The 2023 session of the Kansas Legislature is nearing its halfway point, and it seems like a good time to check in with our area elected leaders. The first legislative forum is scheduled for 7:30 a.m., Feb. 18, at Sunset Zoo. The event is free of charge and open to anyone in the community. Thanks to our friends at AT&T for sponsoring. Area legislators invited to participate include Sen. Usha Reddi (Manhattan), Sen. Kristen O’Shea (Topeka), whose district stretches into Pottawatomie County, Rep. Sydney Carlin (Manhattan), Rep. Mike Dodson (Manhattan), Rep. Kenny Titus (Manhattan) and Rep. Bill Bloom (Clay Center), whose district includes northern Riley County. Manhattan is a better community when thoughtful, dedicated people of goodwill offer themselves for public service. The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce and the KSU Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy seek to add value to that sentiment by offering an educational opportunity for individuals considering a campaign for local office. In partnership with K-State’s Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy, the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Candidate Skills-Building Workshop for those interested in seeking local office. The workshop will be from 9 a.m. to noon, March 4 in the auditorium of the Manhattan Public Library. It is designed to give individuals with an interest in running for city commission or local school boards more knowledge about the process and structure of executing a campaign and fulfilling the responsibilities of office. Register here if interested. Attendees will hear from subject matter experts on the rules and regulations surrounding campaign finance, messaging and marketing tools, the structure of a campaign organization, civic communication, requirement of elected officials, campaign timetable, and much more. The workshop will also feature a panel of individuals who have waged campaigns for local office to share their experience about what worked, what didn’t and what candidates can expect. Municipal and school board elections in Kansas are conducted in odd-numbered years and are non-partisan by design. Candidates who run for these offices do not declare a political affiliation in the manner of those who seek a county, state, or federal office in even-numbered year elections. The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce and our partners with the K-State Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy envision a non-partisan, apolitical event. We welcome anyone who might have an interest in running for a seat on their local city commission or school board. |