OTTAWA — The ottawa Rec Center’s Goppert Center was the setting for a grand old party hosted by the Grand Old Party this weekend. The Franklin County Republican Party hosted the 2011 Freedom Celebration banquet on Saturday night. Several state elected officials turned out to help celebrate the success of the most recent elections and drum up support for next year’s elections. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach told the 200 attendees how several other states – mostly Republican-dominated — are drafting laws similar to the Kansas Secure & Fair Elections Act and about the criticism – which he said came from the extreme left — that goes along with it. Democrats have said the laws are aimed at discouraging poor and young voters from voting. Other guest speakers included senators Pat Apple and Jeff King, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and Kansas Sstate Treasurer Ron Estes. David Kinsinger, chief of staff for Gov. Sam Brownback, spoke of the over-riding concern among Kansans – jobs. The Brownback Administration has been working on creating jobs in the alternative energy sector and working on a new chocolate factory in Topeka.
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 7:30 a.m.
