The local economy led a Lyon County commissioner to announce this morning that capital improvements at the Lyon County Fairgrounds are now on hold.
Bob Davis, Lyon County commissioner, made the announcement during this morning’s Lyon County Commission study session. Davis said in light of the financial condition of Emporia and Lyon County the remodeling project and campaign has been put on hold.
“Until the city budget and all these elements get taken care of I would be real reluctant to go to the public and say let's build a new facility,” Davis said. “I think that would be too much.”
Davis said the remodeling of the fairgrounds would be expensive and now isn’t the time. While the project has been put on hold, it’s hasn’t come to a complete stop.
“We just have some issues to work through,” Davis said. “We are continuing procedures and progress and still collecting a little money but in view of the city’s budget and the problems we need to work though I think it’s (in everybody’s) best interest.”
Davis’ announcement came following a request for shared funding for fencing by Jon Vopat, of S&S Oil and Propane, which shares a property line with the Lyon County Fairgrounds. Vopat said once Deer Trail Implement moved out of their building, people had been cutting through the parking lot and onto S&S’s property, creating a mess.
“It’s like a 4-wheel mud pit behind there,” Vopat said. Vopat added that for now, there are posts and twine keeping people from driving back between properties, but he doesn’t think that’ll be enough.
Lyon County commissioners said they don’t see a problem with the fence, but wasn’t sure about the shared cost.
Vopat also asked about the possibility of purchasing one of the Quonset buildings. Davis then informed Vopat that the buildings are going to be used next year due to remodel delay of the fairgrounds.
In other matters, commissioners discussed a resolution relating to lowering the speed limit to 35 miles per hour on portions of Road S, Road U and Road 200 near Emporia Energy, which is the peaking power plant being constructed by Westar. Residents have asked for the speed reduction because of dangerous driving conditions caused by dust on the roads with construction vehicles. Nearby resident Vanda Hall presented a petition last week, which was signed by residents asking the speed limit be reduced.
Commission Chairman Marshall Miller said he doesn’t have a problem with the speed limit reduction.
“I think it’s going to be a safety issue,” Miller said.
Commissioners will vote on the resolution at 10:15 a.m. tomorrow during their action session.
On a similar note, commissioners discussed the asphalt overlay on Road U near the plant. Bruce Boetcher, of BG Consultants, brought a request to add an additional inch of asphalt to the base, which will bring the project total up to $1,035,575.56. Boetcher said there is a pre-construction meeting on Aug. 7. He expects asphalt overlay to begin in mid-September.
Later in this morning’s meeting, Lougene Marsh, executive director of the Lyon County Health Center, asked commissioners to approve the expansion of the dental clinic through the remodeling project being funded by Jones Trust. Marsh recently announced the dental clinic was awarded a grant of $576,574 to expand the dental clinic.
Marsh told commissioners this morning that the dental clinic had 4,043 visits last year. She said the clinic hopes to double those numbers with the expansion, which includes creating four additional operatories and equipping those patient care rooms.
Other items on the agenda:
• Dora Hartig, Lyon County Treasurer, asked commissioners to approve the purchase of a currency scanner to detect counterfeit money. Hartig said two $100 bills have been counterfeit in the last six months. Commissioners placed the item on tomorrow’s agenda.
• Marc Goodman, Lyon County Attorney, asked for approval of an expenditure of up to $2,700 for updated communications equipment for Deputy Cory Doudican, of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office. The item will be paid for out of the drug forfeiture fund. Commissioners placed the item on tomorrow’s consent agenda.
47hclwym (anonymous) says...
"Save the fairgrounds" I bet when they were building the Court House we had about the same money issues. You didn't see them putting THAT on hold.
August 1, 2007 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kublue2007 (anonymous) says...
I don't want to hear a word about "save the fairgrounds". We had a chance for developers to come in and develope that land and build a brand new facility for the people of Lyon County without any of money out of our pockets, but NO!!!! We had to raise a big stink and keep that EYE SORE of a facility and they want to renovate the property with our tax money. All of you people griping about our taxes being to high, let's hear you now. The Fair Board could have written their own ticket and gotten a brand new facility but they were too ignorant or incompetant to get it done. I went to the fair last night and all I thought of was WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN?
August 1, 2007 at 2:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vankamp (anonymous) says...
I agree kublue2007.
August 1, 2007 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
I totally agree with you kublue. But... I think what 47 is trying to say is that, if it was the Court House they wouldn't have put it on hold No matter how broke the county was/is. If the commish wants it the ymake it happen. If htey could careless it gets "put on hold" My 2 cents not that its worth much around here.
August 1, 2007 at 2:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
The land for the fairgrounds was donated by a local family just for that purpose. Too often promises are made about how things will be then are as quickly broken. Or does no one else remember the plan for the new courthouse? The ugly pile we have now doesn't even resemble the drawing they sold the public. THAT is an eyesore to me. But once the money was in their hands they built what they wanted to build. I think the same thing would have happened with the fairgrounds. I think we could have a public fund raiser for the fairgrounds like we did the train. I would certainly donate money to improve the fairgrounds.
August 1, 2007 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
I agree, the new courthouse sort of sticks out like a sore thumb.
I personally don't see anything wrong with the fairgrounds--at face value--I have no clue about any amenities that need improving (water, electric, etc.) Old buildings have more character. Emporia is not a large city, never was a large city--it was always a "farming" community. I think the fairgrounds show that.
M
August 1, 2007 at 3:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mythoughts (anonymous) says...
I'd rather see fundraisers for the fairground improvements than tax money. It's hard to justify a fresh coat of paint on the bleachers when we can't get enough money to keep the EMTs, or police officers, or firemen. I wish we'd worked with those developers to get things fixed faster--there would have been some trade-offs, but that doesn't mean we couldn't have gotten most of our way on their ticket.
I don't go to the grandstand for fear of crashing through the dilapidated bleachers or contracting histoplasmosis from all the bird feces. The restrooms are claustrophobic (but they were clean the other night! Thank you, 4-H). When it rains there are several quagmires you wouldn't want to park your car in that serve as mosquito breeding grounds.
The Quonset huts are dented and rusty, with bits of old plastic dangling down, no insulation, and birds nesting in the rafters. They don't have to be gorgeous, but it would be nice if they were well-kept. It'd be great if our area service groups (or larger businesses...Tyson..Detroit Diesel...you guys!) would "Adopt a Quonset" and fix them up. It shouldn't take much more than a little money and a lot of elbow grease. They are a kind of nostalgic building, and they don't have to be cruddy. Put in a couple of industrial fans to move the air, some compact fluorescent light bulbs and solar-tinted windows. eh? The funds could be concentrated on improving the arena and pens, or putting curbs on the roads to assist in drainage (and paint so you can see where the edge is at night).
Now, the courthouse is nice. It's not Victorian, or early 20th Century, but I think it fits well with the downtown streetscape, and it reflects well on the town to conduct important business (the rule of law) in a professional environment. The Courthouse is "money under the bridge"; let's use it as a warning (or inspiration) to future choices on spending our tax money.
That's all - I've been to many different county fairs over the years, and I have to say Lyon county's facilities are really down-trodden in comparison. It's a shame and a little embarrasing. People need to take pride in the community and it's public spaces.
August 1, 2007 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChuckNorris (anonymous) says...
Maybe I'm off a little bit but I have been and sure most of you have been as well, to a lot nice towns / small cities...what we have are fair grounds in the middle of town. Who cares about the fair grounds whats more important the fair grounds or new jobs? businesses that will actually pay their taxes, and besides it would be pretty much like every other town in the country with the fair grounds outside of town just a little bit.
We all talk about how people who make money don't live here and how people who could make money leave. Maybe it because no one wants to live where the main attraction is fair grounds, it's kinda weak and if I were a big lawyer / doctor you couldn't pay me to live here. It would be like hey doctor buddies why don't you guys come hang out at the fair grounds with me.... oh wait there barely ever in use, screw the fair grounds there point less.
August 2, 2007 at 1:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoahjoe (anonymous) says...
Emporia has grown around the fairgrounds, it was not simply placed in the middle of town.
Who, knew that developing the fairgrounds would be Emporia's saving grace. That is a foolish thought,look at all the empty buildings in Emporia. Wait let's build more.
Use the restroom in the Anderson building!
I travel home to Emporia for the Fair every year.
Oh, and before any starts about non-residents voicing their ideas on the local economy, I am a property owner in Emporia.
August 2, 2007 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Doug (anonymous) says...
kublue, You are so right. The location of the fairgrounds, although convenient also hinders what type of events you can have there during the other 51 weeks in the year. Anybody remember the hot rod tractors, flat track motorcycle or 3/4 midget racing. They were all too noisy for the surrounding residents. Oh wait a minute, the fair grounds were there first. If the developer wanted that land bad enough, the fairboard should have been able to name what ever they wanted in a new fairgrounds and got it or no deal. I doubt when the land was donated outside of town, visions of it lined with residences on one side and businesses on the other were not foreseen.
August 2, 2007 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
I line dry my clothes. Always have......and people look at me like I'm crazy, LOL. No central air, either. I have it but don't use it. 2 window units do just as well for less.
Push mower (but we have a small yard).
I do use a dishwasher. I consider it a luxury. :) Because I'm tired at the end of the day and would rather play with my family than do the dishes.
And my children will not walk to school. It's not safe anymore.
Anyway, if the fairgrounds need to be fixed up, it should be volunteers. JMO
M
August 2, 2007 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
Snake,
Please contact me directly and I'll see whether we can figure out what's going on with your login.
My private e-mail is larson@emporiagazette.com.
My direct line is 342-4841 Ext. 219.
I'm not seeking to learn your identity but I can access your user account and verify some information with you.
Thanks,
Gwen Larson
Managing Editor
August 2, 2007 at 5:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kublue2007 (anonymous) says...
That makes me feel better!!! I was worried when Snake was agreeing with me!
August 2, 2007 at 5:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LYCO_Resident (anonymous) says...
First of all the fairgrounds is owned by the county not the fairboard. It was given to the fairboard and later it was discovered that the board could not own property. Mr. Anderson gave it to the county with one stipulation. The first year there is not a fair the ground goes to The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army was approached about giving up their right to the ground about 15 years ago. They declined and who could blame them. Mr. Anderson did this so the county couldn't take away the ground and use it for anything else other than a fair. Pretty smart I think. So the board didn't squander its chance to get a new grounds with new facilities. The board or the County can't sell the grounds. And by the way thanks to all the fairboard members. I had a great time at the fair as always.
August 6, 2007 at 4:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realism (anonymous) says...
I think that some people, mainly those old farts and Bible thumpers who make the decisions, are a little too attached to the idea that Emporia is a small town and they are afraid of letting more big business get a piece of our pie. Most of us support big business in some fashion. We buy vehicles of all varieties that are made by big corporations, we eat at Applebee's, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, we shop at WAL-MART, Best Buy, JCPenny. I think that there are avenues available to solicit some big name investors to back us on building a new fairgrounds. I'm 28 years old and grew up in Chase Co., and every year Mom brought me to the Lyon Co. Fair. It is only nostalgia that begs me to feel that the fairgrounds should remain at their current location. Realism tells me that the fairgrounds should be moved to the west or northwest of town, give the land to the Salvation Army or whatever and let them sell it to someone like Target & Home Depot, or whoever else is interested. More jobs, more income & sales tax revenue, some competition for the Waltons and Sutherland's. I for one know their prices could be lower. Lets get out of the past, people! If we want our community to grow we need to welcome the changes that are necessary for them to materialize. Oh, and if we're giving tax breaks to Tyson, Menu Foods, or any other big companies who give nothing back to the community, STOP!!! That could ease our budget woes, don't'chya think?
August 12, 2007 at 9:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )