Activism

Wichita city council public agenda needs reform
21
Mar
By Bob Weeks

Wichita city council public agenda needs reform

Recent use of the Wichita City Council public agenda has highlighted the need for reform. At meetings of the Wichita city council, non-council members generally have two opportunities to address the council members. One is as each agenda item is considered. There is (usually) an opportunity to speak only on that topic. If you want to speak about something else, there is also an opportunity near the start of the meeting called the public agenda. The council has policies regarding the public agenda, particularly the need to sign up before the meeting, and far in advance: "Members of the public…
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Wichita has examples of initiative and referendum
20
Apr
By Bob Weeks

Wichita has examples of initiative and referendum

Citizens in Wichita have been busy exercising their rights of initiative and referendum at the municipal level. The Kansas Legislature should grant the same rights to citizens at the state level. What recourse do citizens have when elected officials are not responsive? Initiative and referendum are two possibilities. Citizens in Wichita have exercised these rights, but Kansans are not able to do this at the state level. Initiative is when citizens propose a new law, and then gather signatures on petitions. If a successful petition is filed, the matter is (generally) placed on a ballot for the electorate to decide…
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‘Activate Wichita’ illustrates city approach to citizen involvement
29
Sep
By Bob Weeks

‘Activate Wichita’ illustrates city approach to citizen involvement

A City of Wichita outreach system is lightly used, and risks gathering only positive feedback. Activate Wichita is touted by Wichita city officials as an "online conversation about the future of the Greater Wichita metropolitan area." Described on its companion Facebook page as "Activate Wichita is an innovative new way to be heard on the issues your passionate about. Whether your passion is local arts, the environment, or employment creation, you can log on and voice your opinion and local leaders will respond. Together communities come up with solutions and vote on the best course." For a system designed to…
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Kansas campaign material repository
24
Aug
By Bob Weeks

Kansas campaign material repository

An accessible collection of campaign material will help hold candidates and campaigns accountable. I've started a collection of Kansas political campaign material such as mailers, palm cards, handouts, and door hangers. This collection could be valuable in holding candidates of all parties accountable for their words. Independent organizations may advocate for or against candidates and ballot measures, and these need to be held accountable, too. It can be difficult to gather campaign material. Some is mailed or distributed only to small geographic districts. Or, material is mailed only to voters with certain characteristics, such as party registration or voting consistency.…
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Your smartphone is your activism toolkit
22
Aug
By Bob Weeks

Your smartphone is your activism toolkit

Your smartphone is a valuable tool for activism. Here are two ways to get involved. Many people wonder how they can be involved in helping to improve government as a citizen activist. It may be that you have a valuable tool that's in your pocket, and that you take everywhere you go: Your smartphone. You may have seen me showing photographs of street lights burning in downtown Wichita during the middle of sunny afternoons. Have you ever spotted government waste like that? I’m sure that you have. I think people forget they have a fairly high-quality camera with them at…
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Susan Estes of AFP and the upcoming summt
09
Aug
By Bob Weeks

Susan Estes of AFP and the upcoming summt

On the Joseph Ashby Show, Susan Estes of Americans for Prosperity-Kansas appeared on August 7, 2014. Bob Weeks is the guest host. We discuss the the goals of AFP and the upcoming Defending the American Dream Summit in Dallas. There are bus trips available from Wichita.
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