A Few Items

Has anyone else noticed that the incumbents and their spokesperson(s) have avoided the challengers' comments about the incumbents' votes on certain issues?  The challengers apparently disagree with the way some of the incumbents have voted on the council.  Yet the incumbents do not answer as to why they voted for those items and refuse to defend their actions as such.  Maybe it's because they can't defend some of those votes.  For some of those votes check the post "The Real Voting Record" 3/21/12 by scrolling down.

Daily chuckle:  Jim Neighbor's ad this week in the Shawnee Dispatch where he references his "reelection campaign".  Jim, you can't be in a reelection campaign, because you never were elected in the first place.  You were appointed.  So this is your "election campaign".  Stop trying to mislead people by making them think you had been elected.

Will Jeff Vaught query his ward mate and get the questions about who she is answered? 

Letter to Mayor Jeff Meyers

I have just sent the following by email to the mayor.  If he responds, I will publish that here.
- -- --- --- --- --- ---- ---       -- ------    - ----------------    --------------      ------------

Dear Jeff,



Reference is made to the recent council meeting of Monday 3/26/12 and Council Member Jeff Vaught’s comments. And, I will explain how I feel this reflects on you.


I am sure you are aware that it is upsetting that he said I had no stake in Shawnee since I do not pay property taxes direct. He did say he realizes that the amount is included in the rent but unlike him I do not have a statement showing that type of item.


Vaught’s comments were indicative of an individual who believes that renters as opposed to owners are in a different class and cannot have a stake in the city they live in. Apparently he truly does not understand the concept of the property taxes being included in the rent. Nor does he probably understand that renters pay personal property taxes on their vehicles, sales taxes, franchise fees, ad nauseam, all to the benefit of the city. And, by renting, in my case, contributing to $235,000 in property taxes.


Using Vaught’s concept that renters don’t have a stake makes me wonder what his feelings are about the current State Rep in the 23rd District, Brett Hildabrand (Shawnee/Merriam) and his immediate predecessor, Milack Talia. Mr. Hildabrand currently resides in an apartment, and did so at the time of his election.


If my memory serves me correctly, Mr. Talia also lived in an apartment at the time of his election and then subsequently moved into a private residence. Would he care to tell these two gentlemen that they don’t/didn’t have a stake in the 23rd District because they are/were renters?


Now how does this reflect upon you? As the mayor of Shawnee you are supposed to be the mayor of Shawnee, not the mayor of one group of residents. When a council member says that just because a person rents they do not have a stake in their city, then it was incumbent upon you to set him straight. That all persons living in Shawnee have a stake in the city. You failed to say anything about that? Does that mean that you agree with him that renters do not have a stake in the city? Over the years I have heard you admonish speakers who, in your opinion, were disrespectful to members of the council. In this case a member of the council disrespected an entire group of people and you sir, said nothing.


Your silence and inaction at the meeting on this item would lead me to believe that you give tacit approval to his commentary on that subject.


Ray

Part II of Is Dawn Kuhn Really Dawn Kuhn?

The original post on this subject was last Thursday 3/22/12 and can be viewed by just scrolling down to it.

We know now, and verified by the city that Dawn Kuhn is getting paid as Dawn White.  This despite the fact that all of her documents (including financials) connected with her filings for office are listed as Kuhn..

It gets stranger.  After submitting a KORA (Kansas Open Records Act) request the city has confirmed that she has submitted reimbursements for expenses and been paid accordingly under the name of Dawn Kuhn.

So, she gets paid her city council salary as White, but gets her city expenses as Kuhn. 

Since she represents her bank as Kuhn, I wonder:  Are they paying her as Kuhn or as White?  This could get real interesting.

KSRA Responds to Vaught's Comments

I have received an email from the President of the KSRA (Kansas State Rifle Association) in regards to Councilmember Vaught's comments last night.  The KSRA is the local affiliate of the NRA.


Here are those comments:


Over the last several years the Mayor and certain members of the City Council of Shawnee, KS have repeatedly moved to pass city ordinances regarding firearms that are NOT legal, contrary to state law and not
even in the purview of local control. Those actions have resulted in the KSRA receiving a multitude of complaints from members who live in Shawnee. The KSRA has intervened each time to stop those ordinances from being passed.

When elected officials try to run over its citizens on Second Amendment issues it is our job to promote candidates for election that will not waste the tax payers money trying to promote gun control.

Jeff Vaught, Shawnee Councilman, had the audacity to declare in the council meeting March 26th that the KSRA PAC is doing the bidding of Shawnee resident Mike Egan because he is one of our biggest
contributors and alleged that we are trying to "buy the election". No Mr. Vaught, you are dead wrong and your statement is ludicrous. There is NO "secret" agenda. We've been quite public about it. We are
promoting Second Amendment friendly candidates so we can quit spending our time keeping you in check. We've grown weary of the nonsense coming out of the Shawnee City Council regarding firearms laws.

We are not the only group who seems to have a problem with the actions of the current officials. There are other organizations and interested parties who are also supporting the opposing candidates. To hear Mr.
Vaught tell it we have some kind of grand conspiracy going on that even includes Representative John Rubin. The KSRA PAC has every right to endorse candidates that it feels will protect the Second Amendment.
It is the reason the KSRA PAC exists and what our contributors and members expect us to do, none of which, including Mike Egan, have any say whatsoever on who is endorsed. We have a specific and logical
method for evaluating candidates and endorsements are a result of that evaluation. It is commonplace for organizations such as the KSRA PAC to make endorsements in any race it feels elected officials should be
replaced.

For those who would like to hear Mr. Vaught's statements, you can listen to the audio recording here. It is towards the end of the audio recording at about 25:00.


http://shawneecityks.iqm2.com/Citizens/VideoMain.aspx?MeetingID=1160

An Interesting Evening

The council meeting was really interesting this evening.  And, as Jeff Vaught said, I’d probably be blogging about it.

First, he questioned the KSRA (Kansas State Rifle Assoc.) endorsements of certain challengers for city office.  He wanted to know what did that have to do with Shawnee?  Suffice it to say over the years there have been various items that have come up before council about the use of firearms.  And most recently about hunting within the city limits.  Also, a couple of years ago his ward mate attempted to introduce an ordinance that would allow for the confiscation of weapons if the mayor declared a state of emergency.  If my memory serves me, that got shot down (no pun intended) because it violated state law.

He also ranted and raved about Mike Egan, quoting from comments that Egan made at a 2009 council meeting.  Ironically, he wouldn’t be able to do that now, since we no longer have detailed minutes (he voted against them).  That is, unless we want to listen to the audio CD and then play transcriber ourselves.

He alleges that Egan was running a slate against the incumbents, and that Egan owned the KSRA and the KFL (Kansans for Life).  If that is the case, how come the KFL endorsed Sandifer?  

Then he proceeded to rant about me.  He said that I do not have a stake in Shawnee because I don’t have a tax receipt.  He admitted that the taxes were part of my rent but because I didn’t have a tax statement that made a difference.  That is the height of arrogant snobbishness.  History lesson Mr. Vaught…….there was a time when only white, male, landowners could vote in this country, but that got changed, over a period of time.  Would Vaught have us go backwards?  When property taxes go up, rents go up.  When franchise fees, sales taxes, etc. are levied, we pay them too.

Now, what stake does he have in this country?  Did he ever serve in the military?  Even in peace time?  Even in the guard or reserve, ready to go if necessary?  I personally did four years, including a year in Nam.  But let’s bring it to his generation.  He is 2 years/4 months older than my oldest son.  Now my oldest did his four years from ’88 to ’92, including Desert Storm (1/34^th Armor, 1^st Inf Division – The Big Red One).  Did Vaught serve, or was he one of those who let other people’s sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, serve in his stead?  Maybe we should make that a requirement to be able to vote?

If you have time, read the info below:

When the Constitution was written, only white male property owners (about 10 to 16 percent of the nation's population) had the vote. Over the past two centuries, though, the term "government by the people" has become a reality. During the early 1800s, states gradually dropped property requirements for voting. Later, groups that had been excluded previously gained the right to vote. Other reforms made the process fairer and easier.

1790

1790 Only white male adult property-owners have the right to vote.

1800

1810

1810 Last religious prerequisite for voting is eliminated.

1820

1840

1850 Property ownership and tax requirements eliminated by 1850. Almost all adult white males could vote.

1855 Connecticut adopts the nation's first literacy test for voting. Massachusetts follows suit in 1857. The tests were implemented to discriminate against Irish-Catholic immigrants.

1860

1870 The 15th Amendment is passed. It gives former slaves the right to vote and protects the voting rights of adult male citizens of any race.

1880

1889 Florida adopts a poll tax. Ten other southern states will implement poll taxes.

1890 Mississippi adopts a literacy test to keep African Americans from voting. Numerous other states—not just in the south—also establish literacy tests. However, the tests also exclude many whites from voting. To get around this, states add grandfather clauses that allow those who could vote before 1870, or their descendants, to vote regardless of literacy or tax qualifications.

1900

1910

1913 The 17th Amendment calls for members of the U.S. Senate to be elected directly by the people instead of State Legislatures.

1915 Oklahoma was the last state to append a grandfather clause to its literacy requirement (1910). In Guinn v. United States the Supreme Court rules that the clause is in conflict with the 15th Amendment, thereby outlawing literacy tests for federal elections.

1920

1920 The 19th Amendment guarantees women's suffrage.

1924 Indian Citizenship Act grants all Native Americans the rights of citizenship, including the right to vote in federal elections.

1930

1940

1944 The Supreme Court outlaws "white primaries" in Smith v. Allwright (Texas). In Texas, and other states, primaries were conducted by private associations, which, by definion, could exclude whomever they chose. The Court declares the nomination process to be a public process bound by the terms of 15th Amendment.

1950

1957 The first law to implement the 15th amendment, the Civil Rights Act, is passed. The Act set up the Civil Rights Commission—among its duties is to investigate voter discrimination.

1960

1960 In Gomillion v. Lightfoot (Alabama) the Court outlaws "gerrymandering."

1961 The 23rd Amendment allows voters of the District of Columbia to participate in presidential elections.

1964 The 24th Amendment bans the poll tax as a requirement for voting in federal elections.

1965 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., mounts a voter registration drive in Selma, Alabama, to draw national attention to African-American voting rights.

1965 The Voting Rights Act protects the rights of minority voters and eliminates voting barriers such as the literacy test. The Act is expanded and renewed in 1970, 1975, and 1982.

1966 The Supreme Court, in Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections, eliminates the poll tax as a qualification for voting in any election. A poll tax was still in use in Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia.

1966 The Court upholds the Voting Rights Act in South Carolina v. Katzenbach.

1970

1970 Literacy requirements are banned for five years by the 1970 renewal of the Voting Rights Act. At the time, eighteen states still have a literacy requirement in place. In Oregon v. Mitchell, the Court upholds the ban on literacy tests, which is made permanent in 1975. Judge Hugo Black, writing the court's opinion, cited the "long history of the discriminatory use of literacy tests to disenfranchise voters on account of their race" as the reason for their decision.

1971 The 26th amendment sets the minimum voting age at 18.

1972 In Dunn v. Blumstein, the Supreme Court declares that lengthy residence requirements for voting in state and local elections is unconstitutional and suggests that 30 days is an ample period.

1980

1990

1995 The Federal "Motor Voter Law" takes effect, making it easier to register to vote.

2000

2003 Federal Voting Standards and Procedures Act requires states to streamline registration, voting, and other election procedures.

Ward IV Election....McAfee is a Breath of Fresh Air

Yep, Dylan McAfee is young.  He hasn't learned how to snow folks like the incumbent, Mickey Sandifer.

Anyway, without going into total detail today, I'll refer you to three recent posts in this blog.  Just scroll down to read them, and you'll see why Dylan McAfee would be a breath of fresh air for Ward IV on the Shawnee City Council.

"Sandifer Should Be Ashamed" 3/14/12



"Sandifer Gets an "F" in Understanding Property Taxes" 3/10/12


"Did Sandifer Stick His Foot in His Mouth?" 3/8/12

Who is Jim Neighbor Kidding?

Gee Jim, do you really think you can tap dance around and fool people?

In his ad that appeared in the hard copy of the Shawnee Dispatch 3/21/12 on page 7 he makes some statements in his bid to get votes:

"Jim Neighbor retired as a Captain with United Airlines after 34 years of flying.  He prepares for Council meetings with the same attention to detail as he did planning each flight."

How do we know that you are well prepared?  Because you say so?  Because a member of the community said that a few weeks ago (see my post Macheers Makes Sense, below).? We don't know how well prepared you are because you hardly ever say anything.  We very seldom know why you vote the way you do, because you do not express your opinions.  You function more like a wind up doll, casting a vote based on possibly what you've been told to do.  By the way, civility at council meetings does not mean keeping your mouth shut. 

Jim Neighbor has never missed a budget planning session or a council meeting vote on the budget or when tax dollars are spent.

It's nice to know that you get a perfect attendance award.  But it is obvious that you do not wish to publicize your voting record.  Why do you emphasize your attendance record rather than your voting record?  Is it because your voting record would be considered not to be in Shawnee's best interests?  Like voting for the CID at 10 Quivira Plaza?  Like voting to eliminate detailed meeting minutes?

Tell us, how do you feel about the way you were appointed to the council, rather than an election being called?  What about Cheryl Scott's delayed resignation?  What do you think about that?  And then, when there was no election scheduled, that it would appear you were not the best qualified to be appointed? 

Folks in Ward 1, please strongly consider Charles Macheers over Jim Neighbor on election day, April 3, 2012.

Is Dawn Kuhn Really Dawn Kuhn?

Why is the City of Shawnee paying councilmember Dawn Kuhn as Dawn White?

The Kansas Policy Institute has a web site http://www.kansasopengov.org and on the site they publish information about various Kansas government entities.  For selected cities payroll information is published showing the employee’s name, position title and pay for the year designated.

For the years 2009 & 2010 (the only years showing for Shawnee) the site does not show Dawn Kuhn as a councilmember, but does show Dawn White.  All other councilmember names were correct.  When they were queried as to the possibility of a mistake, the response was that they used information as provided by the city under a KORA (Kansas Open Records Act) request.

Without going into an item by item breakdown of what occurred next (I do have the backup documents) the city confirmed that the information that was on the web site was the information they (the city) had provided.  Additionally, the city confirmed that if I asked for the same information, that I would be given the same listing.  Therefore, that means that White is who is showing up on city payroll records.

Let’s look at facts:  Dawn Kuhn filed to run for public office as Dawn Kuhn.  She is a registered voter under that name.  She has taken the oath of office (verbally and in writing) as Dawn Kuhn.  Her name is on the tax rolls for her property as such.  She votes on the council on city issues under that name.  She makes motions and seconds motions under that name. Most likely (since she is a registered voter) her driver’s license is probably Kuhn also.

Now, let’s look at what Kuhn does for a living in her non-governmental working environment.  She is a Vice President/Banking Center Manager for Bank Midwest. And that shows on both the bio information she has submitted, and on her business card.  Common sense is that in that capacity she has to from time to time sign various documents as an officer of the bank.  So now the questions beg to be answered: Would a bank pay an officer under one name but let that person identify themselves under another name?  Would a bank pay a person under one name and allow that person to sign on behalf of the bank under another name?  Unlike government agencies, banks are not subject to KORA so there is no way I can ask them.  But somebody needs to.  If she is getting paid by the bank as Kuhn (which would make sense) then that brings up other questions.

Is this deception?  Is it fraud?  Or is it OK?  I don’t know, but I think this situation needs to be reviewed by both the JoCo Election Office and the JoCo DA’s office.

Sidebar:  As of today the 2011 information is now on that web site and it still shows Dawn M White.

The Real Voting Record

Recently, the Shawnee Dispatch had an article about “voting records”.  The article at  http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/mar/21/how-do-candidates-voting-histories-stack/ referred to the voting habits of incumbent and challenger candidates for the city’s upcoming election for council and mayor.  Basically which elections did they vote in. 

Any reader of this blog knows that I feel very strongly about citizen participation in the electoral process. 

By the same token, there is another voting record history that could possibly be just as, if not more important.  That history is how the incumbents voted on various items that came before them.  So, let’s look at some of those issues  (ward numbers are in parentheses):

5/14/07 Voted to spend $3.5 million for the Monticello Rd fiasco which is going nowhere, and in which some citizens lost their homes:

                Sandifer (4)

                Kuhn (3)

                Sawyer (2)

4/26/10 Voted to spend $67,500 to build a 115 foot temporary connection from 57^th St to Oak Valley West Shopping Center:

                Sandifer (4)

                Kuhn (3)

                Jeff Meyers, as mayor, voted for it to break a tie

 7/24/06 Voted to raise property taxes 17%, the most in Shawnee history:

                Sandifer (4)

                Sawyer (2)

                Kuhn (3)

                Jeff Meyers, as mayor, voted for it to break a tie

8/24/09  Voted to charge residents a 5% fee on their utilities

                Sandifer (4)

                Kuhn (3)

                Sawyer (2)

                Jeff Meyers, as mayor, voted for it to break a tie (actually four ties, four separate ordinances)

8/8/11  Voted to institute a ½% sales tax for shopping at the Ten Quivira Plaza Shopping Center

                Sandifer (4)

                Kuhn (3)

                Neighbor (1)

2/14/11  Voted to eliminate detailed written minutes of council meetings

                Sandifer (4)

                Kuhn (3)

                Sawyer (2)

                Neighbor (1)

1/25/10  Voted for the new trash laws

                Sandifer (4)

                Kuhn (3)

                Sawyer (2)

Macheers Makes Sense

Charles Macheers makes alot of sense and should be elected as the new councuil member in Ward 1 to replace Jim Neighbor.

Want to know what he stands for?  Just go here http://macheers.com/index.html

Funny thing happened prior to a council meeting a few weeks ago.  Another member of the community came up to me and said regardless of how he got into office (Neighbor was the beneficiary of the Cheryl Scott debacle), that Neighbor was the most prepared of all the council people prior to each meeting.  This person then added, that he felt that way, even though Neighbor hardly ever opened his mouth to explain his position or why he was in favor or against any item.  He just usually keeps his mouth shut and then votes.  So, how did this individual come to the conclusion that he was the "best prepared"?

Anyway, Charles Macheers would be a heck of an improvement.  Especially when one considers that Neighbor voted for the 5% CID at 10 Quivira and voted to eliminate the detailed council meeting minutes.  Naughty, naughty, Neighbor

What's Up Doc?

As we get closer to the election I feel it is necessary to comment again on the Ward 2 council race between Dr. Mike Kemmling and Neal Sawyer.

On Feb 8th this year I posted my primary reasons for supporting Mike Kemmling.  To those reasons I feel it is important to add that Neal Sawyer voted for the 5% franchise fee.

Different items mean different things to people.  Neal's vote for Jim Neighbor, was, to me, an insult to the folks in Ward 1, and to the democratic process itself.  He, like some of his colleagues were basically turning a blind eye to the machinations that were occurring.  And, his stand on the detail minutes elimination was also IMHO a swipe at the rights of the people.

So, again, I must say that I hope the voters of Ward 2 go with Mike Kemmling.

If you don't want to scroll down to my 2/8 posting I'll copy it below:


Mike Kemmling is challenging Neal Sawyer in the Ward 2 council race.


In an earlier post I indicated that I preferred Mike Kemmling over Neal Sawyer. 


This was the toughest of the five positions for me to take sides.  I like Neal.  He always has acted like a gentleman on the council.  So why would I choose Mike Kemmling for the council seat.


There have been many issues where Neal has said, what I feel to be the right things, but then has voted the opposite.  On verious occasions before his vote he explains this.


Two items that he voted for stand out to me.  He voted for the appointment of Jim Neighbor to the vacant Ward 1 seat caused by the Cheryl Scott debacle.  He voted to eliminate full minutes of council poceedings.


These two items bother me as they, IMHO, take away certain rights of the citizens of the community.  One right is to select their representative, the other being full transparency of what the governing body does.


I think it's time for a change in Ward 2 and feel that Mike Kemmling will bring a new perspective to the council.

Sandifer Should Be Ashamed

Recently incumbent 4^th Ward  councilmember Mickey Sandifer sent out a mailer, and among other things, has said regarding his opponent Dylan McAfee:

My supporters tell me he has been spinning some fanciful tales about my record as your City Councilman.  Unanswered, such tales can be damaging to a campaign.  Please contact me with any questions you have regarding my bid for re-election.  You can reach me at 913-268-5348.

Why does Mickey want folks to call him?  Simple, so he can hand them a line of nonsense and not be held accountable.  If he put his comments in writing then he could be held accountable.

Dylan McAfee has been basically saying the same things he has in his brochure.  Here is a small sampling of them:

1.        “Since April 2004 my opponent has taken numerous non-essential trips and spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on travel during tough economic times and publicly stated during the September 14, 2009 City Council Meeting that his travel is nobody’s business.”

(I personally have detailed many of Sandifer’s trips on this blog, and heard first hand the comment he made at a council meeting, Dylan’s comment is accurate)

2.       “July 24, 2006 my opponent voted to raise property tax 17% - The most in Shawnee History.”

(check the minutes….he did)

3.       “On February 14, 2011 my opponent voted to remove the transparency of city council business by voting to remove detailed written minutes.” (check the minutes…he did)

4.       “On April 25, 2010 my opponent voted to spend $67,500 to build a 115-foot temporary connection from 57th Street to Oak Valley West shopping center. “(he did…it’s in the minutes)

5.       “On August 24, 2009 my opponent voted to charge residents a 5% fee on their utilities.” (he did…it’s in the minutes.)

6.       “On August 8, 2011 my opponent voted to charge residents an extra 1/2% sales tax for shopping in the Ten Quivira Plaza shopping center to pay for the developers improvements.” (He did…it’s in the minutes)

So again, why does Sandifer want folks to call him?  Because he can’t refute these statements in writing.  Many of Sandifer’s actions have a negative effect on senior citizens.  A group he says he cares about.  He’s just upset that a “grandson” is more concerned about what happens to “grandma and grandpa” than he is.

Oh, if you go to Dylan’s web site he has links to the various city council minutes so you can see for yourself  http://electdylanmcafee.blogspot.com

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

Election campaigns.  Wow, can they get interesting.

Now we have individuals claiming that the challengers for council and mayor are spreading lies.  Believe Jeff Vaught is one of those making those claims.

For Vaught's sake, let's keep it real simple.  When a challenger claims that an opponent is for or against something, and then can cite the opponent's vote on the issue, including the date, how can that be a lie?

What is a lie?  Is a lie when Vaught failed to be totally forthcoming during the CID hearings.  You remember, when he tried to show that Liberty, MO had 2 CIDs and that both had grocery stores.  He failed to advise folks that in Missouri consumers pay less taxes on food than on non-food items in grocery stores.  Was that a failure of him to do his research properly?  Or did somebody feed him the information?  Or, was he lying by omission?  Whatever, he wasn't totally straightforward.

Oh, I know, it's only fibbing when his wardmate, Motormouth Kuhn can't even be honest with an elderly citizen. Remember, when an elderly gentleman asked for the volume to be turned up at a council meeting and Kuhn said the mikes weren't part of the PA system.  And they are.............but that wasn't lying, that was just misinforming or something like that...............right?  Couldn't have been lying as Vaught never said anything, and the poor elderly gentleman was left struggling to hear what was going on.

Oh well, am sure there are other times when Vaught let things slide.............at least for those who he supports, or who tell him what to say.  But he can accuse the challengers of lying, when they are telling the truth.  Golly gee, he is a confused person, at least in my opinion.

Sandifer Gets an "F" in Understanding Property Taxes

This quote is from Mickey Sandifer's recent on line questionnaire with the Shawnee Dispatch which can be read at http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/mar/07/candidate-questionnaire-mickey-sandifer-ward-iv/

I am a homeowner familiar with all the tax obligations associated with owning property in Shawnee.


He went on to indicate that since his opponent lived in an apartment that he (Sandifer) was the better candidate.


I guess that Sandifer does not comprehend how property taxes affect folks who rent apartments.  So, for his benefit, should he read this, I will try and keep it simple, since I'd hate to overtax (no pun intended) Sandifer's brain.

The apartment complex that Dylan McAfee (Sandifer's opponent in the 4th Ward council race) lives in pays over $235,000 a year in property taxes.  That is almost 1/4 of a million dollars.  Now when you divide that by the number of units in the complex, that works out to approximately $550 per unit/per year.  That is, unless you think the ownership is going to give the renters a free pass.  Of course not, they include that in the rent.

Now when you realize how much living space each person has in an apartment, then proportionately it is possible that some renters may actually pay more than some home owners.  The only difference is that the renters don't get a separate bill.  Additionally, apartment renters in Shawnee also pay the 5% franchise fee on utilities.  And, all other utility fees, taxes, etc.  Oh my gosh.  Renters are affected by property taxes and franchise fees (another form of taxation).

It's time for the folks in Ward 4 to realize they have been snowed by Sandifer.  Dylan McAfee would bring youth and a vision of the future to the ward and the city.  And yes, for those who don't know me, I am very comfortable with his youthfulness even though I have grandchildren older than Dylan.

Shawnee Mission Times Endorsements

The Shawnee Mission Times has come up with their endorsements for the City of Shawnee races:

View it here http://www.shawneemissiontimes.com/030812art6.html

You will see that the endorsements are:

Eric Jenkins for Mayor -- http://jenkinsformayor.net/ -- over Jeff Meyers
Charles Macheers - Ward 1 Councilmember -- http://macheers.com/index.html -- over Jim Neighbor
Mike Kemmling- Ward 2 Councilmember -- http://mikekemmling.blogspot.com/ over Neal Sawyer
Jim Ferris - Ward 3 Councilmember -- http://www.imwithjim.com/ -- over Dawn Kuhn
Dylan McAfee - Ward 4 Councilmember -- http://electdylanmcafee.blogspot.com/ over Mickey Sandiver

Did Sandifer Stick His Foot in His Mouth?

Not too long ago (1/24/12) I posted an item here questioning who some of the folks were that were listed as registered to vote at Mickey Sandifer's house.  You can view that at http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2012/01/sandifers-personal-voting-precinct.html

Now, let's look at Sandifer's answers in the Shawnee Dispatch's candidate's questionnaire at http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/mar/07/candidate-questionnaire-mickey-sandifer-ward-iv/

 where he says in part.............." On a personal note, I would love to see my own children be able to move back to their “hometown” community"  That was in response to a question on affordable housing.


Hmmmmm, are the extra folks regisstered at his house his children who don't live there and he wishes they could move back to their "hometown"?


This is another good reason to vote for Dylan McAfee for city council to replace Sandifer.  Yes, Dylan is young.  Yes, he is not experienced..............especially in what appears to be deception.


Sidebar:  Jeff "BigMouth" Vaught has been ranting lately about what he perceives to be lies by challengers.  Wonder what his comment will be about this.  I am sure he and/or Sandifer will have some kind of Tijuana Two Step answer

Fires in Shawnee

First, let me commend the Shawnee Fire Department and the other cities' units that were involved in battling the three recent apartment house fires.  We also has some individual residence fires at the same time.

Most fires are started because of carelessness.  The Shawnee Dispatch's question this week for its Point of View Panel (which I am on for this year) drew some interesting responses.  That can be viewed at http://www.shawneedispatch.com/onthestreet/2012/mar/07/what-precautions-do-you-take-keep-your-household-s/

If a fire occurs, timely notification (smoke alarms) can save lives, reduce injuries and property damage.

I can personally relate to this item.  Twelve years ago the apartment complex I live in was struck three weeks in a row by an arsonist.  The building I lived in at the time was the second target.  Those types of fire are tough to prevent, but reduced injuries and property damage were seen by functioning notification systems.

Keep Those Cards and Letters Coming

Let's go back in time.  On July 7, 2010 Kevin Straub had a letter published in the Shawnee Dispatch.  Part of his letter took exception with Dawn Kuhn's travel (Ward III council member).  The letter can be read by going here:  http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2010/jul/07/letter-budget-matters/

Then on July 14th, 2010 another member of the community, an Anthony Vincent wrote in basically  to defend Kuhn.  His letter can be read here:  http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2010/jul/14/letter-shopping-center-expert/

What happens next?  I chime in with my own comments, and those can be read here:  http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2010/jul/21/vegas-contingent/

Now, if you read that letter of mine, and then scroll down, you can see where Mr. Vincent posted an on line comment to my letter.  His comment was:  (emphasis is mine)


In regard to Mr Erlichman's letter above...
If we need 5 people to go to the conference then we should send 5 people, if we need 3 we should send 3, if we need 10 we should send 10, the point is that I trust our elected representatives to come to the proper decision on who should go or not go
I do not want to put the city's interests into the hands of private developers as the conflict of interest is obvious.
As to why a Ms Kuhn stayed two days over I really don't see that as an issue. As long as she didn't use city resources for personal gain then I have no problem with it. A second thought could be that she saved the city money by flying out on a later date with a less expensive ticket.
Picking apart an expense report is not the issue, the REAL issue will be the results of the trip and getting our retail sector back on it's feet. If they succeed then vote them back in and if not vote for someone else but you have to give them latitude to do their jobs.
Anthony Vincent


I think it's time to vote for someone else.


Sidebar:  Kuhn has taken multiple trips to Vegas and each time stayed extra days.  Granted, no extra charges to the city, but by doing that, she didn't have to pay for her travel.

Low Voter Turnout, Again

According to the Shawnee Dispatch, here are the results for the voter turnout in last week's mayoral primary:


"Of 40,272 registered voters in Shawnee, only 3,437 cast ballots in the Feb. 28 primary, according to the Johnson County Election Office’s precinct report. That’s a turnout of 8.5 percent.


Broken down, turnout in Ward I was 10.8 percent, Ward II was 9.3 percent, Ward III was 5.7 percent and Ward IV was 8 percent."


Interesting, that, as usual, Ward III has the worst turnout in the city.  Ahhhhhh, yes, the Ward that gives the city Kuhn and Vaught on the council..............

On to the General Election

The primary held earlier this week is over, and Eric Jenkins (challenger) and Jeff Meyers (incumbent) move on to the mayoral race.  John Segale with a very poor third place finish is out of the running.

The general election is just a tad over four weeks away, April 3, 2012. 

Time for the citizens of Shawnee to elect four members of the council and the mayor.

It's no secret, I feel that the challengers (listed below)for each office should prevail.

Eric Jenkins for Mayor  http://jenkinsformayor.net/  over Jeff Meyers

Charles Macheers  Ward 1 Councilmember http://macheers.com/index.html over Jim Neighbor

Mike Kemmling     Ward 2 Councilmember http://mikekemmling.blogspot.com/ over Neal Sawyer

Jim Ferris               Ward 3  Councilmember http://www.imwithjim.com/ over Dawn Kuhn

Dylan McAfee        Ward 4 Councilmember http://electdylanmcafee.blogspot.com/ over Mickey Sandiver

Their web info is shown above so if you'd like you can make a contribution.  It does not need to be large.  Also, a reminder. If you are not happy with the actions of a councilmember who is not in your ward, eventhough you can't vote against them, you can still contribute to their challenger.  That councilmember is a COW (councilmember from other ward).

Shawnee Mission Times

Our post below about Vaught campaigning at the council got picked up by the Shawnee Mission Times
http://www.shawneemissiontimes.com/

I had to chuckle.  The more I thought about what Vaught said, the funnier it got.  He basically couldn't understand why Eric Jenkins even brought up the subject of right to life, since that is an issue that is not acted on by city governments.

Believe it has something to do with folks wanting to know how an individual stands on a variety of issues, to see if they (the voter) can relate to the candidate.

Guess Vaught just doesn't get it.  So, what else is new?

Vaught Gets the Judge Judy Award

In the past I've mentioned Judge Judy's first book, "Don't Pee On My Leg And Tell Me It's Raining".

Well, Monday night Vaught left a bunch of moisture in the council chambers.  In his comments about certain statements being made during this election cycle he seemed to take exception with the fact that the Cheryl Scott affair keeps getting brought up and that nobody on the council could have done anything about it.  That it was totally up to Scott.  That nobody else was involved.

Well a person would have to be either blind or stupid  not to see what had transpired.

Try these two previous posts of mine, which provide a wealth of background information:

http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2010/04/scotts-resignation-it-gets-deeper.html

That one was from back when it was happening, and then this one, is more recent with lots of other links:

http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2012/01/cheryl-scott-debacle-and-its-relevance.html

When reading those posts, and any of the others linked from them keep in mind that Scott had sent her letter of resignation to the city manager.  Wrong..............that letter needed to go to the mayor.  A council member does NOT work for the city manager.  The mayor is "next up" in the chain of command.............if you read those links you will see why that is relevant, particularly with what did/did not transpire at a council meeting.

Also, in case you don't read all of the items linked off of the two posts above, remember that when Scott bought her Arizona house, it was the former city clerk that signed as witness to her signature on various documents.

Vaught Campaigns From Council Seat

Jeff Vaught, Ward III's bombastic self absorbed council rep did a little campaigning/electioneering for Jeff Meyers, from his council seat.

Vaught apparently took exception to emails sent out by a member of the community and a state representative.  The email from the member of the community stated that mayoral candidate Eric Jenkins was the only real right to life candidate.  Vaught then proceeded to "question" Mayor Meyers on his stands and affiliations.  Wow, if that's not campaigning from the council chambers then what is?  Needless to say the mayor responded with comments that were designed to show him in a better light.

Question:  How come KFL (Kansans for Life) has endorsed Jenkins over Meyers?

Gee, can I address the council and campaign for a candidate?

More on this tomorrow.

Additional Thoughts, 10 Quivira CID

OK, these are additional thoughts based on my post from yesterday.

First, let me say that some folks will probably think I'm being paranoid, and others will probably think I'm being very logical.

1.  Both last August's CID presentation and the one the previous year went directly to the council without going to a committee first.

2.  Why???

3.  With regards to last August, would it be possible that certain individuals in the city knew about the pending sale?  Then if it went to a committee, by the time it got to the full council the sale would have been finalized and the process would have had to start over?

4.  That's another reason to terminate the current CID and let the new ownership reapply.

5.  If they have the ability to arrange financing for $2.8 million why not arrange the entire $4.2 million and not put it on the residents of the city?  Especially when the primary merchant is a grocery store and the area is not exactly the highest per capita income area of the city.

6.  Urge your council member not to approve an extension of the CID time frame but to terminate it as not complying with the original provisions.

7.  Was there complete transparency on this issue?  I don't think so.

10 Quivira Palza CID Update

Looks like the 110 Quivira Plaza CID is about to rear its ugly head again.

This is what is scheduled for the City Council meeting, this Monday, Feb 27, 2012 (starts at 7:30PM):

F. PUBLIC ITEMS


1. CONSIDER REQUEST TO DELAY COLLECTION OF COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT SALES TAX FOR TEN QUIVIRA PLAZA.
DISCUSSION: On August 8, 2011, the Governing Body passed an Ordinance and
approved a Development Agreement authorizing the creation of Ten Quivira
Plaza Community Improvement District (CID). Ten Quivira representatives
have requested that the collection of sales tax be delayed until January 1,
2013. A memo and supporting documents are included for review.
PAGES 33 - 44
ACTION: Pass an ordinance delaying the collection of the CID sales tax to be
collected within the Ten Quivira Plaza Community Improvement District. If
approved, an Ordinance Number will be assigned.


But why is there consideration to delay the collection of this tax?


Aha, now we must look at this, from the packet:

BACKGROUND
On August 8, 2011 the Governing Body passed an Ordinance authorizing the creation of the Ten
Quivira Plaza Community Improvement District and authorizing the imposition of a sales tax to
be collected within such district; and, approved and authorized the Mayor to sign a Development
Agreement with the Developer/Owner.


The ordinance established the District and levied the tax with an effective date of July 1, 2012. In
order to initiate the collection of that tax, the City must notify the State 90 days prior to the beginning
of a quarter. The Development Agreement included language that if the City does not receive
confirmation of approval and commencement of the private financing by March 1, 2012, the City
would take steps to delay the implementation of the sales tax and the agreement would be terminated.


DISCUSSION
Since August, Ten Quivira representatives have kept staff informed of their change in ownership,
ZCOF TL Ten Quivira LLC (ZCOF), and their progress in working with Bank of America regarding
the restructuring of their portfolio. ZCOF cannot begin any work on the Center without Bank of
America’s final approval. Bank of America has required additional due diligence prior to construction
of the improvements including completed plans and final bids for the work. ZCOF has requested that
the collection of the sales tax be delayed until January 1, 2013. A letter from Hugh Robinson
explaining the request in more detail is attached. Delaying the collection of the sales tax can be
accomplished by passing a new ordinance.


Because of the ownership changes and the work with Bank of America, Tri-Land has not yet signed
the Development Agreement. If the ordinance passes delaying the collection of the sales tax, a revised
Development Agreement will be brought to the Governing Body at a future meeting with updated
language on the deadlines and the ownership. Once the Development Agreement is complete, ZCOF
will be ready immediately to begin construction. Construction of improvements that are not funded
by the CID may begin sooner.


Now, let's look at Tri-Land's letter:

"As we have explained, a portfolio of 6 shopping centers that includes Ten Quivira Plaza was sold to a new group, ZCOF TL Ten Quivira LLC ("ZCOF TL"), on September 29, 2011.  Tri_land has an ownership interest in the new entity that owns the shopping centers and we continue to be responsible to lease and manage the 6-center portfolio."


In his letter Mr. Robinson also states that he has kept the city informed about the progress of the ownership transfer/sale since August.  Why wasn't the public informed about the pending sale at the public hearings?


This entire project needs to be terminated and if the new ownership wants the CID let them start the process over.  Or is this going to be another case of "we already started, so let's continue"?


Transparency on this issue was and is greatly lacking.

It's Almost Here

What is almost here?  The mayoral primary election, will be held Tuesday, Feb 28, 2012.

There are three individuals running:

Eric Jenkins - Challenger
Jeff Meyers - Incumbent Mayor
John Segale - Challenger

For those who have read my previous blog posts on this subject then you know I feel that Mr Jenkins should be Shawnee's next mayor.  My reasons have been stated.

Let's get a decent turn out for this election, and then another good turnout for the general election on Apr 3, 2012.

This Looks Interesting :-) :-) :-)

Yepper, this does look interesting:

http://www.shawneedispatch.com/weblogs/between-shawnee-lines/2012/feb/10/election-season-takes-shawnee/

Will Shawnee Gain Any New Residents From This?

What is "this"?  This is a company called Zumiez opening an order filling center in Edwardsville.  Zumiez is a national company with hundreds of stores across the country and a heavy on line presence.

The company is planning on having 100 employees at this location, but the question I pose is based on the fact that they have offered to transfer 35 employees from Everett, Washington.  Now, when a company offers to transfer employees, with all the concurrent expenses, you know that these are not minimumm wage jobs. 

So, it would be nice to know if any effort is being made to reach out to them to get some of those folks to relocate to Shawnee.  I realize that we are so far away from Edwardsville (says this blogger sarcastically).

For more information on this item please go to the KC Star article at http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/15/3430858/edwardsville-to-get-100-jobs-with.html

Shawnee Dispatch Mayoral Questionnaires Are On Line

The Shawnee Dispatch has placed the questionnaires that the three candidates for mayor have answered.  Remember, since three individuals are running there will be a primary 2/28/12 with the top 2 going on to the general election 4/3/12

You can go to http://www.shawneedispatch.com/ and scroll down to the story or you can click on the links below for each one:

Eric Jenkins  http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/feb/13/candidate-questionnaire-eric-jenkins-mayoral-prima/

Jeff Meyers http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/feb/13/candidate-questionnaire-jeff-meyers-mayor/

John Segale http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/feb/13/candidate-questionnaire-john-segale-mayoral-primar/

Can't figure out (and not sure I even want to know) what Segale's strategy was in waiting to the last minute to file, thereby creating a primary election.  He did have the right to do that.  Oh well.

As mentioned in other posts, I'll be pulling for Eric Jenkins.  Firmly believe that because he is retired he can devote more time to helping Shawnee move forward.  His military and FEMA background would indicate an individual who can get the job done.  His service on Shawnee's Planning Commission gives him strong insights into what the city needs.

The "Cheryl Scott Debacle" was a slap in the face to the people of Shawnee (and Ward 1 specifically).  The franchise fee, the CID for 10 Quivira Plaza are two more reasons why I feel that Jeff Meyers needs to be replaced.  And in my opinion, Jenkins is the one for that.

One Pretty Sharp HS Editor

Sarah Darby, editor-in-chief  of Mill Valley's "Jagwire" really hit some nails on the head.

Go here  http://www.mvnews.org/blogs/citytalk/2012/02/09/city-council-candidates-for-ward-three-talk-about-upcoming-elections/  and then scroll down and read two stories

All you ever wanted to know about local elections and more    and  My first city council meeting (sort of)

Kemmling v. Sawyer

Mike Kemmling is challenging Neal Sawyer in the Ward 2 council race.

In an earlier post I indicated that I preferred Mike Kemmling over Neal Sawyer. 

This was the toughest of the five positions for me to take sides.  I like Neal.  He always has acted like a gentleman on the council.  So why would I choose Mike Kemmling for the council seat.

There have been many issues where Neal has said, what I feel to be the right things, but then has voted the opposite.  On verious occasions before his vote he explains this.

Two items that he voted for stand out to me.  He voted for the appointment of Jim Neighbor to the vacant Ward 1 seat caused by the Cheryl Scott debacle.  He voted to eliminate full minutes of council poceedings.

These two items bother me as they, IMHO, take away certain rights of the citizens of the community.  One right is to select their representative, the other being full transparency of what the governing body does.

I think it's time for a change in Ward 2 and feel that Mike Kemmling will bring a new perspective to the council.

Washington DC, Be Prepared

And what does Washington DC need to be preapred for?  Well, the annual National League of Cities convention.

It looks like only 4 individuals are scheduled to represent Shawnee............(that's down from the 5 scheduled last year).  Maybe my rants and raves here have had an effect?

OK, so who is going?

Mayor Jeff Meyers
Councilmember Mickey Sandifer (that's no surprise......he never saw a trip that he didn't want to go on)
Councilmember Jeff Vaught
City Manager Carol Gonzales

Could this list have been pared down?  Possibly.  How about if it was just the mayor, one councilmember and the city manager?

With his seat up for reelection on April 3rd Mickey Sandifer must feel that the citizens of Ward 4 are blind to all of the money he spends on travel, and feels like he will be returned to office.  Add to that his voting for the CID, the franchise fee, and the insult to the voters in Ward 1 by voting for the appointment of Neighbor instead of pushing for an election.

If nothing else, it would be nice if this was the last trip Sandifer took that was  paid for by the citizens of Shawnee.  Let's not give him the opportunity to take any more.

Not Very Neighborly

What are we referring to?  The action that placed Jim Neighbor on the city council representing Ward 1.

For the "long" story scroll down to my post "The 'Cheryl Scott' Debacle And Its Relevance Today" posted below on 1/28/12.

The short version is that Cheryl Scott could have resigned early enough for her seat to be placed on the ballot for the spring 2010 election.  Instead, she did not resign until after the election.  That left two options for the council.  To select her replacement or call for a special election, since the fall election was outside the parameters of the time element for filling the position.  Naturally, enough individuals on the council chose to "save" the city money by not having the special election.  But what happened to the fact that anybody with common sense could read between the lines to see what was happening?

Then when one looks at the resumés of those who applied, Mr. Neighbor included, it raises even more questions.  One of the individuals who applied had been a retired USAF colonel (running military hospitals)and also retired as CEO/President of two major hospitals in the KC area.  His background in budgets, personnel staffing etc put him, IMHO and the opinion of others head and shoulders over Mr. Neighbor.  Of the five resumés submitted I'd have to rank Mr. Neighbor's as 3 or 4.  But certain individuals on the council apparently had a plan and nobody was going to stop it.

Sandifer made the motion to appoint Neighbor and that was seconded by Kuhn.  Then Morris, Vaught and Sawyer voted with them.

This travesty fostered on the voters of  Ward 1 needs to be corrected. 

Charles Macheers needs to be elected over Neighbor in Ward 1.

Kuhn (Ward 3), Sandifer (Ward 4)  and Sawyer (Ward 2) need to be replaced by Ferris, McAfee and Kemmling accordingly for their complicity in this action.

I also find it hard to believe that Mayor Meyers couldn't see what was going on.  Time to replace him with Eric Jenkins.

Two Items To Make You Think

Ahhhh, things do happen in Shawnee.  OK, let's start with 4/26/10 when Dawn Kuhn made a motion to have a temporary street of 115 feet built in Ward 3 because of the K-7 construction project.  A temporary street (like for about 90 days), that was going to cost $67,500.  Folks all over town have to live with construction inconveniences, unless you live in her neighborhood.  The motion was seconded by Mickey "Loves to Travel" Sandifer, and approved when Mayor Jeff Meyers broke a 3-3 tie (Kuhn, Sandifer and Vaught voting for the project).  Actually, with her narcissistic attitude I'm surprised she didn't make a motion to name it Kuhn Terrace or something like that.

Now, let's fast forward to 2/14/11.  The illustrious Ms. Kuhn makes a motion (seconded by Mr. Frequent Miles Sandifer) to eliminate complete written minutes of council meetings.  Audio minutes with summaries are not the same as being able to review minutes for specific actions.  But then some members of the council did not want verbatim minutes because "they'll only use them against us".  OK, who voted for this veil of secrecy?  We already know about Kuhn and Sandifer, now you can also add Vaught, Neighbor, Morris and Sawyer.  And what was one of the primary reasons given for doing away with full minutes?  Money.

So you see, there is money to make Kuhn's life easier in her neighborhood but not enough to keep the citizens fully informed of what happens at city council meetings.

Keeping this in mind, I must now say that all incumbents running for reelection need to be voted out of office and  new council members put in place.

That means.............

For mayor............no to Meyers...............yes to Jenkins
Ward 1.................no to Neighbor.............yes to Macheers
Ward 2.................no to Sawyer................yes to Kemmling
Ward 3.................no to Kuhn...................yes to Ferris
Ward 4.................no to Sandifer..............yes to McAfee

Remember, if you want to support a challenger, vote for them.  It they are in another ward, but you disagree with the actions of the incumbent, you can contribute to that challenger.  The mayor's race is city wide and there is a primary for that office on 2/28/12.  Then the general election will be 4/3/12.

Sidebar:  Wonder how many other motions with negative impacts for the citizens were made by Kuhn and seconded by Sandifer?  Good little lapdog, Mickey, good doggie.