News across the metro: Probe clears flood-control board

Kansas City Star

March 21, 2008

Probe clears flood-control board

There is no evidence the Merriam Drainage District Board deliberately violated the state's Open Meetings Law or misused public money, according to a Johnson County district attorney's investigation.

The district attorney's office received complaints last summer alleging that the drainage district board neglected to notify the city of Merriam of its public meetings. Concerns also were expressed that the board was not bidding out construction projects.

Patrick Carney, the assistant district attorney handling the case, said the investigation found that the drainage district had failed to notify Merriam about a meeting in June. But because the act was unintentional, the drainage district will face no penalties.

The Merriam Drainage District is a governmental entity responsible for flood-control projects along the Turkey Creek Channel. Residents in Shawnee and Merriam pay property taxes to it.

School district's fundraising recognized

The Lee's Summit School District will receive a national award from the American School Board Journal.

The district was named a first-place winner in the 14th annual Magna Awards program for a fundraising effort supporting a new facility for early childhood programs.

An anonymous donor gave $2 million to the district, challenging the Lee's Summit Educational Foundation to raise $2 million in matching funds, with any remaining funding to come from district resources. The Great Beginnings Early Education Center opened in 2005, within a city park, and serves about 370 students.

Long career of public service honored

Carol Sader of Prairie Village has been named the first recipient of the Johnson County League of Women Voters' 'Making Democracy Work' award.

Sader has served in the Kansas House of Representatives and on the Johnson County Community College board of trustees. She also helped found the Mainstream Coalition and was its first president.

Currently she is chairwoman of the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission. She formerly served on the Judicial Qualifications Commission as an appointee of the Kansas Supreme Court. Sader is a past president of the League of Women Voters.

Sader will be honored at the league's annual meeting at 10:30 a.m. May 3. The public is invited to the meeting and brunch at Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park. Reservations with a $14 check for each brunch should be sent to JoCoLWV, P.O. Box 13491, Overland Park, KS 66282.

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