Yesterday I stepped on the scale and today I’m announcing that I’ll be seeking a restraining order against fast food and doughnuts.
No further questions. Please respect my privacy at this difficult time.
Have you checked out the Netflix series “Quarterback,” which features a behind-the-scenes look at the 2022 season for Patrick Mahomes and two other NFL quarterbacks? Interesting stuff.
I’m only two episodes deep and I bet it ends with the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl but you never know. Don’t any of you clowns spoil it for me.
I haven’t sat in on any of the tax appeal hearings in front of the Board of Equalization but I’m hearing positive things and positive outcomes for those taxpayers who are fighting the assessed values slapped on their property by the county assessor. If you’re not familiar, the BOE has the power to reduce those real estate assessments the county assessor applied to your homes and commercial buildings.
Word is out that the BOE has been considerably slashing and burning a lot of values on properties that the board believes were over-appraised by the tax assessor.
I think it’s safe to assume the assessor’s office isn’t exactly thrilled.
Members of the Platte County Board of Equalization are Tom Hutsler, Fred Pouche and Lee Ann Fadler. Let’s thank them for their service.
Bob Shaw, longtime county counselor, is retiring. I’m extremely happy for the guy and get a kick of hearing him talk of his plan to be hitting a beach in a couple of months, but as an advocate of good government it’s a sad day for residents of the county. That’s over 35 years of institutional knowledge of Platte County government walking out the door at the end of September. In addition to his knowledge of the law and in addition to simply being a good and trustworthy person, Shaw knows the ins and the outs of every process, the quirks of each personality, the strengths and weaknesses of each officeholder he represents. And of course he knows where all the bodies are buried (don’t get excited, that’s a figure of speech–I don’t think anyone associated with the county has been committing mass murder, though sometimes government does commit assault on common sense).
Shaw’s depth of knowledge and experience can’t be replaced, at least not immediately. It will take a considerable amount of time for any subsequent county counselor to get to that point, which means there will likely be some “growing pains” and potential hiccups inside the administration building no matter how qualified the next county counselor is.
We’ve been losing a lot of great local government minds throughout the county recently. Longtime county counselor Bob Shaw. Longtime Platte City mayor Frank Offutt. Longtime Platte City administrator DJ Gehrt. Former Parkville mayor Nan Johnston.
Just kidding about the last one. That was a test to see if you’re paying attention.
I don’t know if you guys know this but this year’s musical entertainment inside the Dirty Shame Saloon at the Platte County Fair is Outlaw Jim and the Whiskey Benders. All four nights. For several hours each night. Obviously ol’ Outlaw Jim has great vocal range and a play list that runs deep and wide.
Did you see the fall-themed farm where Mahomes took his family in episode 2 of “Quarterback?” That place looks like cool as all get-out. The name of the spot wasn’t mentioned in the show but I’m hearing it is a place called The Fun Farm and it’s located in Kearney.
Sign me up. I’ll be taking a few grandkids there in October, count on it.
Going back to the Bob Shaw retirement topic.
Finally, first district county commissioner Dagmar Wood and I have found a topic we agree on.
“I am very grateful for Bob Shaw’s service. He has been serving the county for 36 years. He discounts his services to the county because he considers it a public service to the community that he loves so much. I’m happy for him. Like Daniel (Erickson, planning and zoning director) said, we’ve been in denial (about Shaw’s upcoming retirement). I’m glad he’ll get to go on more cruises. Hopefully he won’t be going too far and he’ll stop in every once in a while,” Wood said Monday.
Let’s thank Bob Shaw for his service.
Sorry to brag about exotic travels, but I have an upcoming road trip scheduled to Sharon Springs, Kan. Population 751.
I’ll get into this at a later time but there’s a specific reason for the visit. I’m guessing nobody goes to Sharon Springs without a specific reason. If you’ve ever driven I-70 through Kansas to Colorado, as you neared the state line you may have noticed signage basically saying “Sharon Springs, that a way.”
For information on local highlights and attractions, I’ll be checking with Floyd the Barber or Sam Drucker of the Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce.
(Get more road trip tips from Foley at ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)