The Sharp Record - December 2009
The Sharp Record
Friends:
At your request, I have decided to try to write these more frequently and include some extra political stuff as well as more information about the great things going on at JCCC.
Announcements – More sad news…
Personal Activities – contact info & political updates
Politics – lots of activity!
Board Activities
HR Committee
Foundation Board
Where's Waldo
Kansas Quiz
Resources
Announcements
Have I mentioned that I hate cancer? I should also add that I’m done
with funerals for the year. OK? No more funerals. Done. Finito. Jane
Klein, Gene Amos and John Ramsey – three community leaders who made
significant impacts, all in one year.
My friend, Lenexa City Councilman John Ramsey passed away a few weeks
ago. He had battled cancer for a number of years. I know that death
brings peace and painlessness for the patient, but his family –
Charlene, Lesley, Lindsey and the City of Lenexa – was shortchanged a
few decades. His affable personality made him a great councilman and
leader in the effort to make and keep Lenexa “Happy Town.” No Lenexa
event will be the same without a famous Ramsey hug. We’ll miss you,
John.
Another blow to the Lenexa City Council is the departure of Dan
Sullivan. Dan has been one of my City Council representatives and he
recently decided to move to northeast Johnson County. Dan’s business
sense and even keel have benefited the Council during his 10-year
tenure.
With so much upheaval, it’s good that the Lenexa Council has a couple
of guardian angels looking over its shoulder to help carry the load. In
2009, there are three new Lenexa City Council members: Joe Karlin was
appointed to serve out Jane Klein’s term in Ward 1, Lou Serrone was
appointed this week to fulfill Dan Sullivan’s term in Ward 3, and Steve
Lemons was recently appointed to serve the remainder of John Ramsey’s
term, also in Ward 1. Lou is a friend and also a Republican precinct
committeeman in Lenexa, he’ll do a great job! I don’t yet know Joe
Karlin or Steve Lemons, but I trust Mayor Mike Boehm’s judgment when it
comes to appointing members who will represent the community well and
be a great asset to the Lenexa team.
Personal Activities
Thank you for your great stories (and some where we can improve) of your experiences at KU Med. As you may know, the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) is distinctly different from the University of Kansas Hospital (KUH), although we work very closely together. The easiest way to explain it is KUMC trains doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, as well as conducts research. So the Medical Center does teaching and research. When that research is translated into treatments and cures and is applied to humans on the clinical side, that is where KUH steps in. In other words, they’re the patient people!
I have been very busy meeting with key stakeholders across Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, learning how KUMC can enhance our role as a community partner. Eventually, I will be working with stakeholders in communities across Kansas where we currently have clinics or other outreach services. Pittsburg, Hays, Garden City and Wichita are all on those target lists because of our ongoing activities with bases in those communities.
I forgot to include my new contact information in my last missive:
Stephanie Sharp
Director of Community Relations
Office of Public Affairs
The University of Kansas Medical Center
Mail Stop 3013
3901 Rainbow Blvd
Kansas City, KS 66160
913-588-5412
Politics
NO – I’m NOT running for Congress. Although I think I may be the only JoCo elected that is saying that! Wow, what a surprise. I have to applaud Dennis Moore for the time he spent in DC and the service he provided to this community. We didn’t always agree, but his constituent service is model for all elected officials, is to be commended, and should be emulated by his successor.
In addition to Congressman Moore, we’ve had a prominent State Senator resign and a leading State Representative announce he’s running for Congress, all within a few weeks! State Senator David Wysong (R-Mission Hills) has a long resume of public service in Johnson County and was a leader on the statewide smoking ban issue. He announced he would resign his seat in late December to focus on family issues. David’s selfless commitment to this community is a model for his colleagues.
Fear not Northeast JoCo – my dear friend, State Representative Terrie Huntington (R-Fairway) ran for the seat in the precinct race and won on Thursday night! There are a number of folks vying to be her replacement in the House, but I want to congratulate Terrie on her win. She is the most thoughtful, thorough, and hard-working legislator I know.
Finally, my friend State Representative Kevin Yoder (R-Overland Park) has announced that he is running for Congress to replace Dennis Moore. Kevin and I were elected to the House together in 2002 and he is currently the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee in the Kansas House and a practicing attorney.
Board Activities
- The November board meeting went smoothly and we’re starting a new motorcycle driving course with donated bikes. You probably know that my hubby was an engineer at Harley for a number of years, so I was curious if the bikes are “locally-made”!
- JCCC is pursuing accreditation to ensure we are constantly pursing and improving the quality of education we provide. The AQIP (Academic Quality Improvement Program) team was in town for a site visit in mid-November. We had breakfast with the team and they noted it was the first time they had full participation from a Board of Trustees at any AQIP visit. I thought that was odd. If you’re seeking any kind of accreditation, it should be every board member’s top priority to show support for it, wouldn’t you think?
- The Overland Park Economic Development Council will be presenting JCCC with its Ben Craig award recognizing its contribution to economic development in OP.
- The JCCC Debate team is the tops!
- Kansas Studies Institute – JCCC providing more historical perspective on our great state!
- Kansas Teacher of the Year, Karen Tritt, Spanish teacher at SMW
HR Committee
We moved forward recommendations to allow the administrative team to make department and title changes in the college policies without coming to the Board every time.
Then, I had no idea that the complications involved in contracting with an insurance broker to represent the college. Apparently, they are actually paid by the insurance companies, which seems to create a conflict. We eventually selected an interim contract based a fixed amount per employee, instead of fees based on what we spend in premiums.
Foundation Board
The Foundation has held a few big events lately that have added to the coffers for student scholarships. Some Enchanted Evening was November 14 and raised $314,000 for scholarships – the second highest event total. This is quite an accomplishment considering the economy. It was a beautiful event with amazing food, as always!
Kansas Quiz
First – I forgot to send a shout out to Roger Feeley of Overland Park, he is “Roger from Overland Park” that gave the Sharp Record kudos on KCUR’s Up to Date talk show. Thanks for your support, Roger!
Last Question: The last question simply asked to hear from those of you who are JCCC alums. I was thrilled to hear from you, and Jason Leib of Associates-Solutions and Dana Worley (wife of Rep. Ron) were the first two to respond!
Thank you for being proud alums:
Jason Leib
Dana Worley
Rep. Lisa Benlon
Doug Blank (who made the KS tour – JCCC, KSU undergrad, then KU graduate school)
Mandy Stuke
Rick Randolph (then went on to become a KUMC alum!)
Anita Horine
Julie Smith
Question:
How many community colleges are in the State of Kansas?
Reply to this email to answer the question. The first correct answer will win a prize (two tickets to a Carlsen Center show), and recognition with the correct answer in the next edition of the Sharp Record.
Do you have something to donate that would be a great Sharp Record giveaway?
Resources
JCCC Board of Trustees meetings on video: http://video.jccc.edu/board.htm
JCCC Carlsen Center shows: http://www.jccc.edu/home/depts.php/001440/site/toc_events
KS Legislative Research: http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/klrd.html
Johnson County Election Office - www.jocoelection.org
Upcoming Board of Trustees meetings: http://www.jccc.edu/home/depts.php/000001/site/BoardMeetingInfo/Board_Meeting_Dates
Find your long lost CASH!!! http://www.kansascash.com/prodweb/up/disclaimer_page.php
Please do not hesitate to contact me about these or any other issues of interest to you. I appreciate the opportunity to represent you on the Board of Trustees.
Stephanie Sharp
Trustee
Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd
Overland Park, KS 66210
www.stephaniesharp.com
913-579-4376
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