https://youtube.com/shorts/-9yex88xao0?si=jfQ0y-gf20lLQOW7
Henry McClure
785.383.9994
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785.383.9994
sent from mobile 📱
time kills deals
Friday, May 22, 2026
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Got my vote 🗳
**Philip Sarnecki** (full name R. Philip Sarnecki) is a 2026 Republican candidate for Governor of Kansas, running in the primary on August 4, 2026. He is a self-described political outsider, businessman, and family man emphasizing conservative values, economic growth, and a results-oriented approach to government.
### Early Life and Background
Sarnecki was born in Illinois and grew up in a blue-collar household as the son of a janitor (Robert "Bob" Sarnecki) and a secretary. His family emphasized faith, hard work, and perseverance despite limited financial means—his parents were married for 56 years. He has siblings Todd and Katie.
He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and finance. He has remained connected to his alma mater, including a notable $350,000 family gift (with wife Heidi) toward the Susan and Clint Atkins Baseball Training Center.
### Career and Business Achievements
Sarnecki built a successful career in financial services and other industries:
- **Founded RPS Financial Group, Inc.** (around 2008) and grew it into one of the nation’s largest financial services firms. It expanded to 18 offices (12 in Kansas), served clients in all 50 states, built trust with ~100,000 Kansans, and managed over $10 billion in Kansas assets. In its final year under his ownership, it paid out more than $135 million in dividends to Kansas families and businesses. He later sold the company and retired as managing partner of the related RPS Benefits by Design/Northwestern Mutual operations earlier in the 2020s.
- **Other businesses**: Largest franchise owner of Strickland Brothers quick lubes (locations in Andover, El Dorado, Derby, Pittsburg, Fort Scott, Independence, etc.). Also involved in automotive, leadership, employee benefits, and real estate.
- **Film production**: Part-owner of 513 Films, involved in projects featuring actors like Mel Gibson, Kevin Sorbo, Kevin James, and others, often with faith-based or family-oriented themes. Recent credit includes executive producer for the 2024 adventure horror film *Monster Summer*.
His companies collectively employ approximately 1,000 people across multiple industries. He has served on boards including as former chairman of Athletes in Action and past roles with Finseca and the Northwestern Mutual Managing Partners Association. He coached youth and high school baseball for nearly a decade.
### Personal Life
Sarnecki lives in Bucyrus, Kansas (Johnson County area), with his wife **Heidi** and their three children (Ava, Emily, and Blake). They also enjoy time on their Franklin County farm. He is guided by his Christian faith and describes himself as a "Kansas Dad • Husband • Businessman."
### Political Positions and Platform
Sarnecki positions himself as a Trump-aligned conservative outsider tired of Republican losses in Kansas (e.g., to Democrat Laura Kelly). He criticizes "career politicians," high taxes, red tape, "woke" policies, and government incompetence, advocating a business-minded approach.
Key priorities from his campaign site and announcements:
- **Economy/Taxes**: Lower income and property taxes, provide relief for families and seniors, shred government red tape to help small businesses grow, create good-paying jobs, address high costs making housing unaffordable for young Kansans, and improve economic rankings (Kansas has lagged in some metrics).
- **Education**: Restore parental rights, oppose certain "woke" influences, focus on opportunities for kids to stay and build futures in Kansas.
- **Other**: Stand with President Trump, end "woke" policies in favor of merit and fairness, bring business-style accountability to government (e.g., auditing budgets for waste), support agriculture and pro-business policies.
- **Social issues**: Strongly pro-life, rooted in Christian faith ("every baby is a blessing"). Opposes radical DEI policies and emphasizes traditional values.
He has pushed for action on property taxes (even suggesting a special legislative session) and criticized GOP inaction on issues like congressional redistricting.
### Good Reasons to Vote for Him (Per His Campaign and Supporters)
- **Proven job creator and outsider**: Extensive private-sector success demonstrates he can grow businesses and create employment—contrasted with career politicians. He self-funds significantly (e.g., $2M personal loan to his campaign) and claims strong fundraising.
- **Rooted in Kansas values**: Humble beginnings, family focus, Christian faith, farm life, and community involvement (coaching, boards) appeal to conservative, working-class, and rural voters.
- **Focus on winning and results**: Emphasizes turning around Republican electoral fortunes in Kansas by prioritizing affordability, taxes, jobs, and parental rights. Aligns with Trump-style populism and business pragmatism.
- **Diverse experience**: Finance, franchising, film production, and mentoring bring a broad perspective.
- **Endorsements**: Support from groups like Kansans for Health Freedom and figures like actor Kevin Sorbo, highlighting health freedom, religious liberty, and conservative credentials.
### Campaign Context and Notes
Sarnecki entered the race in September 2025 as one of several Republicans in a crowded primary field. He has faced typical primary dynamics, including attacks from rivals (e.g., a mysterious email questioning his business practices on certain health issues, which he pushed back against).
His website is **philipsarnecki.org** (the image's "ilipsarnecki.org" appears to be a variant or typo). He maintains an active presence on Facebook and other platforms.
This profile draws primarily from his official campaign materials, news coverage (e.g., Kansas Reflector, Topeka Capital-Journal, Ballotpedia), and public records. As with any candidate, voters should review his full platform, debates, and record directly, cross-reference multiple sources, and consider the broader Kansas political context for the 2026 election.
Aaron.....thanks
**Summary of the Issue:**
On May 21, 2026, the Shawnee County Commission (Topeka, Kansas) voted 2-1 to approve a $50,000 contract with Tallahassee, Florida-based **Evergreen Solutions, LLC** to conduct a comprehensive **compensation study** (also referred to as a wage or classification and compensation study) for county employees.
### Key Details:
- **The Vote**: Commissioners **Bill Riphahn** and **Kevin Cook** voted in favor. Commissioner **Aaron Mays** (District 3) was the sole dissenter, arguing that he did not believe the study was needed.
- **Background**: Shawnee County last conducted a similar study with Evergreen Solutions around 2021 (implemented in 2022), which led to pay adjustments, including raises for officials and employees to improve competitiveness with the market.
- **Rationale for the New Study**: County staff noted that market conditions, recruitment challenges, retention issues, and internal equity considerations have evolved since the previous study. The $50,000 was already allocated in the 2025 budget. An RFP (Request for Proposals) process was approved earlier in February 2026 by a similar 2-1 vote (with Mays opposing).
- **Purpose**: The study will analyze current county pay scales against market rates for comparable positions, helping to ensure competitive compensation, address staffing needs, and maintain equity.
### Context on Aaron Mays:
Mays has consistently opposed these studies and related spending in recent years, citing adequate current staffing levels and questioning the necessity. He previously served on the Topeka City Council before joining the county commission.
The image you shared is a post from the *Topeka Capital-Journal* highlighting Mays' "no" vote, showing him (left, bald with glasses) alongside Commissioner Kevin Cook (right) during the meeting. Photo credit: Tim Hrenchir.
This appears to be a routine but sometimes contentious local government matter focused on employee pay competitiveness in a growing job market. No major controversy beyond the split vote has been reported in initial coverage. For the full article, check [CJOnline](https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2026/05/21/why-shawnee-county-commission-will-pay-50k-for-compensation-study/90194436007/).
I told you so
Resveratrol is a polyphenol—a type of plant-based antioxidant—found in many foods, not just red wine. It is produced by plants to fight fungal infection, stress, and UV radiation. [1]
Top Food Sources of Resveratrol (Besides Red Wine)
• Berries: Blueberries, cranberries, bilberries, and mulberries are significant sources.
• Red Grapes and Juice: The skin of red and purple grapes holds high concentrations (50-100 micrograms per gram).
• Peanuts & Peanut Butter: Peanuts, particularly boiled, provide a good source.
• Pistachios: These nuts are a rich source of resveratrol.
• Dark Chocolate & Cocoa: High-cocoa content products contain small amounts.
• Japanese Knotweed: This plant is often used in natural supplements due to its very high resveratrol concentration. [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Key Facts on Resveratrol
• Trans-Resveratrol: This is the most studied, biologically active form, available in many supplements.
• Skin/Roots: It is primarily found in the skin of fruits and the roots of plants.
• Alternatives to Alcohol: Consuming whole fruits like grapes or berries is recommended to get resveratrol without alcohol.
• Health Focus: It is researched for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular benefits. [2, 6, 7, 8, 9]
AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
Planning commission
**Summary of the City of Topeka Planning Commission Meeting (May 18, 2026)**
This is a recording of the City of Topeka Planning Commission's regular meeting, held virtually. It covers standard procedural items and several development-related action items.
### Key Agenda Items and Proceedings:
- **Call to Order, Roll Call, and Approvals**: The meeting opened with procedural steps. Nine commissioners were present (quorum established). Minutes from the March 16, 2026 meeting were unanimously approved. Commissioners declared no major conflicts of interest (one noted minor involvement with a project but no bias).
- **Item D1: P26/02 – Shorey Estates Subdivision No. 2 (Topeka Habitat for Humanity)**: A replat of ~4.4 acres in North Topeka (near NW Tyler and Lyman Road) to create **21 lots** for detached single-family homes. This builds on a previously approved Planned Unit Development (PUD) master plan from late 2025, allowing smaller R-2 zoned lots with variances (e.g., reduced setbacks and right-of-way widths). Stormwater is managed via easements with specific landscaping/plantings (not full detention basins). Staff recommended approval (with a condition for final stormwater plan acceptance). The applicant's consultant (Lance Onstott, PEC) and Habitat representatives were present. No major changes from prior approvals; the item focused on refinements for housing delivery and stormwater compliance.
- **Item D2: PUD26/01 (Noller-Topeka Properties LC)**: Request to amend a PUD master plan at SW 21st Street & Topeka Boulevard, incorporating additional land and changing zoning to allow automotive uses.
- **Item D3: CU26/02 (Camrond Jacobs)**: A conditional use request (details not fully expanded in the early transcript).
- **Item D4: 2027-2036 Capital Improvement Program**: Presentation and discussion of the city's long-term CIP.
- **Other Business**: Report from the Special Committee on Housing and general communications to the commission. The meeting adjourned after these items.
### Overall Context:
The meeting emphasized orderly community growth, public input procedures (limited to 4 minutes per speaker), and housing/development projects. Much of the early discussion centered on the Habitat for Humanity subdivision as an affordable housing effort using creative compliance with zoning and stormwater rules. No public testimony details are highlighted in the available transcript snippet, and the video appears routine with low viewership.
The full ~1-hour video follows the agenda timestamps in the description. For a deeper dive into specific items, the agenda packet is available on Topeka Speaks.
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