Shawnee Mayor's Race - Kemmling vs Sandifer

 

Dr. Mike Kemmling who currently represents Ward II in Shawnee is running for mayor of Shawnee.  He is opposed by Mickey Sandifer, a former councilmember.

 

Mike would bring many things to the office. Among these would be a youthful, current generation outlook, a conservative financial discipline, experience as a business owner and a strong desire to do what is right for those who elect him.  All of this without being beholden to a “good old boys network”.

Unlike Sandifer, Mike has already  shown that he is not a rubber stamp for any group.  Sandifer, along with other members of previous councils abrogated their rights and responsibilities and basically let a former city manager do whatever she wanted to.  He, Sandifer, was a classic puppet on a string.  He also has a history of wasteful spending to attend conferences outside the city. 

Kemmling for Shawnee Mayor has a nice ring to it.

Positive Outcome for Midland Drive Project, Thank You City Council

 It looks like something is going to finally be done about that terrible, unsafe, stretch of road.  Midland Drive, west of I-435 to where it turns and meets Shawnee Mission Parkway.

Let's back up a little.  I'm going to simplify this.The city council was presented with a variety of plans.  The one that staff was recommending would have cost the city $6.5 million in addition to federal funds ($4 million) and JoCo CARS funding.  That plan would also have had serious encroachment into homeowner's property.

The council was looking at a reduced concept, that would not cost the city $6.5 million and that would not have had as much encroachment into homeowner's properties.  City staff had advised the council that if they reduced the plans the city would probably lose the fed's $4 million.  In the old days, the previous councils would have just rubber stamped the recommendation as presented.  This council said no.  They wanted it reworked.  Now, this is where some malcontents would shout that the council was being disrespectful of the staff's work and knowledge.  Not so.  The council has respect for staff, and they also have an obligation to the citizens of Shawnee to act in their best interests.

So what happened.  We know that Councilmember Jacklynn Walters (Ward IV) did a whole bunch of leg work on this project to get it going down a better path (no pun intended).  And, she was supported by Council President Eric Jenkins of Ward II.

So, what is the result?  It appears that the project is going to go forward.  It appears that the cost to Shawnee has dropped to $2.5 million, and, it looks like the $4 million in fed money will still be there, along with the JoCo CARS funding.

What are the basics of the improvement?  First of all the roadway itself will be redone and made to be a safer stretch of roadway. Two dedicated bicycle lanes will be added.  A sidewalk will be added on the north side (no more walking in mud, dirt etc).  Curbs and gutters will be added, and the ditches will be replaced with a stormwater/sewer system.  And last but not least, the encroachment into homeowner's property will be substantially reduced.

Kudos to Councilpersons Walters and Jenkins and the rest of the council that pushed for the plan as finalized.  This was a true win-win for all concerned.

Shawnee Mission Post Blows It, Again

 It is getting worse.  Methinks the SM Post needs to hire some reporters who a) understand government and b) do historical research.  Or, maybe they can't affor those type of reporters.  Heck, they run enough "sponsored" items (that look like news articles) and their staff is constantly pleading for subscribers to get $$$ into the system.  Oh well......

In that left leaning ludicrous article, which appears to try and toss aspersions on the current city council, they were missing a few key points about the council not approving the reappointment of Alan Willoughby to the Planning Commission.

First, as a member of the Planning Commission he is a part of the government of the city.  Guess what.  It's a no-no to use an official position in the city to advocate for or against an item that is to be voted on by the citizens.  His wearing of that t-shirt, on the dais was contrary to that.

Now, if the reporter had done some research she might have come across this article and others at that point in time including doing a search of this blog.  Mr. Willoughby was appointed to fill an eunexpired position on the city council which resulted in the Mayor, Jeff Meyers and various council members being called out by the JoCo DA for violating the spirit of the KOMA.  Then, when he lost the election to serve a full term (the basis of most of the article) Mayor Jeff Meyers nominated him to be reappointed to the Planning Commission.  He had previously served there.  The vote for the appointment was evenly split 4-4. So, Jeff Meyers broke the tie and voted yea.  Oh, did I mention, that Willoughby is Jeff Meyers' uncle by marriage.  That's right, let's keep Uncle Alan in positions of importance, or piss off your spouse.

Some folks wanted to know how Uncle Alan got reappointed four years ago.  That's easy to answer. Mayor Distler recommended the reappointment and the council at that time (which had a different philosophical make up) voted to approve.

As we get into another election season I really think the full time reporters for the SM Post need to study the functions and operations of government and also learn how to research for their articles.  My opinion, and I'm entitled to it.

Does The Shawnee Mission Post Have Tunnel Vision?

 A few weeks ago the Shawnee Mission Post ran an article saying that staff leaving city government was the fault of the city council.  My first impression was that the two young ladies who wrote the article needed to do things.  First, take a class in Government 101, and then really do some historical research on Shawnee's city gjovernment.

One expression that has been bandied about is "diviseveness", including by our perjury committing mayor.  Well ladies, were you aware that the counci is a legislative body.  True, not as many members as the state legislature or the congress, but still a legislative body.  And, guess what?  Legislative bodies are made up of people.  Yes, people, who have different ideas and opinions.  And yes, because of that they will be divided on issues. 

They also mention, again, former city manager Nolan Sunderman who left the city because his vision for the city was not the same vision as the council's.  I covered this before.  The city manager is an employee subordinate to the city council.  The council (who is answerable to the citizens) sets the vision, not the city manager.  Basically the city manager is supposed to do what he is told.  Sunderman apparently thought he could get away with what his predecessor had for many years and do what he wanted.  One of the more egregious acts of insubordination on his part was when the council wanted him to come to them with the info on a 2 mill levy reduction in property taxes.  Sunderman took it upon himself to bring forth the info on a 1/2 mill levy reduction.  The council had him redo that and they passed a 2 mill reduction.

Sunderman's predecessor had for many years basically done what she wanted to do.  The council, while she was in that position basically abrogated their responsibilities and just rubber stamped anything that she and staff brought forth.  If that is the way that city government is supposed to be run then we don't need a council.  Think about that.  Why have the voters changed the face of the council from one that just rubber stamps anything to one that wants answers, explanations, etc.?

That now brings us to the various comments about the council not respecting staff.  Horse s**t.  This council has great respect for staff.  We have some excellent folks on staff at city hall.  Staff is composed of people.  Human beings with human frailties.  It is the council's responibility to review what is brought forth and then make decisions based on their evaluations, not to just willy nilly rubber stamp everything.  Remember, the council needs to answer to their bosses.....the citizens.

The article mentions the departure of Julie Breithaupt who left to go into private industry.  She had been the city's communications manager and then shortly prior to her departure had been promoted to communications director, with a communications manager subordinate to her.  Originally she was attending most of the city's various public meetings (which are held at night) and had to be available 24/7/365 if there were inquiries that required a city response.  When she got promoted the responsibilities of PIO for the PD and FD were put on her plate.  That could mean expanded 24/7/365 accessibility.  So now the question begs to be asked:  Was her departure really because of the council or was it because as a young mother she wanted to spend more time with her family and did not want the to be on call 24/7/365? Anybody ask her for an honest answer to that question?  Could be interesting!!!

Whenever there is a major change in the philosophical make up of a legislative body there will always be staff departures.  This is not new.  

Something else I noticed.  It is my opinion that if one was to print out the Shawnee Mission Post and stand it on its edge it the sheet of paper might have a tendency to lean to the left, instead of just standing straight up with no leaning.