A reminder – no personal attacks. This poll might encourage some criticism of various elected officials in Wyandotte County. Criticism is fine, but understand the line.

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon will remain just that for at least another few years.

Reardon today withdrew his name from consideration for the Democratic Party's nomination.

“I am honored to have been mentioned as a Democratic candidate for the 3rd Congressional District of Kansas and am grateful for the support and encouragement I have received from so many over the last several weeks,” Reardon said. “After careful consideration with my family, and in light of the national recession and its impact on our community, I must remain focused on finishing the work we’ve started to help Wyandotte County, and our region, overcome the challenges the on-going economic crisis has created. Therefore, I will not be a candidate for the 3rd District at this time.”

Reardon is currently serving his second term as mayor.

Property taxes are annually the hottest topic around Wyandotte County. If one legislator has his way, the way property taxes done in Kansas will change.

Kansas Rep. Steve Brunk (R, Bel Aire) has introduced House Bill 2630, a bill that would reform property tax enforcement.

Under the bill, local governments would have to offset higher appraisals by dropping the base mill rates to calculate the bills.

With this theory, property tax bills would remain unchanged year to year, unless if residents in the proposed city voted to approve the tax increases.

Brunk said his legislation would not change the state-wide 20 mills level, which is used to collect taxes to fund school districts, nor the 1.5 mills collected for the state's building fund.

“We have seen staggering property tax increases in Kansas,” Brunk said.  “We cannot continue to penalize Kansans for owning property and owning businesses.”

Brunk said property taxes in Kansas have tripled the rate of inflation.

Local governments would be rewarded under the legislation for any new construction.

“It is time for Kansas to take a progressive look at our property tax rates,” Brunk said.  “This solution enhances the economic environment, reduces penalties on property owners and, most importantly, gives the voters of Kansas the ability to decide if more property taxes are levied.”

The Wyandotte County Republican Party will meet on Feb. 4 in the community room of the Security Bank Building at 82nd and Parallel in Kansas City, Kan.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. All Republicans and/or individuals are welcomed to attend.

For more information, visit www.wycorepublicanparty.org.

U.S. Representative Jerry Moran (right) of Hays learned everything he wanted to know about Kansas City Kansas Community College and more during an hour long fact-finding and information gathering with KCKCC President Dr. Thomas Burke and other administrators Thursday.

Also attending were acting provosts Brian Bode and Tamara Agha-Jaffar and deans Dr. Sue Courtney and Dr. Hasan Naima.

Moran is currently seeking the Republican Party's nomination for the U.S. Senate race in Kansas this year.

KCKCC Photos by Alan Hoskins

To mark the 37th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, Wyandotte County Kansans for Life will have a candlelight vigil tonight.

The vigil will be held in front of Your Choice Pregnancy Resource Centre at 725 Central Avenue from 7-8 p.m.

The Wyandotte County Third Saturday Democratic Breakfast will be held this Saturday at granny's Chicken Ranch, located at 1340 Village West Parkway.

The breakfast will begin at 8:15 a.m., with the guest program beginning at 9:15.

Speakers include Kansas State Sen. Chris Steineger, (pictured) Kansas House Democratic Leader Paul Davis and Kansas Democratic Party Executive Director Kenny Johnston.

Cost is $10, which includes tax, service and tip. The cost is $7 for students or those with limited income.

Reservations, although not required, are encouraged to be made by this Friday to scottmackey08@yahoo.com or the Wyandotte County Democratic Party office at (913) 287-2300.

The Wyandotte County Delegation will meet with residents in the community in its annual Pre-Session Legislative Forum.

The forum will be held at the West Wyandotte Library at 1737 N. 82nd Street. The date and time of the forum is Jan. 6, 2010 at 6 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to attend with questions pertaining to the 2010 legislative session.