When Shala Perez began serving on city, county, state and national advisory boards in 2009, she was often the only woman and person of color in the room. Having worked in law enforcement — including the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, the Bel Aire Police Department and the Mulvane Police Department — Perez was accustomed to this. But […]
wichita
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 […]
Posted inLocal Government
Most local Wichita elections see single-digit turnouts. What made 2021 so different?
At Riverside Christian Church on the morning of Nov. 2, the line to vote stretched almost out the door. The parking lot buzzed with cars bringing voters to exercise their civic duty. On the ballot: not a president, state representatives or senators, nor even a mayor. Just three Wichita City Council races and four Wichita Board of […]
Posted inLocal Government
Behind the boil advisory: How Wichita maintains its water pipes and where it failed
When a 36-hour boil advisory wreaked havoc in Wichita on Oct. 7 and 8, Alan King, the city’s public works director, wanted to make one thing clear. “This was a failure of the distribution system,” he said. In other words, the boil advisory came about as the result of a water main break in the […]
Posted inLocal Government
Your pressing questions for Wichita City Council candidates answered ahead of the Nov. 2 election
This fall, six candidates are vying for three seats on the Wichita City Council. In District 3, incumbent Jared Cerullo faces Mike Hoheisel, while District 6 incumbent Cindy Claycomb is running against Maggie Ballard. The challengers in both races received the most votes in their Aug. 3 primaries. In District 1, incumbent Brandon Johnson contends […]
Posted inLocal Government
What is the impact of corporate money in Wichita City Council races?
Venture Investments Inc. Wichita Crossing LLC. Regency 21 LLC. In Wichita City Council races this year, vaguely named LLCs and corporations pepper the donation sheets of candidates. Since the council changed its campaign finance policies in 2015 to permit corporations and businesses to donate in city elections, these sources now make up a significant portion […]
Posted inLocal Government
How Wichita’s proposed nondiscrimination ordinance would work
UPDATE: On Oct. 12, the Wichita City Council voted 6-1 to pass the nondiscrimination ordinance. The council approved amendments to the measure proposed by Wichita’s Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights Advisory Board and rejected an amendment from City Council member Jared Cerullo to expand religious exemptions in the ordinance. This Twitter thread breaks down the […]
Posted inLocal Government
Why cities across Kansas enacted LGBTQ protections — and what that means for Wichita
UPDATE: On Oct. 12, the Wichita City Council voted 6-1 to pass the nondiscrimination ordinance. The council approved amendments to the measure proposed by Wichita’s Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights Advisory Board and rejected an amendment from City Council member Jared Cerullo to expand religious exemptions in the ordinance. This Twitter thread breaks down the […]
Posted inWatchdog
Hurdles too high for some Kansans seeking emergency rental assistance
Sheila Sager doesn’t know if she should pack her bags. Her twins caught COVID. The electric company was threatening to shut off the lights. Her landlord was preparing to sell the house she rented, irritated with her pleas to get his cooperation on rental assistance paperwork. Sager was unemployed and behind on her bills — […]