[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6722577,"mediaKeyId","2627654-64db79bafcc09621be31f20d67320915","parentId",2627654,"title","Osage County commissioners appoint Michael Lawler to Ridgeway Township clerk after public hearing","audioSeconds",3020,"startMs",1416000,"endMs",4436000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2627654-64db79bafcc09621be31f20d67320915&start=1416&end=4436","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2627654-64db79bafcc09621be31f20d67320915/thumbnail_1416000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6722577/Osage-County/Kansas/Osage-County-commissioners-appoint-Michael-Lawler-to-Ridgeway-Township-clerk-after-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6722577-8b4ed394ca993ce61429b30cc07e0de4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159938&Signature=MDB5pQQPE23-MOEYUmQYRUgS~fVIQTp7wZ17wQRVFf4ws1WcAoaiv1kaJ7Hazyg1zc2XuAfv~yRG1y2O3wuOcOpnocPjG1eTZTRAjfw8-QVI~fENZBWr4jcDflPleBPqnh-gZUaJGAh7oFqz6mX8xrd72wfmgEs39r4X7RBaoMa5U21Jom7KVgrJvims8HHZMhWfqWtWpiVja4UUj1ne~IJi4g3lEnlQ33ic~Q4Ajs9Dvpzn10ULqxIlq8SDWWidq8F6QwNZFPtzMojKadPMJsXQS9y2r13V4B~33c-eFzqjnSPR7plqZWz~5nvdbTKfTfX1S7Hxf5BSzaVwwIV8gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Osage County, KS","date","2025-02-12T13:56:46.33Z","article","The Osage County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday, Feb. 11, to appoint Michael \"Mike\" Lawler to the Ridgeway Township clerk position to fill an unexpired two-year term after a public hearing that included multiple speakers both supporting and criticizing his nomination.

Supporters at the hearing told commissioners Lawler improved road maintenance practices, strengthened record-keeping and increased township reserves during his prior service on the township board. Opponents and some public commenters questioned the process by which township governance decisions were made and urged the county to respect voters’ choices. The board approved the appointment by voice vote; commissioners did not record individual roll-call votes.

At the meeting, several Ridgeway Township residents described Lawler’s approach to operating township roads and the township’s recent financial position. \"He made sure that the grader operator was and still is accountable for the time and the miles that he or she works,\" said Sheena Holler, who identified herself as a Ridgeway Township resident. Holler and other supporters said the township ended 2021 with $27,559 and had grown reserves to roughly $195,779 under recent management, citing changes in purchasing and record-keeping.

Paul Di Pasquale and other residents also addressed the board. Di Pasquale said he had sought the clerk position and told the commissioners, \"I didn't vote for him at all,\" reflecting that some neighbors disagreed about the nomination but asked the county to respect local processes.

Several residents urged the county to accept Ridgeway Township trustees’ recommendation that Lawler be appointed. Speakers described township improvements such as a newer tractor and better tracking of gravel deliveries and maintenance activity; supporters said Lawler had helped the township avoid tax increases while building infrastructure reserves.

Other commenters argued the county should be cautious about intervening in township business and that voters’ choices at elections should carry weight. At least one speaker alleged that, before changes in township leadership, two trustees met to sign checks without a quorum and that such actions raised governance concerns; the speaker presented this as an allegation for the commissioners to consider rather than a confirmed legal finding.

After public comment the commission received formal nominations. A commissioner moved to appoint Mike Lawler to the Ridgeway Township clerk position for the unexpired two-year term; another commissioner seconded the motion. The board then voted \"Aye\" and the chair declared the motion carried. The commissioners offered brief congratulatory remarks to Lawler, who thanked the crowd.

Decision type: formal appointment. Outcome: approved by the Board of Commissioners to fill an unexpired two-year term. The board did not direct any additional investigation at the meeting; several public speakers had asked the county to defer to the township trustees’ recommendation or to allow voters to decide at the next election.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Osage County Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Following extensive public comment on Feb. 11, Osage County commissioners appointed Michael (Mike) Lawler to fill an unexpired two-year term as Ridgeway Township clerk. Supporters credited Lawler with road maintenance oversight and record-keeping; opponents raised process concerns. Commissioners voted to approve the appointment by voice vote.","taxTitle","Osage County, Kansas","taxId",73452,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6722580,"Commissioners weigh policy for county sponsorships after Burlingame event request",531,933000,1464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2627654-64db79bafcc09621be31f20d67320915&start=933&end=1464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2627654-64db79bafcc09621be31f20d67320915/thumbnail_933000.jpg","/articles/6722580/Osage-County/Kansas/Commissioners-weigh-policy-for-county-sponsorships-after-Burlingame-event-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6722580-752511645dadcc37503c8b6744e67bb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159938&Signature=Pb8C4jaODDQTgWOMiZvmCKsBrtMyf08TMdQFyARWIRmE8jY5fXaxoY2lwbWtUwGZ4evKWSlC-jxS2MdA0KN5GCcExHeKH5xKD4du1PXn8IS3Axb7nhIj~aZ1cg4sA63ggOtbkUsyRCcnz63HD1WhUJPTxTpBcM40SaO8TmbjnnyoMwIykU2u7a7BDBzX~oMOdtsd3JJpkhPdqLob0L3yh2qmrcYObkMEWJ0rqw-mNPh7hEdbDNNcRvDkA6EOCxWXqdLAaZJjzOz0p1HUX-hBCYCdPJLQFwDnPGVbfWJvvk2AKtr2b5UTrYEkb1wl6mFde7JX0bF-8XHVfYFopVuFFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Burlingame Chamber of Commerce volunteers asked the Osage County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Feb. 11, to help cover rising costs for two annual community events and commissioners agreed to explore creating a county sponsorship fund, but made no commitment to the group’s specific request.

The chamber’s representatives asked the board to consider a $2,000 contribution toward rodeo- and holiday-themed events in Burlingame. The group said Rodeo Days could cost roughly $7,000 and Country Christmas roughly $4,600 this year and that the chamber raises the remainder through vendor fees and donations.

Atkinson and Klein, who identified themselves as Burlingame Chamber representatives, said the events bring residents together and serve visitors from surrounding counties. “Rodeo Days has been around for more than 50 years and Country Christmas has been around for more than 30 years,” one presenter said. “We’re here to see if you as the county commissioners would be willing to help contribute some money to help sponsor these events.”

Commissioners discussed existing models for appropriated event funds, including a fair-board fund the county already maintains. One commissioner said a fair appropriation fund is set at $7,500 and suggested creating a comparable line for towns’ community events, with towns submitting invoices for reimbursement rather than receiving one-off cash grants.

Another commissioner expressed concern about setting precedent if the county provides direct support to city-organized events, asking whether county resources should be used to subsidize municipal activities. An alternative raised during the discussion was using the county attorney’s diversion fund to support community programs; commissioners asked staff to check whether that option is appropriate and allowable.

No motion to award funds to Burlingame was made. Instead, commissioners asked county staff to look for an existing resolution that might govern event sponsorships, to draft a potential program modeled on the fair fund, and to return with options for a future decision.

The chamber’s presenters left a proposed budget and said they would follow up with county staff. Commissioners told the volunteers to leave documentation with the county clerk so staff could review it as they prepare next steps.

The discussion was procedural: commissioners signaled interest in a consistent policy and in avoiding ad hoc requests, but did not approve any immediate payment to Burlingame.","Representatives of the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce asked Osage County commissioners on Feb. 11 for $2,000 to help pay costs for Rodeo Days and Country Christmas; commissioners discussed creating a standing sponsorship fund but took no formal vote, asking staff to research existing resolutions and program options.","actionData","errors"]

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Osage County commissioners appoint Michael Lawler to Ridgeway Township clerk after public hearing

Commissioners weigh policy for county sponsorships after Burlingame event request