Park Sales Tax Extended by Voters
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- Written by: Rick Nichols
FOX4 reported April 26 that a majority of the Olathe residents who did participate in the sales tax election held in April gave their approval to the proposal that the city's 1/8-cent Parks Sales Tax be extended by 10 years.
According to the Kansas City, Mo., television station's online story, Olathe residents cast 15,959 "Yes" votes (roughly 78%) and 4,608 "No" votes (roughly 22%) in responding to the question on the ballot. As a result, the tax will now be in effect at least through March 31, 2035.
Had a majority of the voters said "No" to the question, the tax would have expired March 31, 2025.
The numerous parks in Olathe, one of which is Ensor Park and Museum, collectively stand to benefit from the extension of the tax.
It also was reported by FOX4 that a majority of the voters voted in favor of the proposal that the city's 3/8-cent Street Maintenance Sales Tax be extended by 10 years to March 31, 2034. The Johnson County Election Office had the unofficial tally at 16,367 "Yes" votes (roughly 80 percent) and 4,199 "No" votes (roughly 20 percent).
But only about 21% of Olathe's 96,802 registered voters took part in the election, according to the story.
The votes that were cast were cast by mail, with the last day to vote being April 25.
Four From Club are Recognized
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- Written by: Rick Nichols
Club members Marty Peters, KEØPEZ, Howard Cripe, NØAZ, Joe Krout, KRØUT, and Rick Nichols were among the many volunteers who got a shout-out from the City of Olathe the evening of Monday, November 7, the occasion the city-sponsored Volunteer Appreciation Reception at Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Olathe.
Marty, Howard, Joe, Rick and the other volunteers in attendance were treated to a veritable feast in the form of an array of appetizers at the start of the two-hour event, then listened as Mayor John Bacon talked at some length about the importance of volunteers to the various facilities operated by and programs offered by the city. Marty, Howard, Joe and Rick regularly give of their time to ensure that Ensor Park and Museum, which is owned by the city, is open to the public for guided tours Saturday and Sunday afternoons during the months of May, June, September and October.
Pear for the Course
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- Written by: Rick Nichols
One "perk" of volunteering at Ensor Park and Museum as a tour guide during the month of September is the opportunity to collect some of the pears that have fallen onto the ground from the large pear tree located just to the southwest of the historic Ensor home.