On Tuesday, 11/3/09 at 7PM one of the items on the agenda of the Finance & Administration Committee will be to discuss the recycling/trash ordinance.
This is not a decision session....rather a discussion session.
Those who have opinions on this item might want to attend.
Suggestion: Read the packet item as posted on the city's website so you have some additional background as to what is being discussed.
That is available at http://www.cityofshawnee.org/Meetings/AGENDAS.NSF/vwNews/99A892C9AA709AC18625765E00794E00/$FILE/7XATL5.pdf
Have a comment about this? Post it at http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=blog&thread=27
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Brouhaha Brewing with the City Manager
Looks like we have a major brouhaha going with the city manager.
Let's recap for a second. In June I again brought forth the idea of banning cell phones/texting while driving at a city council meeting. A few days after the meeting I spoke with the mayor and he agreed that getting the info from other cities as to how it works for them could be useful. He advised me to contact my council rep and have the rep request the item for a committee meeting.
Michelle Distler did this on 6/24/09 with an email to the city manager:
I received a call from Ray in regards to the Cell Phone Ban. He mentioned he had spoken to Jeff and that Jeff was interested in seeing what other cities have done and how it is working for them. Jeff advised Ray to speak to me and have me ask to have this item put on a committee. I told Ray it probably would not be until after budget and he was fine with that. So I am making a request for this item to be put on a committee meeting. Thank you. Michelle
Since over the summer the budget did have priority the item came up at the F & A committee meeting on 10/6/09. As pointed out in the blog entry below of Sat, 10/10/09, the primary question was never answered nor even addressed. During the meeting Ms Distler asked if I could supply a list of some of the cities and she would pass that on so we could get the info as originally requested. On 10/9/09 Ms distler sent the city manager an email which included a list of cities that I had sent to her.
Carol,
Due to the fact the original request was not fulfilled, we would like to see this come back to committee advising as the email below requested that we see what other cities have done and how it is working for them. By presenting that no other Johnson County cities are looking into this does not address the request that was made. Ray has supplied cities that have enacted a ban and their population size.
Thank you.
Michelle
(list of cities was included)
On 10/17/09 (8 days after the last email, I inquired of Ms Distler if the city manager had responded.
On 10/19/09 the city manager finally responded:
Here's my dilemma - we have already given two presentations on this topic. I apologize if the second one wasn't exactly what was requested. I asked our folks to give an update and I must not have sent the specific email to them as they prepared. My fault. It is my sense that there is not majority support to move forward on anything at this time related to this issue. We have limited staff and limited money - 22 vacancies - 7.5% of our work force. I have projects that staff was directed to look into as part of our budget approval that we have slated out on Committee meetings clear til April 2010 (much more than 4 months) - because we don't have the depth of staff to get to them any sooner. I have a part time intern who is preparing our whole solid waste/recycling plan. This morning I am attending a meeting on State legislative issues because I have no one else to send, and we won't have time to even prepare a legislative program (at least not a good one - I'd like to do something), let alone monitor the session the way we should. These are just a few examples to make my point which is that I really struggle with asking anyone on my staff to take 10 to 12 hours of their time to research an issue at the request of one citizen (one very important citizen of course!) on an issue that there is not a majority support to move forward on at all. Does that make sense? If someone sees it differently, let me know, but I am struggling to find a way to justify it..... Carol
Most of the above correspondence between the council rep and the city manager had the mayor, the assistant city manager and me as cc.
On 10/20/09 I reponded to the city manager's email:
Mornin' folks,
If someone sees it differently let you know? OK.
I am confused, concerned, aggravated, and various other states of being.
To say "I apologize if the second one wasn't exactly what was requested. I asked our folks to give an update and I must not have sent the specific email to them as they prepared. My fault." is an understatement. It came nowhere close to answering the question.
Now, let's look at this: "on an issue that there is not a majority support to move forward on at all" We are not talking, at this time about moving forward on anything. We were talking about obtaining information as to how other cities were handling it. Again, this is information gathering. I remember recently when the President of the Council (Dawn Kuhn) publicly excoriated a fellow council member (Kevin Straub) for that member's stand on the trash issue without having all of the information.
I would like to know specifically which members of the council are against obtaining the information as to how other cities are handling this. Are we afraid of what the information would show? That it could be enfoced? That other problems/violations have been reduced? And yes, as a side benefit, people are paying for being stupid and putting other folks' lives and property in jeopardy. Remember, this IS a public safety issue. And, quite literally, a life and death one.
Now let's look at this: "I really struggle with asking anyone on my staff to take 10 to 12 hours of their time to research an issue" Well, since you assumed responsibility for failing to pass on the question properly, maybe then you could do the research.
Last but not least. Two things stand out as very annoying. Why did it take 10 days (and one reminder) before a council member received a response from the city manager? In the business world that would be totally unacceptable. Especially since the city manger in this government model reports to the members of the council. A response in today's era would be 24-48 hours. Even if it wasn't a total answer, an interim or acknowledgment reply would be the norm. I was curious as to what would happen if a department head failed to respond to the city manager in 10 days. Again, even if it is only an interim or acknowledgment reply. Also, what job in the business world can a person do wrong and then say they are not going to do it over?
Personally I think the original question still needs to be answered. Believe that Chicago, the cities in New Mexico and Brooklyn, OH can probably give a good history.
Ray
As of today I have not received a reply to my email.
I was going to take a poll at the 10/26/09 council meeting to see exactly which council members are against getting the info (not enacting an ordinance, just getting the info). Unfortunately that meeting has been cancelled since there were not enough items for the agenda.
SIDEBAR:
It still bothers me that it took the city manager 10 days to reply to a member of the council. And then only after a reminder. Maybe there is some truth to another council member's public statements about selective members of the council getting speedy replies. This was brought out by another member of the community at the franchise fee meeting.
Also, anyone who works in the private sector who did not provide a report that was asked for by their superiors would be resoundingly reprimanded, especially if they refused to do it over. Do some folks not realize that in a council/manager form of government the council is in charge, not the manager? Have we a case of role reversal here?
Oh, I do not, as stated by the city manager consider myself a very important citizen. All citizens of Shawnee are important.
Let's recap for a second. In June I again brought forth the idea of banning cell phones/texting while driving at a city council meeting. A few days after the meeting I spoke with the mayor and he agreed that getting the info from other cities as to how it works for them could be useful. He advised me to contact my council rep and have the rep request the item for a committee meeting.
Michelle Distler did this on 6/24/09 with an email to the city manager:
I received a call from Ray in regards to the Cell Phone Ban. He mentioned he had spoken to Jeff and that Jeff was interested in seeing what other cities have done and how it is working for them. Jeff advised Ray to speak to me and have me ask to have this item put on a committee. I told Ray it probably would not be until after budget and he was fine with that. So I am making a request for this item to be put on a committee meeting. Thank you. Michelle
Since over the summer the budget did have priority the item came up at the F & A committee meeting on 10/6/09. As pointed out in the blog entry below of Sat, 10/10/09, the primary question was never answered nor even addressed. During the meeting Ms Distler asked if I could supply a list of some of the cities and she would pass that on so we could get the info as originally requested. On 10/9/09 Ms distler sent the city manager an email which included a list of cities that I had sent to her.
Carol,
Due to the fact the original request was not fulfilled, we would like to see this come back to committee advising as the email below requested that we see what other cities have done and how it is working for them. By presenting that no other Johnson County cities are looking into this does not address the request that was made. Ray has supplied cities that have enacted a ban and their population size.
Thank you.
Michelle
(list of cities was included)
On 10/17/09 (8 days after the last email, I inquired of Ms Distler if the city manager had responded.
On 10/19/09 the city manager finally responded:
Here's my dilemma - we have already given two presentations on this topic. I apologize if the second one wasn't exactly what was requested. I asked our folks to give an update and I must not have sent the specific email to them as they prepared. My fault. It is my sense that there is not majority support to move forward on anything at this time related to this issue. We have limited staff and limited money - 22 vacancies - 7.5% of our work force. I have projects that staff was directed to look into as part of our budget approval that we have slated out on Committee meetings clear til April 2010 (much more than 4 months) - because we don't have the depth of staff to get to them any sooner. I have a part time intern who is preparing our whole solid waste/recycling plan. This morning I am attending a meeting on State legislative issues because I have no one else to send, and we won't have time to even prepare a legislative program (at least not a good one - I'd like to do something), let alone monitor the session the way we should. These are just a few examples to make my point which is that I really struggle with asking anyone on my staff to take 10 to 12 hours of their time to research an issue at the request of one citizen (one very important citizen of course!) on an issue that there is not a majority support to move forward on at all. Does that make sense? If someone sees it differently, let me know, but I am struggling to find a way to justify it..... Carol
Most of the above correspondence between the council rep and the city manager had the mayor, the assistant city manager and me as cc.
On 10/20/09 I reponded to the city manager's email:
Mornin' folks,
If someone sees it differently let you know? OK.
I am confused, concerned, aggravated, and various other states of being.
To say "I apologize if the second one wasn't exactly what was requested. I asked our folks to give an update and I must not have sent the specific email to them as they prepared. My fault." is an understatement. It came nowhere close to answering the question.
Now, let's look at this: "on an issue that there is not a majority support to move forward on at all" We are not talking, at this time about moving forward on anything. We were talking about obtaining information as to how other cities were handling it. Again, this is information gathering. I remember recently when the President of the Council (Dawn Kuhn) publicly excoriated a fellow council member (Kevin Straub) for that member's stand on the trash issue without having all of the information.
I would like to know specifically which members of the council are against obtaining the information as to how other cities are handling this. Are we afraid of what the information would show? That it could be enfoced? That other problems/violations have been reduced? And yes, as a side benefit, people are paying for being stupid and putting other folks' lives and property in jeopardy. Remember, this IS a public safety issue. And, quite literally, a life and death one.
Now let's look at this: "I really struggle with asking anyone on my staff to take 10 to 12 hours of their time to research an issue" Well, since you assumed responsibility for failing to pass on the question properly, maybe then you could do the research.
Last but not least. Two things stand out as very annoying. Why did it take 10 days (and one reminder) before a council member received a response from the city manager? In the business world that would be totally unacceptable. Especially since the city manger in this government model reports to the members of the council. A response in today's era would be 24-48 hours. Even if it wasn't a total answer, an interim or acknowledgment reply would be the norm. I was curious as to what would happen if a department head failed to respond to the city manager in 10 days. Again, even if it is only an interim or acknowledgment reply. Also, what job in the business world can a person do wrong and then say they are not going to do it over?
Personally I think the original question still needs to be answered. Believe that Chicago, the cities in New Mexico and Brooklyn, OH can probably give a good history.
Ray
As of today I have not received a reply to my email.
I was going to take a poll at the 10/26/09 council meeting to see exactly which council members are against getting the info (not enacting an ordinance, just getting the info). Unfortunately that meeting has been cancelled since there were not enough items for the agenda.
SIDEBAR:
It still bothers me that it took the city manager 10 days to reply to a member of the council. And then only after a reminder. Maybe there is some truth to another council member's public statements about selective members of the council getting speedy replies. This was brought out by another member of the community at the franchise fee meeting.
Also, anyone who works in the private sector who did not provide a report that was asked for by their superiors would be resoundingly reprimanded, especially if they refused to do it over. Do some folks not realize that in a council/manager form of government the council is in charge, not the manager? Have we a case of role reversal here?
Oh, I do not, as stated by the city manager consider myself a very important citizen. All citizens of Shawnee are important.
BTW, it took me less than 45 minutes to compile a list of cities that have ordinances. A short email (or phone call) by the city manager or staff to their counterparts would get the info. Is the 10-12 hours mentioned by the city manager realistic?
If anyone has any comments they'd like to make about this blog entry feel free to post them at http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=blog&action=display&thread=26
Saturday, October 17, 2009
To TIF or not to TIF
Earlier this week the Shawnee city council met with the USD 232 board.
Apparently one of the items they were going to discuss was the TIF district that the school board previously opted out of.......which basically killed the TIF district for I-435 and Shawnee Mission Parkway.
Things change..........let's look north to Wyandotte County. There is a very strong possibility now that the Wizards soccer team and Cerner Corporation are going to be locating in Village West.
Wow, what a coup for KCK/Wyandotte County. Shawnee could concevably benefit from that.
The key would be, IMHO, the type of development that would take place in the proposed TIF district. The article in the Shawnee Dispatch, http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2009/oct/14/city-asks-school-board-reconsider-tif-district/ indicates that some members of the School District were concerned about residential development in that area. Valid point. The lawyer for the development group indicated that any residential development would probably be lofts and townhomes. MY opinion....."probably be" is not good enough. "Must be" would be better. The area would be mixed use (see the Dispatch article). I believe the concern of the school board members about residential development is valid. Those concerns need to be addressed. We don't need developers going after Cerner's proposed work force. We need strong, viable, commercial entities up there
We need to be going after the life style/entertainment commercial properties. Like hotels, restaurants, retail and yes, some sort of destination venue. Maybe even a nightclub or two. Anybody for a Coyote Ugly Saloon? They got turned down up north (eventhough there is a Hooters up there). With everything that is happening in Village West we could definitely get some action down here. I may not be expressing this correctly.
If there were firm commitments from the developers, up front, as to what would be in the development then a TIF district might not be a bad idea.
Let's see how this plays out.
Comments about this blog entry? Post them on our forum at http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=blog&thread=25
Apparently one of the items they were going to discuss was the TIF district that the school board previously opted out of.......which basically killed the TIF district for I-435 and Shawnee Mission Parkway.
Things change..........let's look north to Wyandotte County. There is a very strong possibility now that the Wizards soccer team and Cerner Corporation are going to be locating in Village West.
Wow, what a coup for KCK/Wyandotte County. Shawnee could concevably benefit from that.
The key would be, IMHO, the type of development that would take place in the proposed TIF district. The article in the Shawnee Dispatch, http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2009/oct/14/city-asks-school-board-reconsider-tif-district/ indicates that some members of the School District were concerned about residential development in that area. Valid point. The lawyer for the development group indicated that any residential development would probably be lofts and townhomes. MY opinion....."probably be" is not good enough. "Must be" would be better. The area would be mixed use (see the Dispatch article). I believe the concern of the school board members about residential development is valid. Those concerns need to be addressed. We don't need developers going after Cerner's proposed work force. We need strong, viable, commercial entities up there
We need to be going after the life style/entertainment commercial properties. Like hotels, restaurants, retail and yes, some sort of destination venue. Maybe even a nightclub or two. Anybody for a Coyote Ugly Saloon? They got turned down up north (eventhough there is a Hooters up there). With everything that is happening in Village West we could definitely get some action down here. I may not be expressing this correctly.
If there were firm commitments from the developers, up front, as to what would be in the development then a TIF district might not be a bad idea.
Let's see how this plays out.
Comments about this blog entry? Post them on our forum at http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=blog&thread=25
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Tuesday's Committee Meeting 10/6/09
This past Tuesday (10/6/09) the Finance and Admin Committee of the city council held its monthly meeting.
The first item on the agenda was to be a review of info regarding the use of cell phones to include texting.
A problem occurred when the primary question as originally asked by a member of the city council was never answered.
Let's back up for a second. Back in June I addressed the council and again brought up the cell phone use/texting question. A few days after the meeting a phone conversation took place with the mayor and myself. It was mentioned that there were some cities that had passed local ordinances regarding this item. How was this affecting them? How were the local ordinances being enforced? Accident stats, etc. He expressed an interest in at least finding out what was happening in those cities. And yes, I brought up (eventhough it's a no-no) curiosity as to what effect the fines were having on those populations. The mayor then suggested I direct my questions to my council rep for review. I did this.
On 6/24//09 Council rep Distler sent an email to the city manager. Part of the email said:
"I received a call from Ray in regards to the Cell Phone Ban. He mentioned he had spoken to Jeff and that Jeff was interested in seeing what other cities have done and how it is working for them. Jeff advised Ray to speak to me and have me ask to have this item put on a committee."
Ms Distler had cc'd me and the mayor on that email. The city manager also cc'd me and the mayor when she advised it would be scheduled for October.
Now we come to this past Tuesday's meeting. No info was presented on the effects of bans in those cities that had them. The only thing about any other cities, was that no other city in JoCo was considering this item.
Why was no info supplied as to the original request? I can think of two possibilities:
1. There was miscommunication between the city manager and staff as to what info was to be reviewed.
2. Staff was directed by the city manager to limit the scope of the info provided. Possibly because the city manager does not favor a ban.
I sincerely hope that the problem was item 1 above. As such, Ms Distler has resubmitted the request to include the names of some cities that have these types of bans. If it was item 2, then we have a problem. Why? Because in a manger/council form of government it is the council that makes policy, not the city manager. The city manager is supposed to provide the info to the council............all info..........the good, the bad and the ugly.
Have any comments about this item. Post them here:
http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=blog&thread=24&page=1
Additional info from the meeting:
An article from the KC Star was shown about a gentleman who was killed at the Harley-Davidson plant this summer by a woman who was talking on her cell phone, failed to stop after hitting him, and then ran over and crushed his head.
Also, this PSA from the UK was shown. If you have a weak stomach do not watch it. Not necessarily recommended for very young children.
If you have trouble viewing the above, you can click here to go to it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ttNgZDZruI
The first item on the agenda was to be a review of info regarding the use of cell phones to include texting.
A problem occurred when the primary question as originally asked by a member of the city council was never answered.
Let's back up for a second. Back in June I addressed the council and again brought up the cell phone use/texting question. A few days after the meeting a phone conversation took place with the mayor and myself. It was mentioned that there were some cities that had passed local ordinances regarding this item. How was this affecting them? How were the local ordinances being enforced? Accident stats, etc. He expressed an interest in at least finding out what was happening in those cities. And yes, I brought up (eventhough it's a no-no) curiosity as to what effect the fines were having on those populations. The mayor then suggested I direct my questions to my council rep for review. I did this.
On 6/24//09 Council rep Distler sent an email to the city manager. Part of the email said:
"I received a call from Ray in regards to the Cell Phone Ban. He mentioned he had spoken to Jeff and that Jeff was interested in seeing what other cities have done and how it is working for them. Jeff advised Ray to speak to me and have me ask to have this item put on a committee."
Ms Distler had cc'd me and the mayor on that email. The city manager also cc'd me and the mayor when she advised it would be scheduled for October.
Now we come to this past Tuesday's meeting. No info was presented on the effects of bans in those cities that had them. The only thing about any other cities, was that no other city in JoCo was considering this item.
Why was no info supplied as to the original request? I can think of two possibilities:
1. There was miscommunication between the city manager and staff as to what info was to be reviewed.
2. Staff was directed by the city manager to limit the scope of the info provided. Possibly because the city manager does not favor a ban.
I sincerely hope that the problem was item 1 above. As such, Ms Distler has resubmitted the request to include the names of some cities that have these types of bans. If it was item 2, then we have a problem. Why? Because in a manger/council form of government it is the council that makes policy, not the city manager. The city manager is supposed to provide the info to the council............all info..........the good, the bad and the ugly.
Have any comments about this item. Post them here:
http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=blog&thread=24&page=1
Additional info from the meeting:
An article from the KC Star was shown about a gentleman who was killed at the Harley-Davidson plant this summer by a woman who was talking on her cell phone, failed to stop after hitting him, and then ran over and crushed his head.
Also, this PSA from the UK was shown. If you have a weak stomach do not watch it. Not necessarily recommended for very young children.
If you have trouble viewing the above, you can click here to go to it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ttNgZDZruI
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Dr Phil Interviews a Texter
Short clip from Dr Phil's show. Interesting.
If you have a problem viewing the video, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDlYSPVro0Q
Any comments? Post them here http://www.shawneeray.proboards.com
If you have a problem viewing the video, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDlYSPVro0Q
Any comments? Post them here http://www.shawneeray.proboards.com
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Old Shawnee Town Makes the KC Star
Old Shawnee Town got a write up in the KC Star on 9/29/09.
The article can be viewed at http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1479521.html
I started a thread on the forum and if anybody wants to comment, feel free to do so:
http://www.shawneeray.proboards.com
The article can be viewed at http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1479521.html
I started a thread on the forum and if anybody wants to comment, feel free to do so:
http://www.shawneeray.proboards.com
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Talkin', Textin', and Drivin'
Well, the item is up on the agenda for the Finance & Admin Committee of the City Council for Tuesday 10/6/09, 7:00PM at city hall
I'll be there. Will you?
Any comments about this? Visit the forum and post your comments at this thread:
http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=20
Or, just visit the forum: http://shawneeray.proboards.com
I'll be there. Will you?
Any comments about this? Visit the forum and post your comments at this thread:
http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=20
Or, just visit the forum: http://shawneeray.proboards.com
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Tonganoxie Proves a Point
And what is that point? Apathy. Voter apathy.
Earlier this week the citizens of Tonganoxie voted to permit alcoholic beverage sales on Sunday.
Personally, I agree with that.
But, that is not the point. The point is the vote totals.
The measure passed 250 to 132. OK that means that 65.4% of those who voted approved the issue.
Now, when you consider that Tonganoxie has 2,897 people registered to vote that then means:
a. only 13.28% of eligible voters bothered to vote
b. 8.6% of the eligible voters made the decision for the entire city
We see a similar trend in elections here, especially when the election is just for city offices.
What a waste of a freedom that many have died for. Don't just gripe about things.......go to the polls. Get involved.
Have a comment about this item? Post it at http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=blog&thread=17
Earlier this week the citizens of Tonganoxie voted to permit alcoholic beverage sales on Sunday.
Personally, I agree with that.
But, that is not the point. The point is the vote totals.
The measure passed 250 to 132. OK that means that 65.4% of those who voted approved the issue.
Now, when you consider that Tonganoxie has 2,897 people registered to vote that then means:
a. only 13.28% of eligible voters bothered to vote
b. 8.6% of the eligible voters made the decision for the entire city
We see a similar trend in elections here, especially when the election is just for city offices.
What a waste of a freedom that many have died for. Don't just gripe about things.......go to the polls. Get involved.
Have a comment about this item? Post it at http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=blog&thread=17
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
A Slight Mistake
But, it has been corrected.
Regarding the interactive forum I set up at http://www.shawneeray.proboards.com
When I set that up it was supposed to be done so that anybody could view the commentary, without a password or ID. The only people who would need passwords and IDs would be those who wish to add comments.
Well, I found out today, that even guests were being asked to create an account before viewing the forum.
That has been corrected. Passwords and IDs are not needed just to view.
My apologies to those who wanted to read the items but could not. Please try again.
Regarding the interactive forum I set up at http://www.shawneeray.proboards.com
When I set that up it was supposed to be done so that anybody could view the commentary, without a password or ID. The only people who would need passwords and IDs would be those who wish to add comments.
Well, I found out today, that even guests were being asked to create an account before viewing the forum.
That has been corrected. Passwords and IDs are not needed just to view.
My apologies to those who wanted to read the items but could not. Please try again.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Red, Yellow & Green (part 2)
Received an anonymous email that said:
"City staff had suggested this several times over the past few years. It was not her idea."
That was with reference to the Shawnee Dispatch comment that council rep Kuhn had recommended the item as a budget cut.
Interesting. Does anybody have any additional info on this?
Let me know or post it at : http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=blog&thread=14&page=1
"City staff had suggested this several times over the past few years. It was not her idea."
That was with reference to the Shawnee Dispatch comment that council rep Kuhn had recommended the item as a budget cut.
Interesting. Does anybody have any additional info on this?
Let me know or post it at : http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=blog&thread=14&page=1
Sex, Lies and DVDs
Did that title get your attention? Hope so. Wrong topic, but wanted ya to read this.
Franchise Fee Follies
Yep, more on this subject. In a recent letter to the editor of the Shawnee Dispatch http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2009/sep/16/fee-more-costly-tax/ former council member and county commissioner John Segale had some negative comments about the franchise fee. He was right. Yours truly also voiced some of the same comments at the council meeting. A small mill levy increase would have resulted in a lower cost to the citizens. Even had a chart showing that. As previously mentioned in this blog (and Segale’s letter) certain individuals are relying on people transferring the responsibility for increased costs with their utility bills to the companies rather than the taxing authority.
Mickey’s Monkey
Council member Mickey Sandifer has a monkey on his back. It’s called the misleading monkey. At least that is what it appears to be to me.
Let’s start at the budget approval council meeting. Sandifer made an impassioned statement that he was concerned about medical response times for those in need if the budget as such was not approved. The comments seemed to be focused on the senior citizens of the community. This is traditionally, the group with more health problems, including life threatening illnesses. Well, I don’t remember seeing anything in the budget that would reduce emergency services. Additionally, ambulance services are provided by Johnson County Med Act. Now it is true that our fire department also provides first responder activity, but again, I didn’t see anything about a reduction in those services. Also, what happens if the units closest to your residence are on another call? Well, a unit from another station could (and does respond). This also includes responses by units from other cities as the result of our mutual assist agreements.
For those who don’t know me, I am one of those senior citizens with potentially life threatening illnesses. Yes, I am over 62, have hypertension, diabetes, and a history of being a guest at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.
Mickey’s Other Monkey
Now we come to the night the council voted on the franchise fee. Apparently some of Sandifer’s fellow council members had received citizen input that he (Sandifer) had intimated that if the franchise fee was not implemented that the city could face litigation.
Sandifer claimed it was a couple of people who misunderstood him. His fellow council members indicated that it was substantially more than just a couple. Hmmmm, interesting. Now where did this supposed litigation come from?
Also, it was brought out that one person was upset because after emailing Mickey, he (Mickey)showed up unannounced at their residence. When confronted with that Mickey actually went ballistic and shouted out words to the effect that “If you email me I’m going to show up”. Wrongo Mickey baby. If someone emails you, you can email them back, call them, or send a snail mail. But you have no right to show up unannounced at their residence.
If you want to comment on this blog post (or any blog post) go to http://www.proboards.com/ and click on the Blog Commentary section..
Franchise Fee Follies
Yep, more on this subject. In a recent letter to the editor of the Shawnee Dispatch http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2009/sep/16/fee-more-costly-tax/ former council member and county commissioner John Segale had some negative comments about the franchise fee. He was right. Yours truly also voiced some of the same comments at the council meeting. A small mill levy increase would have resulted in a lower cost to the citizens. Even had a chart showing that. As previously mentioned in this blog (and Segale’s letter) certain individuals are relying on people transferring the responsibility for increased costs with their utility bills to the companies rather than the taxing authority.
Mickey’s Monkey
Council member Mickey Sandifer has a monkey on his back. It’s called the misleading monkey. At least that is what it appears to be to me.
Let’s start at the budget approval council meeting. Sandifer made an impassioned statement that he was concerned about medical response times for those in need if the budget as such was not approved. The comments seemed to be focused on the senior citizens of the community. This is traditionally, the group with more health problems, including life threatening illnesses. Well, I don’t remember seeing anything in the budget that would reduce emergency services. Additionally, ambulance services are provided by Johnson County Med Act. Now it is true that our fire department also provides first responder activity, but again, I didn’t see anything about a reduction in those services. Also, what happens if the units closest to your residence are on another call? Well, a unit from another station could (and does respond). This also includes responses by units from other cities as the result of our mutual assist agreements.
For those who don’t know me, I am one of those senior citizens with potentially life threatening illnesses. Yes, I am over 62, have hypertension, diabetes, and a history of being a guest at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.
Mickey’s Other Monkey
Now we come to the night the council voted on the franchise fee. Apparently some of Sandifer’s fellow council members had received citizen input that he (Sandifer) had intimated that if the franchise fee was not implemented that the city could face litigation.
Sandifer claimed it was a couple of people who misunderstood him. His fellow council members indicated that it was substantially more than just a couple. Hmmmm, interesting. Now where did this supposed litigation come from?
Also, it was brought out that one person was upset because after emailing Mickey, he (Mickey)showed up unannounced at their residence. When confronted with that Mickey actually went ballistic and shouted out words to the effect that “If you email me I’m going to show up”. Wrongo Mickey baby. If someone emails you, you can email them back, call them, or send a snail mail. But you have no right to show up unannounced at their residence.
If you want to comment on this blog post (or any blog post) go to http://www.proboards.com/ and click on the Blog Commentary section..
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Red, Yellow & Green
In an article this past week, viewable at http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2009/sep/16/city-looks-save-money-buying-traffic-signals/ the Shawnee Dispatch reports action by the city on how the city can save $49K a year by buying rather than leasing certain traffic signals.
A thumbs up to Ron Freyermuth, DPW and Mark Sherfy, Traffic Engineer.
What made me chuckle though was this line in the above referenced article:
Researching the feasibility of buying traffic signals and street lights the city currently leases from KCP&L was one of several cost-saving measures Council member Dawn Kuhn had requested the city research.
Golly gee willikers, was Ms Kuhn the only one of eight (nine if ya count the mayor) that made cost cutting suggestions? Or was she the only one that suggested this particular item?
If anybody wants to email me with an answer to the above two questions, I’ll be happy to post those answers here. One request………keep the answers short, and to the point.
Just click on this link:
mailto:shawneeray@gmail.com?subject=redyellowgreen
A thumbs up to Ron Freyermuth, DPW and Mark Sherfy, Traffic Engineer.
What made me chuckle though was this line in the above referenced article:
Researching the feasibility of buying traffic signals and street lights the city currently leases from KCP&L was one of several cost-saving measures Council member Dawn Kuhn had requested the city research.
Golly gee willikers, was Ms Kuhn the only one of eight (nine if ya count the mayor) that made cost cutting suggestions? Or was she the only one that suggested this particular item?
If anybody wants to email me with an answer to the above two questions, I’ll be happy to post those answers here. One request………keep the answers short, and to the point.
Just click on this link:
mailto:shawneeray@gmail.com?subject=redyellowgreen
Thursday, September 17, 2009
A Bunch of Stuff
Got a bunch of stuff to comment on:
School Crossing Guards
An issue in Lenexa as evidenced by this item in the KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/318/story/1448422.html
Is still an issue here in Shawnee. At a city council meeting it was mentioned that parents might want to volunteer. Apparently this was an idea by several council members and members of the community.
Another member of the community suggested that the city also look into the feasibility of the AAA school crossing guard program. Not a bad idea if I say so myself. :-) :-)
See some of the comments posted to the above referenced KC Star article, after the article.
None of your business
Those were the words uttered by council rep Sandifer when council member Straub inquired about some travel expenses that were listed on the bill payment list this past Monday.
OK, Straub asked some questions that probably could have best been answered by staff prior to the meeting. But when he did inquire about some travel expenses by Sandifer, I felt that Sandifer's reply was out of line. There is no love between these two members of the council.
But, council member's travel expenses are everybody's business, other council members and citizens of the community. Personally, I feel that Mr Sandifer owes the council and the city an apology for that comment.............and an explanation now. Will the written copy of the minutes show that comment? Or will one have to listen to the CD?
Check out the forum
Don't forget to check out the on-line forum. You can respond to items already posted, or you can start a thread of your own on a topic that you choose.
This is one way to get people to interact, and to let others know where they stand on issues.
It can be reached by going to http://shawneeray.proboards.com/
Side note to city staff
Setting up your own forum could be one way to get the citizen feedback about the trash issue, other issues, and even be used as a Q & A area for other services. Comments were made at council meetings that the staff was trying to figure out a way to get that input. Many companies use that format for that purpose. Computer software companies especially. They use it as on line "help". Naturally, a software package, integrated into the city's web site would probably be preferablt to the one I set up
School Crossing Guards
An issue in Lenexa as evidenced by this item in the KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/318/story/1448422.html
Is still an issue here in Shawnee. At a city council meeting it was mentioned that parents might want to volunteer. Apparently this was an idea by several council members and members of the community.
Another member of the community suggested that the city also look into the feasibility of the AAA school crossing guard program. Not a bad idea if I say so myself. :-) :-)
See some of the comments posted to the above referenced KC Star article, after the article.
None of your business
Those were the words uttered by council rep Sandifer when council member Straub inquired about some travel expenses that were listed on the bill payment list this past Monday.
OK, Straub asked some questions that probably could have best been answered by staff prior to the meeting. But when he did inquire about some travel expenses by Sandifer, I felt that Sandifer's reply was out of line. There is no love between these two members of the council.
But, council member's travel expenses are everybody's business, other council members and citizens of the community. Personally, I feel that Mr Sandifer owes the council and the city an apology for that comment.............and an explanation now. Will the written copy of the minutes show that comment? Or will one have to listen to the CD?
Check out the forum
Don't forget to check out the on-line forum. You can respond to items already posted, or you can start a thread of your own on a topic that you choose.
This is one way to get people to interact, and to let others know where they stand on issues.
It can be reached by going to http://shawneeray.proboards.com/
Side note to city staff
Setting up your own forum could be one way to get the citizen feedback about the trash issue, other issues, and even be used as a Q & A area for other services. Comments were made at council meetings that the staff was trying to figure out a way to get that input. Many companies use that format for that purpose. Computer software companies especially. They use it as on line "help". Naturally, a software package, integrated into the city's web site would probably be preferablt to the one I set up
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Trashy Trash Talk
Ahhhh yes............the trash hauling issue.
Are we having fun yet?
Anyway, I have started a thread on the new forum about this. The idea being to get citizen input and commentary.
To view this please go here: http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi then click on Shawnee and then the actual thread.
Anybody can go to the forum and read any of the posts. You do have to register though to post a comment. If used properly a forum like this can be a great way for people to get involved and state how they feel. Oh, that includes local elected officials. Feel free to sign up and post your commentary too.
Also, anybody who registers for the forum can also start their own converstations (threads).
Are we having fun yet?
Anyway, I have started a thread on the new forum about this. The idea being to get citizen input and commentary.
To view this please go here: http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi then click on Shawnee and then the actual thread.
Anybody can go to the forum and read any of the posts. You do have to register though to post a comment. If used properly a forum like this can be a great way for people to get involved and state how they feel. Oh, that includes local elected officials. Feel free to sign up and post your commentary too.
Also, anybody who registers for the forum can also start their own converstations (threads).
Thursday, September 10, 2009
New Forum
A few people have asked me about feedback on the blog.
Basically, this blog was set up so that I could post my thoughts. There have been times when items sent to me by others have been posted here.
In an attempt to create interaction among Shawnee residents I have set up a separate forum.
It can be found by going here:
http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi?
If used properly we could probably get some interesting debates/conversations going.
Debates can get emotional. People can feel very strongly about their ideas. The one basic request is that the debates be conducted in a civil manner
Basically, this blog was set up so that I could post my thoughts. There have been times when items sent to me by others have been posted here.
In an attempt to create interaction among Shawnee residents I have set up a separate forum.
It can be found by going here:
http://shawneeray.proboards.com/index.cgi?
If used properly we could probably get some interesting debates/conversations going.
Debates can get emotional. People can feel very strongly about their ideas. The one basic request is that the debates be conducted in a civil manner
The Irony of Hypocrisy
This past Tuesday the city council's finance and administration committee reviewed the info concerning possible changes in trash hauling and recycling.
A brief description of additional info that the committee and the public asked about can be seen at http://www.cityofshawnee.org/WEB/ShawneeCMS.nsf/vwNews/7E916FAAEFF0F7028625762C0058AE84?OpenDocument
The staff had recommended Model 4 out of 5 models reviewed. Info on that can be found at http://www.cityofshawnee.org/WEB/ShawneeCMS.nsf/0bf32ea7059198088525755100519ded/9faa79bdd540a740862575d80063928f?OpenDocument
Now, on to the subject matter. Third ward council rep Dawn Kuhn made it clear that she was in favor of the city setting up some type of vehicle for the community to be able to voice their opinions. Cool. Something needs to be done along those lines.
But here's the big bite..........when her wardmate set up a site on line
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Shawnee-Trash-Choice she was one of the more vocal critics of his action.
Granted, his site was focused to try and find out how many people would prefer choice of hauler over a city designated single source. But, it still provided a place for individuals to voice their opinion. Did the fact that over 600 people have already posted on Straub's site have anything to do with her embracing the idea of getting comments from the public?
Oh well, such is life.
A brief description of additional info that the committee and the public asked about can be seen at http://www.cityofshawnee.org/WEB/ShawneeCMS.nsf/vwNews/7E916FAAEFF0F7028625762C0058AE84?OpenDocument
The staff had recommended Model 4 out of 5 models reviewed. Info on that can be found at http://www.cityofshawnee.org/WEB/ShawneeCMS.nsf/0bf32ea7059198088525755100519ded/9faa79bdd540a740862575d80063928f?OpenDocument
Now, on to the subject matter. Third ward council rep Dawn Kuhn made it clear that she was in favor of the city setting up some type of vehicle for the community to be able to voice their opinions. Cool. Something needs to be done along those lines.
But here's the big bite..........when her wardmate set up a site on line
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Shawnee-Trash-Choice she was one of the more vocal critics of his action.
Granted, his site was focused to try and find out how many people would prefer choice of hauler over a city designated single source. But, it still provided a place for individuals to voice their opinion. Did the fact that over 600 people have already posted on Straub's site have anything to do with her embracing the idea of getting comments from the public?
Oh well, such is life.
Monday, September 07, 2009
Was It Political?
Yepper, we're still going to be talking about that 5% franchise fee. Probably for quite some time.
Here is an interesting item. It is from an article in the Shawnee Dispatch. The full article can be read here: http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2009/aug/26/franchise-fees-return-april-1/
"Meyers and some other Council members also insisted they weren’t making the decision for political reasons but for the best interest of the city. The terms of the four Council members who voted in opposition end in April next year."
Was that a little editorializing or side taking instead of reporting? Decide for yourself. Was that an insinuation that the four council reps who voted against the franchise fee did so because they are up for reelection next year? Check their records.
Maybe the reverse is true. Maybe those who voted for it would hope that the citizens of Shawnee would forget about it by the time they came up for reelection (2012). Maybe, they thought that folks would start blaming the utilities for the increased amounts and not the city council. Remember, as previously pointed out, how council rep Kuhn already indicated that folks when looking at relocating would be more likely to compare mill levies rather than franchise fees.
Welllllllll, I'll make a political statement. Three years from now when utility costs have skyrocketed and the 5% franchise fee far exceeds anything that a modest mill levy increase would have cost the citizens, remember who voted for it. Also, remember which council member came up with scare tactics to justify the franchise fee. I know I will.
Here is an interesting item. It is from an article in the Shawnee Dispatch. The full article can be read here: http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2009/aug/26/franchise-fees-return-april-1/
"Meyers and some other Council members also insisted they weren’t making the decision for political reasons but for the best interest of the city. The terms of the four Council members who voted in opposition end in April next year."
Was that a little editorializing or side taking instead of reporting? Decide for yourself. Was that an insinuation that the four council reps who voted against the franchise fee did so because they are up for reelection next year? Check their records.
Maybe the reverse is true. Maybe those who voted for it would hope that the citizens of Shawnee would forget about it by the time they came up for reelection (2012). Maybe, they thought that folks would start blaming the utilities for the increased amounts and not the city council. Remember, as previously pointed out, how council rep Kuhn already indicated that folks when looking at relocating would be more likely to compare mill levies rather than franchise fees.
Welllllllll, I'll make a political statement. Three years from now when utility costs have skyrocketed and the 5% franchise fee far exceeds anything that a modest mill levy increase would have cost the citizens, remember who voted for it. Also, remember which council member came up with scare tactics to justify the franchise fee. I know I will.
Solid Waste - Trash Hauling
OK folks...............here we go again.
Tuesday, Sep 8, 2009 the Finance & Administration Committee will be discussing this item.
Eventhough certain council reps give lip service to listening to the public, it is obvious that some of them do not.
Eventhough no final decisions are made at these committee meetings it is important for folks to turn out to let the council committee know how they feel.
Basically, do you want a single hauler, chosen by the city or do you want the opportunity to choose who hauls your trash?
The following two items of information are available on line:
Solid Waste Report
Staff Report and Recommendation
Folks who read this, may want to pass the info on to those of their friends, family and neighbors who might not be aware of this meeting.
Show up, be heard.
Curious, which council reps will eventually use bovine scatological scare tactics to get people to see things their way?
Tuesday, Sep 8, 2009 the Finance & Administration Committee will be discussing this item.
Eventhough certain council reps give lip service to listening to the public, it is obvious that some of them do not.
Eventhough no final decisions are made at these committee meetings it is important for folks to turn out to let the council committee know how they feel.
Basically, do you want a single hauler, chosen by the city or do you want the opportunity to choose who hauls your trash?
The following two items of information are available on line:
Solid Waste Report
Staff Report and Recommendation
Folks who read this, may want to pass the info on to those of their friends, family and neighbors who might not be aware of this meeting.
Show up, be heard.
Curious, which council reps will eventually use bovine scatological scare tactics to get people to see things their way?
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Local Interactions
A couple of folks and I were discussing the interactions between members of governing bodies and the population, specifically in small cities like Shawnee.
Sometimes, there can be conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest. When that happens the member of the governing body that might have that conflict usually recuses themself from involvement.
I remember one incident where council rep Straub excused himself from the discussion and vote on an item concerning Town & Country Villas. He actually exited the council chambers, and returned when the next item came up. He did the right thing.
When a member of the governing body has a direct interest in an item, or a member of their family does, then the actions like what Straub did are the acceptable way of handling it.
Next, the folks I was talking to were kicking around the idea of what if someone came before the council needing something (special use permit, zoning variance, abatement etc). And what if that person and a member of the council were not related, the council person had no financial interest in the item, but they had a strong personal relationship (weekly golfing partners, bowling partners, a business relationship separate from the item like doctor/patient or insurance agent/insured party, work supervisor/subordinate, romantic involvement, etc).
Anyway, we couldn't come to a consensus as to what would be the right way for the situation to be handled.
So, here's the challenge to the readers of this blog. If you have thoughts on this, please click here and email me with your thoughts. The responses might be posted here. Please keep the responses to 50 words or less.
Sometimes, there can be conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest. When that happens the member of the governing body that might have that conflict usually recuses themself from involvement.
I remember one incident where council rep Straub excused himself from the discussion and vote on an item concerning Town & Country Villas. He actually exited the council chambers, and returned when the next item came up. He did the right thing.
When a member of the governing body has a direct interest in an item, or a member of their family does, then the actions like what Straub did are the acceptable way of handling it.
Next, the folks I was talking to were kicking around the idea of what if someone came before the council needing something (special use permit, zoning variance, abatement etc). And what if that person and a member of the council were not related, the council person had no financial interest in the item, but they had a strong personal relationship (weekly golfing partners, bowling partners, a business relationship separate from the item like doctor/patient or insurance agent/insured party, work supervisor/subordinate, romantic involvement, etc).
Anyway, we couldn't come to a consensus as to what would be the right way for the situation to be handled.
So, here's the challenge to the readers of this blog. If you have thoughts on this, please click here and email me with your thoughts. The responses might be posted here. Please keep the responses to 50 words or less.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
City Responds to State Rep Donohoe
The city responded to State Rep Donohoe's comments about the money that he claimed was available.
I am unable to post pdf documents here, so I had to do an image capture of the letter. As such there are actually two photos below that make up the letter. If you place your cursor over either section and click, that portion of the letter will open in another window, and larger, so it is easier to read:
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