Staying connected: update

Here's a glimpse of The Timbers' Las Vegas Night (see previous post). There were just-for-fun poker games inside and great food and friends under a canopy outside.

Staying connected

For me, life on the campaign means keeping a cell phone in my hand all day long - to stay in touch with supporters, volunteers, the printer, reporters, voters, my kids. . . . I'd say it makes me wonder how campaigns were run without them, but no matter how much I rely on technology, it is just a tool to help me do what's really important: Connect.

All day, every day in the 29th District, I meet new people and stay in touch with old friends as I conduct business and attend events. As a lifelong resident of the 29th District, I know that the heart of our community is its people.

At one of the events on my schedule today, I'll be visiting with my friends from the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation and The Timbers. This unique, independent living community for people with disabilities and the elderly, was developed by CPRF nearly 30 years ago and is a tremendous asset to Wichita and the region.

With your support and your vote, I'll continue working to ensure that all residents of the 29th District have a voice at the Statehouse.

Join me on Saturday

I will be hosting a Grandparents As Caregivers Informational Forum from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Northeast Senior Center, 2121 E. 21st St. in Wichita.

Grandparents As Caregivers helps older Kansans keep their families together. As a member of the Kansas House, I was able to build bipartisan support for my bill to expand this crucial program so more children could benefit.

Also scheduled to attend the forum are Don Jordan, Secretary of SRS; Annette Graham, Department on Aging; B.J. Gore of Kansas Children's Service League; and a representative of Kansas Legal Services. For more information, drop by on Saturday or contact Kansas Children's Service League at 942-4261.

Riding the rails to work?

Tuesday morning, I attended a public hearing at Wichita State University on energy policy and transportation.

The Kansas Energy Council’s preliminary recommendations focus on research and development of advanced technologies for electric generation and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Among the ideas that caught my attention: Establishing light rail service between Wichita and Newton to connect our community with the existing transcontinental passenger system - and to allow commuters to travel between their homes in Harvey County and their jobs in Sedgwick County without driving I-135. It's intriguing.

If you'd like to share your ideas with the KEC, its public comment period continues through October 10. Submit your thoughts by mail to the Kansas Energy Council, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS, 66604, or by e-mail to l.brosius@kcc.ks.gov.

3 weeks to registration deadline

Monday, Oct. 20 is the last day to register to vote for the general election. Click here for a downloadable / printable copy of the voter registration form. It's available in English and in Spanish. Once you have it filled out, return it to the Sedgwick County Election Office in the Historic County Courthouse, 510 N. Main #101, Wichita KS 67203 by 5 p.m. Oct. 20.

Encourage your friends and neighbors to register, then vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4!

Oletha is now blogging!

Welcome to my new blog! With just a few weeks left in my campaign for the Kansas Senate 29th District seat, I'm busier than ever, so check back often for updates. I'm out in the community daily, meeting with residents of one of the most diverse districts in the state.

Whether it's an arts festival, a high school fundraiser or a civic forum, I believe it's important to be there, listening to residents' concerns and responding to the issues that matter most to the people I represent.

My experience in our community and in Topeka makes a difference. Send me back to the Kansas Legislature so I can continue to fight for you -- and for quality education, healthier families and better-paying jobs.

Vote for Oletha Faust-Goudeau for Kansas Senate

29th District on Nov. 4.