Category: Sedgwick county government
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Wichita downtown arena parking problem
The Wichita Eagle editorial written by Rhonda Holman on June 29, 2009 now claims that the new Intrust Arena in downtown Wichita lacks adequate parking. This is a major change by the Eagle editorial board’s position. I have repeatedly asked county staff about the available parking in and around this soon-to-open facility since I became…
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Wichita Child Advocacy Center still in business, despite headline
A headline in the Thursday August 6, 2009 Wichita Eagle is a little bit misleading: “Sedgwick County budget saves pavilions, denies site for abused kids.” Recognizing that the reporter who wrote the story probably didn’t write the headline, the fact is that the Sedgwick County Commission didn’t deny a site for the Child Advocacy Center.…
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Sedgwick County seeks Kansas Coliseum developer
Sedgwick County is looking to unload itself of responsibility for running the Kansas Coliseum and surrounding facilities such as the pavilions. It has issued a Request for Proposal to that effect.
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Sedgwick County Manager Bill Buchanan should be dismissed
Last year a political science professor, a keen observer of Kansas politics, told me that city or county managers shouldn’t be in office more than four or five years. After that, he said, they gain too much power. They know too much: all the secrets, where the bodies are buried. Think of J. Edgar Hoover…
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Sedgwick County Commissioner Unruh to speak
At this Friday’s meeting of the Wichita Pachyderm Club, Sedgwick County Commissioner Dave Unruh will speak.
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Sedgwick County checkbook now open
Those interested in the finances and spending of Sedgwick County now have more information available. The county checkbook website is at Sedgwick County checkbook. I’ve looked at it, and like a lot of these things, it takes a little practice and experimentation to find what you want.
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Sedgwick County solid waste fee criticized
Today’s by Rhonda Holman is a two-fer. Two issues for the price of one column, and two issues she’s wrong on. She criticizes Commissioner Karl Peterjohn and Board Chairman Kelly Parks for the opposition of a solid waste management fee that would add a relatively small amount to property tax bills.
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Sedgwick County transparency effort delayed
This week Sedgwick County was scheduled to debut its financial transparency website. Based on the preview I briefly saw, this system will allow citizens to explore county revenue and spending in detail. Evidently, the system presents too much detail. The rollout was delayed due to an issue brought up by the Sheriff, having to do…
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The empty arena
Kansas City’s Sprint Center (that’s their new downtown arena) is suffering from underuse. The Atlantic article The Empty Arena tells the story. Its subtitle is “If you build it, they might not come.” Despite being managed by a well-connected and experienced management group, no professional basketball or hockey team has moved in.