WEEKLY RECAP!
February 18, 2019 to February 24, 2019
Below is a quick recap from week six as your 4th District County Commissioner. You can follow me in real time on Facebook here . 
Top Story - Appreciation Ceremony
In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, two of the most valuable psychological needs we have as human beings are the need to be appreciated and the need to "belong.”

One thing I’ve noticed in the past 6 weeks as Commissioner is how often I hear leaders raving about the staff who work for Sedgwick County. Last Friday I got to see firsthand how the Division of Corrections turns words of praise in to action.

The Employee Appreciation Ceremony had me in tears. Story after story of the three nominees were incredible. Dedication, leadership, a can do attitude were themes that stuck out for all three.

I could tell it was a very hard decision to narrow the field to one but in the end,  Anne Egan-Clair, Program Manager for the Judge Riddel Boys and Girls Program, was selected as Employee of the Year!

"Anne has been working in the juvenile field for the last 21 years dedicating a lifelong career to help youth change and be successful," commended Glenda Martens, Director of Corrections. "She is always enthusiastic, motivated and committed. When employees have concerns, Anne is someone they trust and she will listen to them. She works directly with youth and families with a very positive “can do” attitude." 

Congratulations to all three nominees. Anne Egan-Clair, Daniel Maier and Chris Collins-Thoman! You are inspiring others with your actions.

Have an inspiring story or want to recognize someone for doing great work? Tell me your story by sending an email at lacey.cruse@sedgwick.gov . I’d love to hear what’s happening in your world.
 
Interested in learning more about the Division of Corrections? Go here . 
County Highlight - Arts Council
As many of you may know, I’m a musician and creative. Classically trained on the cello as a child, a singer/songwriter, a self-taught guitar player and now amateur pianist; music runs through my veins. My daughters and I do not miss an opportunity to see live theater, art or music so when I was asked to serve on the Arts Council, I emphatically said, “YES!”

Formed in 1966, the Arts Council was originally called The Wichita Fine Arts Council. Although I am only a Ex Officio member (meaning I don’t get to vote), I still have a seat at the table and can voice ideas and concerns our community members may face. This past week we discussed the idea of First Friday vs. Final Friday.

When asked about the reason for switching from First to Final the point was made about purchasing art. Trends around the country suggest that people are more apt to buy art at the beginning of the month rather than the end. And in November and December, in particular, the Final Friday sales are much lower than other months.

Art to me is a way of connecting expression with the human experience. It is unsurprising that we have always made it part of our ways of living. So regardless of whether It’s First or Final Friday … the arts scene is alive and well and is certainly not going away because of this.

“ Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” Scott Adams
What do you think? Which one's a keeper?
Switch to First Friday
Keep as Final Friday
Business Spotlight - Genius or Genius Maker
“It has been said that after meeting with the great British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, you left feeling he was the smartest person in the world, but after meeting with his rival Benjamin Disraeli, you left thinking YOU were the smartest person.” – Bono

The chamber lunch last week was great! Like really great! As Commissioner, I’ve been attending a lot of these things lately and this one, TAKES THE CAKE thus far. A free book AND an interactive discussion with other county leaders was pretty enlightening. Chairman Dennis is so forward thinking he bought one of these books for each of the commissioners last week and is purposing an open meeting book club of sorts where we can discuss this very topic. Join us if you’d like.

The discussion included a few questions. But this one stuck with me, “Multiplier or Diminisher? 

Multipliers build teams of people who use more of their brainpower and accomplish goals. Diminishers? Well… you know those who are the smartest people in the room. Those leaders only get people to use less than 50% of their brains. Diminishers require more people because the people they have aren’t being fully utilized or engaged.

GREAT LUNCH!

To all the folks who had a hand in making the Chairman’s Lunch for the Regional Chamber of Commerce a success … Cheers to you. I, for one, certainly walked away INSPIRED to learn more.

And as a side note: Ben Hutton … Hat’s off to you for buying books for everyone in attendance. That was a super cool thing to do. And to Elise Foster … Loved the stories of motherhood. The struggle is real and I can absolutely relate. Job well done!

Do it again! More people need to hear this.
Mom Moment - Mark of the Matriarch
Leona Cruse turned 100 this week. Wow. Wowzer. Wow. Any time I hear about people living to reach triple digits I think to myself, “What they must have seen in their lifetime!” 

Think about that. Seriously. Born in 1919, Leona lived through the Great Depression, Pearl Harbor, World War II, the Atomic Bomb, the Cuban Missile Crisis, JFKs assassination, the Civil Rights Movement, MLKs assassination, the moon landing, Nixon… need I go on?  

In 1951, Leona killed a Coyote with a baseball bat. I mean the woman is remarkable based on that fact alone. Can you imagine? This celebration was a teaching moment for me about accomplishments and paying homage to those who have come before us. This was an opportunity to talk about people who have shaped this county … for better or for worse. 

An avid quilter and expert seamstress, in 2012 at the age of 93, Leona was featured on the cover of the Parsons Sun pretty much calling out modern machinery. She said, “There is no art in computer stitches.” Needless to say she is spunky and smart. 

The Matriarch of this family, Leona has been an inspiration to many and I am so very honored to know her. 

Happy Birthday, Leona!

The Week Ahead - Hairspray!
Don’t miss the All City Musical production of Hairspray at East High!

Tickets are $7.00 for Students and $10.00 Adults.

Friday, March 1, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 2, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 3, 2:00 p.m.

East High School is located at 2301 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67211.

For more information please contact Martha Gates at 973-2806.
"Inspire others to Inspire others!"
316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203