The disrespectful behavior of some elected Topeka officials this week isn't acceptable and shouldn't be tolerated.
Topeka Mayor Joan Wagnon was eliminated from the field of mayoral candidates in Tuesday's primary election, ending her bid for re-election. On Wednesday morning, a female dummy with its head stuck through a toilet seat was found outside the mayor's office.
Isn't that funny.
Later on Wednesday, a Shawnee County commissioner admitted to police that he had a role in the "prank" and named two Topeka city council members as his accomplices.
The incident brings a couple of questions to mind. First, what were these three elected officials thinking? And what sort of atmosphere exists in Topeka that such actions are considered in any way funny or acceptable?
Several months ago, photos were made public showing staff members of the Kansas Lottery posing with their boss all wearing brassieres on their heads. They apparently thought it was a great joke. Now, we hear about county and city officials who are choosing to amuse themselves by insulting Topeka's mayor.
This was not a harmless joke, something the perpetrators could expect the mayor to find amusing. It was an act of disrespect to a fellow official, with whom they apparently had differences. Whether they agreed with Wagnon or not, they owe her and every other official they work with a certain level of respect.
Wagnon was duly elected as mayor of Topeka. It has not been an easy job. The fact that she finished third in Tuesday's primary indicates that voters weren't all that happy with the job she has done. But that doesn't make it appropriate or acceptable for any pranksters let alone fellow officeholders to engage in antics as childish as the toilet-seat caper.
Lawrence and Douglas County commissioners have found themselves in plenty of controversial spots taking stands that may be unpopular with constituents or even fellow commissioners. They undoubtedly have received some angry telephone calls from local residents and probably have had some heated discussions with other commissioners. But they don't feel compelled to publicly demean one another in ways similar to the prank against Wagnon.
They may be simply following their own sense of ethics and good taste or they may be responding to what they think the public expects from an elected officeholder. Either way, our local government generally is conducted in an atmosphere of respect and decorum.
It's tempting, in light of the Topeka incident, to say "there ought to be a law," but this really is a matter of ethical behavior and common courtesy. A Topeka city council member not involved in the prank has called for the perpetrators to resign. Whether or not that recommendation is followed, Topeka residents should clearly express their displeasure with this incident and indicate they won't tolerate similar occurrences in the future.
If such behavior is repeated, Topeka voters should make sure the commissioner and council members have an opportunity to empathize with Wagnon's position of being knocked out of a race for re-election.
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