Lavonta Williams Archives - Page 9 of 10 Voice For Liberty

Aug

At Wichita city council, special pleading of selfish interests

At yesterday's meeting of the the Wichita City Council, a matter was presented to the council that provided an illustration of basic economic principles that are foreign to the council. A condominium homeowners association asked for special assessment tax financing to make repairs to the building. My remarks that I delivered at the meeting were based on my post In Wichita, waiving guidelines makes for bad policy. David M. Bryan, a Wichita attorney and resident of the building, represented the the homeowners association that is asking for the special assessment financing. He spoke after I did. His wife accompanied him…

Apr

By Bob Weeks

Wichita election results equal status quo, worse

The result of yesterday's elections in Wichita is an endorsement for the status quo. For those interested in liberty, free markets, and education in Wichita, the election was a total disaster. On the Wichita city council, the two incumbents running for re-election won. For the open seat, Janet Miller won. While her website talks of fiscal responsibility, it's a safe bet that Miller is on the side of increasing the size, scope, and intrusiveness of city government. The election of Miller doesn't signal a huge shift on the council, as Sharon Fearey, her predecessor, favored an expansionary city government. For…

Apr

By Bob Weeks

Lavonta Williams still exploiting dead man

I had thought this issue would be over, that Wichita city council candidate Lavonta Williams would revise her campaign materials and make the needed corrections. But here's a report from a citizen: "I received a new mailer today from Lavonta and she is STILL using the dead man's name as a supporter. This is clearly intentional and unacceptable." Original reporting is at Wichita political endorsements from the other side and Another unlikely Lavonta Williams voter.

Mar

By Bob Weeks

Cornejo & Sons Campaign Contributions

A few weeks ago, Cornejo & Sons, Inc., a Wichita company, was reported to be in serious violation of agreements with the City of Wichita regarding a construction landfill. The Wichita Eagle story Cornejo landfill along K-15 taller than permitted reports the contemporary details. My post Cornejo & Sons campaign contributions history recaps some of this company's problems with political campaign contributions in the past. Undoubtedly this company and its landfill will be in front of the Wichita city council before too long. Voters may want to know to whom has Cornejo or its associates contributed recently. Here's what my…

Mar

By Bob Weeks

More unlikely Lavonta Williams voters

I don't want to emphasize this too much, as these cases are not in the same league as listing an endorsement from a dead man (Wichita political endorsements from the other side and Campaign mailer listed endorsement from dead man ). But for completeness -- possibly, who knows -- here's the rundown on a few more people who are listed on Lavonta Williams' campaign literature under the heading "Join us in voting WILLIAMS on April 7:" Elder Herman Hicks. He lives in Derby. Reverend Kevass Harding. He lives in Bel Aire, outside the Wichita city limits. But he works at…

Mar

By Bob Weeks

Another unlikely Lavonta Williams voter

Today's Wichita Eagle contains a story that provides some detail behind something readers of this blog already knew. The Eagle story Campaign mailer listed endorsement from dead man tells how Val Jackson, a prominent Wichita businessman who died in 2002, came to be listed as someone who will be voting for Lavonta Williams. Sharp-eyed readers who received that mailing might notice another name that doesn't belong in a list of those who will be voting for Lavonta Williams: John Kemp. A look at the voter file shows there's no one with a name close to this registered to vote in…

Mar

By Bob Weeks

Williams — King — Minnesota Guys connection raises concern

There's a triangle of influence and connections that should raise flags of caution as voters decide the makeup of the Wichita city council. At the center is Beth King, a Wichita public relations executive. She's well known in city hall, having managed the mayoral campaign of Carl Brewer in 2007. She's said to be a close advisor to him. Her name is so familiar that when her emails are forwarded among department heads in city hall, she's referred to as simply "Beth." No last name is necessary. The connection that voters should be aware of is this: King is the…

Mar

By Bob Weeks

Wichita political endorsements from the other side

A recent mailing by Wichita city council candidate Lavonta Williams contains an endorsement that seems a bit implausible. I don't know anything about the politics of Val Jackson, a prominent Wichita businessman who, in Williams' recent mailer, is listed under the heading "Join us in voting WILLIAMS on April 7." But I do know he died in 2002.

Mar

By Bob Weeks

Wichita City Arts tech studio proposed

Randy Roebuck, in a presentation at the Wichita city council workshop, promoted the idea of a "digital oasis" in Wichita. It would be a place where people can go to get free help with technologies such as cell phones and computers. He told of how an Apple Genius Bar does things like this. Council member Jim Skelton asked who runs an Apple Genius Bar? Apple Computer Corporation, of course. Later council member Paul Gray continued with questions based on Skelton's. Why not an Apple Genius Bar in Wichita? Why is the city competing with private business? City officials insist they…

Feb

By Bob Weeks

From Kevass Harding to Lavonta Williams

One of the unusual sightings on the campaign finance report filed last month by Lavonta Williams, current Wichita city council member and candidate for re-election, is two contributions totaling $1,000 from Kevass Harding and his wife. These contributions represent the maximum it was possible for two people to give at the time. These contributions are unusual in that the Hardings don't show up very often on the lists of contributors to local politicians. On May 20, 2008, Kevass Harding contributed $250 to Donald Betts, Jr. in his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives. Then on November 24, 2008, Teketa…