Ward 3 Primary – Myres Only Candidate To Serve Our Country

The primary race for the Ward 3 council position will be in a little over 4 weeks. It is scheduled for Tuesday August 1, 2017.

 

Suffice it to say that Dave Myres is the only one of the 3 candidates who has served our country.  Justin Adrian didn’t serve.  Heck he was a Hillary Clinton delegate to the DNC and we all know what her stance was on members of the US Military, especially in Benghazi.  Gee, is Mr. Adrian proud of supporting her for that?  Jeff Vaught likes to beat his chest alot but he never stood the watch. 

 

How about Dave Myres?  He started out as an enlisted member of the Mississippi Army National Guard and rose to E5 in the Field Artillery.  Subsequent to that he was commissioned in Air Defense Artillery (Patriot Missiles) as an RA officer (that’s Regular Army for those not familiar with the term)

He served in many positions before coming off active duty as a captain, the last being as Commanding Officer HHB, 3^RD BN 43^RD ADA 11^th Brigade.  Among his various awards and decorations are an Army Commendation Medal and 2 awards of the Army Achievement Medal.

 

For those folks who say city council is not a national office and military service is not germane, I say hogwash.  A willingness to serve one’s country, with possible exposure to adverse conditions is, IMHO, an indication of a person’s commitment to his fellow man.

 

As a former Army Staff Sergeant with service in Nam there is only one candidate in Ward 3 that I would feel comfortable saluting…………….figuratively and literally…………and that is Dave Myres.

 

What Is Going On With The Shawnee Dispatch?

I very rarely read the hard copy.  I do read the on line version consistently.

It has become a local puff piece, & HS athletic rah rah paper.

This is the first year that Shawnee voters will go to the polls for a local general election in November.  As such, this is the first year that local primaries will be held in August.  As such, we have two council wards that will have a primary.  Ward 3 has three candidates and Ward 4 has four candidates.

There has been no mention at all in the Dispatch (on line) about this.  But the local reporter does give us plenty of feel good puff pieces.  Gee, is she going to cover the ruling in the Qrivit vs COS case?

We have public hearings on the budget, Bellmont Promenade and other items coming up.  Is the Dispatch going to cover those?  Where are the interim stories on these and other items affecting the city? Are the citizens of Shawnee deliberately being kept in the dark about these items.  IMHO, the Dispatch stinks.  It's not even worth its free distribution.

Anyway, the only "hard" stories have been those contributed by Mike Frizzell of Operation 100 news.

Kenig Explains Missing Newsletter

In keeping with my policy of posting rebuttals from individuals that I have mentioned here is one from Brandon Kenig.

He called last night, I was not available, but he did leave a VM.  Not being a court stenographer I will give a brief synopsis of what he said.  He said that he did not delete me from his email list for his newsletter.  He claims that the email distribution program that he uses maxes out at 100 and he has more than that on the list.  This means that he has to go back in and resend to those who did not get it the first time.  He also stated I was not the only one that told him they did not receive the newsletter.

I do know that some of these email distribution lists (especially if they are free) do have limitations on the number of contacts that they can send.  We'll just have to take his word that his list tops out at 100 and he has more than that on the list.

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How come Vaught doesn't respond to my postings.  Oh I know, he just let's a woman confront me in a grocery store parking lot.  http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2016/10/im-bully-and-fathers-are-protected-class.html
 

Did Brandon Kenig Have a Hissy Fit? Advice for Jeff Vaught

Keep in mind, that I do live and vote in Ward 4, and Kenig is running for election in this ward.

Well, he has a newsletter that he sends to his constituents.  Usually I get a copy.  Not this time.
He probably had a hissy fit about my earlier post about him and deleted me from his email list.

Don't worry Brandon, I did get a copy forwarded to me.

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I have written on this blog numerous times on how Jeff Vaught can be a real windbag when he speaks at council.   He goes, on and on and on.  Worse than the Energizer Bunny.  Almost as bad as former council member Dawn "Motormouth" Kuhn.  Well, somebody passed on a Chinese fortune cookie fortune to me and said it reminded them of Vaught.................

"..................a person is not wise simply because a person talks a lot......."  Fits him to a "t".

Happy 242d Birthday - U S Army

June 14, 1775 the Continental Congress gave birth to the greatest fighting force the world has seen.

242 years later the men and women of the US Army are prepared to defend our country just as the men and women did who went before them. 

From Bunker Hill to Baghdad, with stops in between, the US Army has been there for us.  Let's be there for them.

Ward 4 Shawnee has a Four Way Primary

Looks like Ward 4 in Shawnee will have a primary election on Tuesday Aug 1, 2017.
Before I get into the candidates, let me remind folks that there are many ways to vote if you can't make it to the polls on election day.  There is advance voting in person and there is also advance voting by mail.  You do not have to be disabled to get a mail ballot.  For more info on advance voting please go here JoCoElection Office Advance Voting Info

OK, now let's look at the four candidates in Ward 4

1.  Ajay Sood----Hey, if he wants to run that's his business.  Shawnee's self proclaimed "love guru".
IMHO, really strange................

2.  Lindsey Constance----Well she may be a highly qualified teacher but IMHO her political philosophies reek of left wing Democratic Party agendas.  I know, local elections are non-partisan.  But, a candidate's overall philosophies need to be taken into account.  See the go-fundly page for Matthew Calcara, a democratic candidate for state rep.  See who he supports, both Constance in Ward 4 and Adrian in Ward 3.  Here is that page.  Sorry Lindsey you are too liberal for my liking.  Stick with your daytime job that you are good at.

3.  Brandon Kenig----The incumbent, by default.  He was not elected to the position, but was selected by the council to fill the spot left vacant by Michelle Distler's election as mayor.  At that time he was not my first choice for the position.  He was second.  Now he might even be third, with only Constance at the bottom of the list.  He has become a "bobblehead".  Talk with him, give him your ideas and he lulls you into a false sense of security by bobbing his head up and down in an affirmative motion.  Ha!  Then watch what he does.  Try getting a straight answer out of him.  It's like a NASCAR race as he goes around in circles.  IMHO, he is becoming like various former (and at least two other current) council members who forget who they work for.  Yepper, get the feeling he thinks he works for the city manager instead of the other way around. 

4.  Tony Noble----An intelligent businessman with strong conservative values.  This is a person who can help get Shawnee really moving in the right direction, especially fiscally.  More about him in future posts.  This is the person I will be voting for.  It is very important to support Tony in the primary August 1, so he can move forward to the general election in November.  Read more about Tony by clicking here.

Add Cindy Neighbor to the List of No Common Sense

Whoops, I forgot to include the other Shawnee state rep in the post below.

She is another person, who, IMHO is lacking in common sense.

Tom Cox, Shelee Brim, Linda Gallagher = No Common Sense

Correction  6/4/17 2150 (see last paragraph):

Shawnee has, IMHO three individuals that represent it in the Kansas Legislature that are totally void of common sense.  These are Tom Cox, Shelee Brim and Linda Gallagher.

What makes me say this?  Simple, these three voted for an extension of the gun free zones in university and hospital locations without the provision to have armed security and metal detectors.

When the laws regarding concealed carry were changed a few years back, certain government locations had a four year exemption.  They were required to allow concealed carry (beginning 7/1/2017) unless they provided armed security and metal detectors.  The reason for that is so simple it makes sense.  Law abiding citizens would honor "no guns" signs.  Individuals bent on creating havoc couldn't care about a sign.  Hence, a previous legislature said that in order to be protective more than signs were required.  Hence the original requirement for armed security and metal detectors.  Heinous crimes are committed in "gun free zones" since law abiding citizens cannot protect themselves. And actions like what these three malcontents took does nothing to protect anybody since their actions do not allow for security protection.  What feebleminded individuals these three are.

No common sense.

Hopefully our governor will veto this action.

Corrected info:  The bill applies to state hospitals including the Univ of Ks medical system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memorial Day, Monday 5/29/2017

Tomorrow is Memorial Day.  Most folks will have the day off.  Students will be home because schools will be closed.  The BBQ grills will be started, friends and relatives will visit and folks will have a good old time.

I ask that each and everyone of you take the  3 minutes and 31 seconds to view the below video.  Remember why it is that you have the day off.  Remember why you are able to visit with family and friends.  You can do all these things because of the members of our military who will not be here to have that day off.  They gave you the day off and the opportunity to visit with your family and friends, things that they will never be able to do themselves.

Remember them please, and make sure that you invite the young people with you to watch the video also.  Explain it to them.  Teach them.  Thank you.

Shawnee Officer Featured in Click it or Ticket PSA

The 2017 public service ad for the Click it or Ticket campaign in Kansas features our own Officer George Lozano as the spokesperson.

Congrats to Officer Lozano for being chosen to spread the word about this important activity across the entire state.

If you haven't seen the ad on TV, it is also on You Tube.  See below

Justin Adrian-Candidate Info Disappears From the Web

In a previous post I took exception to the fact that Justin Adrian, Ward 3 candidate for city council was a Hillary Clinton supporter.  The post even had quotes from his Go Fund Me page where he was trying to raise money to go to the Democratic Convention.  Well somebody who wanted to view the whole page went to the link then contacted me and said the link didn't work.

Hmmmm!!!!!  Did the Go fund Me page expire?  I've seen some up there for a long time.  Or, did he pull the page?  Not to worry.  I have the screen shots for those who want to read the whole thing. What other web info is going to be deleted?  Web info that I already have screen shots of.

Anyway, here are the screen shots for his Go fund Me page.

 

 

 

 

 

Cops on the Roof

On Friday May 19, 2017 officers from the Shawnee PD participated in "Cops on the Roof". This was a charity event, sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts to raise money for Kansas Special Olympics. With assistance of CPAAA volunteers over $1,100 was raised in this first time event. That was a tremendous job and one that we can all be proud of. We had 13 CPAAA members covering multiple shifts from 5AM to 2PM assisting the officers. Officer Mike Velasquez was the lead for the PD.

Third Candidate Files for Ward 3 Seat - There Will Be a Primary

There will be a primary election on August 1, 2017 for council rep in Shawnee's Ward 3.

Justin Adrian has filed to run and he will be facing Dave Myres and Jeff Vaught.

So, what does Justin Adrian bring to the table?  On his campaign web site, on the Meet Justin page he says "He has attended a major national convention and worked on national campaigns." 

I thought that was interesting, and yes, city elections are non-partisan, but I was intrigued, since he mentioned it.  So, a little digging and one comes up with a "Go Fund Me" page to raise money for his expenses to the convention.  It is here:  https://www.gofundme.com/pgx8n3sk

And what was the info on that page?  How about this?  "My name is Justin Adrian and I am one of two delegates representing Hillary Clinton for the state of Kansas at the Democratic National Convention."

Do I have an opinion on this?  You bet.  But first, for those who don't know me: four years in the army, discharged as a Staff Sergeant (E6), one year in Viet Nam and with a VA 20% disability because of the VN service. 

That info will probably help to explain my next comments.  No way would I want to see anybody who supports that lying, corrupt, Witch of Benghazi, as a local official.  No way would I want to see somebody who supports an individual who wants to destroy the 2d Amendment be elected to local office.  Now, I am really concerned about what he is teaching students since his profession is that of a social studies teacher.  Does he teach them that it is OK to lie about what happened in Benghazi?  I could go on and on and on, but I won't.

Anyway, suffice it to say that it is my opinion that the citizens of Ward 3 would be best served by not returning Jeff Vaught to office, and not replacing him with Justin Adrian.

Dave Myres would provide the folks in Ward 3 with the type of representation they deserve.

Time to Say Sayonara to Jeff Vaught

Dave Myres has filed to run against Jeff Vaught for Shawnee City Council Ward 3.

Dave's web site is http://daveforshawnee.com/

When Vaught ran for Mayor in 2015 he was bounced in the primary and never made it to the general election.  Ironically, the voters of Ward 3 did not want him to be mayor.  He came in third in his own ward.  Why?  Because maybe the voters in Ward 3 finally woke up and realized what kind of an arrogant, self serving individual he is.  Maybe they realized that they were not happy that he has a verifiable record of insulting fellow council members and members of the public.

After meeting Dave Myres I do not envision him to be divisive.  I firmly believe that Dave will work with other members of the council and just as importantly with the voters of his ward to make the city a better place.  Dave is educated, successful, and he has served his country as a Captain in the US Army.  It's time to "elect a vet" and not a "loudmouthed bully".

New Election Dates

April has come and gone  and even though this is an election year for city council there was no election.

That is because the election dates have been changed.  This year we have one seat in each of the four Shawnee council wards up for election.

Primary election is August 1, 2017 (only needed if more than two file for a seat)
General election is November 7, 2017

Traditionally, Shawnee and other cities have experienced extremely poor turn outs for local elections.
We have discussed that situation numerous times on this blog.  It's amazing how many folks vote for president, governor etc. but can't seem to get out and vote for local government officials.

Local government has the most effect on your daily lives.  The list is long, but just to mention a few, these items are:  sales taxes, building permits, zoning rules, business licenses, police, fire, snow removal, parks ad infinitum.

Also, local government is probably the most easily accessible for folks to address in person and voice their thoughts.

We in Johnson County are fortunate at the wide variety of voting options we have, advance voting in person or by mail are among these.  There is no reason why we should see a 12% voter turn out for local elections.

The next time that the city council does or does not do something, before you ask "How did that happen?" ask "Did I get involved?  Did I vote?  Did I contact council in person or via other means?"

Info on advance voting can be found here  https://www.jocoelection.org/voters/AdvanceVoting.htm

Two Events - Thursday 4/20/17

Third Thursdays With the Mayor

Join us for a free cup of coffee every Third Thursday of the month and hear from Mayor Michelle Distler as she updates citizens on the latest news regarding Shawnee and takes your questions and comments.
The next Third Thursday will take place on April 20th at 8:00 a.m. at the Shawnee Civic Centre (13817 Johnson Drive). All residents of Shawnee are welcomed to attend.

“One of my goals as Mayor is to make sure that our City government is always open, friendly, and accessible to all citizens,” said Mayor Distler. “This is a great opportunity for me to provide important information on City programs and projects directly to our residents while also listening to their concerns and finding out what issues and priorities are most important to them

Downtown Overland Park Walking Tour (Good info as it relates to downtown Nieman Road project)

For the cities of Shawnee and Roeland Park
Thursday, April 20
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Meet at Matt Ross Community Center
8101 Marty Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66204
Like many first-tier suburbs, Overland Park has a downtown area dating from the early 1900s that has struggled to remain economically relevant as suburban development became more auto oriented and growth pushed south. A shift in strategy over the past 10 years has led to an area with an array of unique, entrepreneurial businesses, a burgeoning art scene, a popular Farmer’s Market, and $90,000,000 of mixed-use redevelopment projects under construction. Join city staff to learn how public investment, a new development approach, social media based marketing, and a bit of luck have turned this area around.

Tentative Agenda

5:30 pm Welcome and Opening Remarks

5:40 pm Background and discussion regarding redevelopment

6:15 pm Walking tour of downtown

7:30 pm Tour concludes

Dumb Bunny Awards for 4/12/17

It is amazing how many negative things happen that can be easily avoided just by using some common sense.  According to Voltaire, "common sense is not so common"

Here are two more examples of "Dumb Bunny Awards"
Burn leaves in the backyard of your home, on a dry, windy day and watch your house burn down. It's not funny, and you have to feel sorry for the homeowner, but could a little common sense have avoided this? http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2017/mar/20/shawnee-firefighters-assist-merriam-house-blaze/

Leave your unlocked car in your driveway with the garage door opener easily accessible. Guess what? Along comes Mr. Bad Guy, opens your garage door, enters your home and helps himself to some things that you have worked hard to get. Duhhhhh.........

CN1701248 03/23/2017 10:14 PM 22700 Block W 46 TERR RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY Victim's residence was entered and items stolen
CN1701247 03/23/2017 10:11 PM 22700 Block W 46 TERR AUTO BURGLARY Victim's unlocked vehicle was entered and garage door opener stolen

Update on Costs of Qrivit vs City of Shawnee

For those that might be interested, as of 3/31/17 the city has spent $41,127.05

Dumb Bunny Award 3/10/17

I have decided to periodically announce what may be considered as the Dumb Bunny Award.  Though the criteria is nowhere near that for the famous Darwin award, the criteria will be............what were they thinking?

OK, here's the first one, and this comes from the Shawnee PD on line case activity postings:

CN1700990

03/06/2017 10:09 PM

16300 Block W 65 ST

AUTO THEFT

Victim parked his truck in the parking lot of Lowe's on 03/03/2017 at approximately 1400-1500 hours, and left for a vacation. The vehicle was not in the parking lot when the victim came to get it at 1500 hours 03/06/2017. Let's see, Dumb Bunny leaves his vehicle in a commercial business parking lot for three days while he goes on vacation.  Vehicle would probably be sitting in that parking lot at certain times of the day all by its lonesome, screaming out loud, "come and steal me."

Vaught Does It Again - Belittles A Fellow Councilmember

Interesting item at last night's council meeting.

It started with a proposal to purchase a new striping machine for the public works department.  f\For the record, IMHO, they do need a new one.  The current item has some severe problems.

Anyway, Councilmember Kemmling had some questions about the item.  As a councilmember, he or any councilmember has a right to question expenditures. 

What happened next though was another example of Vaught's arrogant attitude that he and he alone knows what is right.  He just could not understand how another councilmember could vote without question on spending over $300K for new police vehicles but questioned the PW item.  What he said and how he said it can be accessed by listening to the audio of the meeting.

My only regret?  The misguided woman who accosted me in the Hy-Vee parking lot a few months ago wan't at the meeting to hear Vaught's bullying, belittling comments towards a fellow councilmember.  Remember that?  If not, click here to read it.





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