Independence Mayor Who Endorsed Stephanie Meyer Draws Interest of FBI

Ahhh, politics.  Strange things do happen.  About two weeks before the election, Stephanie Meyer was very proud to accept the endorsement of the Independence, MO mayor.

Now we come to find out that the FBI is interested in donations that Mayor Weir received from various PACs.  Don't take my word for it.  Read it here:  https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article237681249.html

Did Shawnee escape a bullet?  I don't know.  If my memory serves me, hasn't Meyer in the past tooted her horn about her knowledge/relationship with contractors?  Probably nothing to be concerned about.

Some Post Election Chuckles

Did ya see the article in the Shawnee Mission Post about contributions? Well it seems like Stephanie Meyer tried to buy the election for mayor and got shut out. According to the article she had approximately $25,000 in contributions compared to re-elected Mayor Michelle Distler's $15,000. You can read the article here https://shawneemissionpost.com/2019/11/21/bressler-carignan-contributions-from-developers-flooded-in-to-some-city-council-races-but-it-didnt-always-translate-to-victories-84587

Remember how Meyer the Liar tried to say that the Mayor was getting large outside donations? If needed you can have your memory refreshed by going here https://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2019/09/stephanie-meyer-liar-extraordinaire.html



Suggestion for Meyer: If you want to stay in government, at any level, look to get an appointed position. You can't seem to win against walking, talking, breathing opponents. Auf Wiedersehen. Gut, dass du los bist. (1)

Funny sidebar: At the first council meeting that took place following the council meeting that approved the NDO, Mickey Sandifer held the door open to the council chambers for folks to go in. I casually said that that was nice that a council person would do that. Mickey's reaction? "I'd like to slam it in your face", and that was heard by others. That's OK, Mr. "I love to take trips at city expense" is gone after January 13th. Sayonara Mickey.

　

(1) For those who don't speak German: "Good-bye" followed by "Good riddance" or literally "Good thing you're out"

Public Info Meeting - Westbrooke Green Project (75th & Quivira)

An item posted on Next Door indicated that there would be a public info meeting concerning the Westbrooke Green project (75th & Quivira)

The meeting is supposed to be tomorrow Wednesday 11/20/19 at 6:00PM at the Shawnee Civic Centre 13817 Johnson Drive (Johnson and Pflumm)

The severe downgrading of the project along with the loss of amenities makes this revised plan a joke.

The developer and his attorney need to be confronted about the lies they told to obtain the original incentive package.  Is the downgrade being proposed because of citizen concern?  Or is it because for all the chest beating and pomposity given at the December 2017 council meeting the developer is unable to put his "financial stack together"? 

Is this going to turn into another Belmont Promenade?

Thoughts About Official Final Results - Mayoral Election 2019 Shawnee

The official canvas has been completed and the final results of the recent city election have been certified.

Some interesting things stand out in the mayoral race. First, Mayor Distler won ALL four wards. That's right, 3rd Ward council person Stephanie Meyer could not even win in her own ward. As previously stated in this blog, that also happened in the primary election in August. I had said at that time the voters of Ward 3 were apparently telling the rest of the city something. Additionally, if one digs into the report of the results it will reveal that of the 46 precincts in the city the mayor was victorious in 40 of them.

Ms. Meyer, for all her pontificating and her "I know better" attitude proved once again that she did not have her finger on the pulse of the city.

Remember also that she has never won an election when she had a real live opponent. She had been appointed to fill a vacant seat on the council and when it came up for a full term election she ran unopposed. In all of her elections where she had an opponent, she lost. That's gotta tell ya something.

If you read my previous post of Wenesday 11/13/19 you will see that her parting shot to the city is to spend taxpayer money to go to a National League of Cities convention. In her case it will prove to be a waste as she will no longer be on the council as of the first meeting in January. Sayonara and good riddance.

A special shout out to former councilmember Jeff "the irrelevant arrogant one" Vaught. His strong support for Ms. Meyer (as also in the case of the community center project) proved my point. Folks vote opposite of what he says. Thank you Jeff for helping to insure that Meyer would not become the mayor.

Meyer and Sandifer Give Shawnee the Bird

Background:  The National League of Cities (NLC) holds two conferences a year.  One in March which is in Washington, DC and one in November, in a different city each year.  This year's November conference will be 11/20-11/23 in San Antonio, Texas.

Four individuals from Shawnee will be going (3 elected and 1 staff).
Council member Lisa Larson-Bunnell
Council member Stephanie Meyer
Council member Mickey Sandifer
City manager Nolan Sunderman

Wait a minute.  Meyer and Sandifer are going?  That was the information that was provided to me this morning by the city.  Two members of the council, who will not be on the council come January are going to be spending between $1500 to $2000 each to go to a conference for which the city will receive no benefit.  Is it legal?  Yepper!  Is it morally reprehensible?  Yepper!  It is my opinion that these two unethical dolts have finally shown their true colors about whether or not they care about the city or its citizens.

Sandifer:  He knew months ago that he would not be back on the council when he failed to file to run to retain his seat.  A review of Sandifer's expense accounts for these meetings in the past (he usually attended both, each year) would show that he was the most prolific spender.  Has something to do with the fact that he would arrive the day before the conference started and leave the day after it ended.  He should never have signed up for this conference.

Meyer:  Guess she thought that she would win the mayor's race and as such be part of the governing body for the next four years.  Wrong!!!!!  It probably never occurred to this egotistical nitwit that she could lose the election.  She never should have booked this meeting.

In the past when an attendee cancelled the NLC would usually hold the fees paid to be applied towards a future meeting, even if for someone else.  But, I doubt that either one will cancel out.  So, when they get on that plane to San Antonio they will in effect be giving our city the "bird".

Veteran's Day - November 11, 2019

Please remember them, the men and women who have served, and are still serving, to keep us free.

Liar, Liar - Developer and Lawyer Have Pants on Fire And a Sneaky Move

This coming Tuesday the city council will vote on scheduling two public hearings.  One for the Westbrooke Green project and one for the Stag's Spring project.

From the agenda:

Pants on Fire:

Consider Resolution No. 1896, providing notice of a public hearing to consider the adoption of an Amended Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Project Plan for Westbrooke Green, generally located at the northeast corner of West 75th Street and Quivira Road.

On November 4, 2019, the Planning Commission voted 7-0 finding the Amended TIF Project Plan is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. A Resolution is required to provide notice of the required public hearing on December 9, 2019.

 

Recommendation: Consider Resolution No. 1896, providing notice of a public hearing on December 9, 2019, to consider adoption of the Amended TIF Project Plan for Westbrook Green, generally located in the northeast corner of West 75th Street and Quivira Road.

 

 

Memo and Attachments - Pdf

 

Now this is NOT an item to approve the project or the amended TIF.  This is to schedule a public hearing to consider the adoption of an amended TIF and to hold it on December 9, 2019

 

Usually, after the public hearing a vote is taken.  It is my contention that the public hearing needs to be rescheduled until January.  The current council is a lame duck council with three members (Meyer, Sandifer and Neighbor not returning).  If these folks really believed in serving the city (along with the other members of the council) they would reschedule the public hearing until January.  Let the new council conduct the public hearing and then vote accordingly.

 

This amended TIF is an insult and an outrage.  In December the council (and as such the city) was presented with all kinds of graphics on what the project would contain, and how upscale it would be.  That was the basis for the original TIF.  What is being presented now for the amended TIF is not a "minor revision" but rather a wholesale reduction in everything that was originally presented/promised.  Table it until January!!!!

 

Sneaky Move:

 

Another public hearing schedule on the agenda for approval. 

 

Consider Resolution No. 1895, providing notice of a public hearing to consider adoption of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Project Plan for Stag’s Spring.

On November 4, 2019, the Planning Commission voted 7-0 finding the TIF Project Plan is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.  A Resolution is required to provide notice of the required public hearing on December 23, 2019.

 

Recommendation: Consider Resolution No. 1895, providing notice of a public hearing on December 23, 2019, to consider approving a TIF Project Plan for Stag’s Spring, generally located at the northeast corner of Roger Road and Nieman Road.

 

 

Memo and Attachments - Pdf

 

This is really sneaky.  Scheduling a public hearing for a meeting on December 23, 2019!!!  Two days before Christmas.  Folks getting ready for the holidays, folks traveling out of town, folks entertaining visitors in town.  The city manager needs to be publicly ostracized for placing this item on the agenda and scheduling a public hearing for December 23.  And again, with a vote usually being taken after the public hearing, this public hearing needs to be rescheduled until January.  Is the developer yanking someone's chain on this one?

 

City Election Results - 2019

Why did I wait almost two days to post my thoughts?  It's been a long election season...........needed some down time.

Ward 1 - Tammy Thomas defeated the incumbent Jim Neighbor. Probably one of the best things that could happen to Shawnee overall and to Ward I specifically. 

Ward 2 - Eric Jenkins, the incumbent here defeated challenger Andy Rondon.  Very good move by the people in Ward 2.

Ward 3 - (Full Term) Seat was up for grabs.  No incumbent running.  Kurt Knappen defeated Dawn Rattan.  Real smart move by the folks in Ward 3.  Really surprised that Rattan got the support she did in view of the situation with her residential property taxes.

Ward 3 - (Unexpired Term)  Lisa Larson-Bunnell (appointed temporarily) held off challenger Kevin Straub in a close race.  Seat will be up for a full term in two years.  Interesting to see how this shakes out when it comes up again.

Ward 4 - Seat was up for grabs.  No incumbent running.  Jill Chalfie defeated Kris Durbin.  Since this is the ward I live in rest assured Ms. Chalfie will be under the microscope.

Mayor - Michelle Distler romped to a double digit victory over Stephanie Meyer.  My prediction was right.  Meyer cannot win an election when she is running against a live opponent.  My concern:  based on some of the things that I have heard already we may have created our own local version of Hillary Rodham Clinton.  Will Meyer blame everybody and everything for her loss, rather than she did not have her fingers on the pulse of the community?  Stay tuned.

Rattan - Wrong for Shawnee

Dawn Rattan is, IMHO, just plain wrong for Shawnee and unfit to represent the citizens of Ward 3 on the city council.

Why?

1.   A review of public records indicates that on 7/11/2019 property taxes for her residence were paid for 2018, 2016 & 2015.  Or that on 2/26/16 property taxes for 2014, 2013 and the 2d half of 2012 were paid.  Should she be sitting on a council that makes decisions regarding taxes? 

2.  Game playing.  Remember the $1000 In Kind contribution she got from Glam Sham for make-up for photos?  (Must have been a heck of a make-up job).  That was mentioned on this blog as to how it was in violation of Kansas campaign finance laws.  She then posted that it had been corrected, but never stated how it had been corrected.

Governmental Ethics Commission correspondence between that office and candidates becomes public record.  So we looked into it.  The GEC told her it was in violation and they then suggested she refund to Glam Sham the $500 overage amount, notify them that it had been done, and then report the refund on the general election filing.

Her campaign treasurer then emailed the GEC and said this:

Dear Ms. Schneider,

Thank you for returning my call this morning regarding the aforementioned campaign finance report. Per your instructions, we have returned $500 to Smash Glam to be in compliance with the limit of donations from a single entity for the primary election. Smash Glam has turned around and donated that to Dawn Rattan’s general election, which will be filed by October 28, 2019.

Thank you so much for your assistance.
Best regards,
Anh-Nguyet Nguyen
Treasurer for Dawn Rattan

So, $500 was returned on an In-Kind contribution (no money donated, just services) and then that entity turns around and sends the $500 back in the form of a donation for the general election.  Perfectly legal.  In the army we used to call things like that Mickey Mouse plays.

Previous posts about her candidacy can be found on this blog at:

https://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2019/09/is-rattan-for-real.html

http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2019/08/dawn-rattan-1000-campaign-contribution.html

My opinion.......a big mistake to elect this person to the council.......big mistake.
Kurt Knappen would better serve the folks in Ward 3

 

Ward 3 Resident Calls Stephanie Meyer Out

Mayoral candidate Stephanie Meyer has been highly critical of the fact that commercial properties only make up about 25% of the city's property tax base.  And naturally, she has been critical of the incumbent mayor, Michelle Distler.

Well, the topic of the tax base came up on her FB page and then one resident (of Ward 3) jumped in.
Here is what he said.....(and it makes sense):

Michael Moore

 

 

Pardon my intrusion, but following on to

questions above from Alisha Ali Vincent, your website has the following:

"Currently, only about 25% of the city’s revenue comes from

commercial taxes, putting much of the cost of government on
the shoulders of our residents. This is an unsustainable model
and will be further exacerbated as our vast infrastructure continues to age."

And this:

"Shawnee has largely avoided regional conversations on

economic development, and that means when potential
employers look at the metro, we’re not on their minds."
 
I don't mean to point out the Elephant in the Room, but
haven't you been on the city council for some 5 or 6 years
now? The Mayor is only 1 member of the council. If YOU as a
long-time council member haven't been successful in moving
the city in the direction your campaign is advocating, why
should voters believe you will be any more effective as
Mayor?

As a follow up to the above...If I recall correctly, you as a

council member, were a driving force in the recent passage of
the LGBTQ non-discrimination ordinance. What would lead
voters like me to believe as Mayor your agenda wouldn't
include a plethora of similar needless actions while Shawnee
continues to languish with high residential property taxes andno business base?

One thing that I would add to Mr. Moore's comments is that Ms. Meyer seems to also lead the charge when it comes to incentives, literally giving away the farm, which in turn deprives Shawnee of tax income.  Incentives are sometimes needed, but why not the north 40 instead of the whole farm?

Ward 4 - Shawnee Needs Kris Durbin

The Ward 4 council race could be very critical for the future of Shawnee.
On one side we have Kris Durbin who has an 18 year record in the design build engineering and construction industry. As a Project Controls Manager he is responsible for managing infrastructure projects that are in the multi-million to billion dollar range. See my previous comments for additional info at https://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2019/10/kris-durbin-for-shawnee-city-council.html

His opponent, Jill Chalfie presents herself as the "community service candidate". While her years of volunteerism are to be commended, she does not possess the background to work with staff on projects such as Nieman Now.

Kris Durbin on the other hand does have those skills, and as we move forward his background will prove useful in working to make sure we do not have another situation like Nieman Now. He knows what to look for when it comes to infrastructure projects and can utilize his experience, knowledge and training for the benefit of all of Shawnee.

I urge the voters of Ward 4 to vote for Kris Durbin to be your council rep.