Kanopolis’ mayor threw down the gauntlet during this week’s Kanopolis City Council meeting.

“If you don’t like the results or decision of the council, I suggest you put your name in the hat to run for an office,” Mayor Anthony Hopkins said. “Hardly anyone has run for city council.”

He’s right.

Civic engagement is important — essential on every level. Yet as I-R staff sits in county commission, city council and school board meetings, we are often surrounded by empty seats. There are exceptions for hot-button issues such as chickens in Kanopolis, literature in schools, or the possible closure of school buildings. Yet when it’s “business as usual,” the audience is often absent.

This is unfortunate, but a reality across many cities and counties. Empty seats is one vital reason the I-R staff attends and reports on these meetings. It is our goal to continue to inform the public what its elected officials are up to. But it would be nice to see more attendance.

Local municipalities have significant budgets, and the local level is where residents can have the most direct access to elected officials.

For 2022, the City of Ellsworth has a $21.4 million budget. USD 327’s budget is nearly $10.9 million. Ellsworth County’s budget is about $12 million. The City of Wilson’s budget is about $1 million.

That’s a lot of local money — taxpayer money. And, unfortunately, there is little attendance or engagement at local meetings.

Another vital — and upcoming opportunity for civic engagement is the Aug. 2 primary election.

Voters can still register to vote. The state of Kansas recently made it even easier. Simply go to https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/VoterReg/ and the website will walk you through the process. The deadline to register for the primary is July 12; the deadline for the general election is Oct. 18.

To continue to encourage civic engagement, the I-R is sponsoring a candidate forum. Candidates on the primary ballot for the 109th District seat will be present at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at the Ellsworth Steak House. Our goal in hosting a forum is to invite the public to engage. To ask questions. To listen. To make informed decisions.

Please, take that first step in civic engagement, and join us on July 17 for the candidate forum.

Karen Bonar

Editor