Last Post on Osman....probably not.

I was hopeful that an Osman loss last night meant just a recap of election results and then no more Andrew Osman.

Very sadly Andrew Osman defeated Greg Peppes for Leawood Ward 1 City Council last night in what looked like a pretty close race. None of the other wards were contested.

Osman ran a campaign full of inconsistencies and avoided questions only this blog seemed to care to ask. However, it is clear he worked hard covering lots of ground and knocking on lots of doors. That is what it takes to win. His website highlighted as much and that is admirable.

I'm concerned that outside of the planning and zoning department this man has no idea how or what the city does or how it does it. He has never served on single board of committee of the city that I can see. He can learn it. He'll have to and quickly or he will look really stupid. He'll have to learn that the city isn't responsible for schools as he stated was a priority for him on his website.

We can only hope he learns to use the "recuse" often when his developer friends have business in front of the city. Even though it probably isn't a direct conflict in the strict sense of the word it will be slimy.

It was a weird year. Very low turnout. I think that Osman probably wanted it a little more than Peppes because in the record and on the issues Peppes is was clearly the better candidate. The turnout was less than 1,000 voters. Osman says on his website that he touched over 4,500 voters and got 532 votes. Democracy at work.

So, this probably isn't the last post on "Old Leawood" Osman. We'll see how it goes. I can't honestly say this is a diaster for Leawood. He is only one vote.

You know what it also says............there are about 501 people in "Old Leawood" that don't read this dump of a blog.

JOCO Sun Presents Candidates Opinions

If you are interested the Johnson County Sun on Wednesday published a candidate survey. You can find it for all Johnson County candidates here.

Overall, I thought the answers were safe. I'd be seriously worried if someone blew an open book test.

I thought it was interesting Andrew Osman suggested that Leawood City Council members should take a pay cut during this difficult time.

I think it is a cheap shot aimed targeted directly to people who really aren't very informed but think all politicians are getting fat off of us. JOCOeveyman is here to inform you.

Let me hit you with some knowledge on Leawood City Council compensation. They don't make squat especially when you relate it to the time they spend doing the city's work for us. This is public service folks....streets and curbs........there aren't perks.

What do you think a Leawood City Council person makes per year? I looked it up. $5000 per year. That's it. And it hasn't changed from what I can see since 2000. In addition to study sessions and city council meetings all of them also attend the meetings of committees that they are assigned. I'm also guessing there is constituent work (for those of you in Wyandotte County that means citizen's bitching) on a daily basis via email or telephone. I could probably assume there are some appearances they have to make as well. I bet City Council members would laugh at this as way too low but for the sake of argument I'm gonna estimate that your run of the mill City Council person spends 12 hours a week serving us. Give them 2 weeks for good behavior and multiply by 50 weeks and you get 600 hours. Again....this probably low. Divide by $5000 and you get $8.33 per hour.....gross. I bet they end up with $300 a month after taxes. They also get $200 a month reimbursement for car mileage and expenses which hasn't been changed since 2002. Do you remember the price of gas in 2002? I looked it up for you......$1.31 a gallon. Let's agree that City Council compensation really is nothing more paying their expenses for serving.

But, to wit............his point is everyone should share in the cuts and pain. I get it and I'm all for saving money. So let's take a look at it.

8 Council People making $5000 each. Cut 20%?? That's $1000 each or $8000 total. How about cut pay all together?? Now you really limit service to people who are higher earners because it will cost them to serve but you only save a whooping $40,000.

Compared to the city's budget for 2010 which is $29.6 million dollars eliminating ALL City Council compensation would save the city .001%.

I'm just saying.........here are the facts. You decide. Seems a little symbolic to me.

"Old Leawood" Osman Addresses My Post

My post regarding the race in "Old Leawood", Ward 1, got a tiny bit of attention from The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle this week. Andrew Osman addressed a little bit of my concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest by directly referencing the blog in a what I'll call a very friendly fluff article. Let's just say I'm not expecting a similar profile on Dr. Peppes in in KCJC.

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Brief digression: When ever someone calls it "Old Leawood" I think of Ron Burgundy. "Do you know what Old Leawood is Ron?"

"I believe it is an old, old wooden ship". I know....only funny to me. Sorry. Bromance me.

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Anyway. I would agree with Mr. Osman that it is sad that often seats so uncontested. Public service is honorable. I'm glad he is running. I'd like to hear some specifics on what he'd like to accomplish. Serving on committees and boards within the city are also a great way to serve the city you love. He suggests term limits. I guess I'm okay with that. Not a bad idea. But to say that the leadership we HAVE had is by default poor....well......I can't go along with that. This has been an exceptionally well run city at all levels. In fact, it has been down right impressive. I can't figure out how that represents a vacuum of leadership.

He says in the article that he doesn't have any projects before the city and won't if elected. Fair enough I guess. At least he addressed it. Me personally? I still don't have a need for developers on city council. That is just me.

But if that is the case then I don't understand this part of the article:

In addition to keeping up with Council and committee actions for his business, Osman said, he has attended many Council meetings to get a feel for
city government. He also attended a Leawood Police Department citizens’ academy
course. (Rick Hellman, Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, March 19, 2010)

Hmmm.......what's the deal here......he doesn't have development projects in Leawood but he is keeping up with Council and committee actions for his business......I guess that is the business he doesn't have with Leawood? JOCOeveryman is super confused and putting down the vino.

I don't know.....just something I noticed. Probably an honest mistake. By the way......someone still needs to tell him that Leawood City Council has zero to do with "education policy".

I'm sure he is cool dude.

Andrew Osman Against Peppes for Leawood City Council

There isn't much action in Leawood City Council politics these days.

There is an election on April 6 and only one of four seats up for re-election is contested. Greg Peppes in Ward 1 is being challenged by newcomer Andrew Osman.

As testament to the general tranquility among the citizens of Leawood these days is that most seats aren't challenged. While the economy is tough Leawood's conservative fiscal nature from its leaders has served it extremely well. The city is fiscally solid and well run.

It is tough to run against it. I can't really see any missteps from the leadership. Especially from the very solid Dr. Greg Peppes. I've spoken with him a few times and he seems not only nice but very genuine, accessible, helpful, very informed and common sense on the issues.

I checked out Mr. Osman's website. I'll break this whole thing down for you as quickly as I can. It is honorable that Mr. Osman wants to serve. I appreciate that. What makes him more compelling than Dr. Peppes? What does he want to do differently than the guy who has the job now? Really. Not much. He says he wants to bring "common sense solutions and fiscal responsibility back to Leawood". I'd say it is amazingly full of common sense now and any city in the Metro would trade places with our financial situation and credit rating in a second. So, in my mind he is saying............more of the same good, well run city. So it really is just I want the job the other guy has........

But I guess his website creates a few questions in my mind and few nuances I want to explore....

1. On his front page under bullet point 2 he talks about his commitment to ensuring we have great schools and a "better education policy". Does he understand the Leawood City Council doesn't have anything to do with our schools and education policy? He might want to consider a run for school board if that is mission. It makes me wonder if he really understands the role of the City Council. It is curbs and streets brother....not schools.

2. Mr. Osman owns a commercial real estate firm. I'm not a huge fan of developers and friends of developers running the city's business. I've seen the deals get shady too many times. I lived in a city once where officials spent most of their time recusing themselves because they were doing business with the city they help run. It just isn't necessary when we have other great people to represent us. I'm not saying he is a crook. I don't know the man. It just makes me very nervous based on history. I'll just say this.....do you think it would help or hurt Mr. Osman's business if he were on City Council? Frankly, with all things being equal, I'd not have a person with potential conflicts of interest on City Council. By contrast Dr. Peppes is a dentist. Not much conflict there.

3. He calls the area he lives in "Old Leawood". I'm not gonna lie. That bugs the hell out of me when people up there do that. It annoys me. I guess they know that. Dr. Peppes says he lives in "North Leawood". Certainly, calling it "old Leawood" might play well with the snobby old gray hairs up there but if it says anything about his "us versus them" attitude then people from Wards 3 and 4 should be sending Dr. Peppes a campaign contribution ASAP. That is just what we don't need on City Council.

None of this means Andrew Osman is a bad guy. He is probably a great guy. He has every right to run and to want the job. A google search didn't yield any kiddy porn convictions or anything like that. It looks like he has a nice family. Dr. Peppes on the other hand has a smoking hot daughter.....sorry...just saying. I just can't see supporting Osman for City Council when you've got Peppes. It is too easy to stay with the guy who has proven to be a good leader, who knows the role of the city council, who doesn't have potential conflicts with the city and who supports the notion of one Leawood.....not "Old Leawood" and the rest of you.

I'll leave a little room to change my mind but I highly doubt I'll be convinced.

The winner and it better not be close...........Dr. Greg Peppes.

If you want to support Dr. Peppes for Ward One re-election you can go to his Facebook page here.

If you want to learn more about Andrew Osman you can access his website here.

Why Leawood is still smarter

News from the Leawood City Council goal setting session last week is that they are digging in even more in their desire to remain financially conservative (read smart) during these difficult times.

They are very close to moving back the new justice center planned for 2009 at least one year and they have stopped the research phase of a Community Center that might have been built right next door to the Justice Center. This is in addition to moving back the widening of 143rd street.

Regarding a new community center: The word is that the research and studies showed that citizens were evenly divided in their interest in basically 3 groups: 1/3 are for it, 1/3 are solidly against and 1/3 are ambivalent but could be convinced if it didn't cost too much.

While I think a world class, affluent city like Leawood should have an incredible community center I think it is smarter to not forge ahead in this economic climate. Good work Leawood City Council.

So....until further notice keep heading over to Overland Park's beautiful community centers or the Blue Valley rec center for kiddo's swim birthday parties.

The smartest city in JOCO

The Leawood City Council had a work session Monday night as reported in the Kansas City Star Neighborhood section by Jennifer Bhargava. She does a nice little bit of reporting and is a good reason why the paper still matters. This Jennifer on the right. I love living in the smartest city in JOCO.

Historically, they have made some really great moves like controlling the state line all the way to just past 151st street but it really is those kinds of things along with the little things that make them so smart.

These little things are things most citizens don't pay much attention to until there is a huge crisis. These little things are things like the financial conservatism that will lead them to in all likelihood change their 5 year CIP plan in favor of a more elongated timeline due to the economic uncertainty.

If you haven't noticed already many cities in America, including most in Johnson County (are you listening Olathe?) have a huge financial shortfall to deal with coming right at them and they aren't prepared or equipped to handle it. Leawood is in good shape.

Simply put, they have infrastructure projects planned out for the next 5 years, like widening 143rd street, that will require spending and additional tax debt for residents. These projects are needed but by slowing them down and moving them further out, if they approve the recommendation and I'm sure they will, they will lessen the risk of the city if the economic downturn continues or deepens. Some might call it deferred maintenance, I'd call it waiting to remodel your kitchen until times are a little better.

Jennifer Bhargava said in her first line that "Even Leawood is no match for the economy." I think that is "glass half empty" thinking and I disagree completely. Little Leawood is outsmarting everyone again by showing financial restraint that others likely haven't and won't and it all goes back to not over-committing in the first place. Leawood is slowing down things they want to do while other cities are cutting things they really need: people, programs, services. This little sideline story in the neighborhood section won't be noticed by many but trust me when I tell you this is some fine work by local government.

While it was only a work session I can't see the council not embracing these recommendations. I want to encourage them in this effort. Hooray for Leawood. Smartest City in JOCO.

Why it matters

I was dutifully reading TKC this morning and Tony was kind enough to link my recent post about the Azeltine-Lindstrom race for Johnson County Commission District 3 and he commented that it was interesting even though the race was small.

I want to offer a couple thoughts on why the small races matter more, especially in Johnson County, Kansas.

First, like I've said several times before, if you live in JOCO your vote for President really doesn't matter. I don't mean to be cynical but it really doesn't. The state is RED and it is staying RED. Even though the idiots with the Obama signs in my neighborhood don't seem to realize it they will lose again today in Kansas. Some day there might be a shift but not for now. Clearly, if you live on the other side of the state line your vote is very important nationally.

Second, the people who affect your way of life most are the local governments. They are allowed to tack on additional property taxes, they set sales taxes, they affect the value of your home by how they manage growth. They commit money on your behalf for things like roads, bridges, new libraries, they pick the books your kids read, and curriculum that is taught to your kids. They even pick the kind of picnic tables that go in the parks and decide when the idiot across the street can have a garage sale AND if he can put an ugly shed in his back yard. They even decide what the greens fees will be at the municipal golf course. Further, in the case of the County Commission, they make very important appointments to many commissions some of which have the authority to tax and another that soley decides the finalists for our judges.

However, with all that power most people don't know or care who their city council person, their county commissioner, or who is on their school board. Did you like having Kansas a national joke over the teaching of evolution versus creation? Well, it was YOUR state school board that created that controversy. Do you know who you are voting for to represent you and what they think...? (Sue Storm) Most of the positions are truly filled by people who have no political ambition and earn no pay. They just want to serve and make their communities better. Some earn modest pay like a Leawood City Council person who I think makes like $6,000 a year for lots of work. Johnson County Commissioners make the best money at $50,000 a year and have tons of authority. We need people who are committed and talented and smart and TRUSTWORTHY in these positions.

These are the people who either make your life in Johnson County charming or maddening. I recommend you spend a little time figuring out who is running and pay as much attention to them when you step in the booth as who is running for president. Grab my voter guide if you need help.

Leawood City Council considering New Community Center

Leawood City Council is having a work session with the Park Advisory Board tomorrow night to discuss a research study they conducted to gauge citizens interest in a new community center. The word is that they are discussing a world class facility at 119th and Tomahawk Parkway complete with indoor water facilities, workout areas, meeting areas, etc......

These studies are usually pretty good at gauging citizen preferences so I'm interested to see what Leawood wants. OP has built a really nice center called Matt Ross and I've been there and it is nice.

I'd like to see a new community center it is paid for with a reasonable combination of user fees and property tax dollars.

I'd like to hear from anyone who received a survey on this issue.

James Azeltine comes out swinging

I received a mailing from James Azeltine, candidate for Johnson County Commission, 3rd District. He is running against David Lindstrom who I believe has served a couple terms. Lindstrom is a former Chief as if that means anything.

For an initial lob over the net Azeltine threw a pretty heavy bomb at Lindstrom. I don't have the campaign letter in front of me but in it he appears he isn't going to play nice. He went right after Lindstrom and basically accused him of doing nothing during his time as a commissioner, taking both sides of issues, and being apart of a crew that has no vision for the problems the county is and will be facing with all our growth.

I'm not sure what is going on behind the political curtain but whatever it is got Azeltine all fired up. He has been serving on the Leawood City Council as well as many other public commissions, committees, etc. He clearly feels strongly that the wrong things are being done and further that Lindstrom isn't doing much for the 3rd District. He call Lindstrom a "nice guy" who but lacks leadership and vision and calls his service "lackluster".

Rarely do you see local politics get this unsavory this early. I haven't seen anything like this since the contentious Olathe School Board elections back in the early and mid 1990's. We usually act much more civilized in SoJoCo and especially here in Leawood. I'm not exactly sure how to respond but it certainly has my interest. I guess what it makes me do is think I need study up on the county issues a little more. The only issue I've been following regularly is the Stilwell of Overland Park annexation issue and my criticism of John Toplikar as a putz. Aubry Township is apart of this district so I'm wondering if he will work to gain their support. It will be interesting to watch how that develops. Reading a little online stuff it seems that opinions are already strong in this race with issues like the intermodal, a failed soccer complex, Phill Kline's prosecution of Paul Morrison but expect the Stilwell of Aubry Township of Overland Park to be front and center as the uber rich living out there try to get someone friendly to them in that seat. The County Commission is usually a sleepy little part of local politics and public service but James Azeltine is bringing it to the forefront. I wonder if others will show any interest. To check out James Azeltine's website for his campaign go to http://www.jamesazeltine.com/. This weekend I'll try to remember to scan the campaign letter and add it to this post. So if you want to see that check back.

Checking out his website this is a really busy guy and you have to wonder if he truly has time to add another position to his already busy life. Even the best leaders can get stretched too far to be effective.

So, is anyone else following this campaign? What are your initial thoughts about this race? Love to hear from you.

Coyotes!

My little part of Johnson County is experiencing issues with coyotes as of late and it is getting attention in The Star and from the local government.

It has been reported in the paper and made into a local legend among grade schoolers in the area that small pets have become snacks for the new found fearlessness of the coyotes. While some are clearly true based on the....shall we say evidence left behind.......but if we had as many issues as the kids are saying replacement pet sales would be booming.

Every kid apparently knows someone whose dog has been attacked by a coyote and every dog that has disappeared hasn't just run off (check the pound) they were snatched by a hungry coyote. The legend of a few attacks are growing and alleged sightings grow by the evening.

So much so that it has caught the attention of the Leawood City Council who took time from a rushed meeting (KU title game night) to discuss the issue and hear from the Police Chief and the City Administrator on the problem. Apparently, they are losing their fear of humans because nobody around here can shoot them according to the city but that doesn't seem like a reasonable solution in the city limits. Other solutions that might harm our pets like poisoning are out as well so maybe the coyotes are well reasoned to not be afraid of us? I was also interested to know that using most kinds of traps are illegal in the city as well....apparently it is common in most municipalities to outlaw them. So, they are determining that this might be a job for professionals with special traps and why not spend tons of money on the problem. It is becoming the american way of handling problems, no?

In digression, the city administrator commented quite colorfully on his experiences as a hunter with coyotes and shooting them. For a moment I thought I was at a meeting in Spring Hill, not Leawood. 'Dem coyotes are gud eatin, huh, Scott? Can you hear the beginning riff of "Dueling Banjos" beginning faintly in the background?

Don't worry, there is little evidence that they attack humans, even small children because they don't see us as food. Just a precaution, Trailer Park Tracie might want to stop leaving her toddler in the sideyard, er, uh, aka salvage car lot, spare parts storage area, unattended because they are getting brave and the way the kids are talking there WILL be limb-less kids coming to school in the coming weeks.