Douglas County, Lawrence taxpayers get ‘unsung hero’ award for SRS action

SRS in Focus
I have decided that the best party in town is indeed KU College Republicans if you are looking for conservative-minded, politically savvy conversation and connection. That is why after years of looking I find myself with college kids on the KU campus on any given Tuesday night. This week Rob Siedlecki, Jr. Secretary of SRS spoke to a couple dozen of us about what brought him from Florida to be part of Brownback’s team in Kansas. It was entertaining, inspiring but also informative.
I for one wanted to hear for myself what progress his department has made in a year because as I suspected, I have read nothing of it in our local newspaper.
The decision to close the Lawrence SRS office however did get lots of press. What did not however was a comparison to the previous governor’s record and approach to the same issue: Sibelius closed 64 SRS offices statewide with no appeal option, while Siedlecki proposed closing 9 and opened the process to appeals. Lawrence was one of 5 that entered negotiations that satisfied the twin objective of the State budget and the local need for the Lawrence office. I am just saying, context is important and in this town you don’t always know it unless you search it out yourself.
Underreported also has been the success his department is having in the Anti-fraud Initiative. Within the first month, researchers found $2,000,000 paid out of our State treasury that will now stop because benefits to prisoners, dead people, and fleeing felons are being discovered and lead to apprehension. “These are all common sense changes that save Kansas money.” The money saved can go into other initiatives like the Adoption Initiative. “Over 900 Kansas kids are available for adoption, half of which have no family resources. “ Or, the Father Initiative, which effectively fosters responsible parenting between fathers and their children.
Siedlecki said that while Brownback’s vision is to return the private sector work force and keep Kansas competitive with tax rates, it is no doubt that his real passion is the family and children. That is why Siedlecki said he feels blessed to be on board making vital changes in policy and lives.
I heard and I report because Douglas County is one of two counties in Kansas that Brownback did not carry in the gubernatorial election of 2010. Consequently there is a vacuum of information when the findings are positive, presumably because of bias. But when bias against conservative Republicans is held sacrosanct over facts, it distorts reality and the public is not served. That has got to change if we want to tackle common problems. And I have never seen more in my lifetime.

December 1, 2011 at 6:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

First Bell: ‘Informational discussions’ ahead for standards-based grading in Lawrence school district

I hope this proves to be OPEN and not another top down pedantic display of arrogance in the face of honest and valid concerns from this district's tax paying constituents. We will be watching.

November 29, 2011 at 12:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Thank You Baseball

"Or will they", indeed. Good question! I agree that things feel upside down and inside out and as I have been learning this has been the strategic intention of some while others of us have not been vigilant. The America that you knew still has roots. But we need a serious pruning. I think that starts on our knees with personal accountability. We find our way from there a day at a time. Thankfully some of those days are delightful reprieves with echos of what is right and good and beautiful, excellent, just and praiseworthy. . . on this gorgeous autumn day, I agree a 7 game World Series was among them.

October 29, 2011 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas ethics commission levies $150 fine against Rep. Gregory for using state email account to solicit funds

A suitable fine for what was judged a minor, inadvertent misuse of a state issued computer and email account. I don't know anyone more conscientious in her duties to her Kansas constituents. Thankfully the commission did not impugn her disproportionately and the matter is satisfied.

October 26, 2011 at 8:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Quiz for a college town

and again I appreciate the correction in the civil manner it was given. I have learned you are correct about the need to cite the source even if I disclaim authorship which I did. So i have corrected that as well. So, back to the search for the truth of the matter. . . i hope. Thanks again.

October 21, 2011 at 9:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Quiz for a college town

thanks Cal, I am learning the hard way--in public. I appreciate your feed back and of course you are right about the caps. I revised this blog on a more recent one but i still make reference to the list as a borrowed source intended for dissemination; I thought that was sufficient. If I am not claiming it to be original, I am puzzled why it is plagiarism. Still checking it out . . .

October 21, 2011 at 2:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Quiz for a college town

You are probably right about the format, so I made some changes that help hopefully. thank you for your suggestion.

October 20, 2011 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Call to prayer

Thank you for your thoughtfulness and encouraging words. Did you happen to click on the link at top of post or is it inconspicuous? that is Joel Rosenberg's blog capturing highlights of the day.

August 8, 2011 at 11:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

The day before the flight to London. . .

TVL LEADERS/SUNFLOWER TVL SVCS
SUITE A 4104 W 6TH STREET
LAWRENCE, KS 66049
(785)842-4000

i refer you to Dorothy Pogge--she is great. She found an unbelievable deal for us! part of the joy!
thanks for the tips, the War Rooms are a favorite of mine and the pub in Oxford where CS Lewis and the boys met--i forget the name, Stonehenge is unforgettable.
thanks for sharing my journey!

May 7, 2011 at 6:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

From Lawrence to London

Thanks for the suggestion, Jessica. i love Spitalfields Market too--great site seeing and history. just didn't have time this trip.
thank you for your encouragement! Had a great trip and have finished this blog with a final posting today.
all the best.

May 6, 2011 at 3:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )