Tag: Wichita city council
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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…
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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…
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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
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Cornejo & Sons campaign contributions history
A recent Wichita Eagle news story jogged readers’ memories about the company that’s the target of the story, Cornejo & Sons, Inc., and their campaign contributions a few years back. The company asked some of its employees to make campaign contributions, and then the employees were reimbursed. That’s illegal.
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YMCA – Wichita conflict of interest
A local non-profit organization, held in high esteem, seeks to purchase property owned by the City of Wichita. So what’s the problem?
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Wichita election watch parties
There isn’t a whole lot of interest in today’s primary elections in Wichita. None of the school board races had enough candidates to require a primary. Two of the three city council races did, but probably the only district where’s there’s any doubt as to the outcome (at least as far as who will advance…
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Wichita Residential Property Tax Relief Requested
Following are remarks that Wichita businessman Craig Gabel delivered to the February 10, 2009 meeting of the Wichita city council. I think Gabel’s idea has some merit. One thing I don’t quite understand is his proposal for “a credit on each residential property owners’ tax statement.” I will ask him for clarification as to how…
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Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita Asks Candidates a few Questions
Note to raders: I made an error in the original article when I relied on a source’s representation that these questions came from the YMCA. They are actually from the Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita. The YMCA is just one of several dozen members of this group. Here are the questions asked of candidates:…
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Wichita Center City South TIF Changes Slip Through
At the December 16, 2008 meeting of the Wichita City Council, a major revision to the development plan of a downtown Wichita TIF district was made. This TIF district is a project of Real Development, whose principals Michael Elzufon and David Lundberg are commonly known as the “Minnesota Guys.” The changes to this plan were…
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At Wichita City Council, why are some doors open, and others closed?
Steve Compton, owner of the Eaton Steakhouse in downtown Wichita, spoke to the Wichita city council on the public agenda at its February 3, 2009 meeting. Mr. Compton said he chose a bad time to start a business a year and a half ago. His business is just as important as others, he said, and…
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Ask What Questions About Downtown Wichita YMCA Deal?
Remarks to be delivered to the February 3, 2009 meeting of the Wichita city council. When considering the sale of city-owned land, the city has an obligation to get the best deal possible for the actual owners of the land, which are the citizens of Wichita. But it seems, according to the agenda report, that…
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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.