Latest news with #WichitaCityCouncil
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
A Wichita City Council candidate taped campaign material in City Hall. Can she do that?
In our Reality Check stories, Wichita Eagle journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Story idea? tips@ LaWanda DeShazer, a candidate for the open District 1 seat on the Wichita City Council, posted — then deleted — a campaign video she taped in City Hall. The taping violated a city policy that prohibits any type of campaigning inside city-owned buildings. The video was taped on June 4 and posted on Facebook later in the week to promote DeShazer's campaign launch event that weekend. While it was being taped, a Wichita Eagle reporter saw a member of City Hall staff ask DeShazer to not tape inside the building. The video had been deleted by Monday morning, after the event and after an Eagle reporter questioned DeShazer about it. 'There's a lot of new people running for office. … We don't know these nuances,' DeShazer said. Democrats crowd into race for open Wichita City Council seat. Who's running? The city said the policy that prohibits campaigning on public property has no enforcement mechanism. 'The City focuses on education and we would share the policy with candidates,' city spokesperson Megan Lovely said. A separate state statute prohibits campaigning in city-owned buildings through means of distributing literature and campaign materials unless other candidates have the opportunity to do so. But it doesn't explicitly prohibit filming campaign material on city property. People found in violation of the state statute are subject to a $500 fine or a month in jail. DeShazer said she thought her video being filmed in City Hall was OK after current District 1 council member Brandon Johnson posted a video shot outside McAfee Pool endorsing another candidate, Joseph Shepard. Johnson was wearing a city of Wichita shirt in the video. 'The endorsement video featuring Councilmember Brandon Johnson was filmed outside McAfee Pool, a city-operated entity. In doing so, we remained in compliance with both the Wichita City Code and City Policy #20,' Shepard said in a statement. 'Our filming respected these guidelines. We ensured there was no disruption to pedestrian or vehicle access and remained outside the facility's fence line.' Johnson backed Shepard's statement, saying Shepard reviewed city code before filming the endorsement video. 'It is unfortunate that Ms. DeShazer is suggesting that because she did not follow municipal code and Council policy, that one of her opponents did the same,' Johnson said in a statement. 'The fact that he and his team went the additional steps of reviewing guidelines is yet another reason he should be the Council Member for District 1.' Chris Pumpelly, who's also running for the seat, said he didn't find the video to be inappropriate since DeShazer is a private citizen. But he added already-elected officials must be held to a higher standard. 'The voters of District 1 are smart enough to know the City isn't endorsing a candidate in this race, but it's important as an elected official to make that line VERY clear in all your actions,' Pumpelly said in a statement to The Eagle. Other candidates in the crowded race to replace the term-limited Johnson are Aujanae Bennett and Darryl Carrington. A primary election is set for Aug. 5, with the top two candidates moving forward to the general election on Nov. 4. DeShazer said more education should be provided to candidates about campaigning when they file. 'I'm not trying to violate rules because I want to make things better for people, not worse,' she said.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New playground for kids of all abilities opens in south Wichita
The city of Wichita opened its first accessible playground on Wednesday, marking the first of a series of planned improvements to L.W. Clapp Memorial Park. At a ribbon-cutting late Wednesday morning, city leaders celebrated the opening of the playground and the installation of a piece of public art. 'This space is designated so that children of all abilities can play together side by side,' Reggie Davidson, Wichita Park and Recreation director, said. 'It's a place where everyone feels welcome, where every child belongs.' The art, a sculpture titled Voxel Clouds, was created by Brooklyn-based artist Osman Akan. Made up of steel and glass boxes, it is inspired by the video game Minecraft and by playgrounds of earlier decades, said Sonia Greteman, chair and creative director of the Greteman Group, a Wichita-based public arts consultant group that worked with the city. A dog park located on the other end of the park, which was supposed to open at the same time, remains closed to the public. It is littered with debris following flooding on Tuesday but city leaders said that after some cleanup, it will also open for use. Megan Lovely, the city's communications manager, said Wednesday afternoon that there is not yet an estimate for when it will open. The playground, dog park, sculpture and improved trails make up an initial phase of the city's upgrades to the park. The Wichita City Council approved the full scale $28 million plan in 2021. It includes restaurant and farmer's market spaces, a bandshell and an 'aviation hill' for spectators to watch planes flying to and from McConnell Air Force Base. This phase of the improvements cost about $6 million, according to the city's Capital Improvement Program. Clapp Park, formerly a golf course, is west of Oliver between Harry and Mount Vernon. Local residents and City Council member Mike Hoheisel, who represents District 3, where the park is located, said the area needed a safe place for kids to play. Jerry McGrew, a member of the District 3 advisory board who has lived across the street from the park for 25 years, said it was important to residents that the park remain a green space amid the improvements. 'This is what we need,' McGrew, a self-proclaimed 'nature lover,' said. McGrew said the area is 'a metropolis, all concrete and street lights.' 'But this is right in the middle of the city,' he said, praising the park's walking trails. 'It's comfortable, it's safe.' David Collier, another local resident, said he's excited to take his dog to the park when the dog park opens. 'I won't have to go all the way to a different dog park to have my dog enjoy the open spaces safely,' Collier said. Hoheisel said that part of the planning process involved consulting students at nearby Griffith and Colvin elementary schools. 'That's always great to bring the kids and the youth in and let them have some say in their playgrounds as well,' he said. 'Childhood is something we only get to experience once, and it is a fleeting experience. The memories made help develop us into who we become and what we give back to society as a whole. And every child should get a chance to enjoy being a child, especially when it comes to access to safe places to play.' Hoheisel said the city aims to increase the amount of accessible spaces for children, like the new playground. Previously, the only ADA-compliant playground in the area was at Sedgwick County Park. 'A parent on the south, north or east side shouldn't have to load up their child and drive over to the west side at Sedgwick County Park just so their child can play,' Hoheisel said. 'We're continuing to work on increasing accessibility to all residents in all areas, but it's appropriate that we celebrate the steps we make.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Democrats crowd into race for open Wichita City Council seat. Who's running?
Three seats on the Wichita City Council are up for reelection this year — all currently held by Democrats. But only one will have a primary election in August. That race is packed with some of the city's best-known Democratic candidates: a former county party chairman, a civil rights advocate, a political consultant, a former Wichita State University community liaison and a neighborhood association president who raised the alarm about a chemical spill in the district. No non-Democrats filed to run in the heavily blue-leaning district. The crowded District 1 race will decide who replaces council member Brandon Johnson, who faces term limits after eight years on the council. City council races are nonpartisan, meaning parties do not hold primaries or caucuses and party affiliation does not appear on the ballot. Members are elected for four-year terms by district. Council member pay was recently raised to $57,985.20 a year. A primary election is held in Wichita when four or more candidates run for a seat District 1 includes the core of Wichita, with parts of downtown, and generally stretches north to city limits and east to Rock Road. Five candidates have filed to run for the open seat, triggering a primary election for Aug. 5. The top two candidates will move forward to the general election on Nov. 4. Position: Insurance broker, Northeast Millair Neighborhood Association president Previously: Daycare provider, real estate agent Education: Graduated from Wichita West High at age 16, studied history and business at Friends University Party registration: Democrat Substantial interests: Bennett lists an ownership interest in Trinity Insurance and Financial Services and reported that she's the CEO of ICT Urban Lift, Inc., president of the Northeast Millair Neighborhood Association and member of the executive board of the Wichita Independent Neighborhood Association. Bennett, 61, has received news coverage since she helped bring attention to a chemical spill by a railroad company in northeast Wichita. She has lobbied for cancer screening. She has also spoken out against building a gas station in her district and placing a temporary homeless shelter in District 1 without gathering community feedback. She said she has collaborated with local, state and federal officials to address issues facing District 1 and aided the Workforce Alliance of South-Central Kansas in securing a nearly $500,000 brownfield job training grant. Her top priorities are affordable housing, tenant protections, environmental justice, public health, workforce development and 'restoring trust through accountable and community-driven leadership,' she said. 'District 1 is rich with potential,' she said. 'Together, we can build a cleaner, safer, more prosperous future block, family by family.' Carrington is a 66-year-old former community liaison between Wichita State University and the Fairmount neighborhood in the aftermath of a tragic murder at Fairmount Park in 2014. He is a registered Democrat. He did not respond to attempts to reach him. The Eagle will update with more information as it becomes available. Position: Community engagement specialist Previously: Retired from Sedgwick County Fire District 1 Education: Southeast High, Southwestern College, and Wichita State University mini-MPA Party registration: Democrat Substantial interests: DeShazer lists the Greater Wichita YMCA as an employer in the past 12 months and lists memberships on several organizations or businesses: Wichita Branch NAACP Youth executive board, H.O.P.E. Inc executive board, Wichita Racial Profiling Advisory Board, Sedgwick County Citizens Community Council, District 1 Advisory Board and Kansas 4-H State Program Development Committee. This is DeShazer's first run for elected office – but she's not unfamiliar with government work and setting budgets. DeShazer, 59, retired in 2019 from Sedgwick County Fire District 1, where she was in charge of its $20 million budget. 'I helped create, manage, the budget throughout the years. That was my baby,' DeShazer said. 'Twenty years worth of experience with government that I walk through the door with.' A lifelong resident of District 1, DeShazer said she'll focus on affordable housing and economic development in the district if elected. 'District 1 is huge, it's amazing,' she said, 'and so we need to strategically put things where people can get to them. You know, we always say 'meet people where they are,' and so I think we need to do that better.' Position: Political consultant, business owner Previously: President of the Wichita Board of Park Commissioners Education: University of Kansas, BS in Strategic Communications and BA in Communication Studies Party registration: Democrat Substantial interests: Pumpelly lists ownership in Inclusion, LLC, a consulting firm. He is also a director of Proud of Wichita, Inc.: The LGBT Chamber and The Institute for Inclusive Business. Pumpelly, 41, has helped manage multiple successful city campaigns in the past, including former Mayor Brandon Whipple's 2019 victory over incumbent Jeff Longwell. He has been an outspoken critic of Wichita Mayor Lily Wu, especially after she did not sign a proclamation for Transgender Day of Visibility that was submitted by Proud of Wichita, an organization founded by Pumpelly. 'Over the last ten years, Wichita invested millions of dollars into strategic plans to compete with our peer cities,' Pumpelly said in a news release. 'The last two years, however, we saw that momentum slam to a halt. I'm running for District 1 because my experience will help get us back on the right track and moving forward again.' He said his platform includes building additional housing units, east bank riverfront development downtown and acting on a 'backlog of existing City recommendations' including police reform recommendations from Jensen Hughes. Pumpelly said he's working to form a campaign committee. Position: Chief of staff at Lead for America Previously: Sedgwick County Democratic Party chairman, Director of multicultural engagement and campus life at Newman University, Kansas Leadership Center Education: Wichita State University, doctoral candidate in education leadership Party registration: Democrat Substantial interests: Shepard lists places of employment in the past year as Lead for America and Kansas Leadership Center. He also reported board membership for Humankind Ministries, The Kansas African American Museum and Phillips Fundamental Learning Center. Shepard, 32, said he has learned a lot since running for school board in 2019 and is ready to hear from District 1 residents as he campaigns. 'I'm trying to understand the non-sexy things. That's what's different this time, is that I'm getting into the weeds,' Shepard said. 'I think I've matured, and I think that I've been exposed to different people in different environments that have allowed me to grow in my leadership.' Although the city should focus on bringing in more affordable and transitional housing, as well as economic growth, he said, it needs to also focus on root causes of homelessness. 'I grew up homeless. ... I know what it is like when you have the ability to find shelter in your own community, where wraparound services are also available,' he said. 'I know that you can bring shelter all day long, but if you're not addressing the root causes, then you're not solving the issue.' The other two districts will not hold primary elections because fewer than four candidates filed to run. Voters in those council districts will choose their council member during the general election on Nov. 5. District 3 encompasses much of south Wichita, mainly south of Kellogg between Seneca and I-35. Two candidates have filed for the seat, including current city council member Mike Hoheisel and first-time candidate Genevieve Howerton. Both names are familiar to those who follow Kansas politics as both have relatives in the Statehouse. Hoheisel's brother, Nick Hoheisel, is the Republican House Majority Whip, while Howerton's mother, Cyndi Howerton, is a Republican representative who chairs the Child Welfare and Foster Care committee. Position: Current District 3 City Council member Previously: Small business owner/handyman Education: West High, Wichita State University, Fort Hays State University Party registration: Democrat Substantial interests: Hoheisel lists his city of Wichita employment and his wife's employment at Walgreens on his campaign filings. Hoheisel, 42, said he'd like to see some initiatives he started in his first term cross the finish line if re-elected to his current seat. Those initiatives address some issues for the south Wichita district including homelessness, mental health, addiction and safety. 'We've done a lot of good things over the past four years, but there's still a lot of work that still needs to be done,' he said. 'We didn't get to the position where we are in my district overnight, and the problems aren't going to be solved overnight, but I want to make sure that we're continuing to move in the right direction.' During his current tenure, Hoheisel has worked on some major projects for his district in south Wichita, including the city's biological nutrient removal project, which is expected to reduce sewage odors in the area. 'I grew up on South Broadway, and I would say, 'One day we'd wake up and smell the bread plant nearby, and the next day we'd wake up and smell the result of the bread plant.'' Howerton, 23, filed Monday, June 2, to challenge Hoheisel for his seat. She had not yet responded to a request for comment. Her campaign treasurer is her mother, Rep. Cyndi Howerton, with whom she shares an address in south Wichita. The first-time candidate is a registered Republican. Her statement of substantial interests filing shows she has received payment or been employed by Canvass America, a political canvassing firm, and Heritage 1st Realty, in the past year. It also lists her husband, Philip Pettit, as the grassroots engagement director for Americans for Prosperity. The Eagle will update with more information as it becomes available. District 6 covers parts of central and northwest Wichita generally located between I-135 and I-235 with parts of downtown, Delano and up to Valley Center. Position: Wichita City Council member Previously: Small-business owner, co-founder of Paxton's Blessing Boxes Education: Wichita North High School, attended University of Kansas Party registration: Democrat Substantial interests: Ballard lists her employment with the city and as a founder of Paxton's Blessing Box. Ballard, 43, was sworn into office in 2022 after defeating incumbent Cindy Claycomb. She is often an outspoken opponent of Wichita Mayor Lily Wu. The two have clashed over a Transgender Day of Visibility Proclamation, which Ballard presented in Wu's stead; downtown Portland Loo restrooms, which Ballard championed but Wu opposed; budget priorities; and the use of city parks. She said she would use the next four years to continue to advocate for the issues that are important to her district and to complete projects the city has started since she took office, including the Multi-Agency Center, or MAC, that serves the homeless. 'Our city is finally set to address long-time problems in a meaningful way,' Ballard said. 'But we can't take our foot off the gas now. My goal would be to see the MAC transform into our vision for a one-stop shop with transitional housing units on site, continue making City Hall more customer service friendly, and complete a Family Justice Center to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence.' Position: Process assurance trainer at Vestas Previously: Co-founded STOP Cards Initiative for Hope Street Youth Development Education: WSU Tech associate's degree in supply chain management and logistics, Bishop Carroll High School Party registration: Unaffiliated Substantial interests: None filed. Shabazz, a 40-year-old military widow and mother of two, oversees staff development and leads process improvements for a global wind energy company. She said she attends Holy Savior Catholic Church. Shabazz said she would like to prioritize economic revitalization along the Broadway corridor. Her campaign focuses on three issues: affordable housing, access to mental health care and addressing the root causes and investing in the long-term support services of homelessness. 'We can't criminalize poverty,' Shabazz said. 'We need permanent, humane solutions — housing, mental health care, job pathways — not just temporary shelters.' 'I'm running because I believe District 6 deserves a leader who listens, leads with integrity, and fights for every neighbor,' Shabazz said in a news release. 'This is my home. I'm raising my daughters here. I've seen the beauty and the challenges of our community, and I'm ready to be a voice for the people.' Anderson did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. His campaign filings show he will be his own treasurer and he works in inventory for Ebay Sales. He is a registered Republican. The Eagle will update with more information as it becomes available.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Candidates file for Wichita city, school positions
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Later this year, Wichita voters will choose who they want to represent them on the Wichita City Council and the Wichita USD 259 School Board. Candidates who wish to run for the positions had to file with the election office by noon on Monday. These are the positions available and the candidates who filed: District 1 – mostly in northeast Wichita Wichita City Council Member Brandon Johnson cannot seek re-election because of term limits. Five people want to replace him: Aujanae Bennett Darryl Carrington LaWanda DeShazer Chris Pumpelly Joseph Shepard District 3 – southeast Wichita Mike Hoheisel, incumbent Genevieve Howerton District 6 – north Wichita Maggie Ballard, incumbent Brett Anderson Margaret (Wheeler) Shabazz District 1 The schools in this district include: Adams, Buckner, Gammon, Isely, Jackson, Mueller, and Spaght elementaries, Gordon Parks K-8, Brooks and Stucky middle schools, Heights and Northeast Magnet high schools, and Chester I. Lewis Academic Learning Center (Wichita Virtual School, Wichita Alternative High School and Wichita Adult Learning Center), Little Early Childhood Center, and Wichita' Children's Home. Diane Albert, incumbent Sarah McMillen Mackenzi Truelove Kyle R. Wiseman District 2 The schools in this district include Beech, College Hill, Hyde, Minneha, Price-Harris, and Seltzer elementaries, Christa McAuliffe K-8, Coleman and Robinson middle schools, Southeast High, and Towne East Learning Center. Julie Hedrick, incumbent Brent T. Davis Valerie Most District 5 The schools in this district include Benton, Black, Dodge, Kensler, Lawrence, McCollom, OK, and Peterson elementaries, Mayberry and Wilbur middle schools, Northwest High, Bryant Opportunity Academy, and Levy Special Education Center. Kathy Bond, incumbent Michelle Cunningham Amy Jensen Phillip Samuels Caleb Smith District 6 The schools in this district include Chisholm Trail, Cloud, Earhart, Franklin, Irving, L'Ouverture, McLean, Ortiz, Pleasant Valley, Riverside, Washington, and Woodland elementary schools, Horace Mann K-8, Allison, Marshall, and Pleasant Valley middle schools, Heights and North high schools, and the Gateway Alternative Program. Hazel Stabler, incumbent Amy Warren Some of these races will appear on the Aug. 5 primary ballot, allowing voters to narrow down the list of candidates. All of the races will be on the Nov. 4 ballot. Other towns and school districts are also electing new leaders. The Sedgwick County Election Office shows more than 160 candidates. Click here to view the complete list. To see who is running for office in other counties around the state, visit your county's election website or county clerk's website. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shabazz launches campaign for Wichita City Council District 6
WICHITA, Kan. (KNSW) — Margaret Wheeler Shabazz, a Wichita native and longtime community advocate, has announced her candidacy for Wichita City Council District 6, which includes Riverside, Midtown, and parts of north-central Wichita. Shabazz, 40, is a longtime resident of the district. She said her campaign is centered on affordable housing, access to mental health services, and long-term solutions to homelessness. 'I'm running because I believe District 6 deserves a leader who listens, leads with integrity, and fights for every neighbor,' she said in a statement. Shabazz, a graduate of local youth development programs, co-founded a youth-led initiative to improve interactions between law enforcement and young people. She currently works as a Process Assurance Trainer at Vestas, overseeing training and process improvement across Midwest sites. Wichita lands more flights this summer Shabazz is a military widow and mother of two. She lives in Midtown and is a member of Holy Savior Catholic Church. In her campaign platform, Shabazz is calling for investments in neighborhood development, trauma-informed mental health services, and business revitalization along corridors such as Broadway. 'We can't criminalize poverty,' she said. 'We need permanent, humane solutions—housing, mental health care, job pathways—not just temporary shelters.' Shabazz is seeking to succeed the current council representative for District 6 in the upcoming municipal election. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
