Month: January 2015

Yoder plans to testify in Topeka Thursday

U.S. Representative Kevin Yoder, R-3rd Dist., plans to testify on behalf of Kansas Rep. Erin Davis’ Kansas ABLE Act at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Rep. Davis’ bill would establish the ABLE accounts authorized in the recently enacted federal law titled the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, known as the ABLE Act.

The ABLE Act amended Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code to create tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. These accounts would provide families with flexible savings tools to maintain greater financial security and prepare their children for a future of independent living, without placing more burdens on bureaucratic federal programs. The program would be administered by State Treasurer Ron Estes.

Yoder was a vocal supporter and cosponsor of the ABLE Act, largely due to the advocacy of the Mast family of Olathe.

The testimony is at the Children and Seniors Committee hearing at 9 a.m. Jan. 29 in Room 218-N, Kansas State Capitol Building, Topeka, Kan.

Seven candidates file for vacant UG seat

Primary to be required in UG 1st District, at large; UG 4th District; and BPU 3rd District, at large

Seven candidates for Unified Government Commission, 1st District at large, filed by the noon deadline today, according to a list from the Wyandotte County Election Commissioner’s office.

The candidates for that office, which has been vacant almost two years, include Melissa Bynum, LaVert A. Murray, Tamika Pledger, Janice (Grant) Witt, Christal Watson, Nathan Barnes and Mark Gilstrap.

In the UG Commission, 4th District, Scott C. Murray and Harold Johnson are challenging incumbent Commissioner Tarence Maddox in the primary.

In the Board of Public Utilities, 3rd District, at large, four candidates will face each other in the primary election March 3. Long-time BPU 3rd District at large incumbent Terry Eidson died Jan. 10.

The BPU 3rd District at large candidates in the primary are Norman D. Scott, Murray D. Anderson Sr., Thomas H. Gordon, and Chris McCord.

The other candidates running in the spring elections are in races that did not require a primary, according to the election commissioner’s list.

Those candidates will run in the general election on April 7.

The candidates to run in the general election include:

For UG Commissioner, 2nd District: Brian McKiernan, incumbent.

For UG Commissioner, 3rd District: Ann Murguia, incumbent.

For UG Commissioner, 6th District: Angela Markley, 6th District.

For Register of Deeds: Nancy Burns, incumbent.

For Board of Public Utilities, 1st District: Robert “Bob” Milan, incumbent, Freddy Wilson Jr.

For Board of Public Utilities, 3rd District: Jeff Bryant, incumbent.

For Kansas City Kansas Community College Board of Trustees: Ray Daniels, incumbent; Mary Ann Flunder, incumbent; Clyde A. Townsend, incumbent, Don Ash, incumbent, Victor B. Trammell.

For Turner Board of Education: Jeff Davidson, incumbent; Sherrie Watkins-Alvey, incumbent; Douglas Lockwood, incumbent, Becky Billigmeier, incumbent; Theresa Tillery, incumbent.

For Piper Board of Education: Tom Beebe, incumbent; Ashley Biondi, Steve Buff, Neal Palmer, incumbent; Lisa K. Sullivan, incumbent; Jeb Vader; Cory Appl; and Desiree Fergus.

For Bonner Springs Board of Education: Timothy G. McGinnis, incumbent; David J. Pierce, incumbent; Patricia E. Welicky, incumbent, Olliea Jarrett, incumbent.

For Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education: George Breidenthal, incumbent; Maria Cecilia Ysaac, Irene Caudillo, Korri Hall-Thompson, Janey M. Humphries, Brenda C. Jones, incumbent; Gloria A. Willis, incumbent; and Valdenia C. Winn.

For Bonner Springs city: Jeff Harrington, mayor, incumbent; Jack Knight, Bonner Springs City Council, Ward 1, incumbent; Mike Thompson, Bonner Springs City Council, Ward 1; Dani Gurley, Bonner Springs City Council, Ward 2; Racheal Haas, Bonner Springs City Council, Ward 2, incumbent; Jordan M. Mackey, Bonner Springs City Council, Ward 3; Robert W. Reeves, Bonner Springs City Council, Ward 3, incumbent; Eric Freeman, Bonner Springs City Council, Ward 4, incumbent; and Mark Kipp, Bonner Springs City Council, Ward 4.

For Edwardsville city: Chuck Stites, Edwardsville City Council, at large; Chuck Adams, Edwardsville City Council, at large, incumbent; Craig Crider, Edwardsville City Council, at large, incumbent; Terence P. Dunn, Edwardsville City Council, at large; Garrett Mellott, Edwardsville City Council, at large, incumbent.

Fairfax Drainage District: Martin L. Quinn, director, incumbent, George Breidenthal, director; Kevin S. Brown, director, incumbent; Philip A. Kostelac, director, incumbent.

Kaw Valley Drainage District: James “Bundy” Jenkins, director, incumbent; David R. Morales, director, incumbent; Anthony Talavera Jr., director, incumbent; Javier Buddy Marron.

Two outstanding community leaders remembered

Terry Eidson
Terry Eidson

Jim DeGoler
Jim DeGoler

by Murrel Bland

This community lost two of its business leaders recently — Jim DeGoler and Terry Eidson. I was pleased to have known both. They were not only successful businessmen; they understood the importance of being community leaders.

I recall working with Jim DeGoler in the mid- and late 1970s when he headed the Chamber of Commerce. The organization was going through a revival that Jim was leading. The chamber hired Bill Little as its executive—a no-nonsense leader who didn’t hesitate to deal directly with community problems. The chamber led the effort to change the patron-riddled city government into a professionally managed organization. That successful effort, with an election in 1982, was a necessary forerunner to the consolidation of city and county governments in 1997.

Jim DeGoler was a successful pharmacist, a company that his father, Harvey DeGoler, founded in 1928. Jim was president of the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education and Cancer Action. He also was chairman of the board of trustees of Bethany Medical Center.

Terry Eidson was the co-owner of Edison’s Florist. Terry’s parents, Virgil and Pauline Eidson, founded the business in the White Church community. Terry and his wife Aileen Frisch Eidson expanded the business to include a travel agency and tuxedo rental service. I remember spending time, helping them plan marketing programs for their expanding businesses.

Terry Eidson served on the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utilities and the board of the Wyandotte County Fair Association. He also rescued a failing racquetball club with the help of other investors. He sponsored and coached little league ball teams; he had a special interest in teams that his sons and later his grandchildren played on.

Both of these men were graduates of the University of Kansas, Lawrence, served on area bank boards and were active members of the United Methodist Church. I was pleased to have known them and appreciate the many contributions that they made to the community. Both will be missed.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is the executive director of Business West.