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Save Century II seeking to dismiss Wichita lawsuit

Save Century II seeking to dismiss Wichita lawsuit

Save Century II seeking to dismiss Wichita lawsuit

The group working to let voters decide the future of Century II has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit from the city of Wichita.

Save Century II turned in more than 17,000 petition signatures, more than required,  to get the issue on an upcoming ballot. Shortly after signatures were handed over, the city asked a court to decide if the signatures were valid. A statement from the city suggested the petition asked for an ordinance change that would not be allowed under state law, and that the proposal was too broad.

The full statement issued by Save Century II can be read below.

 

WICHITA — August 3, 2020 — Save Century II Committee filed a Motion To Dismiss today in the Eighteenth Judicial District Court in Sedgwick County, Kansas, Civil Department. The Motion seeks dismissal of the City of Wichita lawsuit filed last week against Karl Peterjohn and Celeste Racette, as representatives of Save Century II Committee, and the 17,265 Wichitans who signed the petition to save Century II and the former public library. The City’s lawsuit was taken in secret action with no vote by city council members.

Celeste Racette said, “The Wichita City Council violated the state law for open meetings and engaged in improper, secretive meetings to file this lawsuit, hidden from the citizens paying their salaries. The result is a slap in the face to every Wichita citizen and taxpayer who signed this petition, as well as a slap in the face to the tens of thousands of Wichitans who were unable to sign the petition due to COVID concerns.”

Karl Peterjohn said, “Even worse, the city’s elected officials did not take any public action before filing this lawsuit. There was no public debate. There was no recorded vote. There was no city elected official, including the mayor or any member of the city council, quoted in the city’s news release announcing their lawsuit last week. City Hall is operating behind a veil of secrecy. This is illegal.”

Save Century II Committee is asking for support to fight this outrageous lawsuit. Donations may be sent to the Historic Preservation Alliance, Inc. at P.O. Box 75037, Wichita, KS 67275, or brought into 435 N. Broadway, Suite 102. Even the smallest donation is appreciated and will help with the legal battle. The office will reopen August 10 with hours of 11 a.m. -3 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Informational materials will be on hand to explain privatization, historic protections, state tax credits for historic properties, and costs of Century II renovation.

“I am appalled that our City Council and City Manager would use the court system and the power of government to fight a vote of the people. The 17,265 citizens who signed our petition want nothing more than the right to vote to save their beloved Century II icon. It is a sad day when the representatives we elect have such a callous disregard as to the wishes of their constituents! They need to dismiss this lawsuit and let the voters decide!”, said John Todd, Save Century II Committee.

On August 1, the State of Kansas Historical Society approved the historic designation to the National Register of Historic Places and the Register of Historic Kansas Places. Listing of this property provides recognition of the building’s historic importance. City Manager Layton has admitted to deferring maintenance on Century II for well over a decade.

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