September 2023

Notes from Commissioner Meitzner:

What a busy and exciting month! In mid-September, I traveled to Chicago for a meeting of the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission and visited Union Station. We discussed the expansion of train travel through Kansas, and I am optimistic about its future growth.

Also during September, Sedgwick County implemented our Veterans Treatment Court, offering qualified veterans convicted of certain felonies related to mental illness or addiction the option of serving time in treatment, instead of prison. The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) freed up space for this specialized courtroom by moving non-judicial offices, including our own, out of the courthouse. I'm proud the BoCC could play a role in providing this life-changing help to those who served our country.

This month I also attended a great discussion at the Wichita Business Journal ICT Summit. Three panels of local community and business leaders talked about the future of downtown Wichita - where we've been, where we're going and how to get there. The third panel discussion, featuring Jeff Fluhr of the Greater Wichita Partnership, Natalie Gosch of Cargill North American Protein, Rick Muma of Wichita State University and Luis Rodriguez of Method Productions, is on this podcast and is definitely worth a listen: https://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2023/09/22/biztalk-podcast-329-ict-summit.html.

The views expressed by Commissioner Pete Meitzner in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the governing body of the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners or Sedgwick County Government.

Get ready for the General Election!

If you are not sure of your voter registration status, now is the time to make sure you can cast a ballot in the 2023 General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Click here to see if your registration is up to date. An online or paper application is available at Welcome - Kansas Online Voter Registration (ks.gov). Early voting begins Nov. 2.

Zoo Boulevard Bridge repairs will impact traffic for a year

Major rehabilitation work is underway on the bridge that spans the M.S. Mitch Mitchell Floodway, commonly known as the Big Ditch, between 1-235 and Windmill Rd. For the next year, drivers should expect long-term lane closures and no-left turns at the intersection of Zoo Blvd. and Windmill Rd. The video below shows the affected area. Regular commuters should consider taking an alternate route.

Sedgwick County raises awareness of mental health resources during Suicide Prevention Week in September

The BoCC declared Sept.10–16 as National Suicide Prevention Week. In the United States, one person dies by suicide every 11 minutes, with an average of 135 deaths by suicide a day. About every 3.5 days, someone in Sedgwick County dies by suicide.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available by calling the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or the 24-hour COMCARE Community Crisis Center at 316-660-7500.

Fire Prevention Week aims to reduce cooking fires & burns

"Cooking Safety Starts with You" is this year's theme of Fire Prevention Week Oct. 8-14. Nearly 49% of all home fires involve cooking equipment like grills, fryers and stoves. To prevent these fires, Sedgwick County Fire District 1 has put several safety tips on its website.

Asst. County Manager wins Women in Business award

Tania Cole was honored by the Wichita Business Journal (WBJ) for her career accomplishments as Asst. County Manager for Sedgwick County and for her dedication to empowering other women. Her daughter and husband accepted the award on her behalf, with county commissioners and leaders by their side. Watch the video below to learn more about Tania Cole's achievements.

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates culture & community

Dozens of local Hispanic leaders gathered for the BoCC's proclamation of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15-Oct. 15, 2023. As we celebrate the people in our community who contribute to our diversity, Sedgwick County is also thanking its employees who enrich our lives by sharing their culture, cuisine and civic leadership. Watch the video below that honors our workforce.

Sedgwick County needs YOU on an advisory board or committee!

The Board of County Commissioners values input from its citizens and encourages you to consider serving on an advisory board or committee in one of the five districts. Sedgwick County currently has two openings on the Solid Waste Management Committee.

Out and About with Commissioners

Sedgwick County hosted the Central Plains Quad-County Planning Forum at Exploration Place. Commissioners enjoyed a presentation on Kansas’s premier science center and what's in store for the future.

At Hotcakes for Hopecare, commissioners and local celebrities served up breakfast to benefit GraceMed. All of the proceeds help Wichitans who otherwise could not afford healthcare.

Commissioners joined in the 80th anniversary celebration of Spirit AeroSystems-Plant 2 and its 12,000th delivery of a Boeing 737. Congratulations on this incredible milestone!

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Contact Commissioner Pete Meitzner

316-660-9300

Pete.Meitzner@sedgwick.gov

100 N. Broadway, Ste. 660, Wichita, KS 67202

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