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THURSDAY • APRIL 7 • 2011
Ex-consultant seeks leniency in tickets scam By Roxana Hegeman Associated Press
WICHITA — A former consultant for Kansas University athletics asked a federal judge on Wednesday to sentence him to no more than 21 months in prison for his part in a $2 million ticket scalping scandal that has
already sent two other conspirators to prison for longer terms. Thomas Blubaugh of Medford, Okla., pleaded in a court filing for leniency when he is sentenced Monday, citing his poor health, his young children and his cooperation with authorities. He is seeking a sentence below the advisory guide-
line range of 33 months to 41 months. In his filing, Blubaugh said he does not dispute a recommendation in the pre-sentence investigation report that he make restitution of $841,111, the losses he argued are attributable to him and his wife. But he does not want to be held responsible for the
thefts and sales of tickets by other conspirators. Seven people, including Blubaugh’s wife, Charlette Blubaugh, have been snared in the investigation into the unlawful sale of football and basketball season Please see TICKETS, page 2A T. Blubaugh
KBA officials deny charges
Borzoi ballet
Storm blowing in
Low: 53
High: 67
C. Blubaugh
Today’s forecast, page 10A
INSIDE
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With investigation under way, bioscience leaders say allegations of conflict are untrue
Downtown’s Bay Leaf to close after 35 years Owner says store’s inability to compete with Internet for shoppers is main factor in her decision to call it quits. Page 5A
By Scott Rothschild srothschild@ljworld.com
SPORTS
Kansas takes down Missouri at Kauffman
Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photos
The Jayhawks’ starting pitcher Thomas Taylor struck out a career-high nine batters, leading KU to its 7-1 victory over Missouri at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday. Taylor went six innings and gave up just one run on one hit. Page 1B
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Wolfhound fans gather for show ABOVE: Jon Steele, of Saginaw, Mich., plays with his borzoi show dogs, also called Russian wolfhounds, during a lunch break Wednesday at Holiday Inn Lawrence, 200 McDonald Drive. Steele was in town for the Borzoi Club of America’s 2011 National Specialty Show, Rally and Obedience Trial. The show runs through Saturday. LEFT: Chris Neale, of Gainesville, Fla., gives his borzoi Levi a big thanks after winning the sweepstakes Wednesday at the show. See video from the show at LJWorld.com.
QUOTABLE
I’m asking you this: If you would just give me a warning today. Um, I’m asking you as a state senator.”
Teachers seek $1,500 raises for next year “
— State Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau during a traffic stop in which she asked a state By Mark Fagan trooper not to ticket her for speeding. Page 6A
COMING FRIDAY It was a record year of fundraising for the local St. Patrick's Day committee, and we'll give you all the details.
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INDEX Business Classified Comics Deaths Events listings Horoscope Movies Opinion Poll Puzzles Sports Television Vol.153/No.97
7A 6B-10B 9A 2A 10A, 2B 9B 5A 8A 2A 9B 1B-5B, 10B 5A, 2B, 9B 20 pages
Administrators don’t quite see it We think this is more than that way. The district is working to fill an expected $3 million budget hole for reasonable, given the district’s Teachers in the Lawrence school the coming school year, a drain caused budget. They have more than district are asking for raises of $1,500 by reduced revenues from the state. each for the next school year. Just last week, administrators enough money to properly Negotiators for the Lawrence Edu- advised the board that they could save compensate us.” cation Association made the formal $2.5 million next year by dipping into request Wednesday evening at district contingency funds, reclaiming a diplo- — Chris Cobb, math teacher at South Junior High headquarters, as negotiations contin- ma-completion program, reducing ued with administrators for a spending on nonwage expensnew work agreement. es and making other changes. with at least 13 years of service and a The teachers say the raises By closing Wakarusa Val- doctorate. — total estimated cost: $1.389 ley School, they expect to Cobb and his fellow negotiators million — would help recruit save nearly $500,000 more. maintain that the district has $6.8 milnew teachers, retain experi“The board is straining to lion in a contingency fund, plus anothenced educators and otherbe fiscally responsible is a er $7.3 million in a special reserve fund wise begin to fairly compenvery diff icult time,” said — money that could help boost the sate hundreds of union memFrank Harwood, the district’s pay of all teachers, including the more SCHOOLS bers who have gone several lead negotiator and chief than 450 who have seen their salaries years without pay raises while endur- operations officer. “Using all our climb just $250 total during the past ing higher expenses and reduced ben- resources on raises in one year is not five years. efits. fiscally responsible.” Budget problems? “We think this is more than reasonThe raises, as proposed, would “I don’t buy it a lick,” Cobb said. able, given the district’s budget,” said boost salaries of the district’s 926 “They clearly have enough money to Chris Cobb, a negotiator who teaches licensed educators by $1,500 each. The do this. It’s whether the district choosmath at South Junior High School, raise would be equal to 4 percent for es to make this a priority.” after the evening’s 42-minute session. an entry-level teacher who earns — Schools reporter Mark Fagan can be reached “They have more than enough money $37,780; the raise would be about 2.5 at 832-7188. to properly compensate us.” percent for a teacher earning $58,830, mfagan@ljworld.com
Please see KBA, page 2A
Low voter turnout not unique to Lawrence; time for change? Some say local elections should be in Nov.; others suggest different weekday By Chad Lawhorn
Energy smart: The Journal-World makes the most of renewable resources. www.b-e-f.org
TOPEKA — Kansas Bioscience Authority leaders on Wednesday acknowledged that the agency was being investigated but disputed allegations of wrongdoing leveled by a state senator from Wichita. In his first public comments since state Sen. Susan Wagle, RWichita, on Friday accused him of conflicts of interest, KBA President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Thornton said that he has done nothing wrong and that Wagle has left impressions that are not true. Thornton Thornton was backed up by the KBA's board chairman John Carlin, a former Kansas governor. “None of her charges hold up,” Carlin Carlin said. Their comments came after Wagle told reporters that the KBA was being investigated by the Johnson County District Attorney's office. “There is a criminal investigation going on,” Wagle said. She declined to reveal any more information, except to say several employees have received subpoenas. Carlin and Thornton said that there is an investigation but that they knew little more than that. They said they weren't concerned about the probe because the agency is repeatedly audited. Chris McMullin, chief deputy district attorney in Johnson
clawhorn@ljworld.com
Blame it on the weather. Maybe 70-degree temperatures and sunny skies caused people to just find something else to do besides vote in Tuesday’s city and school elections. No, it doesn’t make a lot of sense, but whatever caused a 13 percent voter turnout in Lawrence was happening in other communities too. “I’ve talked to a number of my peers today, and it really sounds like this
wa s an i ss u e statewide,” Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew said. A quick check by the Journal-World Shew found that turnout in Sedgwick County was 12.7 percent. In Shawnee County, it was 11.6 percent. In Johnson County, it was 9.7 percent. Think maybe in smaller counties the story was different? Nope. Jefferson County was 8.1 percent and Franklin County was 7.1 percent.
Need for a change? Douglas County’s low turnout, which marked the third consecutive city/school election to see a decline in turnout, had some people asking whether we are voting at the wrong time. There long have been questions about why city and school elections take place in April instead of in November when statewide and national elections are conducted. The simple answer is because state law dictates it, but state law could be changed. In fact, there was a bill introduced this legislative session to move local elections to November, Shew said. Please see VOTING, page 2A
Past turnout Here’s a look at voter turnout percentages for past city/school elections in Douglas County: 2009: 14 percent 2007: 19.1 percent 2005: 38.5 percent 2003: 33 percent — Source: Douglas County Clerk’s website.