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- Senate Republicans approve sales tax increase, cuts in income tax rates, lower food sales tax May 23, 2013 · 56 comments
- Proposed cuts to corrections system could endanger Kansans, secretary says May 24, 2013 · 11 comments
- Opinion: Why gay role models matter May 23, 2013 · 37 comments
- Former area Boy Scouts react to decision allowing gay scouts May 24, 2013 · 13 comments
- Long-term plan suggests toll lanes on K-10 corridor May 23, 2013 · 50 comments
- CEO Gene Meyer honored for leading Lawrence Memorial Hospital to success May 23, 2013 · 12 comments
- House rejects Senate-approved tax package; Legislature adjourns; new plan teed up May 24, 2013 · 10 comments
- 59 minors, several local businesses, cited for alcohol violations in state regulator's patrols in May May 23, 2013 · 27 comments
- Republican tax plans would increase state revenue, analyses say May 22, 2013 · 51 comments
- On the street: Should residents or businesses who use too much water be fined? May 24, 2013 · 16 comments
- Former Lawrence resident Sri Srinivasan confirmed for prestigious D.C. Court of Appeals May 23, 2013
- Wildflower Walk set for Saturday May 24, 2013
- Editorial: Development shift? May 24, 2013
- Wichita might fine residents over use of water May 24, 2013
- Long-term plan suggests toll lanes on K-10 corridor May 23, 2013
- FSHS softball season ends in extra-inning heartbreak at state May 24, 2013
- Kobler to lead shift toward 'technology-rich' classrooms May 23, 2013
- Lawrence police to patrol Topeka Saturday during services for slain officers December 21, 2012
- Old Glory shines on west campus June 18, 2003
- Affordable Care Act bringing jobs to Lawrence May 16, 2013
After 38 years, Douglas County's most senior fire captain retires
Enjoy your retirement! You have always been a wonderful public servant, going way above and beyond what is expected. On several occasions you have taken the time to show my kids the fire truck and chat with them. People like you are hard to find and you will be missed!
March 20, 2013 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Former police sergeant's federal lawsuit against city alleges racial discrimination, wrongful termination
I did read what you wrote. Did you read what I wrote? It may be common practice but it shouldn't be. That is no excuse and that doesn't mean he didn't make a mistake. Mike may have been treated unfairly, however, I do not believe it was because he was black. It was more likely because there was public pressure to discipline those involved. Obviously we disagree and we could go rounds all day. I know from experience how it feels to be fired for "a common practice". I know what it's like when all your superiors have done the same thing and even promoted it. It took years for me to look back and realize that I should have and did known better. I do wish Mike the best and again I hope you can all find peace.
February 27, 2013 at 5 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Former police sergeant's federal lawsuit against city alleges racial discrimination, wrongful termination
I’m going to assume that you are Mike’s attorney sister due the fact that you seem quite emotional about this. Since you made a point to respond to almost every comment, I will try to reply to the ones that pertain to me.
So you’re an attorney, good for you! I don’t need a law degree or laws to teach me what is wrong and right. The argument that “everyone does it” is weak at best and does not mean that is right. I am not surprised that ticket fixing was just recently addressed in company policy. I am surprised that it needs to be addressed at all. As I stated before laws, traffic included, are put into place to keep the public safe. Once the ticket is issued it should be up to judge to dismiss not some cop doing a “favor for a friend”. The same goes for any other crime committed. Mike’s job was to keep the public safe, by fixing tickets he failed to do that job. He let someone commit a crime without consequence. I don’t care whether it was against policy or against the law, I do care that it is unethical. Those charged with the duty of protecting the public must be held to extremely high moral standards.
My comment about Matt filing a case for discrimination was a sarcastic poke at the “utterly ridiculous” fact that Mike has. He was on the force 20 years without any complaint of racial discrimination. Now all of the sudden he claims lost his job because he is black.
I have many friends, including several cops. I would never ask them to fix a ticket for me and I would never expect them to. If I make a mistake, I know that must pay for it.
I noticed that in one of your comments you wrote “Mike is one of the most honest, kind, and ethical people you will EVER meet, should you be so blessed to do so.” For the record, I have met Mike, his wife, and his children. I have known several of his family members for years. I would agree that he is a nice guy and it is a shame that he being made an example of, however, it doesn’t mean that he didn’t make a mistake that he now must pay for. Hopefully, now that the City has made it clear that ticket fixing will not be tolerated it will happen no more.
I hope that Mike can find peace with the situation and that he and his family can move on.
February 27, 2013 at 2:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Local government employees racked up more than $3 million in overtime in 2012
If you would look at the chart you would see it's not $40,000 being used by LPD it's actually $304,028. That is enough over time pay to hire 7+ new officers! I would say that we absolutely did not.
February 27, 2013 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Local government employees racked up more than $3 million in overtime in 2012
The name and income of every public employee is public. It can be accessed at any time by anyone with a computer. My husband, as a city employee is among those listed. It is absolutely the right of the public to have this knowledge because these employees work for us and are paid by us. Simply listing that a LPD detective made $40,000 would not have accurately described the gross amount of overtime being used by LPD. The chart is an important aspect of the story. Thank you ljworld.
February 24, 2013 at 11:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Former police sergeant's federal lawsuit against city alleges racial discrimination, wrongful termination
Your right, we don’t know what happened. What we do know, we learned from Mr. Monroe because he continues to bring attention the whole situation. He himself admitted to fixing tickets. Any other details are impertinent. As a police officer his job was to keep Lawrence residents safe and uphold the law. He failed to do either the minute that he “helped his friend”. When you don’t do the job for which you were hired you get fired. It’s as simple as that.
No one is degrading a cop. We are degrading a man who is no longer a cop because of his poor decisions. Cops save lives every day and do a job that few are cut out for. We hold them to a higher moral because they are the leaders of our society. If a fireman failed at his job he too would be fired.
February 20, 2013 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Former police sergeant's federal lawsuit against city alleges racial discrimination, wrongful termination
If this truly was a case of discrimination why is he just now bringing it up? It's funny that the race card wasn't played until all of his other hands had been dealt. As I've said in the past Mike needs to move on. Other people may or may not have been involved. The ones that were involved all played a different role and were disciplined accordingly. He made a mistake, he needs to take responsibility, stop blaming everyone else and making excuses. Lawrence doesn't want him back. He treated people unfairly all because a friend asked him to. If I would have asked him to fix my ticket would he? No, of course not. MOVE ON!
Matt Sarna resigned "involuntary", which means he was fired. Mike was just demoted, which means he still had a job. It sounds like maybe Matt could file a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination because where I come from having a job beats being unemployed any day.
February 19, 2013 at 2:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Letter: Local bids
Thank you for writing this letter. It's about time that people start raising a fuss about Lawrence dollars being sent to KC and Topeka! My family owns a local business. We also have many friends that own local businesses. It is quite common for the City of Lawrence and other long time Lawrence establishments to contract with outside companies without ever giving Lawrence businesses the chance to bid. As a community we must demand that this practice come to an end. I'm not saying Lawrence businesses should get the job no matter the cost. Competition is good. I am saying that we should be given the opportunity to compete. After all we are the ones that can provide jobs to other Lawrencians and we are the ones who will put money back into the community.
February 10, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Letter: Buckle up
I have seen similar actions taken by many parents. The very best thing one can do is immediately call and report it to the police include car make, model, color and which direction they are heading. If possible follow them until authorities can locate them. This way not only will an official report be filed but the parent will be held responsible for their bad choices. Unfortunately, even if you say something that causes them to buckle the child up that they will continue their poor choices in the future.
January 25, 2013 at 9:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Do you knit, crochet or do any other kinds of crafts?
Are the polls ever good or well thought out? Obviously they can't offer every opinion out there but if the original questions was slightly more specific and the answers slightly more thought out they may actually get an accurate representation.
January 25, 2013 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )