Month: January 2021

Applications open for Wyandotte County election commissioner

Applications are currently being taken for the open position of Wyandotte County election commissioner.

The position was vacated upon the retirement of Election Commissioner Bruce Newby. Under state law, it is an appointed, not an elected, position.

The Kansas secretary of state’s office is accepting applications for the position through 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15.

According to a news release on the secretary of state’s website, a five-member committee appointed by Secretary of State Scott Schwab will review applicant information and recommend three persons to Schwab, who will then select the next Wyandotte County election commissioner.

Those who apply must be a qualified elector in Wyandotte County and a resident of Wyandotte County at least two years prior to the appointment.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old, and registered to vote.


Preference will be given to candidates who have a bachelor’s or graduate degree in business administration, information technology, public administration or related fields; who have excellent verbal and written communications skills; who have a minimum of three to five years management experience; and who have demonstrated experience in relationship-building, according to the secretary of state’s news release.

More information is at sos.ks.gov, or contact [email protected].

See https://www.sos.ks.gov/media-center/media-releases/2020/12-17-20-application-period-opens-for-wyandotte-county-election-commissioner.html.

Police notes

‘Rolling gun battle’ on Longwood

Officers responded on Monday, Jan. 11, to a shots fired call near the 6100 and 6200 block of Longwood, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

Police were told there was a rolling gun battle in the area, according to the report. Houses in the two blocks had been struck, according to the report.

Victim robbed of hoodies

A victim was robbed of hoodies in the parking lot of a Family Dollar store on Monday, Jan. 11, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

According to the report, the victim met suspects in the parking lot to sell them hoodies. When the victim met them, the suspects pointed a gun at the victim, struck him and took the hoodies, the report stated. The suspects then fled, according to the report.

Armed robbery reported

An armed robbery was reported on Monday, Jan. 11, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

While the victim was trying to get into his vehicle, he felt a weapon in his back, according to the report. The victim put his hands up and gave the unknown suspect his car keys, the report stated.

House Democrats file complaint against Rep. Coleman

Kansas House Democrats have filed a complaint on Tuesday requesting censure procedures against newly elected State Rep. Aaron Coleman, 37th District.

Rep. Coleman, representing a district that includes the Turner area of Kansas City, Kansas, took the oath of office on Monday, becoming the youngest state legislator in Kansas history at age 20.

He had heard of the possibility of this action and told the Wyandotte Daily on Monday night that he was changing parties from Democrat to independent (unaffiliated). A group of seven freshmen women Democratic legislators had called for his resignation in December. Coleman said his party change took effect on Monday.

The complaint was filed by Kansas House Democrats and by seven Democratic women legislators in the House. According to the news release, the censure procedures that could be considered include expulsion from the Kansas House of Representatives.

A bipartisan committee can be appointed to investigate the complaint, according to the news release. After the investigation, the committee can make a recommendation, and then the House could vote on the action that can be taken.

“I believe that everyone should be given a second chance, sometimes even a third chance, but Representative Coleman continues to show time and time again that he is unfit to serve in office,” said Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita, House minority leader, in the news release. “We continue to condemn his actions and believe there is sufficient evidence for the Legislature to begin an investigation into Mr. Coleman’s actions. He is a danger to women. His removal is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of legislators and Capitol staff.”

Rep. Coleman, in his statement Monday night, said that “rank and file Democrats and Republicans – including some elected members of the Kansas legislature – have made it clear to me that they do not support the Democratic leadership’s attempt to shut me out of the State House and deny the people of House District 37 proper representation.” He said he had not been given an office and was not assigned to any committees, like other newly elected representatives.

The House Democrats news release is on the House Democrats’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/kshousedems/photos/a.189641768645/10159604900768646/.

Rep. Coleman’s statement is at https://www.facebook.com/Aaron.Coleman4Kansas.

To see an earlier story, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/rep-coleman-leaves-democratic-party/.