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June 18, 2004
ssharp@ink.org
Friends:
NEW TO THE SHARP RECORD!!
ü You can now DONATE to the campaign via PayPal on the web!
ü “The Sharp-Voter Files” (see below)
OSD and Lenexa Community Days
Door to Door
Inside KS Politics
Minority and Woman-Owned Business Awards
Where’s Waldo (Rep. Sharp)? June 5 – June 18, 2004
Question of the Week!
Welcome newcomers! If you are new to the list, please rest assured that the Sharp Record usually does not include this much campaign information (you can view previous editions by clicking on the tab above), but with only 45 days until the Primary Election, and even the big state issues revolving around the primary (see below), there’s not that much information beyond campaign stuff right now!
****CORRECTION!!!! In the last edition of the Sharp Record, I misstated the “open primary” rules. In addition to Republicans and Democrats, the ONLY other voters that can participate in the primaries this year are registered Unaffiliated voters. Voters registered to a certain party WILL NOT be able to vote in the Democrat and Republican primaries. I apologize for my mistake. Furthermore, due to some lawsuits on the issue, a hold has been put on that ruling… More to come…
PayPal
In an attempt to be a better steward of my campaign contributions, I am trying to limit my printing and postage spending, and have added a new feature to the Sharp Record – PayPal on the website!
If you have never done PayPal, don’t worry, it is very easy. For you Ebay junkies out there (mea culpa), you already know the joys of online payments! The link will also take you to a site where you can just print off a donation form and send it in to me.
This campaign cannot be won without your support. As you know, yard signs, the website and e-newsletter service, campaign mailings, door-walking cards, and parade handouts all add up. If you are financially able to contribute, your support would be much appreciated. If you would like to contribute in other ways, please contact me, there are many ways to help that don’t take much time or effort at all. Heck – I consider a vote for me a way to volunteer!
PS: Every contribution counts - $50 will buy 500 lapel stickers, $100 buys 300 hand fans, and $500 will buy 250 signs! With your help, I can win this election. Thank you for your generosity.
The Sharp-Voter Files
This section is ALL NEW! The idea is for you to get to know your friends and neighbors that are “Sharp Voters”.
The first profile is my favorite constituent – hope none of you are offended, but most of you won’t be surprised!
Lisa Benlon
Lisa is a homegrown Shawnee resident. Both she and her husband Randy are Shawnee Mission graduates, as well as their two sons Adam and Ryan. She was elected twice to the Shawnee City Council, and SIX times to represent the 17th District. Many of you know Lisa asked me to run in her seat when she retired. She is my campaign manager and treasurer, a mentor and role model, an all-around fantastic person, and a “second mom” to me. Lisa lives in the Governor’s Square subdivision.
Lisa and Randy handle the accounting for Builders’ Steel, a steel fabricating company. Adam, a graduate of Pittsburg State University (Pittsburg, KS), is currently in Los Angeles, California, with a big-wig job at Toyota. Lisa is helping to plan his wedding, scheduled for next spring. Ryan, a KU grad, is in Kansas City as an account executive for Gateway Computers.
The Benlons are a terrific family. Lisa and Randy are a great example of what a marriage should look like – they are obviously in love and genuinely enjoy the other’s company. Their parenting skills are evident when you meet Adam and Ryan, who are gentlemen, funny, intelligent, and kind.
Many of you know Lisa and have asked how she is doing these days – she can be reached at lbenlon@everestkc.net.
Old Shawnee Days update and Lenexa Community Days announcement
THANK YOU to the following FANTASTIC volunteers who helped walk the parade last Saturday: Lisa Benlon, Kurt and Taylor Manske, Roger Williams, Britt Huelat, Joe Spiess and friends David and Charlie. We had a GREAT time, and my new giveaways were a HUGE hit (come to the Lenexa parade and find out the big secret)!
Come join us for the Lenexa parade on Saturday, July 3rd, for more fun in the sun… I’m continuing the t-shirt giveaway to parade walkers! Email me back to walk in that parade (9:30 am, Saturday, July 3rd) – it’s always a large parade, and the Republicans sponsor a social tent following the parade to recover!
SAVE THE DATE information
Two big events are coming in July:
July 11 (5:00-7:00 pm) - Family fun meet and greet, location TBA
July 13 (6:00-8:00 pm) – Grown-ups gathering at a local Lenexa establishment
Door-to-Door
Thank you to my old and new friends in Greystone West, Delwood Park, and Greystone South! Thank you for your concern, the dog bite is healing nicely. Word of advice – if your dog bites people, it’s probably not a good idea to keep it in the front yard!
Inside Kansas Politics
This week’s IKP will be a fun show – all calls, all hour! Yes, we’ll be taking your calls at 913-491-8255. Inside Kansas Politics is my live radio show that I cohost with Rob Boyer on 1510 AM, Saturday mornings at 10:00 am.
Saturday, June 5, IKP was a great discussion of Bi-State and local politics with Sun Publisher, Steve Rose. I called in LIVE from the Old Shawnee Days parade and had the crowds say hello to the listeners.
Saturday, June 12, was another great show that focused on the controversy over the “open” primaries, the Johnson County Republican Party, and the filing deadline on June 10. Our guests were Andy Wollen, chairman of the Johnson County Republican Party. He discussed his ideas for reforming the leadership of the party so that the different factions of the party share power. The second guest was Dennis Jones, Chairman of the Kansas Republican Party. As a result of a court case, Dennis opened the Republican primary election to Unaffiliated voters. The Democratic Party soon followed suit. Dennis told us about his decision, how he came to it, and the ripple effects across the state.
Minority and Woman-Owned Business Awards
If you are, or know of a great area business that should be nominated for the Kansas Minority and Woman-Owned Business Award, please let me know! My nominations are due by July 15th.
Where’s Waldo (Rep. Sharp)? June 5 – June 18, 2004
- 5th District Dental Society meeting
- Candidate interview with the Kansas National Education Association (teacher’s union)
- Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Business Appreciation luncheon
- I spoke at the Lenexa Rotary club on Friday – hello to all of the new Rotarians on the Sharp Record!
- Fundraiser for Rep. Kevin Yoder
- Kansas Cable Telecommunications Association luncheon
- Lenexa Chamber of Commerce luncheon
- Fundraiser for Rep. Ed O’Malley
- Kansas Association of Insurers and Financial Advisors reception
Question of the Week!
Last week’s question:
Who was the first Republican woman governor of a U.S. state?
Answer and Winner: Tedrick Housh, Chair-Elect of the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce was the winner – he will receive a Seal of Kansas lapel pin, and one of my refrigerator magnets!
Kay Orr of Nebraska was the first woman Republican governor of a state.
New Question:
How was suffragette Susan B. Anthony related to Kansas?
As always, I would love your comments and questions about anything included here, or about anything in state government! If I can ever be of service to you, please do not hesitate to drop me a line!
Representative Stephanie Sharp
17th District, KS House
Serving Lenexa and Shawnee