Candidates who want to run for City Council or mayor have a lot of information to dissect and understand and a lot of tasks to complete. A detail as small as where you place your yard sign can be dictated by city ordinances. Getting the essential information isn’t easy. It’s not readily available online. It […]
city council
Posted inEnvironment
How new building codes could help fight climate change
William Davies thinks action on climate change is urgent, and adopting new building codes in Kansas City would be a step in the right direction. “Folks are looking to Kansas City for leadership and we shouldn’t shy away from that,” said Davies, an organizer with the Sierra Club. “We’re not saying that this is the […]
Posted inLocal Government
Most Wichita board and commission members don’t fill out conflict of interest forms. Here’s what other cities do.
Editor’s note: We corrected this story on May 12 to add that the Library Board of Directors also asks its members to fill out conflict of interest disclosure forms. The headline, a photo caption and the story were revised to reflect this update. On May 16, the story was revised to clarify that while the […]
Posted inLocal Government
Emailing, tweeting and subscribing: All the ways to contact Wichita City Council members
Local governments shouldn’t operate without their community’s input. So, how can you bring an issue to the City Council? Who represents what? Where can a Wichitan stay updated on their council member’s agenda? The Wichita Beacon has put together a guide on the members of City Council, how to contact them and where to follow […]
Posted inLocal Government
Are Wichita’s unpaved roads an equity issue? The Wichita Beacon analyzes unpaved roads by ZIP code
For years, Wichita residents have battled the dust and bumpiness that come with the city’s 84 miles of unpaved roads in established neighborhoods. That’s largely because Wichita historically used a pay-it-yourself policy — to pave a road in an already-built neighborhood, at least 51% of property owners on a street have to petition the city and […]
Posted inLocal Government, Watchdog
Proposed changes would expand role of Wichita’s police review board
The Wichita Citizen’s Review Board could issue independent reports on allegations of police misconduct for the first time under changes proposed by the city last week. How board members are appointed and the length of their terms would also change under a proposal offered Feb. 24 by Wichita City Manager Robert Layton. The 13-member board, […]
Posted inLocal Government
Five questions with Wichita’s two new incoming council members
This November, a shake-up to the Wichita City Council was clinched by the election of two political newcomers. Wichita’s City Council District 6 elected Maggie Ballard, defeating one-term incumbent Cindy Claycomb with 55% of the vote. Wichita’s City Council District 3 elected Mike Hoheisel, defeating nine-month incumbent Jared Cerullo with 50% of the vote. The […]
Posted inLocal Government
Accomplishments, regrets, advice from Wichita’s outgoing City Council members
Nearly four years ago, Wichita City Council member Cindy Claycomb was sworn into her seat after winning a landslide election for her District 6 seat. Nearly nine months ago, City Council member Jared Cerullo took office after the existing council appointed him, in a 4-to-2 vote, to fill a vacant District 3 seat. Now, Claycomb […]
Posted inLea en Español, Local Government
Asista y hable: Cómo participar en el proceso de gobierno de Wichita
Todos los días, el gobierno de la ciudad de Wichita toma decisiones sobre una lista de temas: seguridad pública, parques y espacios verdes, y reglas de zonificación, por nombrar algunos. Entonces, ¿cómo puede usted asegurarse de que su voz sea escuchada en estos asuntos? The Wichita Beacon creó esta guía para ver, asistir y participar […]
Posted inDIY Democracy, Local Government
Showing up and speaking up: How to participate in Wichita city government meetings
Every day, Wichita’s city government makes decisions about a litany of topics: public safety, parks and green space, and zoning rules, to name a few. So how can you make sure your voice is heard on these matters? The Wichita Beacon created this guide to watching, attending and participating in city government meetings. Where to […]