Saturday, September 6, 2025

You have a choice

There are multiple ethical, legal, and functional reasons why a mayor should not be a paid lobbyist for a league of municipalities. A paid lobbying position can create a direct conflict of interest, undermine public trust, and raise questions about divided loyalty and fairness. [1, 2]  
Conflict of interest 

• Divided loyalties: As mayor, the individual's primary responsibility is to represent the best interests of their constituents and city. As a paid lobbyist for the League of Municipalities, their duty is to advocate for the collective agenda of cities and towns across the entire state. This creates a direct conflict when the League's position diverges from the specific needs or priorities of the mayor's own city. 
• Impaired independence of judgment: Holding a paid position with the league can impair the mayor's ability to act objectively and impartially when making decisions for their city. Financial interests in one role can influence their judgment in another, potentially compromising the integrity of local decision-making. 
• Fairness and favoritism: The situation can cause the public to reasonably believe the mayor might show favoritism toward the League or its agenda. This can be avoided by disclosing potential conflicts, but holding a paid position makes this a constant issue. [1, 3, 4, 5, 6]  

Undermining public trust 

• Erosion of trust: When citizens perceive that policies are influenced by powerful interest groups—especially one that has a financial relationship with their mayor—it erodes confidence in the democratic process. The public may feel that policy decisions are being made based on special interests rather than the will of the people. 
• Appearance of impropriety: Even if the mayor's actions are entirely ethical, the appearance of a conflict of interest is damaging. A paid lobbying job, particularly one that advocates for municipalities, can create the impression that the mayor's vote is for sale or influenced by personal gain. [2, 3, 7, 8, 9]  

Potential legal issues 

• Ethics violations: State and local ethics laws frequently prohibit public officials from having financial interests that could tend to impair their independent judgment. While laws vary, a paid lobbying job would almost certainly be scrutinized by ethics boards or commissions. 
• Criminal charges: Some jurisdictions provide for both civil and criminal penalties for intentional ethics violations, such as monetary fines or suspension from practice. [1, 10, 11]  

Functionality problems 

• Representing a diverse constituency: The League of Municipalities represents a broad coalition of cities, both large and small, urban and rural, with diverse and often competing interests. A mayor's job is to advocate for their specific city. A single person cannot effectively represent the unified interests of a league while also prioritizing the needs of their local constituents. For example, a league may lobby for a policy that benefits large cities but disadvantages small ones, or vice versa. 
• Accountability issues: A mayor's accountability should be to the voters of their city. If a mayor is also a lobbyist, it creates a dual accountability structure—one to their employer (the league) and one to the public. This can create confusion and questions about who the mayor truly serves. [1, 12, 13, 14, 15]  

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.facebook.com/mcre1/posts/would-my-opponent-have-a-conflict-of-interest-with-his-day-job-yes-working-as-a-/10230771947062289/[2] https://info.legistorm.com/blog/how-does-lobbying-affect-the-government[3] https://cms5.revize.com/revize/greenfield/Document_Center/Government/Boards_and_Commissions_info/Summary-of-Conflict-of-Interest-Law-for-Municipal-Employees.pdf[4] https://www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/public-officials-and-employees-rules-/conflict-of-interest.html[5] https://www.ourcatherder.com/governance/conflicts-of-interest-boards/[6] https://aaronhall.com/conflicts-of-interest-in-grant-making-board-votes/[7] https://www.opendeclare.com/the-ethics-of-lobbying-impact-on-public-office-holders-and-democracy/[8] https://www.12manage.com/forum.asp?TB=pressure_group&S=2[9] https://www.parliamentaryindicators.org/indicators/accountable/parliamentary-ethics/conflicts-interest[10] https://www.westerncity.com/article/regulating-lobbying-activities-0[11] https://medium.com/authority-magazine/top-lawyers-d-scott-martinez-on-the-5-things-you-need-to-become-a-top-lawyer-in-your-specific-fiel-a78f57c33b6a[12] https://www.law.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/upload_documents/Payson_Cities-Lobbyists-Representation.pdf[13] https://ballotpedia.org/Municipal_leagues[14] https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-3-030-66252-3_539[15] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_League_of_Cities


Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
sent from mobile 📱
time kills deals

Fwd: donations




For an election in a Kansas city with a population over 50,000, like Topeka, an individual can contribute a maximum of $2,000 to a mayoral candidate per election. The primary and general elections are considered separate events, so an individual can make a donation for each. 
Donation limits by donor type
The maximum contribution amount varies depending on who makes the donation. The limits below apply per election. 
  • Individuals and Political Action Committees (PACs): May donate up to $2,000.
  • Cash contributions: No individual may contribute more than $200 in cash per election.
  • Political Party Committees: Limits are eliminated on contributions from political party committees to candidates in general elections. 
Additional regulations
  • Candidates must properly account for donations designated for separate elections.
  • In-kind contributions, such as goods or services, also count toward the contribution limit.
  • Candidates can accept anonymous contributions of $10 or less, but the total amount of anonymous donations cannot exceed half of the candidate's contribution limit for that election.
  • The Kansas Public Disclosure Commission (KPDC) oversees campaign finance regulations for local elections. 


--
Henry McClure 
Time kills deals
785-383-9994

www.henrymcclure.live


--
Henry McClure 
Time kills deals
785-383-9994

www.henrymcclure.live
Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
sent from mobile 📱
time kills deals

444

The best foods for reducing inflammation are nutrient-dense, whole foods, such as fatty fish, berries, avocados, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, extra virgin olive oil, tomatoes, broccoli, and spices like turmeric and ginger. An overall anti-inflammatory diet emphasizes these foods, while minimizing processed foods, refined carbs, and excess sugar. [1, 2, 3, 4]  
Key Anti-Inflammatory Foods 

• Fatty Fish: Salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which directly reduce inflammation. [2, 5]  
• Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries contain anthocyanins, antioxidants that fight cellular inflammation. [2, 6]  
• Healthy Fats: Extra virgin olive oil, avocados, nuts (like walnuts and almonds), and seeds (like chia and flax) provide healthy fats and antioxidants that reduce inflammation. [1, 2, 7]  
• Fruits and Vegetables: A variety of fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens and brightly colored options, are packed with antioxidants and vitamins. [2, 8]  
• Spices and Herbs: Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound, while ginger has anti-inflammatory properties as well. [2, 3]  
• Whole Grains: Oats, brown rice, and wholemeal bread provide fiber, which supports healthy gut bacteria and reduces inflammation. [3, 9]  
• Legumes: Beans and lentils are excellent sources of fiber and plant-based protein, contributing to an anti-inflammatory diet. [8, 9]  
• Green Tea: Rich in catechins, a type of antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. [1, 7]  

Foods to Limit or Avoid 

• Processed Foods: Highly processed foods often lack fiber and can promote inflammation. [3, 4]  
• Refined Carbohydrates and Sugar: Foods like white bread, sugary drinks, and fried foods can increase inflammation. [3, 10]  
• Excess Alcohol: Alcohol consumption can contribute to increased inflammation in the body. [3]  

Tips for an Anti-Inflammatory Diet 

• Prioritize Whole Foods: Focus on one-ingredient foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. [4, 11]  
• Eat the Rainbow: Include a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to get a broad range of antioxidants. [8]  
• Mind Your Fat Intake: Increase omega-3s and healthy monounsaturated fats while decreasing omega-6s. [4, 12]  
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, green tea, and other healthy beverages. [8]  

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-anti-inflammatory-foods[2] https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/nutrition/Can-You-Reduce-Inflammation-Through-Your-Diet[3] https://www.geisinger.org/health-and-wellness/wellness-articles/2018/02/21/17/18/anti-inflammatory-diet[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAVd0HPf7e8[5] https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/fighting-inflammation-with-food[6] https://www.medanta.org/patient-education-blog/10-best-anti-inflammatory-foods-to-reduce-inflammation-naturally[7] https://gwhospital.com/about/blog/these-10-foods-help-fight-inflammation/[8] https://cancerblog.mayoclinic.org/2025/02/17/want-to-reduce-chronic-inflammation-start-with-your-grocery-list/[9] https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/nutrition/anti-inflammatory-diet[10] https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/gastrointestinal-articles/what-foods-cause-or-reduce-inflammation[11] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl0wrAOdQpQ[12] https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/Eating_to_Reduce_Inflammation.asp


Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
sent from mobile 📱
time kills deals