Vigil for SRS

To your second point: I have spoken with dozens of Christians, Republican and Democrat, who oppose the closing. Government failure to adequately deal effectively and efficiently with it's obligations is not an issue that belongs to one group. Please don't try to turn this into another "us/them" issue. Our political world is too full of people who don't respect others. The closing hurts ALL of Lawrence.

August 7, 2011 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

SRS closing has political tone

There is a difference between patronage jobs and basic services. Would Kansans accept that the State could stop contributing to repairing roads in Lawrence? How about closing our DMV office 50 % of the work week to save money? SRS work is a basic service that all Kansans deserve.

July 27, 2011 at 7:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Statehouse Live: SRS salaries come under question as agency plans to close offices; Lawrence workers can't go to Topeka

PS I'm old and unfamiliar with how computer networking operates. Maybe you can get young people who know contemporary technology to work with passing on the message (that our SRS office should be restored) electronically.

July 25, 2011 at 3:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Statehouse Live: SRS salaries come under question as agency plans to close offices; Lawrence workers can't go to Topeka

Protests and forums in Lawrence won't move the current administration. They need to hear from voters statewide. Someone in the know, possessed of facts and figures, should gather data and write a one page paper that highlights the reasons why closing the Lawrence office is an inefficient, ineffective, expensive choice. No name calling. Just facts logically and appealingly written. Maybe it should be a two part message: data (e.g. increased cost to law enforcement) and real life examples (e.g.story of a person who can't use a computer or drive and still needs help he won't get easily).

Then network the letter with a personal request from the Lawrence resident that those who read it and support our cause agree to contact the Governor/SRS Director. Provide email addresses and/or addressed postcards. The network should start, but not be limited to, social service organizations, judicial groups, law enforcement personnel, churches, well known philanthropists and civic minded Kansans, including prominent sports figures. The letter should also be sent to newspapers/tv stations in the state. Ask a development person or one in public relations to fine tune the process. If one person in Lawrence contacts three people outside the city who in turn contact the Governor/SRS Director, our voice gets louder. Maybe they'll listen. Maybe.

July 25, 2011 at 3:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Local agencies say people will lose services, costs shifted if SRS office is closed by Brownback

I'll sign your petition for better and more proximate vet care. Our military personnel deserve better than they have been receiving. But I wonder if any protest about SRS will change the decision made by a government that seeks no input from its citizens. The welfare of our people is not a prime concern of the State of Kansas administration.

Also, I don't see how closing the Lawrence SRS office is a precursor to initiating reform. The rent money (if the lease can be broken without cost) obtained by eliminating our office will not flow to bring about reform. Most likely it will go to pay for the out of state consultants who made the choice to close the local office in the first place. Or perhaps the state will use it to cover the legal bills for their Planned Parenthood lawsuit.

Besides I don't buy the idea that closing the office will save money. Office space and utitilty costs will be increased at other facilities. Travel costs will expand. Computer and phone costs will grow. And our people will suffer so that some out of state bean counters can justify their consultancy. Dumb decision.

July 19, 2011 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Statehouse Live: SRS announces appointment of new communications director

If the Governor would cut an SRS office because its in an area that won't vote for him, then the man is not just a slick politician, but a morally corrupt one. We're not talking fringe benefits, new construction, or preferential access; we are talking about basic services that all citizens deserve. Lawrence pays taxes too.

July 17, 2011 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Statehouse Live: SRS announces appointment of new communications director

Governor Brownback and the SRS are now trying to put lipstick on a pig. The problem with closing the Lawrence office doesn't lie in the cosmetics of announcing the decision; the problem is the decision itself.

July 15, 2011 at 10:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas defense reinvents itself

Right, Richmond/KU game. I was thinking ahead.

March 26, 2011 at 4:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas defense reinvents itself

Of all the articles about the VCU/KU game, and I've read many, this the most interesting. The others rehashed something I saw or knew. This gave insight and explanation to what I saw and knew. Good job, Tom.

March 26, 2011 at 7:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

A driving force: Taylor helps KU subdue CU, reach title game

Dear ESPN,

Thank you for your exciting pre game coverage of the Texas/KU game. I enjoyed hearing a Duke player interviewed after their team's win. Perhaps I missed it, but what did he have to say about the hugely important Big 12 Championship coverage that began with the tipoff?

Then after the KU game, you at ESPN cleverly cut away to spotty coverage of other games and talking heads unbounded. Now I am rejoicing in the twenty minute pregame of the Big East final complete with the national anthem.

We here in the midwest are thrilled to see such extensive focus on the Big East and ACC. The teams there are so special. I hope someday teams like Ohio State and my Jayhawks can live up to their standards.

March 12, 2011 at 8:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )