Category: Opinions

American Royal hopes to break ground next spring

by Murrel Bland

If all goes well, the American Royal could break ground on its new complex in Village West during the spring of 2020.

That was the message that Glenn Alan Phillips brought to about 35 persons who attended the 34th annual meeting of Business West at the home of Nathan and Erin Reasons Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Phillips, who recently joined the American Royal Association as its president, was the keynote speaker at the meeting.

He said the Royal is a nonprofit organization that has a 120-year history of being focused on entertainment and education.

It was founded in 1899 and has always been in the West Bottoms of Kansas City, Missouri.

The move to Village West comes because of the need for new and larger quarters; that is particularly true when considering the Royal’s traditional livestock and horse show.

Phillips said the new complex will be an ideal location for a variety of food and agriculture events.

He said the Royal will create a learning experience unlike any other.

Because of its central location, the Royal will become the hub of agriculture; it will attract agriculture industry leaders, associations and entrepreneurs.

Phillips said that the American Royal Barbecue competition, being held at the Kansas Speedway, is the largest event of its type attracting nearly 500 teams.

He said it has not been determined whether the barbecue event will be moved to the new Royal complex.

Phillips said the new complex will be near 118th Street and State Avenue.

Phillips comes from San Antonio Stock and Rodeo organization where he spent 15 years; he received a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Texas A & M University and a master’s degree from Angelo State University.

Business West elected its officers and directors for the coming year. They are Donna Tilden, president; Melissa Brune Bynum, president-elect; Brent Lathrom, treasurer; Chuck Stites, past president; directors who will serve two-year terms, Tami Bartunek, Kathleen Meyers Baska, Sheryl Raglow Becker, Rusty Roberts and Pam Rowe; and those directors who will continue to serve another year, Earl Freeman, Joe Maderak, Dr. Jane Winkler Philbrook, Nathan Reasons and Linda Wolford.

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

Annual Leavenworth Road parade to be Saturday, Sept. 14


Guest column

Opinion

by Lou Braswell

The Leavenworth Road Association will be back on track, on at least on some of the newly finished road.

The community pride event was canceled because of roadwork last year, but the modernization that was taking place, including the new Welborn School, has certainly brightened the route.

The 2019 parade date is Saturday, Sept. 14, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the same route as in the past years, 72nd to 51st on Leavenworth Road, with walkers joining in with their motorized group at Sunset Hills Church at 64th.

And yes, you read that right, it is a Saturday this year, after these 33 years of being on Sunday. This change came about when we were approached by some of the entries and those helping with traffic control, as it was forcing them into overtime situations, with the schools, police and sheriff departments and band bus drivers. We listened to those that help us so much, and here we are having our parade on a Saturday for the first time ever.

There is still time to get your parade entry in, but time is very limited, as Deniese Davis, our parade chairman, will be starting the line-up tasks. Remember entry is free and a good way to promote your business, church, school, organization, neighborhood group or simply show your family pride.

This year our parade marshal will be the Clark family. Taylor Clark serves as LRA’s board secretary. The Clark family shows that young people including Taylor and Kate still get involved in their community, plus their girls, Maggie and Caroline, will be waving all along the route.

Another change will be our judges’ stand will be on the hill of the Casa de Alabanza Worship House (formerly Welborn Community Church). This is a new church that is wanting to be community-involved.


So you can tell a few changes taking place, but still the same community event it has always been, with the entries, the volunteers and the attendees along the route.

If you need more information, need an entry form or want to volunteer to help, contact Deniese Davis, parade chairman at LRAparade@att.net, or by fax at 1-877-539-9733.

Lou Braswell is the executive director of the Leavenworth Road Association.

Opinion column: District attorney reports reduction in crime

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Opinion column
by Murrel Bland

Crime is down 11 percent in Wyandotte County.

That is the message that Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree brought to members of the Congressional Forum Friday, Aug. 16, at Children’s Mercy Park. About 50 persons attended. The Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the forum.

Dupree said that his office is dedicated to “smart prosecution.” This means focusing on prevention through connecting with youth and removing barriers to employment for those rejoining society after serving prison time. Dupree said prosecutors in his office work with the drug and behavioral health courts for those who may have mental health issues as a result of drug addiction. He said it doesn’t make sense to incarcerate those with mental health issues with those who have committed violent crime.

Dupree said one of the main focuses of his office is a program aimed at youths in Wyandotte County schools. It is called BOLDD—Brilliant Outstanding Leaders Determined to be the Difference. The program aims at keeping youths on the right path. Lawyers from Dupree’s office present monthly programs. Thomas Penland, a lawyer on Dupree’s staff, heads this community involvement program.

Dupree said his life changed when he was a 14-year-old student at Wyandotte High School and was able to shadow District Judge Cordell Meeks Jr. He decided to become a lawyer.

Dupree had praise for the Unified Commission who increased the salaries of the lawyers on his staff.

Dupree told of the Conviction Integrity Unit, the first of its type in Kansas. This is an independent review process to correct wrongful convictions. He said that wrongful convictions threaten the relationship between law enforcement and the community.

Dupree is the first black district attorney in Kansas. He has been district attorney since 2017. He has an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Kansas at Lawrence and a law degree from Washburn University, Topeka. He and his wife Shanelle Dupree are the parents of four children.

Dupree is the pastor of Grace Tabernacle Family Life Outreach Center. His brother is Timothy Dupree, a Wyandotte County District Judge.

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