L&T staff report

A petition to recall Seward County Commission Chair Steve Helm has been submitted to Seward County Clerk Stacia Long. The office has forwarded the document to Seward County Attorney Russell Hassenbank, and if he approves the language, signatures can begin to be gathered for a recall election.

The petition states Helm “has engaged in misconduct in office and failed to perform the duties prescribed by law.”

The petition charges Helm “voted for and authorized the expenditure of restricted solid waste landfill fee revenues to fund the salary of the Assistant County Administrator, in direct violation of the restricted funds protections outlined in K.S.A. 65-3410 and Attorney General Opinion 1997-55.”

Kansas Department of Transportation

It is a sign of the season – political campaigning and the posting of campaign signs.

The Kansas Department of Transportation reminds the public that all political campaign signs or billboards are prohibited from being placed on state highway right of way.

By law, all right of way on state highways is exclusively for public highway purposes. Only regulatory, guide signs and warning signs placed by KDOT are allowed on the 9,500-mile state highway system. KDOT has jurisdiction over all interstate, Kansas and U.S. routes.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

For the past few months, the Ruby Red Slipper Slide by the Convention & Tourism Bureau was gaining a faded look and recently, a local business took up the task of refreshing it.

Touch of Class Painting recently spent time repainting the slide, and co-owner Randy Lemmons said the project took a lot of work.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The Liberal City Commission will be keeping busy at its next meeting this evening starting at 5:30. This evening’s meeting will be in the commission chambers at the Liberal Recreation Center at 950 S. Grant Ave.

After hearing a presentation from Enterprise Fleet Management, the commission will then be discussing a Special Use Permit.

“The new owner of the building located at 302 S. Clay Ave. has applied for a Special Use Permit to place commercial businesses and residential units within the building,” the agenda information noted. “The property is zoned I-1 Light Industrial. The Planning and Zoning Board hosted a public hearing on the matter June 11 and voted to allow the special use for commercial and residential occupancies within the building, on the condition that building codes were followed in the change in use. No comments have been received by city staff, either for or against the special use permit. Staff recommends the commission approve Ordinance No. 4654, allowing the special uses of commercial and residential at 302 S. Clay Ave.”