Updates from State Representative Ann Mah
Ann has given me permission to post her emails to my public blog. Here is her 1st email:
District 53 Constituents:
MOST ANTICIPATED NEWS....
Yes, the road project from 39th to 45th on Croco Road opens this week.
Latest date is Friday, but hoping for good weather and an early release!
Then you can drive straight through to the new Glory Days Pizza, which opens
tomorrow, just west of Croco on 29th.
KANSAS BIOSCIENCE SUCCESS
A recent report cites Kansas success stories in the bioscience field. We
are above the national average in the agricultural feedstock and chemicals
subsector (9400 jobs). We have the highest growth in the nation in the
research, testing, and medical laboratories subsector (241 new companies in
2006). Jobs in the drug & pharmaceutical subsector have an average wage of
over $63,000 annually, the highest of all bio subsectors. In the last six
years Kansas has attracted $117 million in bioscience venture capital, with
nearly $62 million in 2007 alone. The bottom line is that our investment of
your tax dollars in bioscience is bringing a return on our investment and
results show we are becoming a bioscience leader.
HELP FOR THE UNEMPLOYED
Congress passed a new law providing for up to 13 weeks additional
unemployment benefits for those who have exhausted regular benefits.
Governor Sebelius signed an agreement with the US Department of Labor to
participate in the program. Over 70,000 Kansans qualify for the program.
This extended benefit continues through March 2009.
WOMEN AND MINORITY BUSINESS CERTIFICATION
A new certification procedure for Kansas women and minority-owned businesses
starts on October 16. Criteria will be the same as the Disadvantage
Business Enterprise program minus the Personal Net Worth requirement.
Certification will be good for three years with annual updates required.
Applications can be obtained online at www.kansascommerce.com . Click on
'Business Development', click on 'Minority and Women Business', then click
on 'view documents and forms' and download the application. A request for
the application can also be emailed to rharris@kansascommerce.com or by
phone (785) 296-3425.
IS YOUR CHILD'S SAFETY SEAT AS SAFE AS IT CAN BE?
A correct fit for your child's car seat or booster seat can mean the
difference between safety and tragedy. Several "Buckle Up" events are
coming up where you can get your child car seats fitted by a trained
professional for free. If you are Medicaid eligible, you can also buy car
seats ($20) or booster seats ($5-$10) at the event. Bring the kids, as you
get a better fit if they're in the seat. The events are September 6 (10 am
to 2 pm) at Ed Bozarth Chevrolet, September 20 at the downtown Law
Enforcement Center (10 am to 2 pm), and September 23 at the Dillon's at 29th
& California (4 pm to 8 pm).
COMMUNITY EVENTS
**Saturday, August 30: Clinton yard sale in the town square and breakfast at
the Clinton Presbyterian Church. Breakfast is from 7 to 11 am. Free will
donation.
**Saturday, August 30: Topeka Railroad Festival at Overland Station.
Tickets: Adults $15; kids 5-12 $8; under 5 free. Gates open 10 am. The
start of a new tradition in Topeka with something for the whole family.
**Saturday, Sept. 20: Barbeque and music at the Wakarusa River Valley
Heritage (formerly Clinton) Museum. Starts at 6 pm.
**Saturday, Sept. 20: Music Festival at Lessman's Farm & Truckhenge (2
miles east of Billard Airport, at the north end of Kincaid Rd). Second
annual concert/festival to promote the local music scene. Any genre of
music welcome. Bands wanting to participate can contact Thomas Lessman at
230-4546 or by email at talessman@thomaslessman.com.
**Saturday, Sept. 27: Keep America Beautiful event at Lake Shawnee. Meet at
9 am at 37th & West Edge Road to help.
CRIME UPDATE
I was provided a crime report from the Topeka police department for the
southeast edge of Topeka that I serve. There were a number of car break-ins
this year, some burglaries and car thefts, but they said it was no more than
in past years. We seem to have car break-ins all over the southeast part of
the county this year.
My thanks to the folks who have active neighborhood watch groups. The
Montara group is doing great. Rolling Meadows is awesome. The Clark
subdivision group members (along Bennett Drive) are just super neighbors!
There is an effort to get a group going in Grand Oaks, so if you're
interested in helping with that, let me know.
ERASING THE ARTS FROM THE FACE OF TOPEKA
I try not to editorialize in my emails, but this week I watched in disbelief
as the Topeka City Council voted to close the Topeka Performing Arts Center.
Nevermind that one of the top recommendations from residents through the
visioning process is to bring more activities to downtown. Then they
balanced the budget on the backs of infants, the poor, the disabled, the
elderly, and city employees. The social service cuts will cost more than
they will save. And so it goes.
TECHNICAL EDUCATION MOVING FORWARD
I will be on the Jim Cates internet show on Wednesday, September 3, from
8:30 to 9:30 am with Joe Glassman, the head of the Technical Education
Authority. We'll be talking about the need for workers in Kansas and how
technical education is helping fill the gap. If this is of interest to you,
join us at www.cjonline.com by clicking on the Jim Cates icon.
As always, it is an honor to serve.
Regards,
Ann Mah
State Representative
www.annmah.org
**If you wish to be removed from this mailing, just reply back and let me
know.**
District 53 Constituents:
MOST ANTICIPATED NEWS....
Yes, the road project from 39th to 45th on Croco Road opens this week.
Latest date is Friday, but hoping for good weather and an early release!
Then you can drive straight through to the new Glory Days Pizza, which opens
tomorrow, just west of Croco on 29th.
KANSAS BIOSCIENCE SUCCESS
A recent report cites Kansas success stories in the bioscience field. We
are above the national average in the agricultural feedstock and chemicals
subsector (9400 jobs). We have the highest growth in the nation in the
research, testing, and medical laboratories subsector (241 new companies in
2006). Jobs in the drug & pharmaceutical subsector have an average wage of
over $63,000 annually, the highest of all bio subsectors. In the last six
years Kansas has attracted $117 million in bioscience venture capital, with
nearly $62 million in 2007 alone. The bottom line is that our investment of
your tax dollars in bioscience is bringing a return on our investment and
results show we are becoming a bioscience leader.
HELP FOR THE UNEMPLOYED
Congress passed a new law providing for up to 13 weeks additional
unemployment benefits for those who have exhausted regular benefits.
Governor Sebelius signed an agreement with the US Department of Labor to
participate in the program. Over 70,000 Kansans qualify for the program.
This extended benefit continues through March 2009.
WOMEN AND MINORITY BUSINESS CERTIFICATION
A new certification procedure for Kansas women and minority-owned businesses
starts on October 16. Criteria will be the same as the Disadvantage
Business Enterprise program minus the Personal Net Worth requirement.
Certification will be good for three years with annual updates required.
Applications can be obtained online at www.kansascommerce.com . Click on
'Business Development', click on 'Minority and Women Business', then click
on 'view documents and forms' and download the application. A request for
the application can also be emailed to rharris@kansascommerce.com or by
phone (785) 296-3425.
IS YOUR CHILD'S SAFETY SEAT AS SAFE AS IT CAN BE?
A correct fit for your child's car seat or booster seat can mean the
difference between safety and tragedy. Several "Buckle Up" events are
coming up where you can get your child car seats fitted by a trained
professional for free. If you are Medicaid eligible, you can also buy car
seats ($20) or booster seats ($5-$10) at the event. Bring the kids, as you
get a better fit if they're in the seat. The events are September 6 (10 am
to 2 pm) at Ed Bozarth Chevrolet, September 20 at the downtown Law
Enforcement Center (10 am to 2 pm), and September 23 at the Dillon's at 29th
& California (4 pm to 8 pm).
COMMUNITY EVENTS
**Saturday, August 30: Clinton yard sale in the town square and breakfast at
the Clinton Presbyterian Church. Breakfast is from 7 to 11 am. Free will
donation.
**Saturday, August 30: Topeka Railroad Festival at Overland Station.
Tickets: Adults $15; kids 5-12 $8; under 5 free. Gates open 10 am. The
start of a new tradition in Topeka with something for the whole family.
**Saturday, Sept. 20: Barbeque and music at the Wakarusa River Valley
Heritage (formerly Clinton) Museum. Starts at 6 pm.
**Saturday, Sept. 20: Music Festival at Lessman's Farm & Truckhenge (2
miles east of Billard Airport, at the north end of Kincaid Rd). Second
annual concert/festival to promote the local music scene. Any genre of
music welcome. Bands wanting to participate can contact Thomas Lessman at
230-4546 or by email at talessman@thomaslessman.com.
**Saturday, Sept. 27: Keep America Beautiful event at Lake Shawnee. Meet at
9 am at 37th & West Edge Road to help.
CRIME UPDATE
I was provided a crime report from the Topeka police department for the
southeast edge of Topeka that I serve. There were a number of car break-ins
this year, some burglaries and car thefts, but they said it was no more than
in past years. We seem to have car break-ins all over the southeast part of
the county this year.
My thanks to the folks who have active neighborhood watch groups. The
Montara group is doing great. Rolling Meadows is awesome. The Clark
subdivision group members (along Bennett Drive) are just super neighbors!
There is an effort to get a group going in Grand Oaks, so if you're
interested in helping with that, let me know.
ERASING THE ARTS FROM THE FACE OF TOPEKA
I try not to editorialize in my emails, but this week I watched in disbelief
as the Topeka City Council voted to close the Topeka Performing Arts Center.
Nevermind that one of the top recommendations from residents through the
visioning process is to bring more activities to downtown. Then they
balanced the budget on the backs of infants, the poor, the disabled, the
elderly, and city employees. The social service cuts will cost more than
they will save. And so it goes.
TECHNICAL EDUCATION MOVING FORWARD
I will be on the Jim Cates internet show on Wednesday, September 3, from
8:30 to 9:30 am with Joe Glassman, the head of the Technical Education
Authority. We'll be talking about the need for workers in Kansas and how
technical education is helping fill the gap. If this is of interest to you,
join us at www.cjonline.com by clicking on the Jim Cates icon.
As always, it is an honor to serve.
Regards,
Ann Mah
State Representative
www.annmah.org
**If you wish to be removed from this mailing, just reply back and let me
know.**
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