Letters to the editor on KanCare expansion, state employees, Williams, Longwell, Blubaugh, Logan, thanks from Owen family

KanCare expansion won’t happen

God bless you, Wichita physician Gerard S. Brungardt, for your service to the poor and for advocating for the expansion of KanCare (March 17 Opinion). But let’s get real; it’s not going to happen. Not in Kansas.

Those conservative nut jobs in Topeka (to borrow that phrase from Kansas’ top nut job, Secretary of State Kris Kobach) don’t even want to fund KanCare now. So why in the heck would they want to expand it? So a woman like the one the good doctor described, who works two jobs, can get health care? Their attitude is: Why doesn’t she have a job that provides health care? Never mind her circumstances or that whatever jobs she’s doing are necessary but don’t pay enough to provide health care.

We’re dealing with people who are cutting every service in the state so they can give tax giveaways to people who need them the least. Schools, roads, courts, health care for the poor, etc.? Well, that’s just nasty old socialism, never mind such “socialism” will provide them Social Security and Medicare one day. In the meantime, they have no intention of expanding medical care at the state level for the hardworking uninsured. They couldn’t care less about this woman or anyone like her.

Treated like serfs

Our governor is showing himself as an aristocrat more and more each day. He views the working class as a disposable resource to be exploited by the rich.

The first thing he attacked regarding state employees was collective bargaining, the bane of the aristocracy. He then tries to empty their retirement fund. Six years without a noticeable pay raise, increased health insurance rates, and then he and lawmakers want to reduce workers’ compensation. (They are disposable.) Now he wants them to become “unclassified,” having no rights whatsoever – in short, reducing them to feudal serfs.

We are not asking for pie in the sky. All we ask for is that the governor and legislators dust off their Bibles, read Matthew 7:12, and then obey Jesus and treat others the way they would like to be treated. Is that too much to ask?

Fresh perspective

After careful consideration of the alternatives, I have chosen to endorse and support Sam Williams for Wichita mayor.

From my perspective, public service is always appreciated. But when someone of Williams’ caliber and experience steps forward and offers to serve, and thus is willing to subject himself to the rigors of the political landscape in the process, we as citizens of this community should be thankful.

Williams has been a solid and valued contributor to the Wichita community for decades, participating and leading in both the business and not-for-profit arenas. His community service extends from chairing the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce to busing tables at the Lord’s Diner. He has worked effectively in leading successful public-private ventures in Wichita.

Williams’ qualifications as a chief financial officer and a managing partner of one of our community’s most noteworthy businesses speak for themselves. Significantly, he is not a career politician. He has chosen, after nearly 40 years in business, to now direct his considerable talent and energy to helping lead our community as its mayor.

That, I believe, is why his endorsers and supporters come from every walk of life and every corner of Wichita. Williams is truly a breath of fresh air, offering the fresh perspective we need as mayor of Wichita.

Voice of reason

A letter stated that mayoral candidate Sam Williams is “committed to helping lift Wichita out of its status quo ‘good-old-boy’ environment” (“Elect Williams,” March 18 Letters to the Editor). I find that incongruent with the fact that Williams announced his candidacy for mayor at the Wichita Area Builders Association and was endorsed by former Mayor Bob Knight – both bastions of Wichita’s status quo and good-old-boy environment.

Unfortunately, neither candidate for mayor – Williams or Jeff Longwell – has offered a vision for this community. We’ve not had a true vision since Chris Cherches was city manager, and since that time we’ve been operating with a hybrid manager-mayor form of government.

That being said, I support Longwell for mayor. We are at a juncture in the history of our community when we would be better served by someone who knows the inner workings of city government as well as the successes and possibilities of our city. Longwell has been a voice of reason and fiscal restraint but a believer in our potential by supporting projects that help us to be a vibrant and forward-moving community.

Stands for us

For the upcoming April election, I would like to recommend Jeff Blubaugh for Wichita City Council in District 4.

I have known Blubaugh for more than 16 years. During his time on the City Council, he has performed all his duties with integrity and an open mind, and offered a thoughtful response.

Blubaugh has a vision that doesn’t come from personal dreams but from aspirations of seeing community growth. He thinks outside the box. For example, he took the time to travel to Oklahoma to see how people are using libraries there. Last week he questioned what was being budgeted to spend on the gala event at the new airport terminal.

Please vote for Blubaugh. He stands for all of us.

Proven leader

I strongly support Sheril Logan for her re-election to the Wichita school board. As a former Kansas Teacher of the Year who served in the Wichita district for several years, I am quite familiar with Logan and the various leadership roles in which she has been asked to serve. She has been a friend to students and to the Wichita public schools.

As the current school board president, Logan has again reached out to the students of this school district. Her efforts are well-known to those who continue to invest time and energy in the youth of this city. Her proven record demonstrates her understanding of public education, the needs of students and budget issues, and her ability to communicate district goals toward the future success of all students. Listening to her shows how well-informed and knowledgeable she is about what needs to happen for students to be successful – a goal that is shared by all.

Logan is a proven leader with vast budget experience. With the current uncertainty of education funding, it is important that the person elected to the school board knows how to maintain a sound educational system in Wichita.

Outpouring of love

The following letter was submitted by Glen, Donita, Geremy, Katie, Max, Jack and Benjamin Owen of Springboro, Ohio:

We would like to openly thank Casey Casamento and his staff, the musicians, and church members who welcomed us into the City Life Church family during the week leading up to Erika Lynn Owen’s memorial service on March 7. The outpouring of love, food, prayers and the intentional attention to our every need during those days were above and beyond our expectations.

To the first responders on the scene: We are thankful for your courage and service. To the staff at Staybridge Suites: We appreciate your hospitality to our family and friends who stayed there. To Journey the Way Church and Broadway Mortuary: We are grateful for the beautiful and dignified visitation and celebration of Erika’s life you facilitated. And, finally, our heartfelt thanks to Tim Potter, a reporter for The Eagle, who told Erika’s story with such compassion and integrity (“Woman who died in pond loved her dog, loved people,” March 7 Eagle).

The people of Wichita and Kansas who honored Erika will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

This story was originally published March 21, 2015 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Letters to the editor on KanCare expansion, state employees, Williams, Longwell, Blubaugh, Logan, thanks from Owen family."