Letters on Wagle, Christian nation, Masterson, Peterjohn, Keith, Griots

Who is stoking anger, hostility?

Now that the legislative session is over and she perhaps has too much time on her hands, Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, felt compelled to share her opinion of President Obama. Without citing any specific examples, she stated that the president “has stoked the fires of anger and hostility” toward police (July 21 Eagle).

Never mind that these embers have been simmering for decades, if not centuries, but are having more light shed on them in recent years because of cellphone videos.

She stated that she wasn’t connecting the tragic death of a Kansas City, Kan., police officer to the president, but her timing suggested that he was to blame.

If Wagle cares to opine about stoking anger and hostility, maybe she should look at herself and her Republican colleagues, who have done everything in their power to obstruct, vilify and demean the president since the day he took office. Begin with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and his goal of making Obama a one-term president, and end with their current presidential nominee’s “birther” rants a few years ago.

Perhaps her time would be more wisely spent on deciphering how she and the current administration have wreaked havoc on the state’s finances. But wait – they have already tried to blame that on Obama, also.

Christian nation?

A letter writer’s opinion of those who are in need or less fortunate is clear: They are lazy moochers (“In hog heaven,” July 23 Letters to the Editor). Meanwhile, the writer seems to wallow in greed and hatefulness, as if he is already a resident of hog heaven.

If the “Christian nation” were in fact Christian, there would be charity and kindness and help for all our neighbors, and no need to believe in Santa Claus.

There will be an accounting, and our money will be useless then.

Trust Masterson

What do you look for in the people who represent you? Personally, I believe a great leader must first be a great servant. I’m searching for a candidate with integrity, someone I can trust, who will fight for my values and stand up for what is right.

Unfortunately, those who fit that description are rare in politics these days. That’s why it’s important to recognize what we have in Sen. Ty Masterson, R-Andover.

Unlike most, Masterson doesn’t take his position for granted or use his power foolishly. He works tirelessly to serve the people of our community, proving he genuinely cares about and is committed to the people he represents by always being available and willing to listen to our suggestions and concerns, being open with us, taking the time to explain, and actively working toward the changes we seek.

I couldn’t think of a more qualified person to be representing me. We need someone like him as a positive alternative in a government that is becoming increasingly corrupt. I implore you to make the right choice and vote for someone who will be your voice, and make your voice heard – someone like Ty Masterson.

Peterjohn proven

Individually, we know that living beyond our means leads to significant financial trouble. Yet governmental bodies seem to believe in spend, spend, spend, as though a day of reckoning will never come.

Karl Peterjohn has worked for the Kansas taxpayer for decades. He has a proven record of making difficult decisions. His record as Sedgwick County commissioner is one of improving county facilities and supporting the empowerment of voters to vote on major tax changes.

The record of his opponent when he was on the Kansas State Board of Education and an examination of his current donor list reveal a leaning to the spending side of the equation.

It seems this race has centered on Sedgwick County Zoo funding. I am not against the zoo. However, it does seem unreasonable that the county funds about 40 percent of the budget, yet has only three of the 35 board members. There is a detailed look at the facts at wichitaliberty.org.

Keith experienced

I have known Greg Keith for more than 30 years, and there is no one more suited to be our District Court judge in Sedgwick County.

Keith was born and raised in Wichita. He attended Southeast High School and Wichita State University before receiving his law degree from Washburn Law School in Topeka. His honor and ethics are grounded in his local roots.

Keith has worked as an advocate for his clients, a prosecutor and as a municipal court judge with 20 years of experience. He is the only candidate running for this position with experience in all aspects of the law. He is fair and just, which has been indicated by the numerous supporters he has from the legal profession and the communities he has served.

Service is a Keith family ethic. His son is in the Air National Guard and also a Wichita police officer.

We would be well-served to elect Greg Keith as our District Court judge in Division 3 on Tuesday.

No controversy

As a member of the Wichita Griots: Keepers of the Stories, I find myself disturbed by the tone of an article in The Eagle (“City gives grants, denies Griot African storytellers,” July 20 Eagle). To include #BlackTypeMatters in a Twitter post was insensitive at best and potentially incendiary considering the current societal climate.

The Griots are disappointed by our failure to win a requested grant award from the city of Wichita this year, but there is absolutely no controversy. In our grant application, we apparently made two critical mistakes. One was technical in terms of a typeface error, and one fundamental in our failure to correctly detail our request to fit both the grant parameters and the major national conference our group is hosting in Wichita next year.

We take full responsibility for these errors and look forward to other ways that John D’Angelo, manager of arts and cultural services for the city, and other city leaders and partners can help Wichita and the Griots welcome the annual conference of the National Association of Black Storytellers in 2017.

Musical evening

Brett Valliant’s recent concert at First United Methodist Church was superlative. From the first notes of the national anthem on the Schantz pipe organ, to the final challenging “Concerto Gregoriano” by Pietro Yon, the concert was a pipe organ lover’s delight.

Valliant continues to augment his already internationally known reputation.

The musical menu was received with great satisfaction by a very appreciative audience. Selecting the softest of voicings to the deep-throated bombards gave the audience the full gambit of sound.

We heard impeccable Bach, a patriotic medley, the national hymn “God of Our Fathers” arranged by Diane Bish, and the Chattanooga train arriving in the station.

A very talented vocalist, Andrew Martin, chose dance selections from Broadway musicals and “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” for his encore.

It was another very beautiful musical evening.

This story was originally published July 30, 2016 at 12:05 AM with the headline "Letters on Wagle, Christian nation, Masterson, Peterjohn, Keith, Griots."