Johnson County Commissioners, integrity and Bill Clinton

Here to help

For the last several years, I have been involved in dealings with one of the Johnson County offices. Ninety percent of the time, I have not been able to get straight answers to my questions.

This year was no different until I contacted Sixth District Commissioner Mike Brown. Through him, I not only got answers, but I was able to send and receive emails with answers to my questions from the relevant county department. Without Brown’s help, I know from past experience I would not have been able to accomplish this.

I have heard support for recently departed county manager Hannes Zacharias in The Star’s letters, in a column from Steve Rose (Dec. 9, 13A, “Unraveling a mystery in Johnson County”) and from county employees. They’ve also condemned the four commissioners who didn’t renew Zacharias’ contract. Since this decision was made by the majority, I would guess they had reasons to replace him.

As for other county leaders, I can’t say I agree with all of them or the decisions they make. But I do know that this year was the only time I was able to get straight answers from any county office, and that was because of Brown.

Fred Hartung

De Soto

‘The right thing’

Integrity is what you do when no one is looking. The pervasive use in Missouri government of the message-erasing Confide app and the shredding of records in Kansas — along with all the other reported attempts to circumvent transparency in a government of, for and by the people — are clear demonstrations of a fundamental lack of integrity by the individuals involved.

My mother taught me, “You never go wrong doing the right thing.” Most people, deep down, know what the right thing is.

I encourage those who serve us, the people, to heed my mother’s counsel and help bring some level of integrity to our government and our republic.

Greg Howard

Lenexa

Time has come

Since there have been many allegations against President Donald Trump for sexual assault and harassment for so many years, it is time to think the unthinkable. An interview with former Miss New Hampshire Bridget Sullivan on TV Thursday brought the whole torrid story to the front, and I was shocked.

Although these allegations were being made before the election, and the alternative was another Clinton in the White House, it appeared reasonable to elect Trump. However, now the result of a successful impeachment would place Vice President Mike Pence in the White House, and that would be a great result.

I urge the Senate to get on with it. Pence would make an excellent president and rid us of a great embarrassment.

Vernon Reed

Liberty

Self-fulfilling

Those who have the most to lose vote for politicians who are determined to help them lose.

Wesley Hill

Blue Springs

On your toes

It’s sad to see the plans in Westport to privatize the streets in the name of safety. When I go, I look forward to that Old West charm, especially the shootouts. You know, the ones between the good guy with a gun and the good-and-drunk guy with a gun. They are thrilling, and add a touch of danger to my mundane life.

Gina Coffman

Kansas City

Disappeared

When will cops start using the Confide app? That way traffic tickets would go away as soon as you read them.

Tom Stroud

Overland Park

A real pro

Forget the sexual-harassment spin by all sides written in The Star lately. Here’s the default excuse for anyone considering some form of sexual harassment or assault. This would also work for those already guilty but who have not yet been ratted out or charged.

The creeps can justify their actions by referencing one of the most popular U.S. presidents of all time, especially with women.

President William J. Clinton signed a 1995 law dealing with workplace sexual harassment for Congress, then bravely set out to prove what a flawed law it was.

All present and future perverts should raise a glass of gratitude to this visionary leader whose crude workplace behavior with “that woman, Miss Lewinsky” in the Oval Office proved to be a de facto softening of anti-harassment laws.

And this still-popular man was not a hypocrite as most politicians seem to be. By numerous accounts, he has practiced this kind of behavior nearly all his life, apparently falling within the guidelines of most feminist groups and progressive political organizations.

Robert Devine

Excelsior Springs

This story was originally published December 16, 2017 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Letters: Readers discuss Johnson County Commissioners, integrity and Bill Clinton."