey Sandifer.  Scroll down (posted 3/19/15) and you'll see my comments about the recent NLC conference in Washington DC.  Apparently the city manager thought the highlight was sitting seven rows back to hear Obama.  When challenged about this, by email, Mickey Sandifer replied:

"I would say a highlight was when we received some very good information about the quiet zones in western Shawnee from the Senators and it appeared that they were going to help up us try to achieve that goal.  And their were many other ideas of cost saving things that I was able to listen to from other Cities around the country."

When asked to be more specific about the cost savings ideas, he wanted to talk about it.  He was asked to put that info in writing.  He wouldn't.  Typical.  By talking he could deny that he said certain things or that the listener misunderstood.  By putting the items in writing he could be held accountable.  He was also asked to provide that info before he had time to have someone else write it for him.

I realize a write-in won't stop him from getting reelected, as he is running unopposed.  But, whatever number of people do write-in, it might make a statement.

WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.

Mayor Meyers Fails to Properly Inform

Unbelievable.  In his third rant about the proposed change in dates of city elections, even Mayor Jeff Meyers holds back on important info.

On the city's web site and in an email sent out to the city's listserv addresses the mayor fails to mention that the current proposal calls for city offices to be listed at the top of the ballot.   That would be ahead of any "biggies", like president, governor, etc. Gee, will his latest also show up in the Shawnee Dispatch?

Why is the mayor so vehemently opposed to November elections?  Spring elections for city offices usually only draw about 10% of registered voters.  Fall elections usually draw 50%-70%.  Don't we want more participation in city elections?

But I guess city officials don't disseminate bad or misleading information, only bloggers do that. Right?

WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.