Eudora Mayor Scott Hopson on Tuesday endorsed state Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, saying that Holland provided crucial help in making Kansas Highway 10 safer after a tragic fatality.
And Hopson criticized Holland’s opponent state Rep. Anthony Brown, R-Eudora. Hopson said Brown provided no assistance to officials from Eudora and other areas who were petitioning the state for installation of a cable median barrier on K-10, east of Lawrence.
“He basically left us high and dry,” Hopson said of Brown.
Brown, however, said he did help get the cable barrier approved. He said he worked behind the scenes with Gov. Sam Brownback’s office.
“I’m just ashamed that somebody would make a tragic death a political football,” Brown said.
Hopson said in response, “I can’t believe that a candidate would turn his back on a tragedy in his own community and expect people in other communities to put their faith in him, that he will represent them.”
The tragedy being referred to was the April 2011 collision when 5-year-old Cainan Shutt was killed after an impaired driver near Eudora crossed the median and struck the minivan driven by Cainan’s grandfather.
After the accident, Holland worked with Eudora, Douglas County and Kansas Department of Transportation officials to get cable barriers installed on certain sections of K-10, Hopson said. The installation is going on now.
“Senator Tom Holland answered our calls, assisted our efforts and made that stretch of highway safer today,” Hopson said. “That is leadership. That is what we need in a state Senator, not someone who will turn his back on us in a time of need,” Hopson added.
But Brown said he had been in contact with Brownback “throughout the whole process,” adding, “I’m not one to grab the microphone.”
He noted that Holland was Brownback’s opponent for governor in 2010. “Do you think Brownback is going to bend over backward for Holland?” Brown asked.
Brown said Hopson called him and he inadvertently did not return the call.
Brown said he worked behind the scenes on options for K-10 when it was apparent there was opposition among some Republicans to legislation pushed by Holland and the Shutt family that would have doubled fines along a portion of K-10.
Brown said Brownback’s former chief of staff, David Kensinger, would verify what he said. Kensinger said Brown was extremely engaged on the K-10 issue.
“We heard from him daily on this,” said Kensinger, who now works as chairman of Brownback’s policy organization called Road Map Solutions.
Hopson said he never heard from anyone involved in the numerous meetings on K-10 that Brown was working back channels.
“He could’ve called me privately,” Hopson said. Hopson said he believes Brown didn’t help because he didn’t think that local officials had a chance of getting something done. “He chose not to make any waves at the state level.”
Asked to comment on the conflicting stories, Holland said, “The mayor’s comments speak for themselves. The mayor is trying to save lives and that is his interest in this deal.”
Holland faces Brown in the Nov. 6 general election. The 3rd Senate District covers eastern Douglas County, including the southern portion of Lawrence, Baldwin City, Eudora, and western Leavenworth County.
Comments
pickaname 8 months ago
Hopson is a true Putz! Lets throw stones to get our name out there instead of finding out the truth! I see no proof to what Hopson states!
JazzHawks 8 months ago
The same can easily be said of Brown. He didn't communicate with any of the local officials that were petitioning the state to get this through. And, admits that he never even called Hopson back. That's an excellent demonstration to your constituents your lack of interest.
redherring 8 months ago
pickaname, What does that even mean?
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus 8 months ago
He noted that Holland was Brownback’s opponent for governor in 2010. “Do you think Brownback is going to bend over backward for Holland?” Brown asked.
So is Brown suggesting that Brownback is a petty sore winner, or that Brown believes that he should be? Either way, we need legislators who will work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and Brown indicates an unwillingness to do that.
maisy 8 months ago
I know for a fact that Brown worked diligently on Cables for Cainan. Hopson is an idiot.
Orwell 8 months ago
And we should take your word for it because…?
merrill 8 months ago
Anthony Brown is another Brownback which is why he is able to be running again for office.
If Brown were not another Brownback..... Sam Brownback and Koch money would have him gone and a different name would be running against Tom Holland.
Make no mistake about it Anthony Brown is a puppet not a republican. Sam Brownback has no use for republicans or democrats. Anthony Brown cannot be trusted to vote across the aisle in the best interest of Kansas or Eudora.
Sen. Tom Holland is the fiscal conservative in this run off. Tom Holland is also the man that will stand behind public education and teachers. Tom Holland is on record for such.
Tom Holland is not afraid to vote across the aisle IF it is in the best interest of Kansas. When it comes to smart economics Tom Holland is who I will trust.
lunacydetector 8 months ago
i would love to see lawrence's kook contingent move to eudora.
Keith 8 months ago
What's stopping you?
merrill 8 months ago
"“Do you think Brownback is going to bend over backward for Holland?” Brown asked."
Herein lies the problem with the governor.
Vote Tom Holland the fiscal conservative and voice for all Kansans
gastrawn 8 months ago
You can endorse one candidate without tearing down his/her opponent Mr. Mayor. It just sounds petty. Just because he didn't return your phone call.
Orwell 8 months ago
I'd say he's learned pretty well already. He's learned to support legislators like Holland who act on behalf of their mutual constituents, not those like Brown who prefer to benefit billionaires from elsewhere. The Kochs are pouring big bucks into this race for Brown's benefit because they know he would continue to support their private interests
cheeseburger 8 months ago
I wonder if there is a correlation between the mayor's behavior in this matter and the recent resignations of department heads over there. Is there an underlying problem? Does he speak for the entire city commission or just for himself?
kernal 8 months ago
If you're referring to the former Chief of Police, he's been on medical leave for sometime - not a politcally motivated issue.
redherring 8 months ago
You haven't been keeping up! There was no real medical reason to leave. It was a smokescreen. Something went on involving the two Chiefs. They both resigned.
mycatsrightorwrong 8 months ago
This shouldn't be surprising to anyone who has a pulse... Anthony Brown doesn't work for normal Kansas citizens, he works for those who make campaign donations and advances their interests. Unfortunately for democracy, many Kansans are fine with our lawmakers representing an ideology and not people.
classclown 8 months ago
Some mayor of some small Kansas town endorses some candidate for some office.
Wow, I'm tingling.
mycatsrightorwrong 8 months ago
I just read "Pushed by Grieving Parents, Kansas Makes Sweeping Reforms" in the Minneapolis Tribune. It discusses how children were dying in Kansas because of negligence in day-cares. Our legislators passed a bill to increase supervision, and babies quit dying. Who could vote against such an initiative? In a depressing non-surprise, Brown was one of minority of House members who voted against it. But hey, that's OK, because government intrusion is always a bad thing.
wayofthemountain 8 months ago
Another "brown stain" in Kansas' underwear. Time to change into a new pair.
4getabouit 8 months ago
Brown is not bright nor does he have any sense of what real communication is about. He only communicates with his brethren. However, on a positive note, I have heard him say that he talks to God on a regular basis to receive advice and guidance on the issues. God has a conservative disposition in case you were wondering. They're tight. Real buds. Apparently they don't discuss highways. Oh, and he hates Lawrence.....Brown that is. He says the rest of State thinks Lawrence is a joke and they laugh at Lawrence America. I think God is still OK with Lawrence. We don't talk that often so I'm not sure. Let's ask Brown.
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