The Sharp Record, 9-25-11
Friends:
Announcements
Personal Activities
Local & State Politics – JOCO Charter Commission
Board Activities
Learning Quality Committee
Foundation Board – Culinary Institute!
TICKETS!
Kansas Quiz
Resources
Announcements
You know when you’re working for other people and the work you’re supposed to do for yourself gets pushed to the back burner? Bet you can guess which of these get done and which do not: Sharp Connections website, writing blog posts for said site, websites for clients, newsletters for clients, this newsletter. If I go too long without writing you, the withdrawal symptoms set in, so here you go...
There have been many exciting developments at Johnson County Community College, as you will read below, as well as with my new business. I hope you will check out the new website – www.sharpconnections.biz and in a few days, I will be launching a web application for state and local elected officials and candidates, to make constituent communication and door-to-door campaigning easier and more efficient. The VoteSharp™ system reconstructs the voter database into a constituent interaction tracking and communications tool. We are finalizing beta-testing and testers have given rave reviews. The plan is to launch next week.
Personal Activities
I know some don’t want to hear this kind of stuff, but it seems whenever I see subscribers out-and-about in the community, they ask about the family, so here’s a quick update. Dan is now Interim Plant Manager at Pentair Water (Fairbanks-Morse) pump factory in KCK. They built the water pumps for the largest pumping station in the world in New Orleans (post-Katrina) and he loves the work. Anna will be three next week and is in her third week of potty-training success (those that have been through this are laughing at me for jinxing it)! She is unbearably cute, silly, and strong-willed. Don’t know where she gets it.
Thanks to the folks at the Pitch for profiling me in their September 1 issue. They’re doing a series of profiles on public and semi-public people, asking each the same questions. I encourage you to read the previous profiles – fun questions help you see a different side of folks in our community.
http://www.pitch.com/plog/archives/2011/09/02/the-pitch-questionnaire-stephanie-sharp
Local & State Politics
Johnson County Charter Commission
In 2000, JO reorganized government functions under the Home Rule Charter, adding a county-wide elected Chair of the Commission and making a number of other offices appointed, instead of elected offices. This made a lot of sense because we needed expertise, not electability in offices like Treasurer, Register of Deeds, etc. Every ten years, the Home Rule Charter is to be reconsidered by an appointed commission and the revised charter submitted to a county vote. Charter commissioners are appointed by the following groups:
JO Board of Commissioners
JO Legislative Delegation
WYJO Council of Mayors
JO Republican Party
JO Democratic Party
JO Chamber of President’s Council
JO Planning Commission
You can see who appointed whom here: http://chartercommission.jocogov.org/roster.htm
Meeting minutes & agendas: http://chartercommission.jocogov.org/meetings.htm
Some of the proposals the commission has proposed are controversial – among them:
- “Clawback” provisions that would allow the County Commission to reverse a city’s sales or property taxes, both those passed by the Councils AND those passed by popular vote, and require regular tax retention or repeal elections,
- Partisan Elections: This would make the County Commission races partisan elections, rather than non-partisan,
- Provisions allowing the County Commission to replace duly appointed members of the Parks & Recreation Board and Library Board, or in effect abolish the boards altogether by nullifying their actions and authority, and
- Add two additional Commissioners, for a total of nine. Considering the $50K+ salary given to each Commissioner for two days per week of work. You decide whether adding two more is a good investment!
Changes adopted by the commission will be put to a public vote in November 2012, and you can bet the campaign in support of changes like these will be well funded. I have concerns about how these changes will impact our quality of life. As I’ve said before – the world is run by those who show up, and I hope you will – if not to speak, but to listen to the various proponents and opponents.
Public Hearing of the Charter Commission
Tuesday, September 27, 7 pm
Sylvester Powell Community Center in Mission (Lamar & Martway)
Board Activities
For the last few years, we have cut unfilled positions and not replaced many who have left through normal attrition. However, due to further necessary budget cuts, we have implemented a small Reduction In Force (RIF) and have laid off about 11 employees. We have cut millions of dollars from the budget by reprioritizing our spending, and have yet again held down taxes.
The Advanced Broadcasting class will be using our board meetings as an opportunity to gain experience with professional camera and video editing equipment. Videos will be posted to the Trustees’ website here: http://www.jccc.edu/trustees/board-meeting-recordings.html. A friend of mine in the social media industry shared that JCCC has one of the top programs in this area and the equipment on which our students train is state-of-the-art and will best prepare them for jobs in next-generation media. Kudos!
The JCCC Debate team was again the top-ranked community college team and was awarded the prestigious McClintock Award, presented to the national champion team. JCCC competed against other community colleges and four-year institutions for this award.
The Olathe Health Education Center (OHEC – we call it O-heck) across from Olathe Medical Center opened for classes in August and the dedicating ceremony will be on October 6 at 3 pm. I walked through the building a few months ago and am excited for any student who trains there!
Learning Quality Committee
Over the last few months, this committee has handled a number of curriculum-related issues. One of which focused on the fascinating world of course articulation (transferability of credits). I never had trouble transferring my community college courses to Southwestern College, but knew that SC did not accept credits from some schools. I had no idea how big an issue it has become in Kansas. As a state, Kansas ranks #50 in course transferability and the policies have not been updated in decades. JCCC is actively working with the KS Board of Regents to address these issues to ensure our students are getting a fair shake with the Regents institutions.
This month’s meeting highlighted efforts to expand Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) efforts throughout the campus to ensure we are diligent about changes that need to be made to keep our curriculum, faculty & staff, technology, and tools relevant and at the leading edge of each industry.
I would highly encourage you to patronize the JCCC Cosmetology & Esthetics Program services at the West Park Campus, 9780 W. 87th St., Overland Park, KS 66212 (http://www.jccc.edu/cosmetology/salon-services/index.html) across the street from the Central Library on 87th Street. They offer state-of-the-art treatments at a fraction of the cost of your favorite spa! I think I have a facial and mani/pedi in my future…
Foundation Board
The Foundation has met the fundraising challenge to raise $3 million for a new Culinary & Hospitality Arts Institute building on campus. The Board contributed $7 million toward the effort, drawn down from our reserve fund, so the building will be fully funded with no bonding. Our Culinary program is nationally recognized, and as such is busting at the seams! I look forward to watching this “LEED Silver” building come out of the ground on the southwest corner of the campus, adjacent to the tennis courts. Groundbreaking will be in Spring 2012 with classes starting in Fall 2013. As an FYI to students and faculty, I am available as a taste-tester. What can I say? I’m a giver.
The most exciting news from the Foundation is the amount of scholarships provided to students. More than $900,000 was distributed – not offered or available, but actually used – for students this school year. This is a record and a nearly 40% increase over last year. A new online application process makes it easier for all students to apply and for the system to cross-reference students who might qualify for the various scholarships. Awesome job by the Foundation staff and Financial Aid!
Dollars for Scholars was a great event and Anna Bruyn made a cameo, causing quite an interesting display when I mishandled her balloon, which promptly floated to the ceiling. Next thing I know, Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach (all SEVEN FEET of him) is standing on a rolling chair retrieving the balloon. I had nightmares of him in a cast with my name on it.
The 25th Annual Some Enchanted Evening will be November 12 at the Overland Park Marriott. Instead of selecting a Johnson Countian of the Year to recognize at the event, we will be celebrating the 24 previous awardees. The event is already sold out, has set fundraising records, and nearly doubled last year’s record – I’ll give the actual numbers when we get closer to the event. It is certain to be a great evening celebrating JCCC’s past, present, and future!
TICKETS!
The 2011-2012 JCCC Performing Arts Series is jam packed with variety and I have tickets to share! If you are interested in any of the following shows, reply to me with your mailing address – first come, first served! If you’ve already won tickets from me, please wait a day or two to email me so someone else gets a chance. Thanks!
Sat, Oct 15: The Makaha Sons: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/makaha-sons.html
Sat, Oct 22: LA Guitar Quartet: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/los-angeles-guitar-quartet.html
Thurs, Oct 27: Aquila Theater Company – Shakespeare’s MacBeth: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/aquila-theatre-company.html
Sat, Oct 29: Aquila Theater Company – The Importance of Being Earnest: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/aquila-theatre-company-earnest.html
Thurs, Nov 3: Bella Gaia – Kenji Williams on Violin: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/bella-gaia.html
Sun, Nov 6: Munich Symphony: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/munich-symphony.html
Fri, Nov 11: 69° South – The Shackleton Project: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/69-degrees-south.html
Sat, Nov 12: The Max Weinberg Project: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/max-weinberg.html
Fri, Nov 18: ArcAttack: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/arcattack.html
Sat, Nov 19: Get the Led Out – The American Led Zeppelin: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/get-led-out.html
Sat, Dec 3: Turtle Island Quartet: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/turtle-island-quartet.html
Sun, Jan 8: Fiddler on the Roof: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/fiddler.html
Fri, Jan 20: Brubeck Brothers Quartet: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/brubeck-brothers-quartet.html
Sat, Jan 21: Poncho Sanchez & his Latin Jazz Band: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/poncho-sanchez.html
Sat, Jan 28: Simone Dinnerstein on piano: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/simone-dinnerstein.html
Fri, Feb 3: Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/ensemble-espanol.html
Fri, Feb 10: The Color Purple: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/color-purple.html
Thurs, Feb 16: Locomotion: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/locomotion.html
Sat, Feb 25: Pine Leaf Boys: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/pine-leaf-boys.html
Sat, Mar 3: Danu: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/danu.html
Sat, Mar 24: Soweto Gospel Choir: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/soweto-gospel-choir.html
Sun, Mar 25: Debby Boone – Swing This: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/debby-boone.html
Fri, Apr 13: An Evening with Groucho: http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012/groucho.html
Kansas Quiz
There’s no prize at the end of this question (keep reading anyway!)… I generally get pretty good feedback from you when I ask for it, so here you go – an idea was proposed during the April JCCC Trustee campaign that I wanted to run by you.
Would you be interested in a play-by-play of each vote we take on the board? I do highlight some of the more broad-interest topics we address, but let me know what you think of coverage of all the votes.
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
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
KS Legislative Research: http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/klrd.html
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
www.twitter.com/4stephaniesharp
www.facebook.com/4stephaniesharp
913-256-5862
About the Sharp Record
Stephanie Sharp was elected to represent Lenexa and Shawnee in the Kansas House of Representatives in November 2002 and started the Sharp Record as a way to inexpensively inform Kansans on happenings at the Kansas Statehouse. The newsletter boils down complicated political and legislative procedure to explain its impact on your everyday life.
Stephanie left the legislature in 2008 to further her career and start a family. In 2009, she was elected to the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) Board of Trustees where she now focuses the newsletter on a county-wide audience.
The Sharp Record is a conduit for the two-way conversation Stephanie believes is critical to representative government. To view previous editions and learn more about Stephanie, visit www.StephanieSharp.com.
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