The Fight Begins

I told you. Evidently we sent enough e-mails and made so many phone calls that Dillons caved under the pressure and realized they had no other choice but to rebuild in Greensburg. Personally, I know of about eight. Well, three were mine. But that still leaves five. Okay, they were from members of my family and I made them do it. Hey, you do what you have to. Ours were just eight out of thousands, probably jammed their systems for days. Yes, we did it!
Okay, maybe it didn’t happen exactly like that. The fact that Governor Sebelius, Sen. Brownback, Sen. Roberts, and Rep. Moran were in Greensburg praising Dillons for their recent decision to rebuild makes me think they might have been involved in the process all along. I’m sure there were plenty of incentives thrown their way. Hey, business is business, however it happened is okay with me.
A few weeks ago I talked about how as business’ grow they tend to forget where they came from. But Kroger Chairman, David B. Dillon proved me wrong by saying his company’s commitment and roots in Kansas run deep, and that they believe in Greensburg. Not much I can add to that, except to say thank you and to say David B. Dillon, You’re a good man.
Speaking of good people, we have several of them right here in Topeka. Councilwoman Lana Kennedy is one of them. I know, with everything that’s going on in city politics, from the budget, the helicopter thing, and the hardware-software fiasco, you’re probably mad at the whole city council right now. But for the time being, put all that aside. Remember they’re just people like you and I. I know for a fact I wouldn’t want their job. I have enough people mad at me as it is.
Last week I told you about the old guy in the red car. I told you about going to the police station to turn him in. I told you I was told they’d do what they could. Well, that’s not exactly how it went. What they really told me was there was nothing they could do. I couldn’t believe it. I asked the lady how in the world it was okay for a man who was on the KBI’s list of sex offenders and was convicted of sex crimes against a child to be running around lose in a park full of kids. That’s when she finally told me she’d send a car and they’d do what they could. I had a lot of questions and wanted some answers. I wanted to know what the policy is in a situation like this was. I wondered why we have to wait until some kid ends up missing before the police can do anything. I sent an e-mail to three of our city leaders. Lana Kennedy was the only one to respond. And respond she did! It seems Topeka has no laws concerning where these people can and can’t go. In fact she tried to get a law passed regarding where they could live last year. That was defeated by a 5-4 vote. She says she’s willing to give it another shot this year, only this time passing a law that if you’ve been convicted of sexually assaulting a child you can’t be in any of our city parks. The difference is that this year it’s a new council and all four yes votes are still there. That leaves five other councilmember’s. And she only needs one more yes vote. Lana, this old guy wishes you well in the battles that lie ahead. And thank you, you’re a good person.
Kevin McGinty can be reached at: kevinmcginty@sbcglobal.net

Thank You Debbie.

Thank for the encouraging thoughts Debbie. And thank you for signing up and posting. I was wondering if anyone ever would. I think it would be a good way for all of us to keep in touch. I've noticed my profile has about 80 hits. Someone's reading it. Jump in, don't be afraid.
Quick update. I've been working with one of our City Councilwomen this week. We're going to be guests on one our local talk shows, The Jim Cates Show AM 1440 sometime in the next couple of weeks or so. She going to announce that she's sponsering a bill making it illegal for anyone convicted of sex crimes against a child to be in our public parks. Sounds simple enough. I've done a lot of reading about this. She's a tough woman, I just hope she can pull this off. You can bet it's going to be one hell of a fight though.
It's kinda cool to think that because of one of my columns, the Topeka City Council is fighting over this at all. At least they know me. Maybe one of the days I can make a few extra bucks doing this.
Hope all is well with each of you and yours. Till next time.

Gage Park

Think Gage Park is a safe place to take your kids? Think again! I’m going to share a story with you today. It’s a story about what led me to check out the KBI’s Registered Sex Offenders list. It’s about how I learned that there are 307 registered sex offenders in Shawnee County. And that 284 are right here in Topeka. It’s a story about how last Thursday, events unfolded that led me directly into the path of one of them.
Last Thursday I was traveling east on 10th street listening to Jim Cates as usual. He had Senator Anthony Hensley as a guest. I wanted to talk to the Senator and it just so happened that I was going by Gage Park at the time and decided to pull in to make my phone call. I found a shady spot and pulled over. While I was on the phone a guy in a older, faded red car drove by and waved. About the time I finished my call he pulled up beside me, got out and started asking about my jeep. I was wearing shorts, he complimented me on my tan and asked if he could see how far up my tan line went. I suggested to him it would probably be best if he left me alone.
Before I go any further. I want to be clear this isn’t a gay bashing thing. If you want to be gay, go be gay, I don’t care. It’s none of my business. It’s way more than that. It’s about seeing him again parked on the street just to the east of the train station. There were easily a couple hundred kids there that day. He was just sitting there watching them. The man was trolling the park in search of sex. Now he’s fifty feet from hundreds of kids. This my friends, is a sexual predator.
That night I checked out the KBI’s list of sex offenders. There he was. He’d been convicted in 2001 of Indecent liberties with a child under fourteen. His picture was six years old so he does look older now. According to the birth date he’s 65 years old. That’s exactly how old I thought he might have been. I knew I couldn’t call the police unless I could prove who he was. Saturday I decided I needed his tag number. I had a hunch I’d find him in Gage Park. Sure enough, there’s a shelter house just across the street to the east of the train station. He was in the parking lot behind it. The parking lot has only one way in and one way out. Sneaking up on him was out of the question. So I just pulled in behind him and stopped. He immediately got out his car, shoved his hand down his pants and started rubbing his penis. He was a completely different person this time. I told him there was no reason to get out but he was coming anyway. I got a good look at his tag and left him standing there with his hand still in his pants. I went straight to the Police Station and turned him in. I gave them a description of him, his car, and gave them his tag number. I was told they’d do what they could.
Because I can’t prove the man I saw on the sex offenders list is the same one I’m telling you about, I won’t use his name. However I can tell you what he looked like and what he drives. He looks to be about 65 years old. He stands about 5’-8” and weighs about 125lbs. He was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jean shorts, he’s bald, and has very hairy ears. He was driving a small, faded red, hatchback kind of car. It was something like an old Chevette or something similar with a Shawnee County license plate. If you see him, all I’m asking you to do is keep an eye on him. But if you see him doing anything out of line call the Police, call 911. Based on how aggressive he was during our second encounter, I believe he’s dangerous, don’t approach him. And whatever you do, keep an eye on your kids. Don’t let them out of your sight.
We were outraged over Judge Dowd giving Orlando Cisneros probation in a recent, well publicized, child rape case. We only heard about it because the young girl’s father went public. What we didn’t know is that this is just the tip of the iceberg. This is a discussion we need to have. Why do the courts seem so hell bent on turning these people lose on us.
There are those who’ll cry about them having their right to privacy and all that. Here’s what I believe. I believe I have the right to pull over in a park to make a phone call without being sexually assaulted. More than anything I believe our children have the right to live without the fear of being abducted by one of these sick people. And I believe first and foremost that old guy in the faded, red car needs to understand that now he’s the one being watched!
Kevin McGinty can be reached at: kevinmcginty@sbcglobal.net

Capper Foundation

For as long as I can remember, I’ve poked fun at all the “It’s for the children” speeches we hear from politicians around election time. Well last Wednesday I had the honor of meeting two wonderful ladies named Pam Walstrom and Julie Smrha. They help run a facility that truly is for the children. And it’s for the children every day, every week, of every year. Not just around election time. It’s a facility whose mission is to enhance the independence of people with disabilities, primarily children. I’m talking about a facility named The Capper Foundation.
The Capper Foundation is a result of one man’s life-long commitment to helping children. His name was Arthur Capper. Some of you might have heard of him, he was a two term Governor (1914-1919) and five term Senator (1919-1949) of Kansas. Before he ever held public office he was a successful businessman here in Topeka. He owned Newspapers, a Publishing Company and two radio stations. Starting in 1908 he sponsored what would become an annual summer celebration around the 4th of July for disadvantaged, area kids. This annual celebration lasted until 1951 when the flood forced it’s cancellation. In the meantime Capper, along with other local businessmen would send a car load of candy and toys out to disadvantaged kids on Christmas morning. A man named Con Van Natta who was the foreman of Capper’s Publishing Company was in charge of distributing the toys, he would report back to Capper and the others about how it went. They were always looking for ways to make the children’s Christmas mornings a little better. This went on for several years until 1920, Con made his Christmas deliveries as usual. Like always Con reported back to Capper. But this year he told the Senator a story of how in the race to see what Santa had brought, because of the cumbersome crutches and wheelchairs the crippled kids were always outdistanced by other youngsters and weren’t able to get to the best toys. He also reported that many of the crippled children seemed to be getting worse. Most of the parents couldn’t afford to get them the help they so desperately needed.
This was a turning point for Arthur Capper. He likened the race for Santa with the race for life. He knew they needed more than candy and toys on Christmas morning. He knew they needed doctors, nurses, and in some cases they needed surgeons. He turned to his trusted friend, Con, and told him he was supremely qualified to make this happen. He instructed Con to stop by his business manager to get whatever money he thought it would take and start the process tonight.
That Christmas night, eighty seven years ago the Capper Foundation was set into motion. Today the Capper Foundation helps up to 2,000 children per year. Because of the advances in medical technology they can offer services Arthur Capper could never have imagined. They offer services such as Pediatric Therapy, Communications Services, Therapeutic Recreation services, Aquatic Exercises, and Autism Disorder Services.
But now they need some help. They need my help and they need your help. All these services come at a cost. If you could find it in your heart to reach out, write a check for whatever amount you feel comfortable with you could help make a difference in a child’s life. You can visit their website at www.capper.easterseals.com to find out more about them or if you’d like, you can call either Pam or Julie at (785-272-4060.) They’d be delighted to hear from you.
There’s nothing more important than taking care of our children. Arthur Capper understood this and I believe he’d be pleased to see what his Foundation has become.
Kevin McGinty can be reached at: kevinmcginty@sbcglobal.net

Move On

I suppose it’s time to let it go. I had planned this long, point, counter point argument of why Greensburg should be put back the way it was. But after thinking it over I’ve realized the Greensburg I knew is gone. No matter what they do I’m not going to like it. Just a couple things though. I still hope Dillons does the right thing and rebuilds their store. And I hope the government decision makers look up from their notes and statistics long enough to remember they’re dealing with people’s lives. One last thing. They’re really pushing for ZEH (Zero Energy Homes.) Basically, the homes are designed, and built to produce more energy than they use. Pretty cool way to beat the electric company. They’re built to be more or less airtight and in order for a ZEH home to reach it’s full potential it needs to be built on a concrete slab. Not exactly a strong selling point in Greensburg these days. Good luck with that.
Today I’m proud to call Topeka home. I’ve lived here for the last seventeen years now and I can’t imagine wanting to live anywhere else. I’ve pretty much finished raising my family. They all live here and aren’t going anywhere, mainly because I won’t allow it. Hey, it’s worked so far.
Topeka’s home because it feels like it. It’s a feeling of belonging. Know what I mean? Almost every time I’m out I’ll run into someone I know. It’s knowing I can turn on the radio any weekday and hear Steve Forman or Jim Cates. I’ve had the privilege of meeting several of their callers in person. I went to a meeting last Saturday with two of them. Paul Degener and Myron Holter. Paul is the President of an organization called C.F.I.R. (Citizens For Immigration Reform.) Myron is the Secretary. They’re both retired military guys who are very unhappy with the way our country’s headed. Instead of sitting in their rocking chairs like they’re supposed to, they’re doing something about it. They conned me into helping them run the C.F.I.R. booth they’re setting up this Saturday and Sunday during the Gun Show at the Expo Centre. Stop by and say hi if you can.
Things like having lunch every Friday with Steve, Randy, and the guys at the “Eagle’s Nest,” make Topeka feel like home. The “Eagles Nest” is a sandwich shop at the Harley Davidson Dealership. Marsha and the girls do a wonderful job. Like in the old days, minus the adult beverages, we have the answers to all the world’s problems. If people would just listen to us the country would be in a lot better shape.
Do you know any Harley people? There’s a bond there. Don’t believe me? Just have lunch at the Harley shop. They all talk Harley. Ever seen two Harley riders meet on the road? There’s that Harley wave, they both lower their left hand and just keep going. They know.
Instead of getting a Harley for my mid-life crisis, I bought a Jeep. We have our own little club too. Just watch, anytime two Jeeps meet anywhere, we give each other a two finger wave. “It’s A Jeep Thing, You Wouldn’t Understand.” Yeah, it’s nice to feel like you belong to something.
Yeah, we have our problems in Topeka but it’s home and I love it. Oh yeah, apparently I’ve joined another exclusive club that prompts the use of hand signals. I was driving down the street the other day when two young girls flipped me off as they sped by. Looks like I’ve joined the “old men that drive to slow club.” Hey, you can’t win them all.
Kevin McGinty can be reached at: kevinmcginty@sbcglobal.net

Can't Go Home

A few weeks ago I told you about living in Greensburg. I talked about the regrets I had about not going back to visit before the tornado. I told you I’d still make the trip, only this time it would be to find out about old friends and to say goodbye to others. Last Wednesday I made that trip.
Like everyone, I’d seen the pictures of the destruction. No picture I saw even came close to what it was actually like. It looked more like they were hit by an atomic bomb. From the corner of Hi-way 54 and Main St. looking to the north, south and straight ahead to the west everything was gone. There were random houses here and there still standing, I even saw a trailer house that was barely touched, it still had the skirting around the bottom. Just two blocks west of Main is the Kwik Shop and it’s open for business. How cool is that? Like any small town, Main Street used to have buildings all the way up and down both sides. Today there are only two or three and they’re destroyed. On the east side of town, my favorite restaurant “The Kansan” was destroyed. They still had a sense of humor though, On the inside wall that is now outside was a sign that said “Outside Seating Now Available.” The booths were still there. I just had to sit down, the waitress station was still intact. I still remember my daughter got a kick out of getting her own rolls from the warmer. It’s still there. The swimming pool park across the hi-way was pretty much untouched. It broke my heart to see the Dillons store. Right down the street was my favorite bar ever. They call it the B&H Saloon nowadays, but it’ll always be Larry’s Place to me. Oh, the stories I could tell you about that place. All I can say is that they never proved anything. “Just kidding.” Anyway it was still standing. Almost every Saturday night after Larry’s closed a bunch of us would either end up in Belvidere or out at the State Lake just north west of town. We hung out at the dock on the west side of the lake. We’d build a fire, drink a few adult beverages, and proceed to solve all the world’s problems. I was so glad to see that old dock still standing.
It broke my heart to stand in front of what used to be the Big Well Park. The only thing left is the well itself. It’s wrapped in a blue tarp and is fenced off. We used to rent a house right across the street. It‘s gone. Eventually we bought a house on the east side of town in the eighties. Nothing special, just an old two story house. But it was home and we loved it. It was standing tall.
The hospital is destroyed, the schools and churches are all gone. At the south end of main street on the outskirts of town they’ve moved in about three hundred FEMA trailers. The National guard has set up shop on the football field, there’s a Red-Cross field hospital where Burkes Restaurant used to sit. The Salvation Army has set up camp in Dillons parking lot. There are Government agencies everywhere. Everywhere you look there are people with clip boards feverishly taking notes. These are some of vast numbers of people with their own ideas about how the new Greensburg should look. Next week I’ll probably talk about some of their ideas and maybe throw in a couple of my own. But you can’t go by anything I say, I’m just an old guy. Kevin McGinty can be reached at: kevinmcginty@sbcglobal.net

Bo

Please don’t be sad mommy, it’ll be okay. Whatever it is, we can get through it together. Hey, we’re going to see the doctor tomorrow. That‘s always fun. I love the sonograms because it shows us how big I’m getting. Last time we were there I heard the doctor say I was a perfectly formed little boy. He said I had all my fingers and toes. That’s good news, isn’t it? I heard him saying something about time was running out to decide. I’ll bet he was talking about it being time to name me. You haven’t mentioned anything about it so I’m thinking maybe you haven’t made up your mind yet. I’ve got a couple suggestions. How about John Wayne? That would be cool mommy. It would come in handy when you buy me my first pair of cowboy boots. Maybe Einstein. I might not be as smart as him but I bet I‘m pretty close mommy. Maybe Superman or Scooby Do. Hey, I know. How about naming me Bo. I like that name.
I heard a man talking about this being a bad time. What did he mean, mommy? This is going to be a great time. You’ll see. I can‘t wait till you can hold me for the first time. And the first time our eyes meet is going to be something special, I promise. You’re going to love the way I run to you for comfort. There’s no safer place than in your mother’s arms. I’m going to need a lot of help learning to walk. They tell me it’s pretty hard. With your help I’ll be just fine, you’ll see.
It’s going to break my heart when I have to go to kindergarten. But that’s the only way I can learn to read. I can’t wait to read you a bedtime story for a change mommy. Will you teach me how to play baseball? I heard it was fun. Will we go to Gage Park? Teach me about the monkeys mommy. I think they’re funny. How about my first bike, will you help me learn how to ride it mommy? I think I’d like to play the guitar. Can you teach me how. I hope you name me Bo. I really think it’s a cool name. Mommy and Bo. We’ll make a great team, you’ll see.
Mommy, I heard that man talking about time being up. Didn’t you tell him we’d decided to name me Bo? Tell him mommy. I don’t like him mommy, he makes you cry. When I get big I‘ll never make you sad mommy, I promise. You’ll see.
Mommy, I heard you and that man talking about a new doctor. Is that why you’re sad? Are you afraid? Don’t be. We’ll get through this together. You’ll see. I promise to behave myself if that’s what you’re worried about. I want to make a good impression on our new doctor too. Mommy, I’m getting sleepy. Don’t worry, I won’t forget to say my prayers.
Now I lay me, down to sleep. I pray the Lord, my soul to keep. If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. God bless Mommy and Bo. Wake me up when we get to the new doctor.
Mommy, that new doctor scares me. He’s not nice like our other one, he scares me mommy. Please, let’s go home.
Miss Johnson, would you like to hold your baby son? Hi mommy, I’m Bo. See, I told you the first time our eyes met would be something special. Mommy I’m so glad we went back to our old doctor. Mommy and Bo. We’re going to make a great team, you’ll see.
Bo’s going to be a cool little kid, you’ll see. Please choose life.
Kevin McGinty can be reached at: kevinmcginty@sbcglobal.net