Johnson County, KS Government | September 08, 2016
n Sept. 17, 1787, our nation’s Founding Fathers signed the Constitution of the United States of America. Next week, Johnson County Government will celebrate the birth of American government with Constitution Day. Johnson County District Court will host evening Constitution Day events 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, that are open to the public. Nearly 900 elementary through high school students will convene on the courthouse 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Sept. 16, for student-focused Constitution Day events. Media are invited to attend both the public and school events. “We're so pleased to have Appeals Court Judge Arnold-Burger here to discuss the Informed Voter Project on both days,” said District Court Judge Keven O’Grady. “It’s important for us who work in the court system every day to do all we can to help everyone understand what we do and how we do it. Thursday evening is adult-focused and the public will learn about the Jewish Community Center shooting trial of 2015. For Friday, we're ecstatic with the school response and look forward to hosting hundreds of students ranging from third grade to high school seniors.”Students and members of the public will meet district court legal professionals, be given a tour of the courthouse and attend a presentation on the three branches of government.
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Johnson County, KS Government | September 19, 2016
Johnson County Emergency Management will host a day-long emergency exercise on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at the county’s Emergency Operations Center located in the Johnson County administration building, 111 S. Cherry St., Olathe. The scenario will involve a simulated terrorist attack. The county will activate its Emergency Operations Center and Joint Information Center. County officials are coordinating with the cities of Overland Park, Olathe, Leawood, Mission Hills and Johnson County Community College to conduct the disaster exercise. Emergency management staff will be available to speak with media 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 21 at the Emergency Operations Center. Photo opportunities of exercise activity and participants in the EOC will be available. The emergency exercise is in conjunction with National Preparedness Month. As part of the exercise, residents are encouraged to sign up for the county’s emergency alerts through NotifyJoCo.org or to update their existing information if they are already signed up. Media and partner agencies are encouraged to use the hashtag #NotifyJoCo to post and view social media content of the exercise.
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Johnson County, KS Government | September 26, 2016
Susan Pekarek, chief engineer at Johnson County Wastewater (JCW) for the past three years and a 15-year employee with the department, has been named the new general manager of JCW providing sanitary sewer service to more than 400,000 customers throughout the county. She succeeds John P. O’Neil, who retired from JCW on July 1, ending a 27-year career with Johnson County. During the county’s national search for his replacement, Pekarek served as the interim manager of the department. A resident of Overland Park, Pekarek will assume her new duties September 25.
The selection of the new wastewater administrator was announced by Deputy County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson. “Susan Pekarek has long served the residents of Johnson County in her role with JCW. She has demonstrated leadership, knowledge, professionalism, and hard work in wastewater operations,” Postoak Ferguson said. “The county will continue to benefit from her incredible value as a well-respected wastewater professional, a team player, a team leader, and a dedicated county employee. She’s a good fit to fill big shoes.”
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