By Jerry Niebaum, president, KU Endacott Society for retirees
In her blog bit in The Kansas City Star about retiree tickets at the University of Kansas, Barb Shelly assumes that the issue is primarily financial. It is not. It is about loyalty, appreciation, and trust.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Raytown voters did it on Tuesday.
They defied difficult economic times -- and once again stomped on the unfair stereotype of Raytown as a backward city.
Peaceful protest
By Barb Shelly, Kansas City Star editorial page columnist
Cheers to the Shawnee Mission East High School students who organized the heartwarming counterprotest to Fred Phelps' hate-mongering band of homophobic picketers.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Carl Gerlach was effectively re-elected today as Overland Park's mayor when no one filed to run against him.
And Unified Government Mayor Joe Reardon now faces opposition from one political unknown.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
It took the Unified Government too long to pass a too-weak smoking ban for Kansas City, Kan.
On Thursday the commissioners made a sad and callous decision.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Raytown is one of those KC suburbs that gets too much undeserved negative publicity. So here's a shot of good news for the city:
For the first time in history, the Raytown South High School football team will play in a state championship game next weekend.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
My advice to every taxpayer in Wyandotte County: Get in writing all the promises about the money and benefits that the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in the Village West district allegedly will create for the county.
What a shame: Jackson County legislators have balked at approving a new ethics code for themselves and other county employees.
Unfortunately, this isn’t surprising.
For months the county’s Ethics Commission correctly has tried to get elected officials to pay out of their own pockets for a retaliatory lawsuit they filed against a former colleague. The county has spent thousands of dollars on legal bills to support the panel.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Johnson Countians soon will vote on yet another sales tax, this one allegedly for better higher education. Prediction: Most voters won't ask hard questions and will easily pass the tax.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
In Sunday's Star, Johnson County Chairwoman Annabeth Surbaugh still refuses to tell the whole truth to her voters. Shame on her.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Time for blunt talk during a tight economy: The Johnson County sales-tax issue on Tuesday’s ballot is fatally flawed and should be defeated.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
I see that my colleague Steve Rose, publisher of the Johnson County Sun, has bought into the argument that the county's latest sales tax ought to last forever. No, it shouldn't, which is one good reason for voters to kill it on Aug. 5.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
The powers-that-be are scrambling to convince people to approve the Johnson County sales tax on the Aug. 5 ballot. Hope voters turn down the cities and businesses.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Johnson County Chairwoman Annabeth Surbaugh and other elected officials recently sent out an "informational" mailer to voters. It was more like shameful propaganda on behalf of the quarter-cent sales tax on the Aug. 5 ballot.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Edwin Hall's surprise plea Wednesday that he murdered Kelsey Smith means he'll die in prison. It's a just punishment.
Johnson County has legitimate public safety needs. But an antiquated state law has hamstrung county officials, resulting in a flawed plan to pay for a larger jail, new juvenile services complex and crime lab.
City officials have crafted responsible plans to improve sewers and roads in Blue Springs. Voters have good reasons to approve two questions on the Aug. 5 ballot.
If Question 1 passes, the city could use a Missouri low-interest loan program while issuing up to $35 million in bonds. The city would upgrade and expand its sewer treatment plant, partly to comply with new federal and state environmental rules.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Right on cue, here come the Johnson County commissioners and staff to try to scare voters into approving the sales tax for public safety. Don't fall for it, voters.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Johnson County Chairwoman Annabeth Surbaugh and other sales-tax supporters are threatening to cut services or raise property taxes to pay for public safety projects if the Aug. 5 election fails. Actually, those are pretty good alternatives. Here's why.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Johnson County officials want to siphon $750 million from taxpayers over the next 25 years, ostensibly for public safety needs. That's outrageous. Especially when cities will skim more than $250 million of that money.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Are Johnson County voters sheep when it comes to passing tax increases? It's been that way for a long time, seemingly. But the times, they are a changing. And that's good news for opponents of the county's sales-tax request on the Aug. 5 ballot.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Board
Johnson County officials are threatening voters with this ultimatum if a sales tax for public safety does not pass on Aug. 5: We might raise property taxes to pay for the projects. Hey, that's actually not a bad idea.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Here's what supporters of the Johnson County sales tax for public safety aren't clearly telling the public: Approving the tax on Aug. 5 would create a $10 million fund for cities to spend, not the county.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
The campaign to pass the Johnson County sales tax for public safety has a number of problems. I will point out several over the next few days. Here's the first.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
(Updated at 2:30 p.m. with Sprint comments.)
Call it the Sprint Shocker.
Led by Overland Park, Johnson County cities will have to refund millions of sales-tax dollars to the county's largest employer over the next year or so. Road projects will be delayed. Citizen services will be affected. Why?
By Barbara Shelly, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Leon Dean figures he’s got one chance to crack City Hall, and he’s come prepared.
He’s got a poster board adorned with photographs. He’s got a petition with 500 signatures. He’s got a 10-minute audience with Joe Reardon, mayor of the Unified Government of Kansas City, Kan., and Wyandotte County.
Prairie Village is poised to approve a responsible smoke-free law, making it one of the last major Johnson County cities to act on the issue.
The City Council tentatively approved an ordinance to ban smoking in public places, including restaurants and bars. A final vote is expected next Monday.
Lenexa residents are already pleased with their roads and parks. In fact, their satisfaction scores are the highest of all those reported in recent metropolitan-area surveys.
But Lenexa officials say it will take more money to properly maintain the city’s extensive road system and to improve the growing parks system.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Board
So much for principle.
Cass County Presiding Commissioner Gary Mallory caved in to pressure from Aquila and has blessed an agreement to let the utility continue operating its controversial power plant.
Experienced elected officials and well-qualified newcomers are running for city council seats in Independence and Lee’s Summit.
Voters will make their decisions next Tuesday. The Star’s recommendations:
