The County Commission and the Local Health Officer of Linn County, Kan., were recently the defendants in a Federal Lawsuit initiated by two Linn County residents and the Kansas Justice Institute, a law firm heavily involved in seeking out publicity through taking on high profile litigation around the state and region. The lawsuit challenged the right of the County to collect contact information to protect Linn County citizens in case of an infection. A week after filing the lawsuit, the plaintiffs dismissed it without any conclusive orders having been issued by the Court. Since that dismissal, the plaintiffs and the Justice Center, largely through the Linn County News and other media outlets, have publicly worked to create the impression that they accomplished something for the citizens of Linn County that could not have been accomplished otherwise and at less expense.
The editor of the Linn County News has styled herself a “Freedom Fighter” for her role in this exercise of publicity seeking. This self-congratulatory title overlooks the fact that no one in Linn County Government – not the County Commission, not the health officer, or anyone else – was seeking to take away freedom from her or any Linn County citizen. Rather, the Order challenged by this unnecessary lawsuit was one intended to help get Linn County businesses back in operation while protecting the employees and customers of those businesses in a totally unprecedented crisis situation.
The plaintiffs have attempted to leave the impression that the county or the county health officer took an adversarial position in regard to certain constitutional freedoms. They fail to state, or perhaps to even understand, that as soon as the County Commission and the county health officer became aware of concerns about elements of the Phase I plan, the county began steps to revise it to accommodate those concerns. They also fail to make it clear that the first notice the county had of their position and concerns was after they had already rushed to Federal District Court and filed their petition.
Why would the plaintiffs choose to file a suit that cost the taxpayers of Linn County money and time, rather than opening discussions with county officials about revising the Phase I order? Only they can really say, but their behavior and that of the Linn County News and the Kansas Justice Institute would support the idea that their goal was not the correction of a problem but the garnering of as much publicity as possible.
The order objected to by the plaintiffs was authorized by state statute; its intent was to protect Linn Countians and to facilitate the reopening of business in the county; and the attitude of the county leadership in regard to revising the order was clearly one of cooperation and flexibility. But rather than pointing out their areas of concern and working with the county to make clarifications and improvement, the plaintiffs rushed to file their lawsuit and to send out their news releases to draw attention to the straw man they had created. They had no discussion with or notice to the County Commission or the county health officer ... although there apparently was discussion between one or more of the plaintiffs and the current county attorney, James Brun, but he, like the plaintiffs, chose not to share that discussion with the County Commission.
The plaintiffs have implied, or perhaps even stated, that their decision to dismiss their lawsuit without receiving any supporting order from the judge was a “victory.” That is not the case.
But even if they had been victors, the losers are the people of Linn County who want and deserve leaders in government, politics and the media that work together to achieve the best possible outcome for the county, at the least unnecessary cost, and without regard to personal vindictiveness and the desire for attention.
Linn County Commission
NEWS
Commissioner’s discussion on wage options gets heated

During the tail-end discussion amongst commissioners at Monday’s meeting regarding wage increases, Commissioner Jason Hightower noted a plan presented by County Clerk David Lamb for a $1 per hour across the board raise rather than a percentage based raise, which some county... [More]
County discusses options for Pleasanton meal site

Commissioner Danny McCullough opened a discussion on the Pleasanton Senior Meals site during the March 13 meeting with a slideshow of photos he had taken of various issues in the current site. The photos showed a variety of issues that McCullough said he took from the viewpoint... [More]
Parker leaders consider truck route

Parker city leaders may consider a future action to establish a legal truck route within the city. Tim Griffin, past councilman, broached the topic at last Thursday’s monthly council meeting in asking for a follow-up to his truck-route question from the January council... [More]
More News
- Council approves land grant for riding academy
- USD 362 selects new leader
- Preliminary study on landfill completed
- SPECIAL: Republicans hold convention for appointment of county attorney
- Lawsuit resulting from sexual abuse by SRO is settled by county
- Commission endorses museum grant application
- Pleasanton discusses airport taxes, inter-local dispatching agreements
- COVID mRNA shots circulate at least 28 days after injection
SPORTS
Jayhawk Wrestling Club has five place at State

The Jayhawk Wrestling Club went to the kid’s State wrestling tournament this past weekend, March 10-12, in Topeka. The team did very well taking seven wrestlers and five placing in the competition. Maggie Earnest, 8U Girls 70, placed second and scored 20 team points.... [More]
Linn County Twisters takes 13 to State, 5 place

The Linn County Twisters wrestling team took 13 wrestlers to the kid’s State wrestling tournament in Topeka March 10-12. The Twisters had five of their 13 wrestlers place in the tournament. Taryn Mills, HS Girls 130, was eliminated after two matches in the tournament.... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton basketball falls in the first round of Sub-State
- White places sixth for Jayhawk wrestling at State
- Kline and Cox-Halliburton represent Prairie View at State
- Prairie View basketball splits against Anderson County
- Lady Hawks double up Altoona
- Pleasanton basketball defeats Bronaugh, falls to Cherokee
- SPECIAL: WE HAVE PHOTOS!
- Jayhawk wrestling wins TRL dual tournament
COMMUNITY
Maynerd’s opens in Mound City

On Saturday, March 11, Raymond and Melayna Johnson, Mound City, opened their newest business venture, Maynerd’s, a food truck that will be located in the open area next door to their antique-flea market shop, 517 Vintage, on the south side of Main Street, that location... [More]
New Life Being Brought to Historical Park

Over the past few months, those traveling down Main Street in Mound City may have noticed new activity at the Mound City Historical Park. Last summer, the historical society was revived, and new efforts implemented in restoring all of the existing structures of the park. Work... [More]
Pleasanton students compete in Kansas Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

The USD 344 school board was invited to attend a Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge (KEC) Tuesday in Pleasanton at the Community Center. High School Principal Sarah Conley said the venture is sponsored by the Linn County Economic Development Board and others and explained the... [More]
More Community
- The Gym set to open March 4 in Pleasanton
- Adventure Packs from Audubon Society coming to Linn County libraries
- Rural Parker boy uses birthday to aid shelter dogs
- PVHS students to assist on honor flight
- Cookees Drive-In sports new look
- Seven Bridges Microgreens and virtual range opens in Pleasanton
- 115 year old steam engine tractor moved from Trading Post Museum
- Food dyes and behavior, part 3 - Looking beyond at what we can change