Category: News

Helen Schnoes, Food Systems Coordinator for Douglas County, explained the proposed Douglas County Food System Plan. The draft proposal was released in January 2017 for public comment and was presented to the Douglas County Commissions on June 14.  It was heard by the City of Lawrence in March. The policy is the result of extensive input and research including 13 focus groups, listening surveys with feedback from over 450 people, several experimental projects, and 13 public forums.  Although it is a document separate from the Comprehensive Plan and does not change code nor commit funds, it will serve as a valuable statement of vision and a guide for future decisions regarding “Farm to Fork” initiatives.

Established by the County Commission in 2010, by the Douglas County Food Policy Council (FPC) seeks to identify the benefits, challenges, and opportunities for a successful, sustainable local food system in Douglas County. Their goals are Wellness, Equity, Economy, and Environment. The FPC advises the Douglas County and City of Lawrence Commissioners on food-related policy issues and provides a forum for the community. As a joint county and city-appointed group, the group includes 23 diverse stakeholders–from agricultural producers to extension agents, retail food partners and more–all collaborating to improve the local food system. Schnoes serves as the liaison between the County and the Food Policy Council.

On Saturday morning, July 15, Lawrence Central Rotary will welcome bicyclists to the seventh annual Community Bike Ride at the Rotary Arboretum in west Lawrence.  This event is the first of two rides that the club provides each year.  The other 2017 ride will take place on Saturday, September 16, beginning and ending in the stadium parking lot at Haskell University.  Watch for additional details in the coming weeks.

Steve Lane is the instigator, inspiration, and organizer of Lawrence Central Rotary’s signature even.  Now rolling into his seventh season leading the project, Steve continues to manage the effort with skill and enthusiasm.  The club held the first Community Bike Rides in 2010, funded by grant money from LiveWell Lawrence.

The club has collected over $4,000 in sponsorships from multiple donors for the 2017 rides.  The financial support allows them to give away bike helmets and safety vests to riders.  In addition to providing a safe and friendly ride, the event features a training wheel take-off clinic, bike maintenance checks, healthy snacks, and inflatable fun.  This season, there will be a special seventh-anniversary t-shirt available as well.

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/

Donald Trump is like no other American President according to Distinguished Professor Dr. David Farber, History Department, University of Kansas.  Dr. Farber earned his advanced degrees from the University of Chicago and has written extensively on politics, social change and business in modern America.  He began with identifying the formula that propelled Donald Trump to a victory in the Republican Primary and electoral success in the Presidential election.  He noted that a primary has a smaller pool of voters, therefore, huge numbers are not necessary for success.  Donald Trump built his own unique brand that appealed to white ethnic nationalism.  He used Birtherism, the belief that President Barack Obama was not born in America and might not be a Christian, to appeal to people inclined to be angry ethnic nationalists.

Dr. Farber noted that polls indicated that 72% of Republican Primary voters believed the Birther arguments.  Donald Trump gambled that free trade and immigration would work with primary voters.  He used demagogue like techniques and arguments and won a surprising victory over the established leaders of the party.  He won approximately 50% of primary voters and once the choice came down to two Presidential candidates, the establishment Republicans “came home” and voted for Donald Trump. He also earned enough support from independent voters, primarily white males in key states, to win the Presidency.  Dr. Farber noted that the Clinton Campaign underestimated support from union members, Blacks and Hispanics and that contributed to her loss.  Regarding Donald Trump’s performance so far, Dr. Farber maintains that we have never had a President who knows so little about power and governing.