Letters on seat-belt fine, Sam Williams, Jennifer Winn, liquor law

Seat-belt fine an abuse of system

“Bill would raise seat-belt fines from $10 to $60” (Feb. 5 Local & State) is an example how politicians abuse the legal system as an alternate taxing method. The intent is to raise $1.2 million, and to give it some semblance of caring about safety, they will spend 5 percent of this to promote seat-belt use for children. This abuse of the legal system is an affront to fair laws and the people who enforce those laws.

Police are to serve and protect. This law and similar others just make them tax collectors and servants of the politicians. You can dream there are no quotas or pressure on the officers to write tickets for revenue, but reality is evident in budgets.

The court system is used to further politicians’ abuses. An example is civil forfeiture laws. Civil forfeitures allow the taking of property without probable cause, due process or trial. The expense to the owner to recover the seized property is so great that it can be more expensive than just giving up the property to police agencies. Then there is property that is seized by eminent domain for public use only to be given to another private person for his profit. Then consider fines so large they bankrupt people or businesses so they cannot fight the allegations of misconduct. Politicians are destroying the faith in a fair and impartial legal system.

Politicians may be doing what is legal since they make the laws, but they are not ethical or moral in abusing the legal system.

Williams a leader

Wichitans have an incredible opportunity this coming mayoral election to put into office a person with proven, high-level business and financial skills and unsurpassed involvement with some of our city’s most important institutions. That person is Sam Williams.

Williams is a CPA, so he’s not intimidated by numbers in the city’s budget. He has been a managing partner in one of Wichita’s most successful organizations. He knows how to craft a vision for success and work with others to make it happen.

His community service includes heading a successful citywide United Way annual campaign, being a board member of the area Boy Scouts and other organizations, and serving as chairman of the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce. He’s active in his church and has bused tables at the Lord’s Diner.

He is at least one person in the field who doesn’t need the job; he wants it to help lead Wichita toward becoming a true world-class city.

His objectives as mayor are to focus on those things that government does best: protecting its citizens, providing an abundant water supply, and taking care of our infrastructure, including streets, while establishing a climate where jobs are created and local firms can grow and be successful.

Seldom in our history have we had such a clear choice of a proven leader to serve as our mayor. His name is Sam. Sam Williams.

Winn for mayor

I want to go on record as endorsing Jennifer Winn for mayor of Wichita. Winn is honest, reliable and willing to work the long hours needed for all the people in Sedgwick County.

Winn will use all of the above qualities to create a better balance of integrity between the city and citizens’ needs. In other words, she will be fair. I have seen up close and personal Winn’s selfless volunteer work and her sincere concerns about how ineffective our city government has become for the people.

In seeing how Winn relates and has compassion for people, I have come to respect and admire her generosity, intelligence and dedication. If you want open, honest transparency in the Mayor’s Office, vote for Jennifer Winn.

Liquor trade-off

The upcoming hearings in Topeka about allowing grocery stores to sell full-strength beer, wine and liquor make me think about the changes to come (Feb. 8 Eagle). To the large grocers, the issue represents extra sales and more money on the bottom line. To the customer, it represents convenience. To the independent liquor store owner, it represents the loss of a job, the ability to make a living and, to some, a way of life.

There is no doubt in my mind that the law will eventually be passed. The current proposal puts a moratorium on the issuance of liquor licenses and requires grocers to buy an existing license. Will these license holders be paid enough?

I’ve met numerous liquor store owners over the years. Some can’t wait to get out and will probably accept any offer. Others are entrepreneurs – hardworking Kansans – who provide for their families, give jobs to their employees and pay rent to their landlords. I feel bad for these folks.

Suppose they do get thousands of dollars for their liquor license. Will it buy out a lease? Can they retire on it? Will it justify giving up or redirecting the entrepreneurial dream?

Like many, I’ll probably take the convenience over the allegiance to independent business at times. It will be quicker and easier. It makes me sad to think that these entrepreneurs might be forced out, just for my “convenience.”

This story was originally published February 10, 2015 at 6:04 PM with the headline "Letters on seat-belt fine, Sam Williams, Jennifer Winn, liquor law."