Author: Admin

Micah Seybold loved maps from an early age.  In university geography class he got serious about his interest and abandoned his plan to be a computer programmer.  However, his tech background did come in handy and lead to a GIS mapping job with the city of Lawrence.  Micah Seybold presides over a varied collection of digital maps, all of which are accessible by computer and even by smart phone.  The goals of his department include simplifying public access to city maps, eliminating the need for paper maps, and integrating GIS resources with business processes.  Each day he handles map and data information requests, catalogs related materials, performs spatial analysis, and strives to optimize workflow.  The use of digitalized maps and data saves time by creating efficiencies.  For example, digital maps may be used to design efficient service routes for transit or delivery of other services.  The city makes available a number of downloadable and interactive maps, including census tracts, bikeways, flood plains, crime, cemetery, tax districts, transit routes and more.  Users may customize maps by employing measurements, drawing on maps and even layering different maps.  Maps may be printed to PDF, JPG or other file formats.  All of these resources and assistance in using them are available at Lawrenceks.org/maps.

Making decisions that balance the needs of the environment, economy and society for both present and future generations is the goal of a cooperative sustainability program between the City of Lawrence and Douglas County.  Sustainability Coordinator Eileen Horn spoke to Lawrence Central Rotary about that task and the recent Four Star Rating Award for the Lawrence community.  The County and the City work together to achieve sustainability in operations, programs, and policies.  Presently, the areas of cooperation include emergency services, conservation, local food systems, renewable energy, alternative transportation, green building, waste reduction, recycling and economic development. The Lawrence community is very supportive of sustainability.  Eileen Horn works for the City and the County, both of which have advisory boards and sustainability plans.  (LCR’s Michael Steinle serves on both boards.)

There are only a few local government sustainability programs in Kansas and Lawrence is the first community in the state to achieve a Four Star Rating.  The award requires extensive documentation of achievements in numerous categories.  Lawrence received over 95% the available points in the categories of greenhouse gas mitigation, education, emergency services, safety, air quality, public infrastructure, public spaces, business retention and development, efficient buildings and community water systems.  The process also identifies areas that need more work, like climate adaptation, environmental justice, invasive species, quality jobs and living wages.  The Lawrence community is a great place to live and an award winning sustainability program is a strong investment in the future.  More information on the Star Award may be found at lawrenceks.org/star.

Omar Jaleel Hazim, the Iman of the Islamic Center of Topeka, visited Lawrence Central Rotary Club to talk about his faith and the activities of the Center.  The Iman accepted Islam in 1962 and studied under the guidance of Elijah Muhammad.

This branch of Islam had a strong Black Nationalism component that appealed to a young Black man growing up in an unjust society.  In the 1970’sOmar Jaleel Hazim accepted a mainstream belief in the faith.  He is a builder by trade and has helped to establish many Mosques and Islamic Community Centers in the Kansas City area.  The Iman spoke of the belief that the Torah, the Bible, and the Koran are linked and represent a divine message from the creator.  He believes that all three faiths share many ideas and values.  He noted that many of the perceived negative elements of Islam, like the repression of women, are cultural expressions and not part of the true faith.  The Iman has dedicated his time and energy to teaching and dispelling misconceptions about Islam.

Hazim was the first Muslim to give the invocation in the Kansas House of Representatives.  He has served on the Board of Directors of Interfaith Topeka, Inc. and as the Islamic Advisor to the Kansas Department of Corrections.  He is an active speaker and has numerous publications, including the book “Islam in the Heartland of America.”  The Iman was asked if his community has been targeted for abuse, and he said the Islamic Center and people in the Topeka Islamic community have largely escaped that kind if attention.

For more information about the Islamic Center of Topeka – visit their website at http://wp.topekamosque.org/ and the Imam Hazim’s book is available in hardback, paperback and Kindle edition on Amazon.

The Shelter, Inc. Director, Gina Hummel, spoke to Lawrence Central Rotary about the unique role the organization plays in the care of children who are removed from their homes by law enforcement or court action.  Gina Is a Kansas University graduate with over 25 years of experience in health and human services.

The mission of The Shelter, Inc. is to improve the lives of children and families in Douglas and Northeast Kansas, with a focus on children at risk.  The organization was created in 1981 to address the needs of children who were in the temporary custody of law enforcement or due to court action.  There was simply no place to take those children.  Two residential homes were set up and staffed, one for boys and the other for girls, ages 10-18.   The residences can accommodate a total of 28 children, serving an average of 300 children a year.  These children have often suffered abuse and have significant behavior problems.  The staff work hard to create as much normalcy as possible and provide counseling, tutoring, and other support.  The Shelter, Inc. also provides foster care and adoption services.  Emergency funding is available to families in crisis as well as assessment and referral services.  Staff is available on call 24 hours a day.  Prevention and diversion support is also available to first-time juvenile offenders.  Gina Hummel noted that the State system is under severe stress and that early intervention and support is critical but greatly underfunded.  The organization is funded by a combination of sources including County, City, State pass through dollars and a Festival of Trees holiday fundraiser.  Shelter, Inc is moving in June to improved facilities at 1925 Delaware.

The organization is funded by a combination of sources including County, City, State pass through dollars and a Festival of Trees holiday fundraiser.  Shelter, Inc is moving in June to improved facilities at 1925 Delaware.

For more information about this local resource, their website is: https://www.theshelterinc.org/