No More Taxes Shawnee on FB leads growing opposition to Shawnee Community Center. Alerts SOS Scott Schwab to Three Monkeys ballot wording deceptions that violate Consumer Protection Act.

The City of Shawnee is obsessed with keeping up with Lenexa. 

Have you seen that new ladidah Rec Center at 87th & Renner in Lenexa?  Let's raise our property taxes in Shawnee 52%, and build something two thirds as large, with half as many party rooms, as close as possible to Legends Outlet Mall!!!  Just don't tell the deets on the May 21 ballot!

 To the point of jamming in deceptive, incorrect, evasive and misleading ballot wording to approve a $54 million Shawnee Community Center on May 21.  But just saying it costs $38 million.

DO THE MATH 1:
$2.7 million a year
x 20                         for the FIRST 20 years, (remember, in never sunsets, but let's start there) is
=============
$54 million.

But the ballot says $38 million.

Did you ever buy a car, a house, a piece of particle board white trash furniture from Nebraska Furniture Mart? 

Big Louie works you over in round 1--for your monthly payment.  And then round 2, Horace says, "Don't forget the rust proofing!

There's INTEREST.  Which must be disclosed, or the seller has violated the 2018 AG Consumer Protection Act.  Now why in hell doesn't Tyler Ellsworth, the toddler lawyer and the Shawnee Council KNOW that and disclose it in the ballot??

Here are some of the violations that No More Taxes Shawnee on FB, led by tax cutting cougar, Tracy Thomas, spotted as she prowled through that Consumer Protection Act and the ridiculously vague seven line mail-in ballot as worded by Tyler Ellsworth, the "toddler lawyer" (3 1/2 years since he passed the bar), Shawnee's D list bond counsel, Kutak Rock.

Tracy shared them Friday with Scott Schwab's office, he's our new Secretary of State, since Kris Kobach left that office, lost for governor, and is now somewhere Building That Wall.

There is still plenty of time to amend the BALLOT WORDING, so it is not what I have just realized is a violation of the KS AG's Consumer Protection Act of 2018:

50-626, G2: oral and written representation of: 

1. Exaggeration 

2. Falsehood 

3. innuendo and 

4: Ambiguity as to a material fact.

G3: suppression or omission of a material fact. For example: Violations re 50-626: It's $54 million, not $38 million. Interest over 20 years must be stated.

 

It's unprecedented for a city to be so broke they must also FINANCE DAILY OPERATIONS, WAY BEYOND CONSTRUCTION COSTS! 17 FT Park employees, when only 12 were added to the police department this year.

50-626G8: a transaction that involves unrevealed obligations. 1. Will never be self-sustaining, even new, before it requires repairs and maintenance.  

2.No Sunset of the mill levy property tax (they could, but refuse to) 

3.No EARMARK of the mill levy property tax (they could but refuse to)-- which tells you that just like Merriam, they will repurpose, redesign or do something completely different, after we vote. It's a BLANK CHECK. Expected to also set the mill levy higher in July than their propaganda-- which is illegal electioneering. More violations of Ks. Consumer Protection Act of 2018, due to this deliberately vague ballot wording:

50-627b1: took advantage of inability of the consumer to understand the language of an agreement. (eg calling it $38 million when it's $54 million.) 

Where's the damn calculator when I need it, Mickey?

50-627b2: The price grossly exceeded the price at which similar property or services were readily obtainable. (eg Lenexa Rec. Center and new Joco pool, more conveniently located. Without paying $54 million, plus fees.)

I can't walk to the mailbox, on Nieman and 69th.  I have no use for this, can't use it or afford to build it for others.

50-627b3: Consumer unable to receive a material benefit. eg too far away, cannot use due to age, health, transportation. 

 

50-627b4: No reasonable probability of payment of the obligation IN FULL by the consumer. eg admittedly never self sustaining, even before it's not new.

50-627b5: The supplier (City) induced the consumer to enter into something excessively one-sided...in favor of supplier. (staff is so jealous of Lenexa, want their "own", even tho location is bad, too close to Wyco which has no rec centers, only 2 party rooms when Lenexa has 4, too much space allocated to sports, not enough community use.)

50627b6: The supplier (City) made a misleading statement of opinion--on which the consumer was likely to rely to the consumer's detriment. eg: won't commit to actual property tax mill levy increase. Because city is ignoring 2017 Ks. Tax Lid Bill, giving voters the sole power to raise mill levy. 

 

City intends to set mill levy at WHATEVER THEY CHOOSE, in July budget meeting. Guesstimates of $7.36 are not fact. They are teaser rates.

This is illegal, it's electioneering. Unprecedented. 

 

The city is desperate to compete with Lenexa. City trying to put speculative memo in the same envelope--or print on same page as evasive 7 line ballot wording.

Even trying to con the county Election Commissioner into signing it!! Non-binding, Metsker is a TV evangelist from the last century, not a lawyer, propaganda to hoodwink the voters.

All before the March county appraiser letters increase our property valuations dramatically. eg a house for $160k going to $200k, because small homes are in great demand. Keep reading: No More Taxes Shawnee on FB And when you read, anywhere, that the "cost is $38 million", challenge that online paper (ShawneeMissionPost.com, or TV 9 reporter or TV4 reporter, or council member or Julie Breithaupt, city social director, here on Nextdoor.

That is FALSE and MISLEADING. Might be the cost to a millionnaire buying a bond, but just like a car or a house that you finance, the actual total cost to the homeowner MUST legally state the interest. And the term of the loan. But this never sunsets. Total of $54 million plus future operating losses. Make your council members correct the ballot wording.  

 

For more information, see No More Taxes Shawnee on FB
as well as our sister blog, www.KcmoPost.com
 

Shawnee Council accused of FISCAL FOLLY for Taj Mahal community center, by bus. exec/humanitarian David Williams

The proposed Shawnee Community Center (a $38 million Taj Mahal rival to eternal rival Lenexa's rec center) is in serious trouble.

Shawnee, always trying to be Lenexa, wants to build a Taj Mahal $38 million rec center in far western Shawnee.  Which will end up being the new urban teen hangout for unmentioned northern neighbor, Wyandotte County).  Funded by a $15 a month property tax that never sunsets.  (also not mentioned in ballot.)

 

Public opposition is suddenly speaking up, angry and motivated to stop a hearing and ballot order, 7pm  Mon. Feb. 11 at Shawnee City Hall, Johnson Drive and Nieman.  The Shawnee Community Center (a proposed $38 million to $52 million Taj Mahal rival to eternal rival Lenexa's more convenient new rec center) is in serious trouble.

This morning the entire Shawnee Council received this letter from David Williams, a respected business exec and humanitarian from Ward 4.  (The same ward where Mickey Sandifer, who supports SCC to the point of breaking the law in saying "Vote Yes",  is running for re-election.)

If the public cannot attend Mon. Feb 11 at Shawnee City Hall, when this will be put on a proposed May 21 mail-in ballot, after a short public hearing,they are encouraged to email their opinions to:  governingbody@cityofshawnee.org

From: David Williams <dndwilliams1@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Feb 10, 2019 at 8:14 AM
Subject: Proposed Community Center
To: governingbody@cityofshawnee.org <governingbody@cityofshawnee.org>

Shameful - Shameful - Just Per Shameful!

The City of Shawnee has over $144 Million dollars of Capital Improvement projects on the books currently. Many of these projects have been delayed multiply times due to complications with funding. The council is taking on a folly that is the worst use of taxpayers funds ever heard of.

 If I was planning on continuing my career as a council member or seek higher office I would think long and hard about taking an average of $200 a year forever out of every taxpayer’s pocket on a folly like this. You could be the next Kevin Yoder!  Just to be like the JONES. One of the main Capital Improvement Project that I have seen delayed and delayed because of financial reasons has been the Monticello Road Project. A project that I have given up on of even being completed. A project that would not only improve traffic flow, improve safety, and gain access for the residents to access the trails system.  It would also bring development of homes and in turn bring more tax dollars to Shawnee. I would have thought our council would be interested in the big picture on how to improve revenue by increasing residents not just fleecing the ones they have.  

History:

One of the reasons given by the council was the recession on 2008, which I agree was bad for the community. Well I think you might want to consider the following information before promoting a new $38 Million dollar loser. Yes, I have heard that the council can not promote but there are some of you that are promoting this folly. 

National Economy Outlook:

Chief executives are concerned for another recession in 2019!

On Monday, January 21, 2019 the International Monetary Fund cut its global growth predictions for this year and next, saying “the balance of risks remains skewed to the downside” and momentum is “past its peak.”

Chief executives ranked a global recession as their number one concern for 2019, according to a survey of nearly 800 top business leaders around the world released Thursday by The Conference Board. Global trade threats came in second. Even consumers, who power the U.S. economy, are on edge. Consumer confidence has fallen to the lowest level of Trump’s presidency, according to the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment survey out Friday.

As for the Community Center Project. Shame on anyone on the council that votes to move this forward to the voters with a mail in ballot process.  I was able to attend both “Open Houses” in January and shame on the council members that were there if you vote to bring this to the voters. With less than 50 individuals at each presentation it should give you the message. Please don’t say it was because of the weather, it was not that bad either day. It tells me that the majority of Shawnee taxpayers are NOT interested in this tax drain.  OR - OR - The Project has not been communicated well enough and taxpayers are unaware of what the council is proposing. 

Shame:

It was shameful that a taxpayer had to search out individuals to ask what was the estimated cost to the taxpayer. No one had name and position tags to identify them. Maybe this was the plan. Shame on the presentation with all the FLUFF & SIZZLE and NO facts or figures posted anywhere. Being in sales for over 40 years I can see FLUFF & SIZZLE when I see it. Shame on the council as the message of this proposal really hasn’t gotten  out to the majority of taxpayers. Depending on digital media isn’t cutting it. The taxpayers don’t really know what is going to hit them with a tax increase and for how long (forever). 

A property tax of this magnitude will make Shawnee one of the heaviest taxed cities in Johnson County and maybe the state. 

It is shameful that you our trusted officials would invest in a project that will run in the RED forever ($200,000) never paying for it’s own operation. 

More staff, not police or fire?

By adding 17 more full time employees with benefits this negative spending will grow year over year. And the real shame of it all they don’t have to be residents of Shawnee. They can go spend their salaries in other cities. I have never seen a legal business operate in the red and survive long. 

* Shame on  the council member voting on doing a project that will compete with tax paying 

   private industry. 

* Cut the losses and sell the property. 

* Sell the property and speed up completion of some of the other Capital Improvement Projects.

David Williams

Resident Ward 4

David Williams is currently in Puerto Rico rebuilding homes for hurricane victims.

He may be reached via email, dndwilliams1@gmail.com

The council email to Mayor Michelle Distler and all 8 Councilmen and women,  is governingbody@cityofshawnee.org

If the public cannot attend Mon. Feb 11 at Shawnee City Hall, 7pm, Johnson Drive and Nieman, when this will be put on a proposed May 21 mail-in ballot, they may mail their opinions to:  governingbody@cityofshawnee.org

Here are other concerns:
(not expressed by David Williams.  By others on No More Taxes Shawnee.)

*  a want rather than a need

*  too far west location

*  the next youth hangout for idle Wyandotte County teens, @ 72 cents/day. cheaper 

   than a babysitter

*  funding shenanigans

*  a non-disclosed property tax hike THAT NEVER SUNSETS 

*  violation and thumbing their nose at the 2017 Ks. Tax Lid Law

*  secret plans by council to raise the tax even higher in July to $15 a month from $7.36 

    stated on vague ballot

*  illegal electioneering by Council and staff, including Park Board director Neil Holman,

   and Ward 4 Councilman Mickey Sandifer.  Staff and council are only allowed to 

   "educate and inform", not advocate, eg say "Vote Yes".

*  And now even an election controversy involving a non-binding legalese "faux 

   endorsement" by Joco's beleaguered election commissioner, Ronnie Metsker, 

   are being exposed.

 

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