Mayor Dave Taylor’s search for a “legal city clerk” is nothing more than an inexperienced and uninformed politician’s attempt to honor a campaign promise to some special-interest group or person here in Tonganoxie who probably contributed to his campaign.

Mayor Taylor has the power to appoint the city clerk. Mayor Taylor took no action on the appointment of the city clerk on May 12, 2003.

I am absolutely sure the good people on the city council will not allow him to fire a hard-working and trustworthy employee and citizen of the city of Tonganoxie.

John Franiuk,
Tonganoxie.

Concealed carry concerns
To the editor:

I swear I am not making this up.

A senate committee endorsed a concealed carry proposal, which however bans concealed firearms from city halls, courthouses, the Statehouse, the state fair and bars. But the committee voted down an attempt to also ban concealed firearms from hospitals, churches, banks, community centers and parks.

Stan Clark, Oakley Republican, explained that “If we’re going to have concealed carry, we’ve got to be able to carry it somewhere besides home and the car.” (Wait … wasn’t protection for home and property the reason we’re supposed to need concealed weapons?)

Kay O’Connor, Olathe Republican, says restricting places where people can carry concealed firearms would be “overkill.” I can’t decide: Is her choice of words tastelessly jocular, or serious and blindingly stupid?

I’m comforted to know that even if this idiocy becomes law, the Statehouse, state fair and bars – places legislators might go – will be gun-free. But it looks like the rest of us will just have to take our chances if we’re foolish enough to hang out in banks, hospitals, churches or parks.

If the Statehouse will be one of the few gun-free zones (and why not?), some senators would fail the mental-defect screening anyway), sane Kansans may have to run for office. Maybe there are sane citizens of Oakley and Olathe who’d go to the state Senate for their own safety – and ours?

Steve Hicks,
Rural Lawrence.

School proposal
To the editor:

I’d like to address the Unified School District 464 school bond proposal.

It is times like these, I’m reminded of Charles Dickens story, “Tale of Two Cities,” the best of times and the worst of times.

Worst of times because none of us knows what the future holds, (and never have). No one wants a tax increase with people on fixed incomes; unemployment; national debt increasing; and the rising cost of utilities. And yet, none of this has been caused by our children. We still have to plan for the future.

The best of times for we have a great superintendent; a super board of education; good working committees; patrons council, all working on our behalf of what they believe is best for our children and the community. Let us ask ourselves: Is there an urgent need for a bond proposal? Yes, I truly believe there is and with the large influx of population coming our way, we have the growth to help pay for the necessities that growth has created.

I’d like for the citizens of USD 464 to be aware as they make their decisions: We are in a unique position for the state to fund 30 percent of the cost after a successful vote for a bond issue. For example, with a $25 million bond issue, the state saves us $7,500,000!

I’ve had people on the street, in our stores and phone calls wanting to know what I think. I do believe the lack of opinions, turnout at forums, etc., indicate patrons are afraid!

Afraid not to support the children and yet not in a position to commit themselves.

Let’s give the children in USD 464 the opportunities we all had, wherever we were educated. No one has ever taken their school tax dollars and been able to hire tutors to educate their children yet. We must work together or our community will go down together.

I don’t say we have to have the extremes. We can compromise, consider everyone, some can afford the best, some cannot! Good teachers can teach anywhere children come to learn.

I would urge the patrons of USD 464 to support our board of education, the superintendent, the committees and teachers as they are working to look to the future with a vision.

Mildred G. McMillon,
Tonganoxie.

Traffic snags
To the editor:

I read with interest, the traffic study of several intersections in town. When the Catholics get finished with their multi-purpose building and three of the biggest churches in town let services out at approximately the same time and converge on U.S. Highway 24-40 and Washington Street, it will be interesting to see what happens.

Oh, then in time a school down the road; why not throw in a McDonald’s and make it really interesting.

Connie Putthoff,
Tonganoxie