Month: February 2022

Large community response seen to request for UG committee members

Mayor Tyrone Garner has received a large community response to his request for members of new Unified Government committees, according to a UG news release.

More than 250 community members, advocates and UG employees expressed an interest to participate in the committees, the news release stated.

On Jan. 25, Mayor Garner brought forward his vision for committees to work together with the UG commission chairs to create solutions to address some of the most pressing issues facing the community , according to the news release.


The committee chairs will lead listening sessions with committee volunteers to learn more about interests and perspective while establishing goals for the committees, the news release stated.

The committees will address topics including equitable development, the needs of unhoused residents, safety and justice, arts and culture, government efficiency, business, community health and recreation.

“I am committed to being community-driven,” Mayor Garner said in the news release. “I look forward to collaborating with our community to make Wyandotte County a great place to live, work, and raise a family. These committees are just the beginning of our effort to create new ways for neighbors to be engaged in problem-solving through collaboration with the Unified Government.”


In pursuit of his goals to engage more community members in shaping the future of Wyandotte County, the mayor will be launching two additional task forces and a Council of Clergy this month, according to the news release.

Mayor’s Environment and Green Energy Task Force

Pollution and climate change disproportionately impacts our most vulnerable communities, including people living with disabilities, economically disadvantaged households, the elderly, youth and people of color, according to the news release.

This task force will assess environmental justice across our county and, through meaningful involvement, shape policy recommendations for a more sustainable Wyandotte. The task force will focus on the identification and development of innovative policies and strategies to address green design, renewable energy and sustainable resource management.

For example, the task force will explore distributed energy and utility-scale green energy generation to mitigate impacts of supply disruptions, reduce energy costs and eliminate the reliance on fossil fuels. Furthermore, the task force will develop recommendations on tax policies and financing options, including federal grants and funding resources, to promote a green economy to ensure resiliency as a community for generations to come, the news release stated.

Mayor’s Quindaro Ruins Task Force

Over the years, there have been many community-led efforts to reimagine and support the Quindaro Ruins as a national destination of considerable historic significance. Mayor Garner will convene this task force to engage interested stakeholders and community groups in advancing the preservation of this historic national site, according to the news release.

With the goal of developing a unified strategic plan that moves the site from a state of ruin to economic revitalization, the convening taskforce should be made up of representatives from the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Unified Government, private ownerships, key stakeholders from existing committees and organizations, historians, tourism and park service professionals.

A community town hall will be scheduled in the future to convene interested parties in a discussion of what is possible, according to the news release.

Mayor’s Council of Clergy

The Council of Clergy will advise the mayor and his staff on critical issues pertaining to community development, engagement and citizen involvement.

Likewise, the Council of Clergy will serve as a conduit to share information with their congregations and faith communities regarding opportunities and critical needs. Participating faith leaders will facilitate a dialogue within each congregation for civic engagement, support the Unified Government upon request and assist in recruiting volunteers and participate in local events that support children and families, according to the news release.

The Council of Clergy will officially launch on Sunday, Feb. 27, at the conclusion of the Mayor’s Interfaith Prayer event. Interested clergy members may sign up with the form below.

How to get involved

If you are interested in volunteering for either task force or the Council of Clergy, complete a short form at https://us.openforms.com/Form/c77a95cd-785f-4566-ad4d-ed098e8a67a0 and more information will be sent to you.

  • Information from UG

Rep. Davids introduces legislation to lower gas prices

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., has introduced a bill that would lower gas prices by temporarily suspending the federal gas tax through the end of the year, saving Kansans money at a time when gas prices are reaching their highest point in decades.

“People are feeling the strain from rising prices at the gas pump, and that’s not something I think we should ignore or dismiss. I’ve heard from Kansans who say the rise in gas prices is cutting into their savings for their kids’ education,” Rep. Davids said. “A temporary suspension of the federal gas tax is a commonsense step to give Kansans a break from the rising prices while still maintaining our commitment to infrastructure repairs and long-term inflation solutions.”

Rep. Davids also called for a renewed commitment to long-term energy and inflation solutions, noting the bipartisan infrastructure law’s historic investment in electric vehicles and highway repairs. She has been focused on concrete solutions to rising costs, including meeting recently with General Motors workers in Kansas City, Kansas, to share her support for crucial investments in domestic manufacturing and supply chains.

“We have to continue pushing for concrete solutions to reduce inflation, like fixing our supply chains, investing in clean energy, and making more goods in America. I will continue to work across the aisle to make that happen—but the fact is that Kansans need relief now,” Rep. Davids said.

The Gas Prices Relief Act would ensure the Highway Trust Fund remains solvent and that oil and gas companies pass along savings to consumers. In the House, the legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. O’Halleran, Schrier, Harder, Kildee, Correa, Slotkin, Cherfilus-McCormick, and Morelle and was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Mark Kelly. Specifically, it will deliver much-needed economic relief to Americans across the country by:

• Suspending the 18.4 cents per gallon federal gas tax until Jan. 1, 2023. Currently, the national average for the cost of a gallon of gas is nearly one dollar higher than it was at this time last year, according to AAA.
• Passing tax savings to Americans and not oil and gas companies by requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to monitor the program in order to ensure oil and gas companies pass along the lower prices to consumers. The bill also encourages the Secretary to take appropriate enforcement actions to ensure consumers see these savings. 
• Maintaining the integrity of the Highway Trust Fund by requiring the Department of the Treasury to make general fund transfers to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent. 

Following Rep. Davids’ calls to take action on rising gas prices last fall, President Biden released 500 million barrels of oil from the Strategic National Reserve. A spokesman stated that Rep. Davids remains focused on concrete solutions to lower costs for Kansans and connect families with immediate relief, launching a new resource guide on her website at davids.house.gov/lowercosts and continuing her work on supply chain issues that are contributing to inflation.

  • Information from Rep. Sharice Davids’ office

Black history celebration to be Feb. 25

The 30th annual Black History Celebration and Scholarship event will be held virtually on Friday, Feb. 25.

The event will take place at 1 p.m. on Zoom and Facebook Live. The event is online-only. It is coordinated through the Unified Government Black History Committee.

The program will include a conversation about Black health and awareness. Guest speakers will be Nicole Garner, Unified Government Public Health Department operations manager, and Tykeisha Kelly, special education social worker.

Scholarship awards will be presented to students attending Donnelly College and Kansas City Kansas Community College, and will help pay for student tuition, books and fees.

Also at the event, Morris Letcher will be honored for a lifetime of service to the community.

The community business award will go to Anna’s BLD Bistro.

For more information about the free event, visit https://www.wycokck.org/Engage-With-Us/Calendar-of-Events/Black-History-Celebration?transfer=011b8b7f-9bf3-44cc-aff3-1262b980d730.