M ind
Essential?
To the Sun: Distinguishing between the essential and the nice to have is no doubt among the many special challenges of all levels of government. A most demanding responsibility clearly warranting even extra-special consideration when entailing expenditure of ever-so-limited and widely-in-demand local, state and federal tax dollars.
On a related note, the Sun’s Tuesday, April 1, edition included a front-page article titled, “Board questions attorney trip to Hawaii,” followed by likewise related reporting in the Sun’s Friday, April 4, edition, titled, “County attorney explains upcoming training in Hawaii.” Both regarded Labette County Commission’s questioning of planned training in Honolulu, Hawaii, for Labette County Attorney Mandy Johnson and two of her staff members. Training reportedly focusing on “Preventing, Assessing and Treating Trauma Across the Lifespan,” and entailing some $7,990 ($2,290 for training costs; around $3,200 for lodging and around $2,500 for plane tickets).
As was noted in the Sun’s April 1 reporting, “Commissioners want department heads, elected or not, to notify them of out-of-state travel to get commission’s blessing, the county attorney hadn’t done this.” Nonetheless, “Commissioners approved the $2,200 expense for the flight tickets to Hawaii,” and “Mandy Johnson was not at the county commission meeting and said by email that she would answer the Sun’s questions about the issue later this week.” Hence, the Sun’s April 4 reporting entailing County Attorney Johnson’s promised follow-up.
And after consideration of available information thus far publicly shared by the Labette County Commission and county attorney, I am among the likely many other taxpayers holding the view that, as opposed to Hawaii, California, etc., state of Kansas institutions should be a suitable source for “truly essential” training in support of “truly essential” duties and responsibilities of our Labette County attorney and staff, as well as that of other functional areas within Labette County government. And that any exceptions to use of state of Kansas institutions for training of Labette County government functions should require full in-advance concurrence of the county commission. — WILLIAM JAMES MOORE, Parsons
