September 30, 2008
 




Visit www.voteolathe.org for candidate profiles, election information
You're invited to these upcoming legislative events
Forum in opposition to proposed change in judicial selection Oct. 10
La Quinta now open in Olathe at I-35 and 151st
Nashville Leadership exchange
Leadership Olathe Alumni to host reception
Diane Costello named to state community leadership group
Upcoming Events
 
 

Visit www.voteolathe.org for candidate profiles, election information
       Through its VoteOlathe initiative, designed to increase voting in Olathe, the Chamber has created a Web site, www.voteolathe.org, that features local candidate profiles (candidate responses to Chamber questionnaires) and provides information about voter registration, advance voting, and election schedules. The Chamber created the questionnaires for candidates in the races most affecting Olathe- U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, State Senate, State House, the Johnson County Commission, the Johnson County District Attorney, and the Johnson County Sheriff -and has posted the candidates' responses online.

       Also on the Chamber's www.voteolathe.org Web site are Chamber position statements on three ballot proposals: the Olathe District Schools $68 million bond issue; the 1/8-cent sales tax to raise funds for bioscience development; and a change in the way judges are selected in Johnson County. The Chamber's Board of Directors voted to support the Olathe District Schools bonds issue and the 1/8-cent bioscience sales tax but voted to oppose the proposed change in judicial selection.

 
You're invited to these upcoming legislative events
  • Issues Session on Energy and Workforce
    Tues., Oct. 14, 8 to 11 a.m. at the Ball Conference Center, 21350 W. 153rd St. A Kansas Chamber of Commerce forum hosted by the Olathe Chamber. No fee to attend. RSVP by Oct. 10 at www.olathe.org.
  • U.S. Senate Forum: Pat Roberts and Jim Slattery
    Wed., Oct. 15, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Overland Park Marriott, 10800 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park. Hosted by Johnson County Public Policy Council; $28 Chamber member, $35 non-Chamber member, $320 for a table of 10. RSVP by Oct. 6, opks.org/govt_relations/RobertsSlattery.pdf.
  • U.S. Congressional Forum: Dennis Moore and Nick Jordan
    Wed., Oct. 22, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Overland Park Sheraton, 6100 College, Overland Park. Hosted by the Johnson County Public Policy Council. $28 chamber member, $35 non-chamber member, $320 for a table of 10 RSVP by Oct. 13 at opks.org/govt_relations/MooreJordan.pdf.
  • State Senate District 9 Candidate Forum: Julia Lynn and Ron Wimmer
    Wed., Oct. 29, 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Mahaffie Heritage Center, 1200 Kansas City Rd., Olathe. Hosted by the Olathe and Lenexa Chambers. No fee to attend. RSVP by Oct. 24 at www.olathe.org.


Forum in opposition to proposed change in judicial selection Oct. 10
       A handful of seats remain for a forum on the selection of judges in Johnson County - an issue that will be on the ballot Nov. 4. The forum, "Fair and Impartial: How Judicial Merit Selection Serves Our Courts, Our Businesses, Our Community" will be Friday, Oct. 10, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Ritz Charles, Overland Park. Former Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce Gary Sherrer will be the keynote speaker. A panel discussion will follow. RSVP by e-mail to Malia Reddick at mreddick@ajs.org or call 515-271-2287. The Chamber's Board has voted to oppose the proposed change in judicial selection.

La Quinta now open in Olathe at I-35 and 151st
       La Quinta Inn and Suites opened last week at 20570 W. 151st St. with 105 guest rooms, 1,200 square feet of meeting space, a 24-hour business center, a fitness center, an indoor pool and spa, and an executive board room seating up to 12. The hotel is located just off I-35 and situated between the Great Mall of the Great Plains and Olathe Medical Center. Catering is available, and guests are offered a continental breakfast.

Nashville Leadership exchange
       Among those who journeyed to Nashville, Tenn., last week for a leadership exchange sponsored by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce were Mayor Michael Copeland; City Manager Michael Wilkes; Chamber President L. Franklin Taylor; Chamber Executive VP of Economic Development, Tim McKee; Chamber Board Chair Char MacCallum, Char MacCallum Real Estate Group; and Chamber Board members Annabeth Surbaugh, Johnson County Board of Commissioners Chair, and JCCC President Dr. Terry Callaway. They traveled with 100 other metro leaders to gain insight into the city, its successes, and its programs.

Leadership Olathe Alumni to host reception
       The newly organized Leadership Olathe Alumni Association (LOAA) will host its first event Oct. 16-a reception for all graduates of the program from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the lobby of HealthRidge Fitness Center. Renew acquaintances, meet members of the 2009 Class and new LOAA officers and executive committee members, and sign the inaugural charter document. Jon Montgomery, Class of 2007, Credit Union of Johnson County, will provide an overview of the program. The reception is free. The program begins at 5:30 p.m. Contact Diane Costello at (913) 764-1050 to RSVP.

Diane Costello named to state community leadership group
       Diane Costello, the Chamber's VP of Leadership Development, has been selected as a member of the newly formed Kansas Community Leadership Initiative (KLCI) Advisory Group, along with 17 other leadership program professionals from across the state. The group was formed by the Kansas Health Foundation to serve as an advisory for the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC).

Upcoming Events
  • Oct. 2, ribbon cutting for A Unique Boutique, 2083 Santa Fe, 11 a.m.
  • Oct. 16, Chamber Coffee, ribbon cutting, and dedication ceremony for TLC for Children and Families, 480 S. Rogers Rd., 9:30 a.m.
  • Oct. 16, Leadership Olathe Alumni reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the lobby of HealthRidge Fitness Center.

Joyce Coker Dreier
Senior Vice President, Community Relations
Olathe Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 98, 18001 W 106th St., Suite 160
Olathe, KS 66051-0098
(913) 764-1050
jcoker@olathe.org



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