Month: November 2014

Kansas Supreme Court lifts stay in same-sex marriage case

The Kansas Supreme Court issued an order today that immediately lifts the temporary stay of an administrative order by Chief Judge Kevin Moriarty of the 10th judicial district (in Johnson County) directing his chief court clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The Supreme Court’s order also stays the original Petition for a Writ of Mandamus filed by Attorney General Derek Schmidt on behalf of the state of Kansas pending final resolution of the federal district court case Marie v. Moser, et al.

The plaintiffs in that federal case allege that Kansas’ ban on same-sex marriage violates the U. S. Constitution on equal protection and due process grounds.

The court today said that a Johnson County judge was acting within his authority when he decided to issue a marriage license to same-sex couples.

The court did not rule on whether same-sex marriage is legal in Kansas. The state court deferred its decision to the federal court. Chief judges in the counties will determine the federal court rulings for their counties. In Wyandotte County, there has already been a same-sex license issued and a marriage.

In an online comment today, Equality Kansas stated that it’s likely that lawsuits will continue for months before there is a final determination. It stated that 19 counties have issued same-sex marriage licenses.

The ACLU stated online that it will hold a fundraiser to help pay for legal costs.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt today issued the following statement in connection with the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision to allow the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex applicants in Johnson County and to delay further proceedings in this case until federal courts sort out the constitutional issues surrounding state prohibitions on same-sex marriage:

“Although we asked the Kansas Supreme Court to provide statewide uniformity, today’s ruling leaves the decision whether to issue licenses in the hands of the federal judiciary and of district court judges throughout the state. Because a provision in the Kansas Constitution is at peril, the state of Kansas will continue its defense in federal court as long as a defense is properly available. I hope the U.S. Supreme Court will quickly agree to take up the case from the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati to give finality and certainty to Kansas and the rest of the country on this matter.”

To see the documents related to this case, visit the Kansas Judicial Branch website at www.kscourts.org under the listing State v. Moriarty in the What’s New section of the home page.

Two victims of Jerusalem synagogue attack had ties to KC’s Jewish community

Kansas City’s Jewish community has once again been touched by tragedy – this time in the heart of Israel. Two of the victims of today’s Jerusalem synagogue attack had close ties with local Jewish day school Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, based in Overland Park, Kan.

Rabbis Kalman Levine and Mosheh Twersky were among four religious men brutally gunned down in a Jerusalem synagogue during morning prayers. In addition, an Israeli Druze police officer died following the attack.

Rabbi Levine, who grew up in Kansas City, Mo., was a member of the first graduating class in 1976 of Kansas City’s only Jewish day school, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. Rabbi Twersky’s nephew, Meshulam Twersky, is currently a lower school teacher at HBHA.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of four members of the Jewish community in Jerusalem today,” said Howard M Haas, HBHA’s head of school, during an afternoon news conference.

“We extended our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of both these men, including the lifelong friends that Rabbi Levine made during his time at HBHA.”

Earlier in the day, HBHA teachers spoke with students about the Jerusalem attack that took the men’s lives. Rabbi Meshulam Twersky has been at HBHA for three years and is a beloved teacher.

“Each of his students wrote him letters of condolence,” Haas said. “In addition, HBHA staff and faculty came together to hold a memorial service for both Rabbis Levine and Twersky.”

Rabbi Daniel Rockoff, president of the Kansas City Rabbinical Association and an HBHA teacher and close colleague of Rabbi Meshulam Twersky, spoke on behalf of the local Jewish community.

“Earlier today I had the opportunity to talk with Rabbi Twersky about the death of his uncle. Rabbi Levine and his uncle were part of a close-knit community and knew each other well,” Rabbi Rockoff said. “Both of these men personified Jewish ideals and values and were deeply committed to their families. They will be deeply missed by their spouses, children and grandchildren.”
– Story from Jane Blumenthal Martin, HBHA

Bank presents fraud prevention programs

Enterprise Bank and Trust has planned a series of events in the Kansas City area that aim to educate and inform business owners on fraud prevention and awareness in conjunction with International Fraud Awareness Week Nov. 16 – 22.

Fraud Awareness Week, founded by Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, champions the need to proactively fight fraud and help safeguard business and investments.

“According to a study conducted by the ACFE, fraud costs organizations worldwide an estimated 5 percent of their annual revenues,” said Scott Coup, president – Business Banking, Enterprise Bank and Trust. “Fraud is a growing problem and we want to be on the front lines helping to educate business owners to spot fraud and stop it before it happens.”

Enterprise Bank and Trust has planned the following fraud awareness events and seminars:

· Tuesday, Nov. 18 -Innovations in Fraud: Learn how to protect your business against the latest threats presented by retired FBI agent, Jeff Lanza.
· Wednesday, Nov. 19 – Case studies in fraud will be shared as well as tips for protecting your money.
· Saturday, Nov. 22 – Shred trucks will be on site at three Enterprise Bank and Trust locations, including at the Prescott Plaza in Kansas City, Kan., and will be available for use to shred unneeded, sensitive documents.

For information on events, descriptions and sign up, visit www.enterprisebank.com/fraudawareness.