Tough Shih Tzu

Another interesting item came up Monday evening. Briefly, an individual applied for a special pet permit to maintain 5 dogs on his property.

What irks me was the missing resident. The individual who applied for this permit never showed up to the meeting. If a person is not going to show why don't they contact City Hall and either have their item rescheduled or totally withdrawn?

After a period of debate the council voted not to approve the special permit.

The time spent on this could have been better used on other items

Pfrick & Pfrack Just Don't Get It

Interesting evening at the Shawnee City Council tonight.

Because of what happened a few weeks ago I brought something up and this is what I said:

COMMENTS FOR CITY COUNCIL 5/14/07


A couple of weeks ago, a member of the city council was so concerned about the health

of the citizens of Shawnee that an attempt was made to jam an ordinance down the

throats of the people without proper review. Another member of the city council

apparently was equally concerned as that member seconded the motion for the

“jamming”.

Are these two individuals really concerned about the health of the people of Shawnee or

are they just grandstanding ?

Many studies have been done about the effects of fossil fuel emissions. The negative

effects run the gamut from respiratory problems for people, to acid rain affecting soil and

and physical structures. But let’s concentrate on the respiratory problems associated with

fossil fuel emissions. The City of Shawnee and these two council members have the

opportunity to set a precedent that could spread across this great country of ours.

Remember when California first enacted its smoking ban? And recently, in the name of

health, NYC has placed restrictions on trans fats in food preparation.

What can we do? We cannot outlaw cars and trucks. But, we can make it expensive for

polluters of our environment to change their habits. SUVs, trucks, vans and mini vans,

are basically gas guzzling rolling pollutants. Therefore, it is suggested that if these two

council members are serious about the health of the citizenry of this community they will

propose an ordinance based on the guidelines listed below:


PROPOSED ELEMENTS OF A GAS GUZZLER ORDINANCE


It would apply to all SUVs, pick up trucks, vans and minivans registered to individuals with a residence address within the city limits of Shawnee. SUVs that are “crossover” (those built on car chassis) would be exempt.

Each of these vehicles would be required to obtain a “Clean Air Permit” on an annual basis.

The cost of the permit would be $200 if the vehicle is of the current model year. Since vehicle performance declines over time, and pollutants increase, each year after the current model year would increase the cost of the permit by $50

The City would retain 10% of the fees collected as an offset for administering the program.

The remaining 90% would be placed in an interest producing trust fund. Citizens of Shawnee who experience respiratory problems that require medical attention and who have insufficient funds and/or insurance could apply for grants from the fund.

************************************************************************


Personally, I really think that these two individuals should lead the fight to reduce the emissions of gas guzzlers in our city.

*****************************************************

Wow, I must have really rattled Kevin Straub's chains. He said something to the effect that I would have been better off if I didn't start my comments by insulting him. I told him I didn't insult him, I spoke the truth. Heck, he and his buddy boy were insulting the citizens of Shawnee with their little stunt two weeks ago.

Then the other half chimed in, Dan Pflumm. He again brought up that he submitted his ordinance proposal because "due diligence" had already been done. He was referring to the Johnson County survey. I had to remind him that another council member at the previous meeting tried to explain to him that surveys can be manipulated. I offered to show him how a survey can be manipulated and it would only take three minutes. My offer was not accepted.

I think these two are missing the point. If they are so concerned about the health of the citizens of Shawnee they would embrace items like the one I brought up. It takes guts to set a precedent, and also to show that you are sincere about what you say.

Any fool can jump on a "me too" bandwagon.

Fourth Ward is a Star in The Star

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, common sense. What a breath of fresh air this is, especially in view of the idiocy perpetrated last week.

Michelle Distler, a Fourth Ward Councilperson from Shawnee had her views of smoking bans published in the Kansas City Star on 4/30/07. The link is
http://www.kansascity.com/273/story/88424.html

Also, this commentary originally appeared in the Shawnee/Lenexa Sun on 4/26/07. At least we still have freedom of speech.

Sometimes those links don't work, so I'll quote the article here:

AS I SEE IT City bans deny people their constitutional rights
By MICHELLE R. DISTLER

Special to The Star

As an asthmatic, I initially thought smoking bans were a good idea. I still think they are, but not one that the government should implement. It is a decision that is best left to the individual owners and their customers through the power of the purse.

Upon further thought on the matter, I remembered taking my oath of office and swearing to uphold the Constitution. Although there is nothing stated specifically to the rights of smokers or nonsmokers, the Constitution does speak directly to individual liberties and private property rights. I do not want to open Pandora’s Box and give the government undue power and control over our lives.

Communities across the country are wrestling with the dilemma of whether to enforce smoking bans, and unfortunately we’re quickly losing sight of our obligation as a society to protect civil rights in the process.

The constitutional purpose of our government is to promote commerce, build roads, protect us from foreign invasion and protect individual rights. This includes property rights. Any act to the contrary is an outright violation of the Constitution. A smoking ban is a violation of property rights, period.

The Constitution was written in such a manner to specifically limit the power and scope of government to preserve our individual rights — rights that are being eroded daily with a variety of seemingly small encroachments, such as the smoking ban.

Just as eminent domain started as a good idea and a means to acquire private land for the public good, it has become extremely problematic when untrustworthy government officials and self-serving developers define what is in the public’s best interest. Tax increment financing also began as an effective means to restore blighted areas until insiders began using it to increase their personal profits.

Everyone has the freedom of choice to go into any building where people are allowed to smoke or not smoke. But no one has the inalienable right to go into a privately owned business and demand that it be smoke-free or demand that a smoke-free building allow smoking.
No one should have the right to use government to force an owner to make his property smoke-free. In doing so, all our rights become easier targets for anyone disagreeing with, or who is offended by, the practice of our personal freedoms.

In the long run, this is far more dangerous than secondhand smoke ever could be.
Supply and demand drives free enterprise, and I think the best way to implement a smoking ban is to support those establishments that cater best to your desires. I think we must remember that whether as employees or patrons to businesses, we are the "guests" of the property owners.

My concern is for the property rights of all Shawnee residents and business owners.
Michelle R. Distler serves on the Shawnee City Council.

Pflumm Pforgets His Place

Let's look at the background. A few weeks ago the City Council unanimously authorized the mayor to form a task force to study the issue of a smoking ban. Ideally the task force would hold meetings, research information and obtain input from the public (residents and business owners/managers of Shawnee)
That sounds like the democratic process at work.

Now, what happened at this evening's council meeting? Well it appears that Dan Pflumm decided he didn't need input from the citizens of Shawnee. He whips out a copy of the City of Overland Park's smoking ordinance and wants the City Council of Shawnee to adopt it. And to top it off, he has an accomplice in this travesty. Yep, his good buddy, Kevin Straub seemed to support this action.

Needless to say other councli members were curious as to how they could vote to approve something they haven't studied. But more importantly, most of them wanted to know how they could vote on an ordinance without the input of the citizens of Shawnee.

Well, it seems like Pflumm feels that they have already provided input. He brings up Johnson County's recent "survey' about smoking. Neil Sawyer, to his credit, tried to explain that surveys can be manipulated. Pflumm let's that one go by saying that the survey company has been around for quite awhile. Sawyer then indicates (tongue in cheek I think) that that could be one of the reasons. Let's give Mr Pflumm a lesson in Public Surveys 101. They CAN be manipulated. The key elements are what the questions are, how they are worded and the restricted answer choices made available.

Now I am sure that there are some in Shawnee who wish he would have been successful. But I ask, would they like it if an ordinance was adopted that they were against, without allowing them to provide input?

This action of Pflumm's was a blatant attempt to ignore the rights of the people to participate in their government. He can try all he wants to wiggle out of it, but he can't. Is this what the voters in Ward 1 want of their elected representative? Someone who attempts to usurp their rights.

Fortunately for the citizens of Shawnee there were enough members of the City Council who still feel that the people have the right to provide input.

My opinion: These two are very dangerous individuals, in that they have no regard for the rights of the people.

Duke Lacrosse Players

Has anybody heard anything about Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson issuing apologies to these young men?

Just curious.

Presidential Politics - Too Much Too Soon

Let's see, it is what, 9 or 10 months before the first primaries and caucuses? Definitely nineteen (19) months before the election. and what has been going on? Folks have announced their candidacies months ago. For some it will be almost two years between announcement and the election.

That is a little too much, at least for me. But, what really ticks me off is that some of these individuals are elected officials. By campaigning for the presidential nomination, some of them are ignoring the responsibilities of their elected offices. Especially those that are either US Representatives or US Senators. What that means is that they are campaigning on our dime and not giving their full attention to what we, their employers, elected them to do.

How many "civilian" companies would put up with the absenteeism that some of these individuals display?

My solution: A federal law, that if you are a serving member of the the US Congress (either house) and announce for the presidency, that you must, at that time resign your position. Let's get someone into the office who is willing to work for the constituency.

Let the states handle the situation for sitting governors.

Check this one out http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/46691.php

Brown Shirt Award

Periodically I will be giving out the "Brown Shirt Award".

This will be given to the person, who, in my opinion, most exemplifies by their actions, or words, that they are desirous of restricting and/or curtailing individual civil rights and liberties.

Phill Kline - Out of Control

Has anyone read this article?
http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/66212.html

I don't even have the stomach to explain it.

This man is out of control. Last November the citizens of Kansas told this individual to take a hike as the State Attorney General. When the vote resuslts were broken down by county, the citizens of Johnson County spoke very loudly that they did not want him to continue to serve.

Sooooooooooooo, what happened? The man who defeated him was the then Johnson County DA Paul Morrison, whose office was now open. Since Mr Morrison had originally been elected to the DA's post as a Republican, then the county committee reps would elect his replacement until the next general election.

Here's the juicy part.............these irresponsible jerks gave Kline the job. A man that the citizens overwhelmingly said they did not want in office.

Now he goes and pulls a stunt as indicated in the linked article.

Almost makes me ashamed to admit that I am a registered Republican.

Response to Editorial in The Shawnee Dispatch

The editor of the Shawnee Dispatch has outdone himself this time. In his campaign to champion a smoking ban he now purports to defend the health of workers, http://www.shawneedispatch.com/section/opinion/story/6139

For the record, since I had a letter recently published in the Dispatch on another subject, it was too soon for me to respond there. The editor has been advised of this article and is invited to comment here.

Golly gee willikers, will the trash talk never end? First, let's look at restaurants and bars that do permit smoking in Shawnee. How many of those employees that Mr. Beal wants to protect are smokers themselves? Now, let’s look at "office" type businesses. Well, another golly gee willikers goes to Mr. Beal. Let's put the "office" workers into two categories. Category A will be single company offices. Oh, let's say like Bayer on Shawnee Mission Parkway. And yes, there are other smaller companies that would fall into this category. Category B will be multi-company office buildings, like the one that houses the Shawnee Dispatch.

Now Mr. Beal, how many category A businesses already have their own smoking/non-smoking policies in effect? How many employees in these companies are subjected to unwanted secondhand smoke? Give me those numbers. Those are "hard" stats, based on facts, not mathematical models subject to interpretation.

Let us now move on to the category B businesses. Same info please Mr Beal. In the City of Shawnee how many of these businesses subject their non-smoking employees to secondhand smoke? Is it possible that you would find that companies are already taking care of most of this on their own?

And yes Mr Beal, it is about the rights of the business owner to run his or her business. And, the customers of that business will dictate the policy of the business by their activity at the "cash register".

While we are talking about secondhand smoke, why don't we talk about automobile emissions. You know Mr. Beal, all that gunk and junk that gets tossed into the air by cars, trucks, buses, etc. And what about in cities like Shawnee that have a per capita income above the national average and have a high ratio of SUVs? You know, those gas guzzling, emission belching monstrosities that are exempt from the Clean Air Act. What do those emissions do to our lungs?
Is it possible that many of the medical problems blamed on secondhand smoke are really caused by vehicle emissions? Or would you rather not touch that? But I do think about that every time I see those members of the SMNW track or is it cross country team jogging along Quivira Rd. You know, working up a sweat, and their lungs acting like big vacuums just pulling in all of those emissions. Just a thought. :-)

At this time I won't even mention that beautiful smell in the air in the winter of all those wood burning fireplaces. Actually it is nice, but what are they putting into our lungs? And wouldn’t that be worse inside those residences?

But, the really, really big question is........................WHAT NEXT?

DeSoto USD 232 is Saved

The results are in. Don Clark won reelection in the Position 7 At Large seat over Kevin Straub 56.33% to 43.52%

Personally, I feel the voters there made a wise decision.

Western Shawnee Wal-Mart Part II

Just loved the article in the Shawnee Dispatch
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/section/news/story/6222

In a previous post I mentioned that one of the opponents of this store was quoted as saying the store would bring in transient shoppers. That didn't make sense, and I mentioned Wal-Mart's demographic studies before they build. My opinion was that the residents of that area didn't want it to be known that they too shop at Wal-Mart.

Well, in the above linked Dispatch article this appears, attributed to a Wal-Mart rep:

"Thum said one of the most-asked questions was why Wal-Mart would choose the site with its close proximity to supercenters in Bonner Springs and in the Shawnee Station shopping center at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Maurer Road. She said the store does extensive market research whenever it considers a potential store site and found the area could support all the stores."

Look at the benefits that the western Shawnee residents will receive. They won't spend as much money on their gas guzzling SUVs to go shopping at Wal-Mart. Maybe some of them will visit that new fancy sunglass store in the Westbrooke Village Shopping Center. There they can get designer sunglasses at super discount prices so they won't be recognized when they shop at the new Wal-Mart.

Whoops....Did I Rattle Somebody's Chain?

Seems like a gentleman by the name of Mark Crouch took exception to my comment about exploiting children to protest against Wal-Mart. You can see his letter to the Shawnee Dispatch at http://www.shawneedispatch.com/section/letters/story/6188

Mr Crouch seems to be concerned about the increased traffic levels near an elementary school. That could be a concern. So.............go ahead and protest Mr Crouch...........that is your right. But, having pre-school children (eventhough they may someday attend that school) stand outside and chant slogans that they have no understanding of, is still, in my opinion, exploitation of the children.

I'd comment in a letter to the editor of the Dispatch, but I'm not sure what their time limitations are. Most newspapers do not publish more than one letter from an individual every 30 days.

Gonna have to look into that.................

Vegas Comes to Shawnee

The TV news crews were hanging around last night's Shawnee City Council Meeting.

What was happening? What earth shattering event was taking place?

Well, it appears that a skeleton came out of the closet and it isn't even Halloween. Kevin Straub (the councilman with the arrogant smirk on his face) lives in a haunted house. The same Kevin Straub who is running for the De Soto USD 232 school board.

According to the KCTV5 reporter when she went on air Mr Straub had 2 bankruptcy filings in Nevada and still has an open judgment of over $140K. Mr Straub claims he did not know the judgment was still open.

Bankruptcy, judgments, personal financial problems.............these are things that unfortunately are affecting many people. Heck, I've had my share of personal financial problems.

What makes Mr Straub's problem different though is his arrogant attitude that he is the only person that can be fiscally responsible with the school district's budget. That becomes highly questionable.

Note: Added 2/27/10 Would you like to see something interesting now? Go here http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2010/02/ward-iii-primarytue-march-2-2010.html

Shawnee Smoking Task Force

Last night the City Council voted to have the mayor appoint a task force to review smoking ordinances. At the end of its review the task force will naturally have recommendations for the city council.

Mayor Jeff Meyers has a monumental task before him. Can he truly create a well balanced task force? A balance between residents and business owners. A balance between advocates of restrictive ordinances and advocates for less intrusion of government into everyday living.

Two members of the council (Mickey Sandifer and Michelle Distler) have repeatedly stated what this is really about. It is NOT about smoking vs. non-smoking. It is, as they have said, about the erosion of individual rights. It is about government telling folks how to run their business.

As individual rights are slowly taken away, the question that must be asked is: What next?
Folks are so concerned about the effects of secondhand smoke, maybe they need to look at other causes of respiratory problems. Prior to the meeting last night I did a quick count of the vehicles in the parking lot. I counted 24 cars and 27 SUVs/pick-ups. Maybe Shawnee needs to restrict the number of SUVs that can be owned in the city. You know, those gas guzzling, emission belching monstrosities. For the health and welfare of the citizens of Shawnee maybe the government needs to intrude and control tighter what kind of vehicle you can own.

Whaddya think?

The Letter Made It

Yepper, it made it, and can also be viewed at http://www.shawneedispatch.com/section/letters/story/6141

Am sure I'll get some flak from these folks who think it's ok to exploit their young uns.

Western Shawnee Wal-Mart

It's about 9:45PM on Sunday 3/18/07 and I just composed a lettr to the editor of the Shawnee Dispatch. Not sure if it will get published there, so I am going to publish it here:

As a Shawnee resident that lives in a different part of the city I'm not sure, at this point, whether this is a good project or not.

What I am intrigued by though was the video on various metro TV stations last week. The video of the protesters. The video that showed them using preschoolers to protest. Preschoolers with memorized chants.
Yes, little Buffy, Muffy and Barbie were chanting protests that their parents had taught them. And they were smiling and their eyes were wide with glee. See, like all good little puppies they felt good that they were pleasing their masters, and they knew they'd be rewarded. Even if the rewards were only verbal, as in "good girl, good girl". Personally, I feel this is exploitation of the children.

Now, let's look at another aspect of this situation. Wal-Mart does quite a bit of demographic research before opening a new store. They want to know that the odds are on their side for profits before they make the commitment to build. They research the neighborhood, incomes, buying habits, competition etc etc etc.

A previous letter writer (Martin Gilmore on 3/13/07) said in part".......not just another suburban strip mall that drives in transient shoppers, and drives out families" I wonder about that. Would Wal-Mart be looking for transient shoppers? Or are they confident that the neighborhood and housing within close proximity can support their store? How far away does Mr Martin expect these transient shoppers to travel to come to his neighborhood? Isn't it possible that the areas he feels the "transients" will come from already have their own Wal-Marts? Maybe it's just a case of the folks in western Shawnee not wanting others to know that they too shop at Wal-Mart. It is so déclassé you know. It won't be so obvious if they travel to the one on Shawnee Mission Parkway

USD 232 & Party Crashers

Interesting letter in the Shawnee Dispatch at http://www.shawneedispatch.com/section/letters/story/6098

If an inidivudal wants to sponsor a "meet and greet" for candidates that he/she supports that is a private affair. Heck, we've seen even Presidential candidates do that at the homes of "common folks".

Anyway, for candidates who are not invited (not being supported) it is in poor taste to show up and crash these "meet and greets".

If the content of this letter is accurate, then there is definitely one individual who apparently thinks very highly of himself, to the point of arrogance.

This Explains It..........

Now I know why I don't particularly like this Kevin Straub. He wants to force his views down everybody else's throat.

On 2/20/07 the KC Star published biographical information and answers to its questions to the candidates for the DeSoto USD 232 school board.

Below is question 10 and Mr Straub's reply:


10. Should intelligent design be taught in the public schools? If so, in what context or class?

I believe evolution and intelligent design should be taught as a theory. I believe the founding fathers of our country wrote the United States Constitution so that we can have "freedom of religion" not "freedom from religion."

I think Mr Straub needs to take Civics 101 over. Let's clue him in.............."freedom of religion" also means "freedom from religion". Nobody has the right to shove their religious beliefs down anyone else's throat.

My sincere sympathies to the folks in USD 232 if this guy gets on their board

To Smoke Or Not To Smoke

The City of Shawnee Council's Finance and Administration Committee met this past Tuesday evening 3/6/07.

One of the items on the agenda was a discussion of what to do about a new smoking ordinance.

The final result was the committee recommending a Task Force be appointed to assist in a possible resolution.

I'm getting to enjoy these meetings, and listening to some of the trash that emanates from the mouths of certain individuals. It is an education.

Kevin Straub, 3d Ward councilmember came up with an item that he has mentioned before. It has to do with folks in offices and how non-smokers should not have to put up with the drift of smoke coming from a smoker's cubicle. This guy is a cute piece of work. Bringing up meaningless items, just to hear himself speak, and to make it appear that he cares.

Yours truly took to the podium and had to explain to Mr Straub, that even without an ordinance, businesses today have worked out plans in their offices to eliminate the very problem that Mr Straub wants to codify. These businesses have to do it on their own, so as to retain qualified personnel, to maintain a positive work environment, and to promote positive employee morale.

I challenge this individual to find one office type business in Shawnee that has not created a smoking policy on its own so as not to create the problem he is concerned about. His rhetoric sounds good, but, IMHO it is pure bovine scatology.

Allow the consumer to tell restaurants and bars what to do by what does or does not happen at the cash register.

New Shawnee Justice Center

Did some more thinking after Monday's Shawnee City Council Meeting (2/26/07)

The council members who wanted to delay the approval for 60 days while looking into the possibility of converting a vacated Hy Vee, were, IMHO, off base. They kept talking about saving the taxpayers money. The contractors kept trying to explain how building certain things from scratch are usually cheaper than retrofitting (like an EOC).

But, one point that I didn't hear anybody bring up was the effect on taxes that using the Hy Vee would have. The Police Department, as a city agency does not pay property taxes. That Hy Vee is sitting in a prime retail/commercial area. Taking it off the tax rols could be quite costly over a 20 year period.

The emphasis here needs to be on getting that property reoccupied, either as one large store, or even broken down and subdivided as a mini-mall/office complex. Wow, jsut think of the property taxes that would be generated, and, if it is retail, the sales taxes.

I'm happy to see that 4 of the council members and the mayor had the intestinal fortitude to finally approve this thing.