Fifth Judicial District employees are only a few months away from “involuntary employee layoffs without pay,” unless the Kansas legislature can find the money to fund full-time operations.
Based on current information from the Kansas Supreme Court, the Fifth District — like all of the state’s judicial districts — will shut down normal operations for one week each March, April, and June. In May, two weeks of furloughs are scheduled, and two days of furlough are set in February because a $270,000 Federal Recovery Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant was awarded to the district. It will pay for three days of operations.
Court employees will not be paid for the furloughs, which will affect the staff of the clerk of the district court office, court services, court reporters and administrators, and others under the district court umbrella.
“We have essentially reduced their salaries by 25 percent (in the first six months),” Chief Judge Merlin Wheeler said. “There is no other state employee at the current time that expects to receive a cut in salary at this time. … What we do know is that there isn’t an alternative to layoffs of this size.”
The situation is the same across all of the state’s 31 judicial districts, and the furloughs will be inevitable unless Kansas legislators find a way to restore the millions of dollars they cut from the judiciary’s budget during the last legislative session.
The shutdown will affect not only criminal court cases, but civil proceedings, including lawsuits, traffic citations, protect from abuse orders, marriage licenses and divorces.
Public safety issues may arise because court services officers will not be available to oversee the 125 to 200 average range of adults on probation for convictions on an assortment of misdemeanors and felonies.
To read complete story see the print edition or the online print edition.
krnelso2000 (anonymous) says...
wow, another blow to our crippled economy.
October 1, 2009 at 12:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannychick (anonymous) says...
Judge Wheeler stated "We have essentially reduced THEIR salaries by 25%." He didn't mention his own salary. Are the judges willing to take a cut in pay since they're doing it to their employees?
October 1, 2009 at 2:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Yesterday, KVOE was reporting that several employees had volunteered to work without pay during the furlough period but that they aren't allowed to. Has anyone thought to actually reduce their wages rather than to force a furlough that "..essentially reduced their salaries by 25 percent?"
This seems a little "all-or-nothing" to me. I am just curious to know what the reasoning behind this route vs. a basic cut in pay with services still being provided. It isn't fair to the employees either way, but I would think if they are willing to still work--even for nothing, we should take them up on it in as fair of a manner as we can.
October 1, 2009 at 2:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
JUDGE WHINEY WHEELER,
First it was if Lyon County doesn't build me a 18 million dollar courthouse, I will force you to.
Now it is We will have to cut employee hours if we don't get the funding from the state.
THE STATE DOESN'T HAVE IT , DEAL WITH IT!
As long as you are drawing your regular paycheck, why don't you kick in the money for your staffs salaries? What would that amount to? @10% cut in your wages?
While you are crying in your ENGLISH WALNUT PANELED TOWER, think about this:
Glendo
Detroit Diesel
Kanza
Lenza
Diddie
Tyson
Modine
And 3 or 4 pressmen at the Gazette.
These over 2,000 people didn't get furloughed, they are out of work, some for the third time in 5 years.
Cry us a river, judge.
Your croc a pile tears are pure bull pucky!
October 1, 2009 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
oh4theluvof;
Don't you realize if the staff is fulroughed for those days at no pay, then those days will be just more paid vacation days for the judges. Another way to stick it to the little people.
October 1, 2009 at 3:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
The amount of money this man has cost the taxpayers of the county is beyond belief, how he has stayed in power is beyond imagination.
Throw him out.
October 1, 2009 at 3:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barefootin (anonymous) says...
'bout time they sell the courthouse and move back into the little one.
October 1, 2009 at 4:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Hmmmm....I hadn't thought of the vacation angle. Me and me positive thinking.......I don't think to attribute that kind of connivery to people until after they've proven to me a few times that they do it. I guess I am way too trusting. I truly hope that this isn't really their reason but the whole thing does seem fishy to me. That's why I inquired. Is the woman on the budget project with him his wife? She had the same last name.
October 1, 2009 at 4:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
I like the court house. It is functional and very attractive! We can put a pic of the courthouse on marketing materials for our town and not feel ashamed. The courthouse represents progress; you don’t want your town looking like it’s stuck in the past. (otherwise no one will move here and you’ll lose all your businesses and jobs) The wonder that is the courthouse is something for all of us to be proud of.
Now, the fair grounds, on the other hand... I've went to maybe one event there in the last 5 years. The space is unattractive and worthless! I think we need to develop it into a space that can be used on a daily basis. With businesses operating on the property year-round, they're sure to keep the property looking nice instead of looking like some deceased farmer's back yard. (what with the dilapidated buildings and all)
I know it's not popular (among a certain type of citizen we have here) to say such things, but that's just my opinion. Please don't hate me for it... :(
'enry
October 1, 2009 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Nobody (anonymous) says...
Henry, I agree the Courthouse is something we should be very proud of. My folks told me that when they built the City of Emporia's city auditorium (I think in the 40's) the same comments were made by the public and people thought it was foolish. As for the furloughs, do you realize that the employees (should that come to pass) will receive unemployment? Seems ridiculous to me because that will just make the State's unemployment rate go through the roof. Also, yes the judges do get an excellent salary and their retirement benefits are astronomical compared to other KPERS members. Also our senators and representatives get full retirement benefits from KPERS even if they are in office for one term. Go figure.
October 1, 2009 at 4:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jamesbordonaro (James Bordonaro) says...
I commend Judge Wheeler for bringing this issue to the public's attention. I and other members of the local bar had been informed several months ago of this unfortunate possibility and the disruption on the multiple functions of the Courthouse. I would advise the public to be aware that several alternatives to the pay cuts and furloughs had been discussed by Judge Wheeler in his capacity as administrator of the 5th District in consultation with other administrators and elected officials and this was a collective decision. As I understand it, the underlying funding problem stems from the last days of the past legislative session and was more of an oversight than a deliberate, permanent cut to the functioning of the court system.
I would urge citizens to contact their state legislators (Mr. Hill, Mrs. Mast and Dr. Barnett) to request the funding mechanism be restored as a priority for the next session.
October 1, 2009 at 5:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JustWondering (anonymous) says...
NOBODY
Where did you get the information that the employees will receive unemployment benefits while they are on furlough??? The last I knew being furloughed for one week at a time does not qualify you for unemployment benefits. Please let us know where you found this info.
I also noticed that Judges are not listed among those being forced to take "furloughs". Perhaps Judge Wheeler would like to explain why he is exempt from this requirement.
October 1, 2009 at 5:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
There is no way that the fair grounds will tear down them ugly buildings. BLUESTEM rents them for probably $25.00 PER YEAR for storage. L Nelson probably has someone from the county government in his pocket and with that, pretty damn cheap rent for bluestem.
October 1, 2009 at 7:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
And to think there are many people in the City of Eutopia a.k.a. Emporia that absolutely believe that status and power in the community means nothing or has its advantages !
I am glad to see that naivety is alive and well in Emporia !
And Steve is absolutely right about judge Wheeler Dealer forcing the over extravigant courthouse to be built.
It is a sad state of affairs when one judge can' t or won' t carry out the oath of his office unless he has a multimillion dollar court house in which to do his job and even a sadder state of affairs when said judge forces a City and County into spending millions of dollars for something that he wants, but does not necessarily need to do his job !
October 1, 2009 at 7:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
KANSAS COURT SYSTEM COULD SEE FURLOUGHS NEXT YEAR IF LEGISLATURE DOESN’T COME UP WITH SOME MONEY
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
You may have some business with the Kansas Court System, and if eight million dollars does not come into the court system, those doors will not be open.
The Kansas Legislature is hoped to appropriate about $8 million more dollars for the Kansas Court System. If about $8 million dollars does not come to the court system, employees will be furloughed 27 days without pay within a five-month period. That means the court system may not operate for a period of time. Temporary furloughs could take place and its part of the emergency plan that Administrative Judge Merlin Wheeler and Court Administrator Ruth Wheeler have been developing.
Mountains of paperwork are ahead for court employees if they are off for long periods of time without pay, and Judge Wheeler said it’s an unpleasant prospect.
If the courts are closed, only the judges will be in the courthouse, taking care of immediate situations, involving search warrants, protection from abuse orders, and binding those accused over for trial if probably cause has been found. The schedule of possible court clerks office closings are posted on the court's website.
Judge Wheeler said some employees have volunteered to work anyway but federal law prohibits that. And he said unpaid furloughs amounts to a 25 percent cut in pay for court system employees. Whether the legislature immediately takes up the 8 million dollars for the court system remains to be seen. And Judge Wheeler said they don’t discount the fact that some employees will be looking for other jobs.
October 1, 2009 at 11:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
WHAT DO YOU CALL 1,000 LAWYERS CHAINED TOGETHER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN?
October 2, 2009 at 2:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
auntiem (anonymous) says...
A GOOD START!!!
October 2, 2009 at 2:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barefootin (anonymous) says...
I give up, what is 1,000 lawyers at the bottom the ocean called? A good start?
October 2, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
About the courthouse... why was it designed so that the offices that generate the most traffic (treasurer, motor vehicles) are the FARTHEST from the entrance.... while the court area is near the doors....I feel sorry for those that use walkers or even canes, that have to make the trek so far to do their business. But, the judge and clerk of the court had to have their luxury suite offices. Remember, when you see the option to retain Judge Wheeler, in particular..... Just say No.
October 2, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barefootin (anonymous) says...
An unusual name like that might bring some tourists :)
October 2, 2009 at 11:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Typical tactic to obtain budget increases and raises for a Government agency's administrators. They threaten to disrupt service to the public in office that is already a hassle to deal with in the first place, but are required to remain open due to the nature of their work.
October 3, 2009 at 6:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
YOU GOT IT NEIGHBOR!
Typical tactic to obtain budget increases and raises for a Government agency's administrators. They threaten to disrupt service to the public in office that is already a hassle to deal with in the first place, but are required to remain open due to the nature of their work.
SORRY JUDGE.
I will be contacting my state reps and asking them to cut your budget even more. IT'S TIME YOU FEEL OUR PAIN.
October 3, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Chicken Sh-t Court?
October 4, 2009 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barefootin (anonymous) says...
Maybe we could have an annual festival on commercial street using a barnyard theme if we used your pig turd street name. We could have cow chip throwing contests, and outhouse races, whoever cant get their outhouse over the railroad tracks is out of the race. I bet there would be more ideas. then we could rename some of the other streets in downtown area like turkey lane ect.
October 4, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barefootin (anonymous) says...
ooh, you have a good idea there with the ball of... bet we could come up with a few more entertaining games. Lets have it during the harvest season as that would add to the barnyard theme.
October 4, 2009 at 2:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barefootin (anonymous) says...
Dont let the three S's throw you- it stands for super septic suckers. Notice how happy everyone in the video is? When's the last time a group of Emporians were this happy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sc6NG...
October 4, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
Steve - I like you suggested name.... Chicken S---t COURT.
October 4, 2009 at 4:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kujiin (anonymous) says...
Playing hardball with the state was not a bright idea. Can you say education funding. Hindsight is truly 20/20 now.
October 5, 2009 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
phiber101 (anonymous) says...
It's pretty sad that our "legal system" here in Emporia is as crooked as it is. How can our fine judge say that they are going to cut the backbone of their workers salary by 25% and not take a pay cut themselves. I'm sure that his salary alone accounts for at least 5 employees full pay (or possibly more). We have the "GOOD 'OLE BOY" legal system here and it's all about who you know, not necessarily what you did. Hope you are living high on your hog judge, we little folks are going to retreat back to our shanties.
NEWS BREAK: JUDGE WHEELER SAYS "LET THEM EAT CAKE!' ;)
October 5, 2009 at 8:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )