By Murrel Bland When U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-Third Dist.) speaks at the Congressional Forum, the questions from the audience are usually issue-oriented and rarely get into harsh criticism. Most persons who attend the forum are “good ol’ boy” Republicans or Democrats who are business-friendly. The Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the [...]
Business West to co-sponsor Candidates’ Forum Business West, along with Kansas City, Kansas, Community College, will co-sponsor a Candidates’ Forum starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 18 in Upper Jewell at the Community College. Democratic Candidates for District Judge who plan to attend are Mike Nichols, Tony Martinez and Jane Sieve Wilson. Panelists who will [...]
Dear Dr. Foust, First, congratulations on your selection as the next superintendent of the Kansas City, Kansas, School District. It is an extremely important job. I have lived in the district for nearly 50 years. One of the most important things the district does is educate students who will be ready to join the workforce. [...]
By Murrel Bland It was 50 years ago on June 20, 1968, when The Wyandotte West was born. It was produced in a basement of a town house condominium in the Redwood Gardens subdivision at 816 N. 70th St. I was barely 27 years old. My staff was my business partner, Jack Root, a friend [...]
Population in Western Wyandotte County continues to increase In 1968, Western Wyandotte County’s population (west of 38th Street) was 35,000. Today, that area has a population of about 60,000. This area has continued to grow during the past 50 years despite the loss of overall population in Wyandotte County. Wyandotte County’s overall population peaked in [...]
By Murrel Bland Gov. Jeff Colyer said that as he travels the State of Kansas, the number one concern he encounters from business owners and managers is the severe lack of qualified employees. The governor, who spoke at a luncheon meeting of the Congressional Forum Friday, June 15 at Children’s Mercy Park, said he has [...]
By Murrel Bland U.S. Senator Jerry Moran drew loud applause when he said he was encouraging the U.S. Department of Transportation to award a $13 million grant for an interchange at the Turner Diagonal at I-70. That comment came at a luncheon meeting of the Congressional Forum Friday, May 18 at Children’s Mercy Park. The [...]
Commission seeks continuation of sales tax The Unified Commission will be asking residents of Kansas City, Kansas, to renew a 10-year sales tax in the Aug. 7 Primary Election. The tax helps fund public safety and neighborhood infrastructure projects. Voters approved this three-eighth cent sales tax in 2010 by a 70 percent margin. A community [...]
By Murrel Bland Wyandotte County will become the “Summer of Oz” the first week in August. That was the announcement that Bridgette Jobe made during the annual tourism celebration of the Convention and Tourism Bureau Wednesday, May 2 at Memorial Hall, Kansas City, Kansas. Jobe, who is Executive Director of the Kansas City, Kansas, Convention [...]
By Murrel Bland Mayor Dave Alvey and County Administrator Doug Bach are seeking support for the extension of the three-eighth-cent sales tax that will expire in 2020. They took their campaign to a meeting of the Legislative Committee of the Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce Friday, May 11. The tax, which was first [...]