Season's magic lingers, leaves hope for next year

The gig is up. With an 11-1 record, KU finally lost. And to Mizzou at that, sharpening the blow.

Still, the season WAS magical. Out of no where KU's football team, which hardly even fuels students with spirit, had people from all over flocking to the games. Everyone wanted in on the festivities, as the team earned win after win for the first time in over 100 years. During most regular seasons, many people forget KU even HAS a football team.

So, as the season unfolded, it sucked more and more people in. It even gained attention from the Wall Street Journal. Heck, it even gained my attention. I haven't watched a football game since, well, since I've never actually watched a football game.

Until Saturday.

Of course, I've been in the same room with football game broadcasting on TV, but I'm a professional at blocking it out. And I usually have no idea what's going on anyway.

But on Saturday, for the first time in my life, I intentionally flipped the TV to a football game -- the football game. I drilled my company with questions about the dynamics of the game, and watched, enthralled, for its duration. After the second half, I had delusions of grandeur. I thought maybe the Jayhawks would pull it off. But I tuned into the season a little too late.

However, this time next year, the magic might return. And I might give KU my attention at a swifter pace.

Mayor Hack doesn't disclose financial interest in Deciphera

Lawrence Mayor Sue Hack made an image-tarnishing blunder after neglecting to fill out a form.

According to the Lawrence Journal World, Hack didn't turn in a "substantial interest form" before Douglas County Commission approved giving $3 million for economic development to Deciphera Pharmacy -- a company Hack has financial interest in.

Hack has over $5,000 invested in the company, but didn't make it public, she said, because she didn't think she had to. She thought she was only required to expose financial interest if it reached 5 percent of the company's stock.

Hack hasn't disclosed her exact stake in the company. All that's known is her investment teeters between $5,000 and 5 percent of the company's total value-- whatever that is.

When the commission reviewed options for Deciphera, Hack participated in a closed-door executive session. Details about the meeting are murky.

District Attorney Charles Branson is investigating whether the closed-door session violated the Kansas Open Meetings Act.

Hack said she didn't say anything that would reveal her position on the issue, and she didn't write the contract, which gives Deciphera a cut on property taxes without having to go through the standard tax abatement process.

Commission also authorized giving Deciphera cash payments when certain job totals are reached.

It hasn't been determined whether Hack will be charged for not filing the form. Hack said it was a mistake, but she could still get in trouble. Members with financial interest in a company are supposed to stay clear of executive sessions and discussions that determine the amount of monetary assistance given to said company.

Douglas County Commissioner Bob Johnson also had stock --$8,200-- in Deciphera. But Johnson followed the rules, filled out the form and didn't attend the closed-door session.

Observers are left confused.

While the pharmacy might very well improve the Lawrence community, one can't help but wonder if other companies could do the same; companies that council members don't have stock in. Have council members adopted a "might as well" mentality,(as in the commission is going to authorize investing millions to ensure a successful launch for the company, so I might as well cash in) and does this mentality reflect the best interests of Lawrence, or the best interest of the mayor?

Until more information unfolds, I'm going to abstain from making a call. But you would think that the mayor would have a better hold on commission rules.