KWCH - Kansas News and Weather - The Kansas-Obama Connection Goes Beyond Inaugural

The Kansas-Obama Connection Goes Beyond Inaugural

By Jim Grawe (WICHITA, Kan.)

A presidental inauguration takes place every four years, but a local celebration like the one planned in Wichita doesn't.

"People that I've talked to so far, they're enthusiastic in that this is a once in a lifetime event," Obama Kansas Committee President Bunny Czarnopys says.

The group has plans for a day long Obamarama on inauguration day that includes a parade, a watch party for the swearing in and a formal inaugural ball.

"I would much rather be in Wichita, Kansas during the inauguration than around 4 million people in Washington D.C.," Czarnopys says.  "No parking problems, not the traffic problems, being able to have a good time, celebrate this once in a lifetime event."

But January 20th marks only the beginning for this local organization which has applied for non-profit status.  As far as we know this is the only office of its kind in the country, keeping people here in Middle America connected in an ongoing way to the Obama administration.

"Since Obama has made this nationally known that he was going to get the people involved back into government, this gave us an opportunity to say, oh, we can get on the bandwagon," Jean Carter-Boniface says.

The group plans to focus on issues like health care housing, gathering input from Kansans and sending it on to the White House.

"This gives number one, an opportunity for the center of the United States to be on the neon," Carter-Boniface says. "We need to be heard."

And they say that includes the voices of all Kansans, whatever their race or politics.  But the group is encouraging them to join one particular party, the one on January 20th.

To find out about tickets to Inaugural Balll at the Wichita Airport Hilton or to get involved in the Obama Kansas Change Committee call (316) 618-8652 or (316) 729-7109.