Mars responds

Below I've posted John Mars answer to questions regarding his arrest last year. To view his full post, see the comments section under the Mars Update entry in April.

......As for the famous arrest last year I will address that briefly. Last year my family and the community suffered the loss of two young men in a very needless fashion. Young men with great promise. The second of the two had become quite close to our family in the year preceding the tragedy. I had some terse words with him regarding his attitude the day before leaving on a business trip and when I returned he was gone. I am afraid that emotionally I handled the experience very poorly. To the extent that one Saturday a few weeks later w my wife felt the need to summon the police as she was in fear for my own safety. Bad judgment on my part and probably very good judgment on hers. I will not address the issue in any more depth than that.

I believe I represented Arkansas City very well on the Board of Education for four years but if you are in need of someone with a flawless past to represent you at the county level and let that be the basis of your judgment at the ballot box then please cast your vote for someone else. If you would like someone with proven leadership ability with a passion for the county’s future and is willing to acknowledge that elected office is a privilege and will always listen to you then I encourage you to contact me at 442-0764 or at jmars@cox.net to find out more about where I stand on the issues.

Sincerely,
John Mars

Roberts vunerable?

Slattery's folks would like you to believe so.

Here's a copy of an mass email they're sending out

Hello David,

Two months ago Jim Slattery announced his candidacy for the United States Senate alongside Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Since then we have put together a professional staff, traveled across the state and seen that Kansans are struggling. But with your help, we can make a difference.

I wanted to share some great news with you. Monday, a poll was released by Rasmussen Reports that puts Jim Slattery within striking distance of Pat Roberts. The poll indicates this race is in single digits and since last month, Jim Slattery has narrowed Pat Roberts lead from 12 to 9 percent. This race looks to be an upset in the making and you can be a part of it.

Pat Roberts has been in Washington since before Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, he has lost touch with the needs of Kansas families. With the price of gas at record highs, the federal government failing to resolve the War in Iraq, and many Kansans lacking access to quality, affordable health care, the truth is Kansans are tired of the old politics and we are ready for change.

With the entrance of Jim Slattery into the race for US Senate, what was once considered a safe seat held by Republicans is now a competitive race. Jim Slattery is the candidate to beat Pat Roberts and will be an independent voice for Kansans working with both Democrats and Republicans to find common sense Kansas solutions to the problems facing our state and our nation.

I hope you will join me in supporting Jim Slattery for the United States Senate and please visit the campaign website or call our office at 1-888-JIM-2008.

Thank you,
Julie

porn vs. mature

Some good discussion on this blog about what is acceptable literature for high school students. Certainly some books might be "inappropriate" for say, 10th grade American literature class. The same book could be appropriate for senior literature. These are hard calls to make and depend on the level of maturity of a student, the ability and talents of the teacher.

The underlying point, though, stands. None of these books — Song of Solomon, Beloved, Black Boy etc.. are "PORN," as crudely labeled by Steve Abrams, and others. That's a simplistic, incendiary label, meant to characterize teachers and superintendents as corruptors of children.

That's a big stretch.

What is porn?

A reader issues the challenge based on an earlier post about Steve Abram's labeling some classroom books as "porn."

"Is this one of the pieces of "well-regarded literature" that you want your daughter reading? Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison"


Well, I haven't read it. But I have read "Beloved" by Morrison and parts of "Black Boy" by Richard Wright. And I would LOVE for my daughter, in American Literature class, to be exposed to them. These are difficult books that challenge the reader, but in the hands of a good teacher they are powerful illustrations of the American experience.

I'll use the Bible defense — take passage of it out of context and it could be labeled "porn," too. Fifty years ago they wanted to ban "Catcher in the Rye" for a few cuss words. Huck Finn, etc.....

Leach's response ...

TO A QUESTION FROM A READER ASKING WHY HE SWITCHED FROM DEMO TO REPO

Dear Interested Citizen,

Thanks for your question. I really appreciate the chance to interact with those who will be deciding the next person they want to represent their district and more personally, themselves. It is certainly reasonable to wonder why a candidate would change party affiliations. My answer may sound simple but I have come to believe that theRepublican platform has come to model more closely how I feel about various issues in the political arena. Parties such as Democrats and Republicans have party platforms that have evolved over time. Even todays party platforms may look dramatically different 10 years from now than they do today. As a matter of integrity, I believe that candidates should remain open-minded to issues that affect us in our everyday lives so that if it becomes necessary to switch party affiliations, we have enough courage to do so. My experience in the military has taught me that to be a leader, you can't blindly follow the course you are placed on without considering all options available to you. In politics, it should be no different. You should feel confident that you will elect someone who will listen, evaluate, and not blindly follow before making a decision on important political issues that affect us all.

You ask about Bob Voegle and I do not know Bob so I can't speak to his motivation for wanting to change party affiliations. I can only give you insight into what leads me to decide it's the right thing for me to do. I hope my answer is helpful. Thanks again for your question.

My motto is and has always been you must lead from the front.

George

Shenanigans?

A reader asks:
Can you explain to us the "board of education shenanigans" as you put it for those of us that don't know what your talking about? But I'm thinking from your comment it will be a little one sided...

OK, "shenanigans" is a value judgment. I fall on the side that believes it strayed off course in recent years. I was referring to a series of things, most notably the yo-yoing standards on evolution teaching in the past 7 years, highlighted by the hearings on Intelligent Design that were ridiculed by scientists; the hiring of a guy with no experience inside the education world that infuriated other board members; and the label of some well-regarded literature as "porn."

I might be missing something.

Wilson vs. Voegele

We'll be doing a story on the County Commission District 2 candidates soon, Democratic incumbent Gary Wilson and challenger Bob Voegele, a Republican. Voegele is active in the farm bureau and I believe led the study into starting an ethanol plant in Cowley County. (Didn't pan out)

Wonder if he was motivated by the fire district controversy, or perhaps the desire of some residents to repair/rebuild the East Chestnut Bridge, which floods at high water.

Abrams mystery solved

Looks like Steve Abrams changed him mind and has filed to run against Greta Goodwin for state Senator. Whoa. That could be a knock down drag out between two forceful personalities who are polar opposite on the issues. First, though, Abrams has to get past a primary opponent - the guy from Mulvane, George Leach.

Abrams has the name recognition the and social conservative base, but Goodwin won't be afraid to go after him for his part in the board of education shenanigans the last decade. Goodwin, though, is vunerable as a center-left politician and she has made a few enemies with her aggressive approach. She is a good retail politician, though, advocating for local institutions and concerns.

Another state board candidate

Marty Marshall, another Wichita Republican, has filed for Abram's District 10 state board of ed seat. Still no Abram's filing. Deadline noon tommorrow.

Goodwin competitor

George Leach, Mulvane Republican, has filed for 32nd state Senate District.

Anybody know this guy?

Abram's stepping down?

Just interviewed David Dennis, Republican from Wichita, who filed to run for state board of education in District 10. He kind of floored when he said he decided to run after learned that Abrams was NOT running. We ran this story in March saying he would stand for reelection. He hasn't filed yet, according to state Web site. Trying to reach him asap.

I questioned Dennis on this, but he seemed pretty certain Abrams wasn't running.

Abrams competition

Paul Casanova, of Andover, has filed as a Democrat in Steve Abram's District 10 State Board of Education seat. Anybody know anything about him?

Goodwin filed

Lots of activity on the candidate front in recent days — Greta Goodwin filed for reelection to the state Senate. Chris Smith wants another term as Cowley County Attorney. Ed Trimmer filed for reelection in the 78th District (Winfield).

Still no Abrams on the list of candidates at Sec. of State Web site.