July 2024

Note from Commissioner Meitzner:

With the Summer Olympics now underway, I’m seeing a lot of similarities with the global event I just returned from late last week - the Farnborough International Airshow! With almost 1,300 exhibitors from 44 countries and nearly 75,000 visitors to this trade show, the world’s best in aviation and manufacturing competed fiercely for business, and the "Air Capital of the World" scored some big wins. I personally got quite a workout! With a whirlwind schedule and countless meetings set up by the Greater Wichita Partnership (GWP), elected officials – including Senator Jerry Moran, Governor Laura Kelly, Mayor Lily Wu and I– worked together with about 50 civic and aerospace leaders to showcase the Kansas workforce and our unmatched capabilities in aviation, space and national defense. I’m confident the connections made at this premier airshow will bring new and expanded business ventures to Sedgwick County in the future. 

The views expressed by Commissioner Pete Meitzner in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the governing body of the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners or Sedgwick County Government.

Early voting is underway for Aug. 6 Primary Election

Make your voice heard in this important election year and cast a ballot in the Aug. 6 primary election! A list of early in-person voting locations is available here.

To make voting quick and convenient, the Sedgwick County Election Office has added 28 new polling sites. That means one in three voters has a new assigned polling place. Check the voter ID card you get in the mail or go to the Kansas Secretary of State's VoterVew website at Kansas Secretary of State | VoterView (voteks.org). Watch the video below for more details.

Congratulations to 10 new Sheriff’s deputies who graduated July 12, after 25 weeks of training. Four of the deputies are women – one of whom, Mary Vannatter, earned the highest GPA in the class. The new deputies are now in field training, partnered with a veteran deputy on the streets. With these new deputies on board, the Sheriff’s Office now has 37 open positions to fill, compared to 133 in late 2022. A big improvement in staffing! Watch the video below to see some of the training recruits went through.

Sedgwick County Fire District 1, Sheriff's Office and other first responders teamed up to host a fun and educational camp for kids ages 10-14 years old at OJ Watson Park. The three-day event provided hands-on learning, allowing campers to see firsthand what law enforcement and firefighters do on the job and then try it themselves.

The monthly meeting of the Sedgwick County Association of Cities (SCAC) featured an extra special guest - a penguin from Tanganyika Wildlife Park. Director Matt Fouts gave a short talk about the animals before area mayors and city officials discussed more serious matters.

The family of Mark Sroufe, former Park Superintendent, attended the dedication of a pavilion and bench at Lake Afton in his name. Sroufe worked for Sedgwick County 38 years before his sudden death last year.

Contact Commissioner Pete Meitzner

316-660-9300

Pete.Meitzner@sedgwick.gov

100 N. Broadway, Ste. 660, Wichita, KS 67202