My polling location changed twice. I received an e-mail Tuesday morning from Michelle Obama, reminding me again where to vote and giving me five names to call to remind them of the location of their new polling place.
I arrived at the polls at 9 a.m. There was no line. I voted and was on my way home at 9:04.
Thank you, Clay County, for a job well done!
Joann Blackburn
Gladstone
What a shock to have revealed that Clay County does not collect real estate taxes (8/20, Local, “Property tax could return; The money is needed to fund road districts, the county administrator says”). I am almost scared to ask what my taxes will increase to when they start.
While we focus on taxes at the federal level, they are cleaning out our bank accounts at the local and state levels. The personal property tax on my cars is approaching the sales tax level. Imagine paying the amount you pay when you purchase the car every year just for the privilege of owning it.
And to make matters worse, the state finds increasing value in my car every year, while the market finds decreasing value.
Jerry Jackson
Liberty
If you testified at a criminal trial, would you feel good about sharing office space with the indicted person after the trial? A county auditor employee said she would not feel good, and that is the biggest reason why a wall was built (1/9, Local, “Clay County mulls wall’s fate; Commissioners study legal options about a divider built in an office”).
In 2000, the employee had to testify at Tom Brandom’s criminal trial. During the trial, the employee testified about paperwork that pertained specifically to his criminal charges.
Now that Brandom is the elected county clerk, she is rightfully concerned. For many years, the clerk and the auditor offices shared common and unsecured working space. The employee told me that she was quite troubled that Mr. Brandom could easily come into our work space and possibly create an office environment not conducive to acceptable working conditions.
The wall was needed to have a separate, distinct and secure work space.
Vic Hurlbert
Clay County auditor
Johnson County residents recently dismayed by in-your-face politics can take heart that at least they don't live in Clay County, where county Auditor Vic Hurlbert is at it once again (12/20, Local, "Does this good wall make good neighbors? Some say past political bickering may be behind construction completed over the weekend").
This time, instead of assisting in bringing a frivolous lawsuit against a political enemy, Hurlbert uses $2,000 of taxpayers' money to have a wall built between him and that same enemy's desk, and says with a straight face that his motivation was neither personal nor political.
His final word, that he "looks forward" to working with the incoming clerk, his old enemy, is so cynical, so smarmy and ugly, one can only hope that next month finds Hurlbert sitting behind his "separate, distinct and secure" office wall swatting at cooties with a purchase order for cootie nets - which the taxpayers will pay for, too, of course.
Steve Hatfield
Liberty
Responding to my opponent for the Clay County collector's race (10/3, Letters), I must state that I have a lifetime of honorable public service and have never been charged with breaking any laws. I went to graduate business school ($30,000 of my own funds were used originally) to enhance my skills and to bring this office into the 21st century.
With Web site services, imaging technology and new software being purchased that required being an educated consumer, I have diligently tried to be the professional Clay County residents deserve.
Sandra Reeves
Liberty
I am running for Clay County collector against Sandra Reeves. The Star has consistently run articles on Reeves’ inappropriate spending, and the late and incorrect tax bills. When it comes to supporting a candidate for Clay County collector, The Star continues to support her.
It states that I have not provided “a blueprint for improving the office.” How about this for a blueprint: I promise not to spend funds inappropriately. I will get tax bills out accurately and on time. I will make sure that senior citizens get their tax breaks. The Clay County collector’s office is a disgrace.
Bill Doores
Kearney
Your front page story about Ed Quick’s military service was enlightening since there has been much gossip and no facts.
I did not know Quick when he was a teenager, but I have been acquainted with his public work as a senator from Missouri and earlier in local Clay County politics. I know him as a caring, accessible person, someone who will stop and say hello to a common person on the street and hear his story.
He was the only local representative who would respond and do what he could to help my family when we had a problem. He will certainly have my vote.
And I am glad my mistakes as a teenager have not made the front page.
Leona McDonald
Kansas City
Youthful mistake, life of service
For the love of Pete, give us a break. So Ed Quick got a bad conduct discharge (10/20, Local, “Military verdicts cloud Clay County race”). He was 17. He is now over 70 years old, and he is running for County Commission, for crying out loud.
Let’s put this in perspective.
He has had a stellar and clean career from Kansas City Council all the way to the Missouri Senate, including years as President Pro Tem. I think those who know Quick will agree that this courtly gentleman has served a life of public service with honesty and integrity.
Who would want to be judged by a foolish act committed as a 17-year-old? Quick has shown an ability to grow. He has fought for the underprivileged kids in Missouri because he knows what that is about. Quick has redeemed himself. His record as a public servant shows that.
Jack Ellis
Kansas City
Campaign tactic offends
After reading Bill Graham’s article on the service record of Ed Quick, I felt compelled to write. I would like to ask why this point becomes so important after 50 years.
Is Ed Quick such an impeccable candidate with a strong leadership record that his opponent could not find anything else on which to attack him? I think the answer to that must be yes — that his decades of service more than make up for a bad act while a teenager.
I live in Kansas, so I have no real interest in Ed Quick’s winning or losing, but this article made me sad. Is this what we have turned into — anything to win?
Lisbeth Lurey
Prairie Village
This is one Clay County resident who will move away if Ed Quick is elected to any public office in Clay County. His excuse regarding his military discharge does not hold water (10/4, Local, “Campaign now shifts to Quick’s Navy discharge: Clay County candidate defends circumstances related to why he left the military in the ’50s”).
We must hold our elected officials to a higher standard than the average guy. Time to get out of Dodge, Ed.
John Dawson
Kansas City
My thanks to the Clay County voters for defeating the proposed charter (11/9, Metro) that was sponsored by the rich and famous leaders who persist in their desire to run the county. There is no doubt in my mind that this group, along with The Kansas City Star and the weekly publishers, will gather again for another try. In 2002 a similar attempt with several attorneys at the helm was defeated by about 200 votes. On the latest occasion it was downed by 3,706 votes.
Prior to this election, I made the rounds to organizations such as the VFW and the American Legion. Most voters I met felt they would be forfeiting their right to vote on matters of importance in the future.
Dave Wheeler
North Kansas City
