A very important item with regards to governmental transparency is up for discussion at the Council Committee meeting on Tuesday 8/21/12 at 7:00PM.
That item is to consider restoring detailed minutes of city council, committee, and some other meetings.
Of the currently sitting council members the following voted for what we have now which denies the citizens a complete record of what has transpired: Kuhn, Vaught, Sandifer, Neighbor and Sawyer. These five basically voted against government transparency.
Only council members Pflumm and Distler voted to keep the detailed minutes, thus insuring more open government.
Be there Tuesday, and let's work to get those detailed minutes restored.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Who Did Tell Her???
With the DA’s office investigating the possibility of a KOMA violation leading to the appointment of Alan Willoughby (the mayor’s uncle by marriage) to the council, I feel some “gaps” in the info.
Dawn Kuhn challenged Michelle Distler for not supporting Mr. Willoughby. Kuhn indicated that Distler was changing her attitude, in that Distler did not support Neighbor two years ago who had received lots of votes, but now wanted to support Dr. Mike Kemmling who also had received lots of votes. That was when Distler remarked that she did not support Neighbor because of being told that his selection was predetermined and that she had been told the same thing about Willoughby.
Ms. Distler didn’t mention at the council meeting who told her, nor did she “out” that person when interviewed by the media. But, did she inform the DA investigator of who that person was?
Dawn Kuhn challenged Michelle Distler for not supporting Mr. Willoughby. Kuhn indicated that Distler was changing her attitude, in that Distler did not support Neighbor two years ago who had received lots of votes, but now wanted to support Dr. Mike Kemmling who also had received lots of votes. That was when Distler remarked that she did not support Neighbor because of being told that his selection was predetermined and that she had been told the same thing about Willoughby.
Ms. Distler didn’t mention at the council meeting who told her, nor did she “out” that person when interviewed by the media. But, did she inform the DA investigator of who that person was?
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Former Councilmember Morris' Letter to the Editor
Former Shawnee city councilmember David Morris has written a letter to the Shawnee Dispatch that some might find interesting.
It can be read at this link http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/aug/14/letter-involved-citizens-vilified/
Or, to save you time you can read it below:
To the editor,
In the article “Open government has become contentious city issue,” city officials talked about how they encourage citizen involvement yet seem to verbally vilify the citizens who do get involved in the process.
As a community activist and former councilman, I have the unique ability to understand both sides. Sometimes the job of governing can be rewarding and positive. Other times it can be frustrating, exhausting and downright nasty. That’s all part of the job description.
Over the years I’ve seen a trend toward city leaders who make excuses why they can’t, like to play the role of victim and then blame others. Maybe a better approach than belittling and vilifying citizens that do get involved would be to take a more positive leadership approach and stop acting like whining victims. When leadership takes the approach as in this article, the public only hears “government speak” for “we’re always right and don’t care what you think.” Situations like this can be defused long before they get to this level of contention if one drops the “government speak” and is genuine and honest.
Last but not least, it was in very bad taste and disrespectful that an official would bring the deceased Charlotte Hargis into this public contention. The attempt to vilify the dead is inappropriate and beneath what citizens expect from their city leaders.
David Morris
Shawnee
The article Mr. Morris refers to is here:
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/aug/08/open-government-has-become-contentious-city-issue/
It can be read at this link http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/aug/14/letter-involved-citizens-vilified/
Or, to save you time you can read it below:
To the editor,
In the article “Open government has become contentious city issue,” city officials talked about how they encourage citizen involvement yet seem to verbally vilify the citizens who do get involved in the process.
As a community activist and former councilman, I have the unique ability to understand both sides. Sometimes the job of governing can be rewarding and positive. Other times it can be frustrating, exhausting and downright nasty. That’s all part of the job description.
Over the years I’ve seen a trend toward city leaders who make excuses why they can’t, like to play the role of victim and then blame others. Maybe a better approach than belittling and vilifying citizens that do get involved would be to take a more positive leadership approach and stop acting like whining victims. When leadership takes the approach as in this article, the public only hears “government speak” for “we’re always right and don’t care what you think.” Situations like this can be defused long before they get to this level of contention if one drops the “government speak” and is genuine and honest.
Last but not least, it was in very bad taste and disrespectful that an official would bring the deceased Charlotte Hargis into this public contention. The attempt to vilify the dead is inappropriate and beneath what citizens expect from their city leaders.
David Morris
Shawnee
The article Mr. Morris refers to is here:
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/aug/08/open-government-has-become-contentious-city-issue/
Friday, August 10, 2012
Former Councilmember Straub Adds Comments
Former Shawnee City Councilmember Kevin Straub has added his comments to the article in the Shawnee Dispatch.
His comments are very telling and very interesting. Maybe the DA's office should look into these comments too?
See the article and then scroll down to read Straub's comments:
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/aug/08/open-government-has-become-contentious-city-issue/
His comments are very telling and very interesting. Maybe the DA's office should look into these comments too?
See the article and then scroll down to read Straub's comments:
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/aug/08/open-government-has-become-contentious-city-issue/
Thursday, August 09, 2012
Short Lesson in Constitutional Guarantees
In a previous post I mentioned that I felt Mayor Jeff Meyers violated his oath of office to support the Constitutions of the US and Kansas by not permitting public comment at the council meeting that appointed his uncle (by marriage) to the city council.
Two items worth reading:
First Amendment to the US Constitution:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Section 3 of the Bill of Rights of the Kansas Constitution:
Right of peaceable assembly; petition. The people have the right to assemble, in a peaceable manner, to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to petition the government, or any department thereof, for the redress of grievances.
'Nuff said..............................
Two items worth reading:
First Amendment to the US Constitution:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Section 3 of the Bill of Rights of the Kansas Constitution:
Right of peaceable assembly; petition. The people have the right to assemble, in a peaceable manner, to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to petition the government, or any department thereof, for the redress of grievances.
'Nuff said..............................
Tuesday's (8/7/12) Primary Election
Well Tuesday was an interesting day.
Let's look at some of the races.
John Rubin defeated Neal Sawyer. Acutally Sawyer got a spanking, 67% to 33%, and in reality lost two elections on Tuesday. Tom Martin defeated Sawyer for precinct committeeman in their precinct. One has to wonder if maybe Sawyer's abstaining from voting at the July 9th council meeting may have had something to do with that? Maybe there were 650 folks in Ward II that were upset with him? Happy to see Rubin come out on top.
Another person I was happy to see come out on top was Mary Pilcher-Cook. She gave Tom Wertz a spanking, 64% to 36%. Maybe folks took exception to some of Wertz's mailers?
Charles Macheers was another victorious candidate. He defeated Stephanie Meyer 63% to 37%. Nice job Charles. Happy to see you were victorious.
Brett Hildabrand won out over Jason Leib 58% to 42%. Happy to see that one, especially in view of some of Leib's comments about Hildabrand that were just below the belt.
Now, proving that below the belt mailers are wrong was Greg Smith's victory over Joe Beveridge. Was definitely happy to see Smith take this one. Congrats Greg.
Looking forward to the general election in November and those winners mentioned above being victorious at that time also.
Let's look at some of the races.
John Rubin defeated Neal Sawyer. Acutally Sawyer got a spanking, 67% to 33%, and in reality lost two elections on Tuesday. Tom Martin defeated Sawyer for precinct committeeman in their precinct. One has to wonder if maybe Sawyer's abstaining from voting at the July 9th council meeting may have had something to do with that? Maybe there were 650 folks in Ward II that were upset with him? Happy to see Rubin come out on top.
Another person I was happy to see come out on top was Mary Pilcher-Cook. She gave Tom Wertz a spanking, 64% to 36%. Maybe folks took exception to some of Wertz's mailers?
Charles Macheers was another victorious candidate. He defeated Stephanie Meyer 63% to 37%. Nice job Charles. Happy to see you were victorious.
Brett Hildabrand won out over Jason Leib 58% to 42%. Happy to see that one, especially in view of some of Leib's comments about Hildabrand that were just below the belt.
Now, proving that below the belt mailers are wrong was Greg Smith's victory over Joe Beveridge. Was definitely happy to see Smith take this one. Congrats Greg.
Looking forward to the general election in November and those winners mentioned above being victorious at that time also.
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
Mayor Meyers Ignores His Oath of Office
Well, I guess Mayor Jeff Meyers does not care about his oath of office to support both the US and Kansas Constitutions.
The below comments are taken from an article in the Shawnee Dispatch, and are regarding open government and the meeting that saw the mayor's uncle (by marriage) appointed to fill a council vacancy.
The article can be read at http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/aug/08/open-government-has-become-contentious-city-issue/
Ray Erlichman, a resident who blogs about city affairs, “is another one who is going to try to make your life miserable if he doesn’t get the answer he wants,” Meyers said. He referred to Erlichman as “the season ticket holder who replaced Charlotte (Hargis),” a deceased former council member and leading critic of the governing body.
Following Willoughby’s appointment, Erlichman was critical of Meyers for not allowing public discussion during the July 9 meeting.
Meyers said he had heard that the pastor of a church attended by Distler and applicant Michael Kemmling had made an appeal from the pulpit for members to turn out in support of Kemmling. “So I decided before we started the process that, this time, I’m not going to get into the circus of people electioneering at the meeting,” Meyers said.
Kemmling said, “It’s odd that if (Meyers) suspects opinions are going to be contrary to his, he doesn’t want to hear them.”
Did Meyers ever think that maybe some of those folks that wanted to speak were some of the 650 who had voted for Kemmling? You know, the ones that made it possible for him (Kemmling) to come within 11, that's right, 11 votes of defeating Neal Sawyer. Did he ever think that maybe there were folks who wanted to speak that did not go to that church?
Note to Jeff Meyers: I'd rather be the season ticket holder to replace Charlotte Hargis than a mayor that does not uphold his oath of office and who has abrogated his responsibilities.
Sidebar: The mayor has a short memory. Doesn't he remember when council member Vaught electioneered from the dais? A no-no for elected officials. Of course not, because that was for the mayor's benefit.
The below comments are taken from an article in the Shawnee Dispatch, and are regarding open government and the meeting that saw the mayor's uncle (by marriage) appointed to fill a council vacancy.
The article can be read at http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/aug/08/open-government-has-become-contentious-city-issue/
Ray Erlichman, a resident who blogs about city affairs, “is another one who is going to try to make your life miserable if he doesn’t get the answer he wants,” Meyers said. He referred to Erlichman as “the season ticket holder who replaced Charlotte (Hargis),” a deceased former council member and leading critic of the governing body.
Following Willoughby’s appointment, Erlichman was critical of Meyers for not allowing public discussion during the July 9 meeting.
Meyers said he had heard that the pastor of a church attended by Distler and applicant Michael Kemmling had made an appeal from the pulpit for members to turn out in support of Kemmling. “So I decided before we started the process that, this time, I’m not going to get into the circus of people electioneering at the meeting,” Meyers said.
Kemmling said, “It’s odd that if (Meyers) suspects opinions are going to be contrary to his, he doesn’t want to hear them.”
Did Meyers ever think that maybe some of those folks that wanted to speak were some of the 650 who had voted for Kemmling? You know, the ones that made it possible for him (Kemmling) to come within 11, that's right, 11 votes of defeating Neal Sawyer. Did he ever think that maybe there were folks who wanted to speak that did not go to that church?
Note to Jeff Meyers: I'd rather be the season ticket holder to replace Charlotte Hargis than a mayor that does not uphold his oath of office and who has abrogated his responsibilities.
Sidebar: The mayor has a short memory. Doesn't he remember when council member Vaught electioneered from the dais? A no-no for elected officials. Of course not, because that was for the mayor's benefit.
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
KMBZ Comments on KOMA Investigation
Link to their web site story
There is also a short audio clip you can click on and listen to.KMBZ Link
There is also a short audio clip you can click on and listen to.KMBZ Link
Sunday, August 05, 2012
Low Blow Mailer
A recent mailer sent out supporting Joe Beveridge over Greg Smith for State Senate has to be one of the lowest bottom feeder types of literature I have seen. In brief, Greg is criticized for taking a salary for his work as President of the foundation that was set up in memory of his daughter. And that foundation has done many things with an eye to protecting women from violence. The amount that Greg gets, based on the time he puts in, wouldn't even qualify for minimum wage. And he has a reply for that.
My question is: do the elected officials who endorse Beveridge condone this kind of sleaze? Folks like Mike Boehm, Ed Eilert and Carl Gerlach. The complete list can be found at http://www.beveridgeforsenate.com I bet I know one that condones this sleaze, Stephanie Sharp. Heck her company, Sharp Connections a PR and consultancy company received $15,173.08 from the Beveridge campaign (as of 7/30 that was of a total expenditure listing of $16,760.86)
Anyway, the mailer is shown below followed by some screen captures from Facebook supporting Greg Smith and showing disgust with the mailer.
Note: Please click on any of the images to enlarge so you can read them. Thank you.
My question is: do the elected officials who endorse Beveridge condone this kind of sleaze? Folks like Mike Boehm, Ed Eilert and Carl Gerlach. The complete list can be found at http://www.beveridgeforsenate.com I bet I know one that condones this sleaze, Stephanie Sharp. Heck her company, Sharp Connections a PR and consultancy company received $15,173.08 from the Beveridge campaign (as of 7/30 that was of a total expenditure listing of $16,760.86)
Anyway, the mailer is shown below followed by some screen captures from Facebook supporting Greg Smith and showing disgust with the mailer.
Note: Please click on any of the images to enlarge so you can read them. Thank you.
Thursday, August 02, 2012
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Hit and Run - No Fun
If you haven't heard about this hit and run please read the article in the Shawnee Dispatch,
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/jul/31/police-ask-help-hit-and-run-case/
Somebody out there must know something. Please contact the Shawnee PD
Thank you.
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/jul/31/police-ask-help-hit-and-run-case/
Somebody out there must know something. Please contact the Shawnee PD
Thank you.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
"HOT" Complaint Filed with DA for Possible Violation of the KOMA
A complaint has been filed with the Johnson County DA's office of a possible violation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act, as it pertains to the mayor and the city council.
For more info
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/jul/31/das-office-investigating-alleged-open-meetings-vio/
For more info
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/jul/31/das-office-investigating-alleged-open-meetings-vio/
New Blogger in Town
There's a new blog in town, "Shawnee, Kansas - FWIW"
http://blog.shawneefwiw.com/
Also, if you haven't seen the video of the Jeff Vaught hypocrisy, scroll down, it's right below this post.
http://blog.shawneefwiw.com/
Also, if you haven't seen the video of the Jeff Vaught hypocrisy, scroll down, it's right below this post.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Vaught's "Food for thought..." hypocrisy (video)
At the July 9th Special Council Meeting, Council member Jeff Vaught (Ward IV) advised Dr. Mike Kemmling that he couldn't vote for him, because he (Dr. Kemmling) interrupted Councilmember Kuhn and himself. See the video below. It might prove interesting. Oh, the audio on the camera is a little weak, so Vaught's comment was:
Methinks Mr. Vaught needs to munch on some of his own "food for thought", along with his ward mate Dawn Kuhn. These are not the only instances of these two interrupting other people. They do it at almost every meeting, be it a member of the public, staff, or other council members. Did you notice Council member Sawyer asking to be allowed to finish after he was interrupted?
“It is interesting and honestly I am just going to direct this at you Mr. Kemmling, I really tried to, in listening to the questions, I really tried to keep an open mind but even when Miss Kuhn was questioning you, 4 times you tried to interrupt her. You tried to interrupt me. And I’m thinking, I’m just trying to ask questions here, put it out there, and that desire to talk over somebody is not good. If we all did that up here, trying to talk over each other, it would get really ugly real quick. The only reason, I really believe, people that run for city council is because you like to be heard and if all 8 of us tried to be heard at the same time, its going to explode. So, I’m struggling with that. I know you went out and campaigned. I just, I have a type A personality and I can be pretty aggressive, but I’ve also learned to sit and I’ve got to mentally know when I’ve had to just sit and listen and not voice my opinion. It can be difficult but that’s just part of the game. It’s a lot of listening and probably a lot less talking than listening and it’s hard to do. Just some food for thought.”
Methinks Mr. Vaught needs to munch on some of his own "food for thought", along with his ward mate Dawn Kuhn. These are not the only instances of these two interrupting other people. They do it at almost every meeting, be it a member of the public, staff, or other council members. Did you notice Council member Sawyer asking to be allowed to finish after he was interrupted?
Friday, July 27, 2012
What Is On Sawyer's Mind?
OK, in April Neal Sawyer barely ekes out a reelection victory 661-650 in Shawnee's Ward II.
Then three months later he's running for state representative. Doesn't he care about the commitment he made to the folks in Ward II?
Anyway, here's the kicker. If Sawyer were to get elected as a state rep he technically could keep his Ward II job. Yep, according to Kansas law you can't hold multiple partisan elected positions, but since the city's elections are non-partisan he could do that. Problem is, the state rep's position is virtually a 24/7 job when the legislature is in session. Now, can he really handle both? I don't think so. According to the city's web site he still holds his non-governmental job. Can he hold 3 spots? I definitely don't think so.
So, my suggestion is let's make sure we don't have to suffer the consequences of finding out. Make him fulfill his obligation to the the people in Ward II by not electing him to the state legislature.
Then three months later he's running for state representative. Doesn't he care about the commitment he made to the folks in Ward II?
Anyway, here's the kicker. If Sawyer were to get elected as a state rep he technically could keep his Ward II job. Yep, according to Kansas law you can't hold multiple partisan elected positions, but since the city's elections are non-partisan he could do that. Problem is, the state rep's position is virtually a 24/7 job when the legislature is in session. Now, can he really handle both? I don't think so. According to the city's web site he still holds his non-governmental job. Can he hold 3 spots? I definitely don't think so.
So, my suggestion is let's make sure we don't have to suffer the consequences of finding out. Make him fulfill his obligation to the the people in Ward II by not electing him to the state legislature.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Sandifer Not Supporting Leib
Well, well, well.................Shawnee City Council Member Mickey Sandifer is no longer showing up as a supporter of Jason Leib for state rep:
http://jasonleib.com/about/
The qwuestion still remains, did Sandifer initially support Leib and then withdraw that after various items came out or did Leib use Sandifer's name without his permission?
What items? Apparently Mr. Leib has a DUI history and a bunch of tweets which would indicate an extreme fondness for alcohol. http://thekansascitian.blogspot.com/2012/07/exclusive-alcohol-plagued-past-casts.html Also, Mr. Sandifer has expressed that he is a strong proponent of right to life, where Mr. Leib does not share those views. This is/was a strange situation.
http://jasonleib.com/about/
The qwuestion still remains, did Sandifer initially support Leib and then withdraw that after various items came out or did Leib use Sandifer's name without his permission?
What items? Apparently Mr. Leib has a DUI history and a bunch of tweets which would indicate an extreme fondness for alcohol. http://thekansascitian.blogspot.com/2012/07/exclusive-alcohol-plagued-past-casts.html Also, Mr. Sandifer has expressed that he is a strong proponent of right to life, where Mr. Leib does not share those views. This is/was a strange situation.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Three Reasons NOT to Vote for Jason Leib
Three good reasons NOT to vote for Jason Leib.
The reasons are from his own web site at http://jasonleib.com/about/
What are they?
He is being supported by Dawn Kuhn, Mickey Sandifer and Neal Sawyer. Three good reasons NOT to vote for him.
Those three contributed in one way or the other to the slap in the face to the people of Shawnee recently regarding the appointment of the Mayor's uncle to a council position.
The reasons are from his own web site at http://jasonleib.com/about/
What are they?
He is being supported by Dawn Kuhn, Mickey Sandifer and Neal Sawyer. Three good reasons NOT to vote for him.
Those three contributed in one way or the other to the slap in the face to the people of Shawnee recently regarding the appointment of the Mayor's uncle to a council position.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Keep Brett Hildabrand, Forget Jason Leib
Brett Hildabrand is being challenged in the republican primary by Jason Leib for the 17th House District.
Check these items out...............good reasons to keep Hildabrand:
Check these items out...............good reasons to keep Hildabrand:
For a map of the 17th district go here
Since the map is in Adobe (pdf) format you can click on the "+" sign to increase the size to be able to view the street info.
Letters to the Shawnee Dispatch 7/18/12
This letter by resident Alan Dunz appears in the hard copy of the Dispatch and on line at
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/jul/17/letter-council-behaved-badly/
This letter is on line only at
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/jul/17/letter-mayor-slapped-democracy-face/
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/jul/17/letter-council-behaved-badly/
This letter is on line only at
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2012/jul/17/letter-mayor-slapped-democracy-face/
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Mayor Responds As To Why He Did Not Allow Public Comment
Mayor Jeff Meyers has responded as to why he did not allow public comment at the special council meeting which selected the replacement for the open seat in Ward II. The individual finally chose was Alan Willoughby, the mayor's uncle (by marriage).
Here is the response:
Ray,
My basis for the decision not to ask for public comment is that after allowing public comment last time I did not feel it was helpful to the process.The public had the ability to contact council members prior to the vote of the Council and did so. I did not feel comments in that form was necessary for the Council to make their decision.
Jeff
The mayor and the council all took oaths to support the constitutions of the State of Kansas and the United States. Methinks maybe they need to reread the entire first amendment to the US Constitution.
Welcome to Shawnee, USSR
Here is the response:
Ray,
My basis for the decision not to ask for public comment is that after allowing public comment last time I did not feel it was helpful to the process.The public had the ability to contact council members prior to the vote of the Council and did so. I did not feel comments in that form was necessary for the Council to make their decision.
Jeff
The mayor and the council all took oaths to support the constitutions of the State of Kansas and the United States. Methinks maybe they need to reread the entire first amendment to the US Constitution.
Welcome to Shawnee, USSR
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