February 2012
2 posts
4 tags
Opinion: Karin Brownlee's Court-Packing Scheme
Fair and balanced.
That’s how Kansas House Republicans might describe a workers’ compensation reform bill they gave preliminary approval to on Friday. But here’s how the Topeka Capitol Journal described House Bill 2531 which changes the process for selecting administrative law judges for disputed Kansas workers’ compensation and unemployment cases:
“The bill,...
CHWC reminds consumers to beware of foreclosure...
With headlines touting the $25 billion dollar Mortgage Servicing Settlement announced on February 9, 2012 through the combined efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice, HUD, and the Treasury Department; there are concerns that some consumers might find a new twist to loan or foreclosure rescue scams. Community Housing of Wyandotte County (CHWC), NeighborWorks America, and our partners want to...
November 2011
3 posts
If you are in or around the KC area this wednesday...
manspeaker:
Tim is my best friend from College. He was destined to be a writer. When I met him he told me that was what he was going to be. He was 16. Fast forward fifteen years and my friend has made a movie. And is actually a working screenwriter.
IF you are in or around the KC area on Wednesday night, he is having a free screening of his new movie. The first showing it has had. Here...
Statement by Unified Government Commissioner Mike...
Statement by Unified Government Commissioner Mike Kane
2012 Unified Government Budget
As a Unified Government Commissioner, I support the economic development successes Wyandotte County is experiencing. Developments like Village West, Hollywood Casino and LiveStrong Sporting Park are positive for the entire city and will help us make improvements and start new developments in older parts of...
October 2011
5 posts
Fact Sheet: Unified Government Budget and Finances...
The Unified Government is in compliance with all State budget laws and accepted governmental accounting practices. It is a balanced budget which accurately reflects the policy decisions adopted by the Unified Government Board of Commissioners.
The increase in property tax rate was necessary to avoid further cuts in service, employee lay-offs and rebuild cash reserves. Even with the tax rate...
Fact Sheet: Citywide Development in KCK
A special interest group is spreading false information about the Unified Government budget and the economic success of developments like Village West. Here are the facts. Please share with your family, friends and neighbors.
§ The economic success of the Village West and Kansas Speedway development are well documented. 10-million visitors annually. $811-million in combined public and private...
Kultala Files for Second Term in Kansas Senate
Senator Kelly Kultala, D-Kansas City, today filed for a second term to the Kansas Senate’s 5th District, covering Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties. Kultala was first elected in 2008.
“It’s been a privilege to serve as your voice in the Kansas Senate these past four years,” she said. “If re-elected, I’ll continue to focus on creating jobs, growing the economy and protecting public...
class schedule for the EPIC-Community ARTS...
September 2011
2 posts
State Legislative Redistricting Town Hall...
The Kansas Legislature Special Committee on Redistricting is touring the State taking public comments about how to re-draw Congressional and State Legislative district boundaries. The committee will hold public hearings in KCK and Leavenworth this Friday.
The KCK hearing is set for 9am-11:30am at the Jack Reardon Convention Center, 500 Minnesota Avenue in the Wyandotte 1 room. The Leavenworth...
Festival of Bad Films: The Preview!
Are you tired of seeing movies that are actually good? Then it’s time to meander over to the Main Branch of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library for their Festival of Bad Films: The Preview!! We’ll tempt you with a small taste of the bad that is yet to come in November. Stop by and be stunned by the stilted acting, wowed by the poorly constructed storyline and amazed these star’s agents didn’t...
August 2011
28 posts
KCK Launches O.K. Program
The first of many O.K. Program mixers to recruit African American men for the program was held last Spring at St. Andrew Missionary Baptist Church. The founder of the National O.K. Program, Donald Northcross, gave a rousing presentation to kick-off the Kansas City, Kansas O.K. Program.
“African American men of Kansas City, Kansas came out in record numbers in support of changing the course...
Kansas City Highlighted in The Wall Street...
Kansas City Highlighted
in The Wall Street Journal
Kansas City was listed among seven cities as locations “Where the Action Is” according to an article published in The Wall Street Journal this week.
Since Google’s announcement of Kansas City as its selection of the deployment of the ultra-high speed broadband network, Kansas City has become an even more attractive location...
Kansas City Get Your Business Online – a new...
Wednesday August 31st & Thursday September 1st
This program provides an easy, free, and fast way to get your business online. If you don’t have a website or Google Places listing, you’ll find everything you need to get started. If your business is already online, you’ll find tools and resources to help your business succeed online. Kansas City Get Your Business Online...
Job Fair and Resource Expo
The Opportunities 2011 Job Fair and Resource Expo is scheduled for Thursday, September 8 at the Jack Reardon Convention Center located at 5th & Minnesota Ave in Kansas City, Kansas. The schedule is as follows:
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. has been set aside exclusively for Veteran’s Only
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. is open to the public
This is one of the largest job fairs held in the metro...
Residents Unite to Fight Crime
Wyandotte Countians Against Crime 16th Annual Summerfest will be held on September 10, 2011 at Bethany Park located at 12th & Central Ave.from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Crafts, Games, Food, Booths.
Hollywood Casino Works for February Opening
Officials with the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway say construction is advancing so quickly the $411-million casino could open its doors in February.
The casino has started the hiring process for some of the 1,000 full-time workers needed. A job fair for dealers took place last week. A training school for dealers starts in October. For more information about job opportunities go to...
1 tag
Brownback Puts Energy Smart Home Program at Risk
Governor Sam Brownback’s administration is pulling the plug on a popular and growing program set-up to assist Kansans get no interest loans to make energy efficiency upgrades to their homes. The program, Efficiency Kansas, is funded with federal stimulus dollars which are repaid by homeowners with the money they save on utility bills after making the energy improvements.
In Wyandotte...
Public Works Making Progress on Parallel Parkway...
Road construction crews completed the pouring of concrete on the west-bound lanes of Parallel Parkway between 5th and 7th Streets last week. The east-bound lanes of this section have also been completed.
Kansas Heavy, the contractor for the road rehabilitation project, will be paving the west-bound portion from 9th to 5th Street within the next month. According to Public Works, the...
3 tags
Mayors Team Up to Promote Both Kansas Cities
Mayors Joe Reardon and Sly James teamed up again today at Take 2 Productions for the taping of a video to promote and market Kansas City to potential US site selection consultants.
Reardon and James taped joint personalized short segments to be distributed by the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) to some of the top site selection advisors throughout the county. The mayors highlighted...
Local Public Hearings on Redistricting Details
Below are the dates and times for the last eight public hearings for the House and Senate Special Committee on Redistricting.
5-County Regional Transportation Study...
Phase 2 of the 5-County Regional Transportation Study began earlier this year, and the study partners are now offering presentations to interested organizations and agencies to outline the results of the first phase and explain what to expect in the second phase.
Phase 1 of the study began in September 2008 and its purpose was to assess the multi-modal needs for the area. The final report for...
Getting the School Year off to a Good Start
With summer vacation almost over, kids of all ages are heading back to school. Like adults, some may be anxious about facing new situations, new teachers and unfamiliar faces. Randy Callstrom, executive director of PACES, Wyandotte County’s agency serving children, adolescents and their families, offered some helpful tips to get the school year off to a good start.
Callstrom, who has...
Job Fair and Resource Expo
The Opportunities 2011 Job Fair and Resource Expo is scheduled for Thursday, September 8 at the Jack Reardon Convention Center located at 5th & Minnesota Ave in Kansas City, Kansas. The schedule is as follows:
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. has been set aside exclusively for Veteran’s Only
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. is open to the public
This is one of the largest job fairs held in the metro...
Liveable Neighborhoods and KCKPD Hold Night Out...
The Night Out Against Crime Event was held on Aug. 2, 2011. More than 200 people attended the event which was held at Indian Springs Marketplace.
“We had a great turn out over 35 neighborhood groups attended together to promote neighborhood spirit and Police community partnerships with a goal to become a safer city,” Mary Jane Johnson, Director of Liveable Neighborhoods said.
Paul...
UG Tackles Weeds
UG Public Works and the Parks and Recreation Departments, along with private contractors, have tackled more than 267 lots a day. The frequency of mowing was reduced last year as part of budget reductions in the 2011 budget. Many residents complained about the reduced amount of mowing and Commissioners responded by adding money to the budget to address the unsightly and obnoxious weeds.
“We...
2 tags
Reardon Makes Appearance on Imagine KC Program
Mayor Joe Reardon participated in a lively discussion with Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders during a taping of the Imagine KC Series at KCPT-TV. The 18-month series focuses on economic, social, and environmental issues that impact the Kansas City Region.
Reardon participated in the sixth episode which centered
around a discussion on the importance of regionalism and the investment in...
Community Comes Together to Collect Books for...
Ten books for every student is the goal of a Book Drive being coordinated by the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS), in partnership with the KCK Chamber of Commerce.
New and gently-used books, book gift cards and cash donations to purchase books are being sought to help build classroom libraries in every classroom in every school.
“Reading was the starting point for me in learning...
Legends Outlets Gets Two New Stores
Mayor Joe Reardon and Commissioner Tom Cooley welcomed two new retailers into our city last Thursday.
The stores “Off Fifth,” a Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet and Under Armour Factory House will join the list of popular outlet retailers and stores at The Legends Outlet.
City Hall Improvements Save Energy and Tax Dollars...
The Unified Government is cutting energy use by 17% at City Hall, saving $60,000 a year due to a major upgrade in the 40 year building’s heating, cooling and electrical systems.
The major and complex replacement project was completed in 2010. The aging heating, cooling and electrical systems were unreliable. UG taxpayers were facing expensive emergency projects to replace obsolete equipment...
WHSC Holds Events to Address Homelessness
The Wyandotte Homeless Services Coalition (WHSC) has been busy raising community awareness of the plight of the homeless.
In addition, the Coalition is also raising funds for homeless projects. On Thursday, July 28th, members of the Coalition served food at Culvers from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Culvers graciously donated 10% of the proceeds of food sales during the time period.
Coming up next, the...
5 tags
KOSE Takes Action Against the Department of...
KOSE Takes Action Against the Department of Administration’s Proposed Voluntary Retirement Incentive
State Willfully Ignores Statute and Memorandum of Agreement
In response to the Department of Administration’s rollout of a Voluntary Retirement Incentive, today the Kansas Organization of State Employees filed three different actions to ensure the proper requirements of meet and confer are met...
Recycling Yard Grass
Many people bag their grass clippings because they believe grass clippings cause thatch. But Kansas State University research shows that grass clippings do not contribute to thatch. Thatch is made of decay-resistant surface roots, runners and stems found close to the soil surface. Grass clippings are actually beneficial to your lawn.
The best way to recycle your grass clippings is to let them...
Hollywood Casino Dealer’s Job Fair
Saturday, August 13th from 10am to 3pm
*This job fair is for dealer positions only.
Hilton Garden Inn at the Reardon Convention Center
520 Minnesota Avenue in Kansas City
913-342-7900
hollywoodcasinokansas.com
Walk the Dotte
The Parks Department will be hosting “Walk the Dotte” a 2 mile walk benefiting the KCK Special Olympics program at Wyandotte County Park on August 13th. The walk will take place at 8:00 a.m. near Shelter F. To register for “Walk the Dotte” go to www.sportkc.org. There is a $20 fee per entry that includes a t-shirt for all pre-registered participants.
State Avenue Corridor Transit Improvements
State Avenue Corridor Transit Improvements
The Unified Government and Kansas City Area Transportation Authority are holding another open house to share preliminary design plans for the Minnesota/State Avenue transit corridor. The open house will be held from 3 to 5:30pm on Wednesday, August 10 in the UG Neighborhood Resource Center, 4601 State Avenue. The center is located in the lower level of...
Governor Cuts Funding to Efficiency Kansas Program
Governor Cuts Funding to Efficiency Kansas Program
The State informed the UG that it is stopping all funding for the Efficiency Kansas projects which includes the Energy Audit and Revolving Loan Program that the UG was offering in conjunction with BPU.
The program provided energy audits and a loan procedure for citizens to weatherize their homes and thus reduce their utility bills. UG staff is in...
Three New Ethics Commission Members Named for...
Three New Ethics Commission Members Named for Unified Government
Three new Ethics Commissioners will be appointed effective August 4, 2011. These commission positions are open as three current members terms have expired.
The appointees are Wyandotte County residents who will serve a four-year term. They were selected to serve on the Ethics Commission for the Unified Government of Wyandotte...
UG Orders New Transit Buses
The Unified Government’s Transit Department ordered seven new transit buses for the fleet, with each bus able to hold up to twenty passengers.
“The new buses will significantly enhance the quality of our transit fleet,” Emerick Cross, UG Transit Director said. “They will improve our customers riding experience and also offer the green component feature of bicycle racks on...
July 2011
9 posts
2012 Unified Government Budget Approved
2012 Unified Government Budget Approved
Unified Government Commissioners have approved a 2012 budget which prevents deeper cuts in services and programs. The Commission faced a budget shortfall of more than $8-million due largely to sharp drops in property values since the recession hit in 2008.
To fill the budget shortfall, the Commission okayed an 8.9% adjustment in the Unified Government...
Wyandotte County Fair Kicks Off
The Wyandotte County Fair is home…
The fair will be held July 26 - July 30, 2011 at its new permanent location, 13700 Polfer Road in KCK. It will include 4-H livestock and exhibits, petting zoo, carnival, Motorcross, Demolition Derby, Mud Run and Free Stage entertainment. The Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Ceremonies will be held Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 6:00 PM under the Free Stage...
Kansas Speedway Under the Lights
The first night race at Kansas Speedway will be this October. The Menards Kansas Lottery 98.9 ARCA race will hit the track at 7:30 p.m. on October 7 paving the way for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races held later that weekend.
“I’m excited to partner with the Kansas Lottery and 98.9 The Rock on our first night race at Kansas Speedway,” said Kansas Speedway...
2 tags
Stay Cool and Safe
The weather is dangerously hot. Wyandotte County has a number of cooling centers and other places to beat the heat and stay safe.
The KCK Public Libraries are open and available as cooling Centers during the hours listed below. People will be asked to use library resources while there and sleeping is not allowed. It is a great place to stay cool and have plenty to read.
625 Minnesota...
2012 Budget Plan Builds Cash Reserves
A critical goal for the long-term financial strength of the Unified Government and community is rebuilding cash reserves. To avoid even more drastic cuts or elimination of services, the Unified Government spent that saved cash at a heavy rate over the past several years. General Fund cash reserves have dropped from about $31.6-million in 2006 to about $3.6-million in the proposed 2012...
Mayors Reardon and James Together
Two highly respected mayors from our region, Sly James of Kansas City, Missouri, and Joe Reardon of Unified Government Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, are getting together to talk about civility, regionalism, collaboration, success, opportunity and Google. The program is called The Pursuit of Innovation through a Civil Discourse. It will happen August 9 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the...
UG Sues GSA over Decision to Move EPA Headquarters
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/KCK is suing the federal General Services Administration over its decision to move the Region 7 Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters from downtown KCK to suburban Lenexa.
The UG lawsuit, filed in US District Court, alleges the GSA violated two Presidential Executive Orders and federal regulations in deciding to move the EPA and its nearly 700...
What you can do to help keep the EPA in The Dotte.
colincurtis:
doublejack replied to your photo: I haven’t been angry in awhile, but this tweet is…
I hate to see bureaucratic disasters like this. Is there anything we can do out here in the Internet?
Glad you asked. Unfortunately I don’t really know the best way to act on it. The UG (Unified Government of KCK/ Wyandotte County) is doing everything they can to retain the EPA in it’s current...
June 2011
11 posts
Save Money, Go Green with Energy Smart Home
Word is spreading quickly in neighborhoods throughout Kansas City, Kansas about the many benefits of the Energy Smart Home program, a green initiative sponsored by Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas (UG) and the Board of Public Utilities (BPU).
“I’ve noticed up to 30% in energy savings over the winter months,” says Jacqueline Randle, a Kansas City, Kansas...