~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fitzgerald for Senate Press Release
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PRESS RELEASE
October 2, 2008
 
For Immediate Release
 
 FITZGERALD DENOUNCES PUSH POLLING
WYANDOTTE - Steve Fitzgerald, candidate for the Kansas Senate from Wyandotte and Leavenworth Counties, has denounced the “push polling” being conducted by an apparently fictitious company calling itself “Mountain Research” and claiming to be based in Iowa.
    A woman making the calls asked for opinions concerning Fitzgerald and his opponent, and then inserted distortions concerning Fitzgerald and asked if those changed the respondent’s opinion. Among the lies is the assertion that Fitzgerald has been bought by out of state coal companies – while his opponent stands firmly with the governor against the environmentally unsafe coal fired electric plants. Fitzgerald was also portrayed as a far-right extremist who protests outside abortion facilities (without mentioning that his opponent is staunchly pro-abortion and is well funded from the abortion industry).
    Fitzgerald said: “If my opponent wants to make assertions to the voting public then she should do so openly and she should denounce this sham of objectivity being used in the push poll that is being foisted off on the people of the district. This shows a real lack of regard for both the truth and for the people she claims she wants to represent.”
     “Clearly, this sort of polling is intended to spread distortions under the cover of independent, professional polling which the woman conducting the poll claimed” said Fitzgerald. “Worse yet is the fact that this sort of probing is also to determine the potential effect of a subsequent attack ad such as those that have been used in other races making wild accusations such as affiliations with extremist groups.”
    Fitzgerald said that the new electric plants are very popular with the voters in the district and the voters are not in favor of the abortion industry that has funded the governor’s political machine. “My opponent is the governor’s obedient clone whose main job was to use any means possible to take out a Democrat Senator who supported the Archbishop against the pro-abortion governor. She did that in the primary against Senator Gilstrap, now she is set to try to repeat that with me. But, the people of the district know better – this deception and distortion will not work in a general election.”
    “It is clear that with the endorsement of pro-abortion organizations, gay-lesbian groups, and environmental extremists that Kelly Kultala is out of step with the voters in the district and is becoming desperate as recent polls show her lagging. She should stop her attacks and deal with the issues, showing more respect for the people of the district.”
A more detailed listing of Fitzgerald’s activities, issues, news releases and endorsements can be viewed at www.vote4fitzgerald.com

 
Moore for Congress Yard Sign Blitz 2008
 
 
 
Greetings!

This Saturday we will be delivering thousands of yard signs to our wonderful supporters and we need your help!!!

If you've been looking for a fun volunteer activity, this is your chance!


What: Yard Sign Blitz

When: Saturday, October 4th and 8:30am
(we'll have doughnuts and coffee for everyone)

Where: Moore for Congress Headquarters
7210 W. 80th Street, Overland Park
(Just one block West of Metcalf on 80th Street)

Details:  All you have to do is show up, eat a doughnut or two, and grab a map and some signs!  It's that easy!


This is an easy way for you to help us show the overwhelming support Congressman Moore has throughout the 3rd District.



If you are available this Saturday, give me a call at 913-888-4838 or email me at Adrienne@mooreforcongress.com.

I hope to see you all Saturday - we need your help!

Sincerely,

Adrienne Colcher
Field Director
Moore for Congress


 

Date: October 3, 2008

Title: Wall Street Crisis Could Produce Health Care Reforms

Author: Gregory L. Schneider




The recent news from Wall Street concerning the government’s plan to bail out financial markets and stick taxpayers with the bill has made it difficult, if not impossible, for the advocates of universal health coverage to fulfill their goals. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama recently said that some of his plans for spending would have to be curtailed if, as expected, the bailout of Wall Street passes Congress. The money just won’t be there.

For those Americans without health insurance who were counting on at the least some discussion of the issue during the campaign and some action for universal health insurance should Obama win in November, the deflation in the credit bubble was too deeply and personally felt. With the government assuming such a vast quantity of private market debt, it appears unlikely that health care reform funded by government will be possible.

But not all hope is lost for a different type of health care reform. The Wall Street/government fiasco should convince many Americans that it is high time to get the financial ship in order, not only in New York and Washington, but in their own households as well. Last year the media reported that for the first time since the Great Depression Americans had a negative savings rate. It is high time we reverse course.

Health care reform which is not predicated on expanding government’s role, but rather promoting individual responsibility is best. The creation of a true market for health insurance and consumer health care, would point the best way towards both lowering the number of uninsured in the country as well as the costs of health care.

One way to do this is to change the tax structure which favors the employer-sponsored insurance the majority of Americans still receive. Employers receive the tax benefit for purchasing insurance for their employees. Many Americans who find themselves uninsured or without employer sponsored insurance could find themselves with insurance if they were to receive the tax benefit accorded employers.

Senator John McCain, the Republican candidate for president, has offered a plan whereby a tax credit of $2500 for an individual and $5000 for a family is given which would allow people to purchase private health insurance. McCain has also suggested allowing the purchase of health insurance across state lines so that individuals in high cost states could purchase cheaper insurance products offered in other states. This would not undercut the regulations in each state—the insurance commissioner of a state like Kansas would still be responsible for the soundness of the insurance product. But it would allow for a more competitive marketplace which should lower costs.

Second, encouraging the use of health savings accounts (HSAs) by employers or through the individual marketplace would provide greater individual control over health care costs and allow Americans to build up savings which would be used towards future health care expenses.

There are other ways to reduce health care costs and to increase the number of insured without creating a universal health care system. Wall Street’s recent crisis and the response by government need not end reforms of a vital sector of our economy. Rather it should point the way to the prudent and measured reforms which will revitalize the health care sector while government spending is focused on other priorities.


 
 

Education, assistance being used to save trees, plants

 

• Retains moisture, decreasing the need for supplemental water,
• Insulates the root system in cold weather,
• Discourages competition by weeds and grass, and
• Protects the trunk from damage by lawn mowers and string trimmers. 

"'Mulch volcanoes' can be seen all over town, almost to the point where one might believe this is the proper technique," said Sarah Patterson, city forester. "It is so important that our trees are given the best chance possible to reach maturity.

 

The Planning Commission will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 8500 Santa Fe Drive (map). The agenda has been posted to the city's Web site. **

 

The public is welcome to attend Planning Commission meetings. If you need accommodations, please contact Leslie Karr, 913/895-6190 (Kansas Relay Service 1-800-766-3777). Please give 48 hours' notice.

 

The Online Development Center is available for the public to comment on Planning Commission agenda items, or you may contact the Planner of the Day at 913/895-6217.

 

Information on other boards and commissions and the City Council agenda also can be found on the city's Web site, www.opkansas.org.

Written 10/3/08

Story by Julie Haas

913-469-3120

jhaas@jccc.edu

 

Virginia Krebs resigns from JCCC board of trustees

 

            OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Virginia Krebs, Johnson County Community College’s first employee and a trustee since 1985, has resigned from the college’s board of trustees. The board will accept her resignation at their regular meeting Oct. 16.

            The trustees will appoint someone to complete the rest of Kreb’s term, which ends June 30, 2009. Her seat on the board is up for election in April 2009. An announcement regarding the appointment process will be made at the trustee meeting.

            “Virginia has been an inspiration to her fellow board members and the JCCC college community,” said Shirley Brown-VanArsdale, chair, JCCC board of trustees. “She recognized the dynamic role of the community college to be responsive to the needs of students and employers. Her knowledge and historic insights have been invaluable as we look to keep JCCC in the forefront of the community college movement.”

            “Mrs. Krebs dedicated her life to the education of children and adults throughout Johnson County,” said Terry A. Calaway, JCCC president. “She truly was a leader in making JCCC one of the best community colleges in the United States. Our community is forever indebted to her and her family for all they’ve done to improve the quality of life in this county.”

            Krebs spent a lifetime contributing to the community and to Johnson County Community College. She began on a small scale, as she helped establish the Crestview-Merriam PTA and served as its first president. Later, she served as the president of the Hocker Grove Junior High School PTA, president of the Shawnee Mission North High School PTA Council and president of the Shawnee Mission Area PTA Council. Her articulate and forceful support of public education in Johnson County earned her statewide recognition, and she was named program chairman for the Kansas State PTA.

            In this position, she was able to help lead the movement for a number of key bond issues that began to establish the county’s public school infrastructure. This leadership role also gave her a broad perspective on the key issue of school consolidation, and she was appointed to state task forces responsible for revision of the state school code and the consolidation of area school districts. From this, the Shawnee Mission Unified School District was formed.

            In 1963, following her PTA involvement, Krebs was appointed by the board of county commissioners to a task force charged with studying the feasibility of building a community college in Johnson County. She worked for three years on this task force, which organized the creation of the community college taxing district and put the issue to the voters. The proposal was approved 2-1 by Johnson County voters in 1967.

            Krebs was urged by many in the community to run for the new college’s board of trustees, but she chose instead to become the college’s first employee, the assistant to the first board of trustees. She kept the official board records, was instrumental in helping the original board establish the philosophy and mission of the college, and helped the board hire the first college president. She and her late husband, Al, also helped the college find and occupy its first buildings in Merriam.

            In 1969, Krebs was hired as the first director of community services at JCCC and figured prominently in the development of what became one of the largest and most successful continuing education programs in the Midwest.  She helped identify needs and mobilize cooperation to create women’s programs, programs for senior county residents, a county-wide group to support the arts, a world affairs discussion program and family-oriented events, both educational and entertaining, and was instrumental in establishing cooperative agreements with community organizations. She retired in 1984.

            In 1985, Krebs ran for JCCC’s board of trustees and won. She was then re-elected to the board for six consecutive terms, the last in April 2005. As a college trustee, she served as clerk, treasurer, vice chairman and chairman. She received the American Association of Community College’s regional trustee award in 1993 and the Regional Leadership Award from the National Council on Community Services and Continuing Education, Region VII, in 1996. She has been also been recognized by the American Association of Women in Community Colleges, which conferred on her its prestigious Woman of the Year Award. In 2004, she was named to the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

 

# # #

 

AGENDA

REGULAR MEETING
   

OCTOBER 7, 2008

GOVERNING BODY
   

7:00 P.M.

CITY OF LENEXA, KANSAS
   

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

12350 W. 87TH STREET PARKWAY
   

CALL TO ORDER:
   

Pledge of Allegiance

ROLL CALL:
   

APPROVE MINUTES:
   

Meeting of September 16, 2008

MODIFICATION OF AGENDA:
   

APPOINTMENT:
   

Appointment of a Parks and Recreation Director

               

            PROCLAMATIONS:
               

            Fire Prevention Week, October 5 – 11, 2008

            National Business Women’s Week, October 19 – 25, 2008

            Visual Arts Month, October 2008

            National Chili Month, October 2008

               

            ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
               

            New Eagle Scouts

            Joseph Henry Rausch

            Drew C. Talbott

            Sean M. Walsh

BUSINESS FROM FLOOR:
   

Comments will be accepted from the audience on items not listed on the agenda. Please limit remarks to a maximum of five (5) minutes per person/issue.
 

CONSENT AGENDA:
   

Item Numbers 1 - 5
     

All matters listed within the Consent Agenda have been distributed to each member of the City Council for reading and study, are considered to be routine, and will be enacted by one motion of the council with no separate discussion. If separate discussion is desired on an item, from either the Governing Body or from the audience, that item may be removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on the Regular Agenda.

1.
   

ACCEPTANCE FOR MAINTENANCE:
       
     

Townhomes at the Reserve, 1st Plat Phase II - Streets, Storm Sewers & Street Lighting.

       

2
   

PLAN/PLAT APPROVALS:
       
     

a.
   

Final Plat extension request for Stoneview Estates, 3rd Plat, located at approximately the northeast corner of Lone Elm Road and K-10 Highway.  PT 06-16 F X08
             
     

b.
   

Final Plat extension request for Falcon Valley Commercial Plats 8, 9 and 10, located at approximately the southeast corner of Woodland Road and 101st Street.  PT 04-32 F X08, PT 04-33 F X08, PT 04-34 F X08
             
     

c.
   

Acceptance and dedication of land for public purposes in the Final Plat for City Center North, 2nd Plat, located at approximately the northwest corner of Renner Boulevard and 87th Street Parkway.  PT 08-18 F
             
     

d.
   

Acceptance and dedication of land for public purposes in the Final Plat for Lenexa Fire Station #5, located at approximately the northwest corner of Prairie Star Parkway and 96th Street.  PT 08-19 F
             
     

e.
   

Acceptance and dedication of land for public purposes in the Final Plat for Cottages of Cross Point Creek, 2nd Plat, a replat of Lot 2-Unit 9, located at approximately the northwest corner of 87th Street Parkway and Renner Boulevard.  PT 08-09 FR
             
     

f.
   

Acceptance and dedication of land for public purposes in the Final Plat for Cottages of Cross Point Creek, 3rd Plat, a replat of Lot 1-Unit 2, located at approximately the northwest corner of 87th Street Parkway and Renner Boulevard.  PT 08-10 FR

3
   

Request for Governing Body approval to allow wine to be served at the October 14, 2008 and November 6, 2008 Arts Council Art Show Receptions at City Hall.

4
   

Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute a Kansas Real Estate Contract with Amanda J. Slattery-Dubin and James H. Dubin (“Sellers”) for the purchase of real property located at 13300 W. 95th Street in the City of Lenexa.

5
   

Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Lenexa, and McCown Gordon Construction, L.L.C. for the construction of Fire Station #5.

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS:
   

Planning Commission Meeting

(Meeting of September 8, 2008)

6
   

One-Year Special Use Permit request for Lenexa Karate, to allow personal instruction and karate lessons in a business park located at 11304 Strang Line Road.  SU 08-14 ORDINANCE REQUIRED

7
   

One-Year Special Use Permit request for Music Supply Outlet, to allow personal instruction and music lessons in a business park located at 11244 Strang Line Road.  SU 08-16  ORDINANCE REQUIRED

8
   

Rezoning request for CVS Pharmacy at Falcon Plaza, located at approximately the northwest corner of 101st Street and Woodland Road, from CP-2, Planned Community Commercial Zoning District to CP-1, Planned Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District.  RZ 08-16  ORDINANCE REQUIRED

9.
   

a.
   

Rezoning request for Corporate Ridge, Phase III, located at approximately the northeast corner of College Boulevard and Ridgeview Road from AG, Agricultural Zoning District to CP-O, Planned General Office Zoning District.  RZ 08-15 ORDINANCE REQUIRED
             
     

b.
   

Companion Preliminary Plan approval for Corporate Ridge, Phase III.  PL 08-19 P

Planning Commission Meeting

(Meeting of September 22, 2008)

10
   

Ten Year Special Use Permit for Southern Star Gas Company to allow the installation of pig launchers for pipeline inspections and maintenance - located at 9601 and 9701 Renner Boulevard. SU 08-10 ORDINANCE REQUIRED

OLD BUSINESS:
   

11
   

Resolution accepting the Vision 2030 Report.

COUNCILMEMBERS REPORTS:
   

STAFF REPORTS:
   

EXECUTIVE SESSION:
   

Discuss litigation subject to the attorney-client privilege.

ADJOURN:
   

Dist.
   

Governing Body; Management Team; Mailing List and Press

IF YOU NEED ANY ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE MEETING, PLEASE CONTACT THE CITY CLERKS OFFICE, 913/477-7500. KANSAS RELAY SERVICE 800/766-3777. PLEASE GIVE 48 HOURS NOTICE

                                                           

  LPD Tips Line
913-477-7484

Tips Hotline
816-474-TIPS(8477)
  
  
             
   
    This Summary is of selected criminal trends and is not reflective of all police activity    
           
 
   For the week ending 092908 Lenexa officers investigated 279 incidents, conducted 67 street checks and field interviews, wrote 129 citations, and made 78 arrests, including seven arrests for DUI and four arrests for narcotics violations.

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT @ SCHOOL

Early Monday morning officers responded on an armed disturbance – party with a knife at a local parochial middle school. Upon arrival officers found that a 12 year-old Lenexa boy had armed himself with two large kitchen knives and had threatened a teacher and several students while wearing a mask. The school was put into a modified lockdown and two teachers physically restrained the young man until officers arrived. Thankfully no one was hurt and the boy was taken to Juvenile Detention where he was charged with three counts of Aggravated Assault. There are a lot of questions in this case where we may not get all the answers we would like to have.

INTERNET THREATS

An Internet fraud death threat scam has once again resurfaced. We get these reports, which originate from overseas, several times a year. In them the e-mail basically says there is a contract (for killing) out on the receiver and the contract will be carried out unless the extortionist is paid a sum of money. Many people have received these “threats” and to our knowledge all are still with us.

PHYSICAL DISTURBANCES

Although there is almost never a good reason to get involved in a physical altercation we do understand self-defense. The cases highlighted this week defy any common sense logic and we once again find ourselves asking what were these people thinking? The physical fights were over, of all things, parking spots and leaf blowing.

In the parking lot case two truck drivers got into a verbal argument in The Caves on 98th St west of Renner. The argument escalated and a 45 year-old Illinois man shoved the other driver’s head into a rock pillar. The Illinois man was arrested and posted bond to avoid spending time in Adult Detention waiting for an arraignment. In the other exceptionally stupid case of the week a Country Hill resident was walking her dog when she walked past a nearby resident who was blowing his leaves into a neighbor’s yard using his leaf blower. The resident took it upon herself to chastise the leaf blower which then predictably started a verbal argument. The resident returned home and the leaf blower decided to chase her to her home. She summoned her husband and the blower assaulted both the resident and her husband before leaving the scene. Officers responded and arrested the nearby neighbor.

In a Domestic Battery near 89th & Hauser, an estranged husband went to his wife’s residence, with her permission, to use her computer while she went to the store. When she returned she found he was angry (he had looked at her e-mails while she was gone). He pushed her to the ground which injured her chin and knee as well as damaging her cell phone. The suspect, a 39 year-old Lenexa man, left the residence and then at the investigating officer’s request came to the police station where he was arrested.

BURGLARY

Several residential burglaries were reported this last week with reports near 93rd & Twilight, 82nd & Rosehill, 102nd & Caenen Lake Rd, and in Quivira Place on 78th Terr near 79th St. The 93rd case was actually an Aggravated Burglary because the unknown suspect(s) entered the residence through an open garage door while the family was sleeping. The suspect(s) also entered unlocked vehicles in the garage where money, credit cards, and a Driver’s License were taken. There was forced entry into the 82nd St and Caenen Lake residences. In the 82nd St case several firearms and a computer were taken. The crime was allegedly committed by a 17 year-old neighbor boy (and likely several other friends). A quantity of the stolen property has been recovered. The neighbor boy has been arrested and the case is still under investigation to determine the level of everyone else’s involvement. There was also another handgun theft from a residence near 86th & Acuff. In this case the homeowner has had several people in his home recently, including a not-so-familiar acquaintance and a remodeling crew. The problem in this case is though is that the homeowner could not find the serial number for the weapon in his files. Without that number there is no computer entry and the likelihood of the recovery is greatly diminished. Please record the serial numbers of your important items in the event they are stolen later!

At the address on Caenen Lake suspect(s) forcibly entered the residence where they stole a computer game & jewelry. Detectives investigated and found several items had been pawned at area pawn shops. A large quantity of other stolen property from different incidents was also recovered. Thus far a 19 year-old Overland Park man is under arrest and the investigation is continuing to identify where the other recovered stolen property came from. In Quivira Place an apartment was forcibly entered through a screen and electronics were taken. The victim suspected an acquaintance who had the motive (he’s short of money) and opportunity (he knew the resident was gone) to commit the crime. Naturally the acquaintance was spoken to and when confronted, oh surprise, he denied committing the crime. He’s on our radar.

There was also an attempted residential Burglary in the Woodland Reserve neighborhood near 81st Terr & Pine where unknown subject(s) threw a large rock partially through a back door window. One pane of the double pane glass broke but the other did not preventing the suspect(s) from entering.

With the price of copper and other materials everyone knows the thieves are exceptionally busy and a real pain to the community and law enforcement. Every once and awhile though we’ll get the call and everything will come together. The call this week was for suspicious activity in broad daylight where the caller saw a subject loading copper piping into the back of a pick-up from the abandoned Tippin’s Restaurant on Bluejacket St. As officers arrived the suspect was leaving. They arrested the career criminal, a 34 year-old Kansas City, KS resident who was already on probation (for you guessed it…Burglary). Officers investigated and found the suspect had gained entry into the closed restaurant by breaking out a window. We don’t think we’ll have to deal with him for awhile. The unfortunate reality is that there are another ten crooks ready to take his place.

Vehicle burglaries took place at 97th & Carbondale (unlocked in his driveway where CD’s, loose change, and expensive sunglasses were taken), Oak Park Village (broke out a window and took CD player, large quantity of CD’s speakers and subwoofers), near 96th & McCormack, where two unlocked vehicles were entered. In the last case a man’s watch was taken and the suspect(s) attempted to steal stereo equipment, and near 102nd & Caenen Lake Rd where two cars were entered through broken windows. These cases did not appear to be “stranger” incidents as some of the damage done was specific and gave more of a “personal” feeling.

THEFTS

Another week of the renewal license tab thefts (neighborhoods near 90th & Loriet & 105th & Lackman) as well as several incidents of shoplifters, all juvenile females this week, from an Orchard Corners area department store on Quivira Rd. Other thefts included cash from vending machines near 98th & Renner, a bike from a patio in The Reserve Apartments, a dune buggy from 101st & Widmer and a vehicle from Quivira Place. The buggy has not been found while the car was recovered damaged in nearby Four Colonies.

NARCOTICS

They don’t call it dope for nothing. Here’s the case of a couple of young Johnson County men, ages 24 and 26, at an Old Town area bar. For some reason they decide to go out back (a known heavily patrolled area by police) and to partake in a sampling of some marijuana. You can guess what happened next as a patrolling officer came upon them. They of course tried to hide the stash and walk back into the bar, which was not very successful. The officer followed the men into the bar and escorted them back outside where he arrested them.

ITS ALL POLITICS (AND VERY JUVENILE)

Perhaps it seemed like a good idea at the time…With thankfully only a month left of the campaign, comes the report in the middle of the night of subjects damaging political yard signs in the Greystone South neighborhood near 83rd Terr & 83rd St. Officers responded and found that persons had “altered” (but not damaged) presidential signs of both major candidates. The culprits, ages 21 and 52, (from a nearby neighborhood and one would think old enough to know better) were located and made to retrace their steps to undo their little handiwork. Maybe we should send them a bill for foolishly tying up several officers’ time for such a juvenile prank.
    
         
    The Police Department asks that anytime you see suspicious activity to please call 9-1-1.  
       
    For more information: Lenexa Crime Prevention Office - 913-477-7245 www.Lenexapd.org  
  
 

 
 

In his first inaugural address, President Ronald Reagan delivered a line succinctly capturing the sentiment that elected him: “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”

A generation later, that attitude still resonates with a solid majority of Americans.