Sumner County commissioners seemingly put public support above potential revenue today in endorsing the two proposals to build a Wellington casino. That may be good politics. But the decision also snubs two of the biggest names in gaming, Harrah’s Entertainment and MGM Mirage, whose Mulvane proposals had the best chance of turning the complex into a destination resort for the region. You have to hand it to Wellington boosters for making their case. But this decision may cause state officials, who will make the final choice, to wonder: What were they thinking?
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, was among the 60 co-sponsors of a House resolution recognizing the “international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith†and supporting “the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization,†among other points. When the resolution passed 372-9 Tuesday evening, it had lost some of its Christian-centric language, but Tiahrt was joined by the other three members of the Kansas delegation in the “yea†column. Even the first Muslim elected to Congress, Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., voted for it.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Wichita City Council members seemingly felt they did what they had to do in unanimously approving a $182,700 severance package Tuesday for outgoing City Manager George Kolb, plus a year’s worth of health and dental insurance. As council member Paul Gray said, Kolb was due a severance because he and the city “mutually agreed†that Kolb should leave.
It’s the richness of the deal that will strike most Wichitans as excessive — nine months of pay, plus $54,000 and other benefits. Kolb holds the job for 3½ years and walks away with $182,700? In another under-the-radar deal that The Eagle editorial board criticized at the time (also negotiated with Gray’s involvement), then-City Manager Chris Cherches got a $72,000 severance package (plus $72,000 to stay on as a consultant) — but at least he had invested 18 years in the job.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Attorney General Paul Morrison showed terrible judgment in engaging in an adulterous affair with a former employee. But it’s good that he plans to ask Stanton Hazlett, Kansas disciplinary administrator, to conduct an independent investigation. The claims of sexual harassment and trying to influence litigation need a careful independent review. If the claims are true, Morrison should resign.
Meanwhile, kudos to state Sen. Phil Journey, R-Haysville, for showing admirable restraint in wanting more evidence before supporting the calls from some of his fellow conservatives to impeach Morrison. “There’s clearly political motivation involved in the situation,†he told The Eagle. “That’s what makes me cautious.â€
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., responded Tuesday to Eagle editorial board questions about the destruction of CIA interrogation tapes by saying that he wasn’t going to respond. “It would not be appropriate for me to comment on classified matters, but I have full confidence in the Senate Intelligence Committee to determine the facts surrounding these events,†he said in a statement.
But why can’t Roberts comment on whether the CIA told him it was going to destroy the tapes and, if so, whether he agreed with that decision? Other lawmakers have done so.
Roberts also won’t comment yet on whether he was one of a handful of congressional leaders briefed by the CIA in 2002 about harsh interrogation techniques, including waterboarding, being used on detainees, and, if so, whether he raised any objections.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
