Peyton (anonymous) says...

I applaud those who turned out to VOTE today!

But, isn't it sad that in Lyon County only 4203 people turned out to vote for such an important issue as Sales Tax...And their votes afftect some 35,000 people!!

I wonder how many people even knew that there was a primary today?? It's a wonder the County Commission put this on the ballot now....they knew not very many people would turn out!

August 5, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jayhawker (anonymous) says...

4,200 voters out of 16,000 registered showed at the polls, slightly more than 25%. This community is my home. I fear that it has made a major, serious mistake with this sales tax. I sincerely hope that I am wrong. It's done now, so let's all work together to try to make it work. We are now at (or near) 7.8% in sales tax. .5% of that is the courthouse tax. The construction costs on that was $17,000,000.00, but of course there is interest on the bonds, which may take it to a total of somewhere around $25,000,000.00. The courthouse tax was approved in the spring of 1999, so I think that it went into effect sometime mid year 1999, about 9 years ago. It generates about $2,500,000.00 per year in revenue, now totaling about $22,500,000.00, meaning that we should be very near paying off the courthouse if the funds have been competently handled. If we allow the courthouse tax to sunset, that would take us down to 7.3% in sales tax - still very, very high, but better. Let's stand by the community and not give up on it, or its leaders, yet.

August 5, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jayhawker (anonymous) says...

Peyton: The fact that not many people would vote was precisely why the commission put the sales tax question on a primary ballot. Otherwise, with more participation, it reduces the chances of it passing. Nothing in the slightest illegal about it; in fact, it is smart of the commission to do it this way since they wanted the tax to pass.

August 5, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

neighbor (anonymous) says...

How many votes did Ms Walters get? What about the other offices that were on the ballot?

August 6, 2008 at 5:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

glarson (anonymous) says...

Teresa Walters received 1,052 votes, 100 percent of the Republican votes cast in the primary. Remember that she was unopposed in the primary. She now faces Philip Winter, who received 487 votes, also 100 percent of the Democratic votes cast.

For space and time considerations, The Gazette chose to follow only the races and questions that were contested in the primary.

August 6, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Emporiafan (anonymous) says...

How could you not know it was time to vote? It's been on every local TV station, CNN, every newspaper in the area, radio....if people don't utilize these sources than they probably don't need to exercise their right to vote. The only thing more dangerous than not voting is uneducated voting......

August 6, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Such a poor turnout of voters is a sad commentary on this community. Voting is such an important American right, but apparently nearly three fourths of the people around here don't care about that. What I can't understand is how people won't take only a few minutes to exercise this precious right. When I went to vote yesterday, the place was empty and it took less than five minutes from start to finish.

Another sad commentary is that it costs just as much money to run an election when only 1/4 the people turnout as it does when everyone votes.

One thing for sure, 38% of us voted against raising the sales tax. Let that be a message to the commissioners that many of us disagreed with them. Nonetheless, we must now all come together to make this all work for our city.

Finally, I would still like to see something happen with regard to all the sales tax delinquencies. This money is owed to the people of our city and our county. I want to know that these amounts are being paid, even in installments, by these tax dodging thieves.

August 6, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

Emporiafan

I understand your frustration. I think much of this stems from the sense that many here, and in other parts of the country, have - that government at all levels is going to continue to be unresponsive to the people. It may not be the right thing to do, but many don't see any reason to get involved.

I sort of understand what you're saying about the "uneducated" vote, but I tend to disagree with you on that. I think there may be as much myth as their is truth in the notion of being an enlightened, educated, sophisticated voter. I was at the budget meeting last night. The city commissioners talked about a budget with over 5,000 line items on it (it might have been closer to 8,000, but my memory from last night might also have been clouded by frustration). Do you think that the majority of voters are going to peel away thousands of items to figure out what is essential to the community's well being and what is not? I really don't think so, nor do I think that the commissioners would be inclined to listen. I'm sure that each and every department has fully "justified" each line item and believes that the city of Emporia just can't live without them.

I think that most folks try the best they can, and when government is unresponsive (Commissioner Davis telling Pat Kelley or the Gazette - "I don't get paid to listen, I get paid to make decisions," for example) they just tune out and develop a sort of electoral fatalism.

The commissioners, I think, play on this with great skill. They understand it and thrive on it. They decry the lack of public interest on one hand, but take full advantage of it on the other.

Me? I have an interest in what goes on here, but I have to be honest. Praying for the Parousia is a far safer bet than trusting our elected leaders to be concerned with the impact their decisions have on us.

August 6, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

dale011 (anonymous) says...

Tail lights headed for Wichita or Topeka

August 6, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

dale011 (anonymous) says...

On the Bob Davis issue - we get to vote him out of office soon right?

August 6, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Now lets see if what Mr. Briggs said in his open letter, about the increased sales tax reducing the property taxes will actually come about, or if what he said was a ruse to get people to vote for an increase in sales taxes, I will bet that the "lower property taxes statement was just a ruse" and I'll bet that if you listen real close you will hear the laughter, slaps on the back and the drooling coming from all of the elected county and city government officials for the job they did of pulling the wool over the citizens eyes and I'll also bet that there are already plans in the works to somehow "snow job" the people into a property tax increase also, because the deception and misleading by the local government officials has not ceased nor will it if the voters, taxpayers and citizens of Emporia and Lyon County are unwilling to stop being duped into voting to approve everything the local government officials want and do no matter what it costs.Mark my words "you will not see any substantial decrease in property taxes" as promised .
Because the message that was sent to the local, city and county officials by this yes vote is and was, that no matter how wasteful their spending habits, the gullible, taxpayer will vote to give them the money no matter what they want to spend it for.
I am also certain that those businesses and individuals who already owe back, delinquent taxes, also appreciate the yes vote, since this means they will be able to salt away even more money into their pockets and bank accounts.
Congratulations to all local, City and County officals for a job well done in convincing and duping those gullible voters into thinking that all of us taxpayers will be better off paying higher taxes and doing without some more of the essentials, etc.
Emporia and Lyon County will still be known as being one of the highest taxed, highest cost of living places, for its size in Kansas.

August 6, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

We must also remember one thing, and keep an eye on it. That 1% sales tax amount MUST be used for property tax relief or capital improvement, nothing else. Otherwise, it's illegal.

Yes, netloafer, I remember when Davis said that about getting paid to make decisions, not to listen. What a great way to serve the people who trusted him enough to vote him in only to receive an egotistical comment like that! He is also the one who said he approved the $10,000 in fireworks because he wanted to celebrate.

August 6, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Emporiafan (anonymous) says...

netloafer - What I meant by uneducated voter was the person that wants to exercise their right so they go in and just randomly picks names/answers....but I do know what you are saying.....

August 6, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

Emporiafan

I also understand what you're saying. It's an unfortunate reality.

I still try to believe in the possibility of political change and responsive government, but it's getting harder and harder for me. As I said before, I think more about the Second Coming these days than I do about the possibility of meaningful political change. In fact, I'm more inclined to think in terms of deliverance rather than electoral politics.

So, I'll keep voting no, then I'll keep paying the additional taxes, The one thing I won't feel inclined to do is believe that our politicians will respond to us.

August 6, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

I voted no to this tax, I like Jayhawker believe it is a serious mistake. After reviewing the budget and seeing just how ludicrous this city has become I will no longer support it in anyway if given the chance I will not be shopping Emporia first.

August 6, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

create-You are absolutely right about the increased sales tax being used to reduce property taxes, but who knows what kind of midnight shuffle the local government officials will use or come up with to use the money elsewhere and cover it up ?
As you can tell, I trust none of the local government officials, but I can't help the way I feel after amost 45 years of the same old local government fiasco, they have not proven to me that their word is their bond !
As far as keeping an eye on them, how would you do that, short of having several unbiased, uncorruptible individuals keeping an eye on the local government at all times ?
I also believe that in a City Manager, City Commission, Lyon County Commission form of government, such as we have, that at every meeting, private and public, there should be someone present at all the meetings who is unbiased, uncorruptible and honest, who would act as a mediator to keep things straight forward and above board and who would report all business to the Gazette, who would in turn publish the report.
I also believe that as an elected public official, etc., that as such, there is no such thing as having a private meeting to carry out the business of the public, for which you were elected, all meetings should be open public meetings and recorded by both video and audo recordings.

August 6, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

jayhawker, goodoleboy- I agree that approving a sales tax hike was a huge mistake especially now, the only problem with shopping elsewhere is the fact that this is a countywide tax hike and to get away from it you are going to have to travel out of Lyon County to avoid it, which with the price of gas, may be prohibitave to some.
It would seem to me that the only thing an increased sales tax is going to accomplish, is the fact that a lot of people are going to take their business elsewhere, at least those who can afford to do so, and this means that the local governments are not going to receive the amount of extra money they had anticipated and the people who are going to be forced to shop in Emporia, and Lyon County are the ones who are going to be "punished" with a higher sales tax.
Therefore if the local governments don't get the amount of money they anticipated on, whoops, there goes the property taxes.
One helluva mess isn't it !

August 6, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

beth (anonymous) says...

"Posted by dale011 (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tail lights headed for Wichita or Topeka"

You do know that even with the new Sales Tax in Lyon County that Topeka has a higher sales tax rate than Emporia (7.45% to 7.3%).
http://www.ksrevenue.org/pdf/forms/pu...

August 6, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Beth- First the taxes in the tax table are a combined City, County, State sales tax figure, therefore Topekas 7.45% figure is a total combined figure, after the 1% tax in crease in Lyon County and Emporia, Emporias' total combined sales tax will be 7.8%, besides Topeka and Wichita both have the taxpayer population base to be able to pay 7.45% sales tax, they are both approx 6 to 10 times the size of Emporia with a much larger labor base.

August 6, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

I believe I will see what, maybe someplace like Burlington has to offer in the way of merchants, shopping, housing, etc. their sales tax is only 6.3% and I am sure their property tax is also considerably lower.

August 6, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

stevo (anonymous) says...

I voted NO for the tax increase for I truly feel that the businesses and individuals that owe sales tax already have taken enough of my money...and now we gave them a 1% raise...they now have more to pocket...the two businesses that owe over $93,000.00 will now have a minimum raise to put in their pockets over $10,000.00 a year....way to go city, county and state leaders....You need to go after these people.. We already paid them, and I.m getting tired!! I don't know how they can be so proud of businesses when they are stilling from us all.

August 6, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

nutsaboutools (anonymous) says...

First-I'm very disappointed in the poor turnout. All I can say is, don't bitch later.

I also voted NO on the sales tax. I think a lot of people (that voted yes) believed that this would avoid an increase in property taxes. There's no guarantee that that will be the case. Also, it won't prevent our assessments from increasing. Also, if the current and possibly additional retailers don't fulfill their obligation to pay the taxes that we pay them, well we all know who'll get screwed in the long run.

August 6, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gazette_reader (anonymous) says...

Nutsabouttools, I voted no for the same reason. I felt like we never got a straight answer as to how we would see "property tax relief." In fact, the only place I'd even seen a hint of what the property tax relief would be was on the ballot, where it was implied they would be lowered.

It seemed, though, that whenever anyone asked about it, the hemming and hawing answer was, "we can't make plans until we know if we get the sales tax passed." That feels pretty much like a Hail Mary to me.

August 6, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

truckerswife (anonymous) says...

Don't assume that everyone that does not vote in the primary elections is ignoring their responsibility to vote. My husband and I are both unaffiliated registered voters and are not able to vote in a primary unless we reregister and declare a party. There are thousands unaffiliated registered voters .We would always vote if this state would change the rules so ALL could vote. So when I hear or read about the secretary of state or the county election officials complaining low voter turnout - they could really do something about it if they wanted. We should be able to vote for a candidate regardless of party affiliation.

August 6, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

joejoe2 (anonymous) says...

How do we find who has not paid their sales taxes?

August 6, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Emporiafan (anonymous) says...

truckerswife - you could have still voted for the sales tax question. That would have been the only thing you could have voted for though.

August 6, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

joejoe, go here:

https://www.kdor.org/warrants/listing...

When you get there, type Lyon in the search box so you get only Lyon county delinquencies.

For days now, that page has been very easy to load. This morning, it takes forever to load. At one point, I could only get an error message. Hmmmmmmm...

August 6, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sadinemporia (anonymous) says...

Madelynn's owes almost $200,000 in back taxes
S&S Cafe owes over $100,000 in back taxes
Phillip Klumpe owes $97,000 in back taxes
Randy Henning owes over $45,000 in back taxes
hmmm.....

August 6, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...

netloafer, the comment you made
"Do you think that the majority of voters are going to peel away thousands of items to figure out what is essential to the community's well being and what is not? I really don't think so"
I found this an odd statement, it seems that you are saying that the average joe can not make heads or tails of it, But that our elected officials should? To me they are just as much of an average joe as the next guy and they are just trying to do what they feel is the right thing to do being in the position they are in. I can not believe that Any one of our city or county leaders are just there to draw a paycheck, I think they do the best they can with their knowledge of any given problem. but thats JMO

After reading MOST of the posts on this forum, it is easy to see that MOST on here just want something to complain about. No one ever has anything positive to say about Emporia or it's leaders on these forums, Do any of you think maybe, just maybe YOU are the minority and the rest of Emporia is proud of their city and glad to live here. My God people Stop whining, it has been said, if you dont like it, run for office, and a few of you have (netloafer). What seems Apparent is when one runs for office and does not get elected, that many dont have the same views! This goes the same for the whiners.
The sales tax passed almost 2 to 1, so that means that about twice as many voters wanted it and those that didnt vote, did not think enough about it to care. So please ask yourself, who is the majority and who is the minority.

August 6, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

stevo (anonymous) says...

sadinemporia, did you not see that Vista (which is the old Marshall's on 6th - formally owned by one of our commisoners was on there too?) Hmmmmmm.. I too am sad in Emporia, Especially all the Honors our city,county and even state have given Madelynns....No wonder they are doing good and busy in Emporia as they always say on Wed AM on KVOE!!! Hmmmmm......and it goes on... (don't miss the message on the web-site that says the only way you get removed from this web-site is "pay the taxes owed".

August 6, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

native_emporia (anonymous) says...

I don't believe I am getting on here to "whine" as it as been put! However, I would like to say I voted against the sales tax and feel that it was very under handed to put it on the primary ballot when it is a known fact that less voters turn out for that vote then in November. I can assume that this being a Presidential election year voter turnout will be high and this vote would have looked different in November!

Just a thought for those of you that are thinking of traveling out of town to do your shopping. Sales tax in Topeka is minimally less now then Lyon County; however, if you compare prices to those here you can save if you plan your trips well. Just do a simple price comparison between our Wal-Mart and Topeka's. Our prices are higher due to lack of competition, and not to mention our selection here is terrible. A group of us have gotten together with our lists and make trips together out of town saving on gas, prices, and now it will save us on taxes also. "Shop Emporia First" is a joke.

I also would like to say good luck to Phil Winter in November. I may be republican, but he has my vote; he at least has a background that gives him a first hand understanding of the county’s needs. As for the other candidate, I think her primary agenda is that of Emporians For Drug Awareness. We need someone who can get the county’s finances figured out and stop over spending.

August 6, 2008 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

LifeGoesOn

Let me put it this way. I have great admiration for the "average Joe" here in Emporia. What I was saying was that in a budget with thousands of line items in it, a good number of economists would have a difficult time making heads or tails of it, let alone the "average Joe" like me.

You're right. The sales tax has passed and I'll pay them along with everyone else. The school board will pass their budget, the city theirs, and so will the county. Valuations will rise if what the county appraiser has said about them still holds. The property tax bills go out and for more than a few of us they will be higher than last year as well. But, we'll pay them.

Call it whining or whatever you will, but these taxes will have some significant impact on some people here in town. My wife's mom lives next door to us. We moved her down here about a year and a half ago so that we could look out for her and her developmentally disabled son. She's an eighty nine year old widow who lives on a fixed income - $405 a month from a Ford pension and a small social security check. Her property taxes have increased by over 1/3rd in the year and a half she's lived here. I consider that significant impact. Her water bill has gone up once and is going to go up another thirteen percent or so soon. I consider that significant, although one of the current commissioners told me that six dollars or so a month isn't significant. The price of basic food items is going up. Inflation is taking its toll. She pinches every possible penny she can at the grocery store. She does what is right. Last night as the commissioners were discussing their budget needs I told them that I should have brought a copy of her budget to the meeting to see if they cared to consider the impact of their decisions on her. I can assure you there were no takers! For the life of me I don't know why. She doesn't have thousands of line items in hers. I think there are only about four - food, medicine, bus fare to get her son to work at the workshop, and taxes. It's really quite simple, in an obscene way. Her choice are increasingly becoming medicine or taxes, food or taxes, etc...and you can guess who's gonn'a get their money by hook or crook.

I think my wife's mom's case is not atypical here in Emporia. There are lots of Emporians who are really struggling to stay afloat.

I appreciate you're letting those of us who have spoken out about this are the minority report. We already knew it, but it's good to have the notion of who is and who is not in control reinforced.

August 6, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Lifegoeson- I am glad that you are able to find anything positive at all in how the City and County Officials have managed to put more and more of a financial burden on the taxpayers of Emporia and Lyon County, while spending money on non essential items, ie. library statue, inoperative 12th ave. clock tower, building murals, fairgrounds stonehenge, etc.,etc. and this sort of unresponsible spending and mismanagement has been going on for years and years and yes I cannot find a single good thing to congratulate the City and County officials for and no I am not whining,just stating facts, for I too voted no on the tax increase.
Oh, I forgot about the giant white elephant at the corner of 5th and Commercial known as the Courthouse that cost a multimillion dollars to build.

August 6, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Netloafer-Well said, and I agree complete, there are many of us who live in Emporia and Lyon County who live on a fixed income, pension, social-security, etc. who do not get a raise in pay and if we do get a raise in pay, it will be a mere pitance, and if you would have brought a copy of you mothers budget to the meeting, the commissioners, etc. would not have cared if you had. It seems that they are not concerned with what the concerns of the average Jill or Joe is or how the average Jill or Joe will make ends meet with costs ever increasing, all they care about is that they get the money they want to spend unresponsibly and foolishly. I know, I know, LifeGoesOn will say I am whining again, but I am only stating the facts of life of living in Emporia and Lyon County !

August 6, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...

Met and Net, Maybe whining was a poor choice of words, how about complain? better, My point was that between the two of you alone there has been 725 posts on these forums and I have yet to read a positive one, they are always posts telling how dissatisfied you are about one thing or the other.
I have lived in Emporia my entire life and in spite of how bad everybody seems to think Emporia and the way it is run by it's leaders, I am better off than my parents were and my children are better off than I am, we all live here. it just gets Sooo old hearing the same ol complaints about the city and county over and over and over, heck I dont even need to read most posts anymore because they all say the same thing, How bad the city and county is being run.
Netloafer , you bring your wifes mother into this forum, let me say this to you, I would think that with your money and properties that you would help her out and she would have No Reason to worry about what bills to pay, I always thought that is what family was for, My grandfather lived with us for 13 years when he didnt have the money to support himself, his pension was not that much either, But those were the choices he made when he was working, if he or your wifes mother would have made better choices when they were younger then they would have no need to be in want of anything, just should have planned better. that may be harsh but no one said live is easy or fair. I can respect your point of view, but you just keep telling us it over and over in one forum or another

Methusla, Same goes for you, I understand your dissatisfaction, you have made it clear, you dont like taxes and bad spending from our city leaders. Super! but dont sit back and complain when you still seem to have the money to go shopping at Walmart, feed all your pets and pay for cable and the internet, If you are that broke, watch basic TV with no cable, shop at the discount stores, etc. I do!

I know times have been hard and will probably continue to be hard, I dont like paying high taxes or living paycheck to paycheck, but thats life. As I said before, when there is only ten to twenty people whining,complaining, posting opinion (whatever you call it) it seems that not all Emporians have the same opinions as yours, in fact damn few do or the vote would have showed it.

August 6, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Life,

You call it whining, or your euphemism, complaining, when what many of us are doing is thinking critically about issues and asking the hard questions. The last time I saw greater numbers of people posting opinions on the forum was during the Great Fireworks Attack when the majority was screaming and being very rude about not having fireworks. I thought the postings on the sales tax issue were quite civil by comparison.

You say, "No one ever has anything positive to say about Emporia..." I say that you should read more closely. I am a frequent poster, and have made many positive comments about Emporia, a city I dearly love. However, if all I did was just rubber stamp everything either commission does just because they are in office, then that would make me a sheep. I'm not willing to just follow without thought. I have questions and I want answers.

And by the way, these office holders are not "average joes," no, no, no. When they ran for office, each of them promised that they could do the job of leading this city and solving this city's problems. That puts them in a different category than "average joe."

August 6, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

LifeGoeson

You must know more about my properties and income than I do.

But you know much less about the manner in which we support my wife's mother or her brother.

As for her and her husband's choices in life. I'd say they did their very best, unless you consider pounding rivets into bombers at a production plant during WWII irresponsible, or caring for a son with a disability. All things considered, I'd have to say that neither she nor her husband nor her daughter have anything to be ashamed of.

You're right. Life isn't fair.

As I said before we will pay the taxes. You don't need to worry about that. I think it's best we leave it at that before this gets nastier than I care for it to be.

August 6, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sadinemporia (anonymous) says...

stevo...I hear ya, I was just summarizing the large list of deadbeat taxpayers and pointing out the larger one, Madelynn's, who acts as if they are holier than thou. Of course they are doing a great business, they're not paying taxes. What a concept! We probably wouldn't get away with that now would we?

August 6, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

paulkersey (anonymous) says...

sadinemporia, you must have read my mind, I was doing the same thing. But I will let you continue. I have however compiled just Madelynn's list of unpaid taxes (yes, more than one) and here it is:

Withholding Tax: $56,939.93
Sales Tax: $93,576.07
Sales Tax: $41,615.41

Grand Total Of: $192,131.41

I wish my business didn't have to pay almost $200,000 worth of taxes! Heck, my business didn't even gross $200,000 last year, and I paid all my taxes! This is INSANE! This is just ONE business.

August 6, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...

Net, my apoligizes for the harsh words, I guess my whole point is, that "Many" people always seem to continue what I call ,beating a dead horse. the tax question passed almost 2 to 1 and yet people still "voice opinion" as to why it shouldn't be,
I just dont see the point, It is not going to change the outcome is it?
Let me ask you this, are you better off than your parents were, will your children be better off than you? If living here sucks so bad and the city leaders do such bad jobs with our money, why stay? I mean if I hated what my city was and how it is run, maybe I should look for a new place to live or try harder to make a diffrence, I know you do your part to change the things you dont agree with but it is obvious you have not changed to many minds Or not enough people share your opinions. You ran for office, how did that work out for you? You made your voice heard at the refugee town meetings, how did that work out for you? ( I remember you about got heckled off the mic) You have wrote articles in the paper, did it make a difference in the tax question outcome? Sometimes you just have to face the truth that maybe your opinions are not as important to people as you seem to think they are.

Create, maybe I should have said "MANY" never have anything positive to say. I also do not expect you to just be like sheep, what I do expect is that when things dont go the way you plan, it does no good to keep complaining about it. I mean how many times have you heard on this site about, the clock tower,the swimming pool, the courthouse, the golf course,etc. I say give it a rest already, these things are done and over with, the same thing with this tax question, it passed. Was it the right thing? maybe, maybe not, we will see I sure, but it will do no good for people to just keep talking about what a bad thing it is, it changes NOTHING.
You made a comment " the majority was screaming and being very rude" I assume you mean the majority of posters on this site ( a couple dozen people) because the Real Majority of Emporia (around 20,000 people) said nothing and went on with their holiday. Even the "refugee stories" only had about 80 posters, that is no majority, even the 300 or so that showed at the meeting, that still is No Majority.

August 6, 2008 at 8:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Peyton (anonymous) says...

Ok, I have had ENOUGH!
Paul, Sad and all you others who want to start a witch hunt and ruin a business’s reputation...let me give you a few FACTS about the tax situation you seem to "know" so much about!

Many of you are referencing this tax warrants page and although I know what it says....Madelynn's does NOT owe any money to the State....let me say that again....I know for a fact that Madelynn's does NOT owe any money to the state and their name is listed incorrectly!! (And how many others are listed on their incorrectly???)

I am really tired of people using internet news, blogs, emails, websites, etc as pure fact...there isn't a lot on TV or in the paper that you can't question. THINK PEOPLE! How about a little intelligent research before spouting off!!

FACT:
1. Yes, Madelynn's is listing on the tax page...WHY...because the State has LOST 10 MONTHS OF RETURNS....surprisingly the checks have all been cashed! So, yes the State has their money and NO the business should NOT be listed online!! Which the State does admit!

2. Madelynn's had no idea a tax list existed and since finding out has been working with an attorney and the State Tax agency for weeks now to remove the incorrect information.

3. And, in that 2 weeks, the owner has talked to 6 different Agents at the State...each time called, there is a new story and new hoops to jump through to correct the situation.

4. Yes, Madelynn’s recently received a State Award, which had to pass through the Department of Revenue....do you really think the State would have given the business an award if there was taxes owed?????

Those are the FACTS and I would feel ashamed if I were you, commenting about information that you know NOTHING about! And those same people probably still won't believe what I am writing and that's fine, but I hope the rest of you will read this and think twice before SLANDERING a business in town!!

If you want proof, come into the shop, ask for Jean, Casey or myself....face us in person not behind your anonymous online comments!!

Erin Meisel-Woods
Emporia Business Woman, Employee of Madelynn's, and Wife of Casey Woods, General Manager of Madelynn's

P.S. I big "Thank You" to the Gazette for continuing to allow such nonsense!! You have been so much help in this situation!! (insert sarcasm)

August 6, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

neighbor (anonymous) says...

"Teresa Walters received 1,052 votes, 100 percent of the Republican votes cast in the primary."

100% of the Republican votes cast, that's an interesting statement. She was the only Republican candidate on the ballot for that position, but that doesn't mean every Republican voted for her. I sure didn't. I skipped that option on the ballot. Do the machines automatically count that as a vote for her? If so, I now understand how we inherited the court house expense and recent tax increase.

August 6, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

paulkersey (anonymous) says...

Peyton,
If that information was incorrect, I apologize. However, you state that "How about a little intelligent research before spouting off." I consider the KS Dept of Revenue's website intelligent research. I have been working with them for over 3 years since I started my own business and have found them to be more than helpful in everything I do, and I have never heard of them losing a return, let alone 10 months worth of returns. All you have to do to have that corrected, in my experience, is fax them a copy of the check after it has cleared. You have my apologies, now I think you need to talk to KDOR and get one from them.

August 7, 2008 at 12:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gazette_reader (anonymous) says...

Peyton - also known as Erin - thank you for sharing the information about Madelynn's. It's a relief to know that the store is, in fact, in good shape. I hope for Madelynn's sake that you're able to get the store's name off of the list of delinquent tax payers.

That said, I'm not sure it's really slander if people participating in this forum are finding the information on lists released by the state. It may be inaccurate, but it's still technically "official" information, even if it is on the web. Most government agencies don't even offer paper copies of things anymore if they can avoid it.

To the Gazette: since we're seeing that there is obviously at least one major goof with the tax lists, I would like to request that someone there run a story on which businesses are and aren't behind on their taxes.

August 7, 2008 at 12:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

i_am_the_batman (anonymous) says...

For real ... 20 text messages about this... The Batman has no time for random text messages from the Gazette.

August 7, 2008 at 3:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Life...

You say, "...when things dont go the way you plan, it does no good to keep complaining about it." All I can say is that I hope you can spend some time reading about the American Revolutionary War period. Those who signed our most precious document, the Declaration of Independence, and others like them, spent years and years debating and "complaining" about British rule. Relentlessly, they risked their lives, entire fortunes, and reputations to convince their fellow citizens that independence was worth the quest. Many of those signers were hunted down and tortured by British agents, their homes burned and their families perished. Still those who believed persisted.

At the risk of being a bore here, may I offer another example of relentless pursuit to accomplish a goal? Martin Luther King, Jr. You know the rest of the story. Read "Letter from Birmingham Jail" when you get a chance. Things didn't go the way he planned at first either, yet he campaigned non-stop for an end to a very ugly time in our history. It took years; debates were long and loud; hostilities were common; many people died, but I don't see those ugly "white only" signs anywhere anymore. In a nutshell, Civil Rights didn't happen overnight, and I'm glad no one told the champions of that liberty "enough."

And how long did it take for women in this country to gain an equal footing in the employment arena? Just because congress did not pass legislation the first time didn't mean we women shut up about it, thank God. We've come a long way, baby.

Debate is healthy. It's one of the backbones of a democracy.

Peyton, "intelligent research" is using primary resources, and the Kansas State Government website is a primary resource. I can see the state losing one return, but 10? I suggest you do as paulkersey suggests, and fax them copies of your returns and your cleared checks now, today, this morning, or this may turn out to be a case of "the lady doth protest too much." Don't forget to demand a letter of apology from them.

August 7, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...

create, I think maybe we are talkin about two different things, I doubt by continueing to complain, that the city will tear down the courthouse, clocktower or swimming pool. I also doubt that continueing to complain about the tax question is going to change the vote. But thanks so much for the history lesson teach.

August 7, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Peyton (anonymous) says...

Paul and Create--
Thanks for the advice, but we are way ahead of you on documentation and once again trying to jump thru the states hoops to get it all taken care of. We are having trouble getting correct answers because of the high turnover of agents and that this is such a rare occurrence. And again, we had no idea the website and list was out there and no reason to suspect our name to be on it.

We have requested a letter of apology and the attorney is working on that too.

Just think how you would feel if your family & business was listed incorrectly as "tax evaders" and unfairly attacked online. You would not take too kindly to it either.

Any information on a website has the potential to be incorrect. Due diligence would require that you look at both sides of the story and that was not done in this case. People with the intent to inflict harm on our business kept repeating the website and numbers. Just in the short time I have been reading the online gazette and comments; there have been several businesses slandered....Walburns, Menu, Tyson, and Reebles. It is like nobody wants a business to succeed in Emporia. Some complain about not having anything in Emporia, but you have to support what you have first!!

Our business has had expansion plans and offers to move to other cities, but we love downtown Emporia. It is situations like this that makes us seriously reconsider staying in Emporia or having a business at all.

I am all for public debate and healthy discussions, but please, think about the effect you have before you comment.

August 7, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mythoughts (anonymous) says...

Erin, really should calm down before posting. The information was out there, from the state, presented as accurate, and all we have is your word that it's not. Which one would you believe if the situation were reversed? I understand that you're upset (I would be too), but slamming the Gazette isn't the answer. Get the State to fix the list and buy an ad in the Gazette apologizing for the error! Don't blame the messenger--you should be glad you found out before the State tried to take legal action against Madelynn's for this "debt".

August 7, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

alfalfa (anonymous) says...

I think a few people miss the point that a sales tax is more fair than property taxes. People love to spout off about how people owning "all this property" ought to pay taxes. However, as has been pointed out, for an elderly person on a fixed income, a $50 increase in property tax can really hurt. There are ways around the sales tax, someone buying a brand new car is going to pay more than someone buying a used one, stands to reason the person who chooses to buy a new car can probably pay more sales tax. Having said that, I hope that the sales tax does relieve the property taxes. I don't live in Lyon county but part of my farm is in the county.

I get irked at some of the people who run Emporia and Lyon county, but overall it is a nice community with good businesses. We tried for years to patronize the businesses in our small town, but as one by one they closed, we buy as much in Emporia as we can. I don't go much for the idea that Emporia needs X place to eat and Y place to buy clothes to be a successful community. There are plenty of places to eat in Emporia, I wonder how all of them make it. You can't force a retailer to come to a community. I think Emporia is far from being on its deathbed.

The situation Erin is in is a disgrace if it is true(being listed when in fact the taxes have been paid), it is also a disgrace if even half of the delinquent taxes listed on the website are accurate. If the state lost the returns, and Erin has the cancelled checks, it should be cleared up today. There is no excuse for a mistake like that, and no excuse for the state to allow that many $ worth of taxes to be owed. If it makes you feel any better Erin, I doubt many people will base their decision of whether or not to shop in your store on this website and the opinions on it. I am not slamming the site or the opinions, simply put alot of people won't care one way or another.

After the fact, it looks to me like the Gazette owes Tony Trimble an apology. If he in fact never agreed to be in that forum, he did not withdraw from it. I voted for Peggy Mast believing that what I read was true, I have found out it more than likely was not. I am ashamed of the Gazette on this one, I thought it was a little higher class organization.

August 7, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

LifeGoesOn

Re: My lost elections, etc. You have a keen eye for detail.

I gladly accept the notion that I'm the village idiot, flailing away at windmills. Actually, I come from a long line of village idiots. It's in our genes. We don't accept the commonly held equation that the majority is always right and the minority is always wrong. We also believe that it's possible to butt heads without being buttheads. We don't believe that the views we hold can be held "ex cathedra," but we believe nonetheless.

Me? I'm a pretty average guy. I mow a couple of yards weekly. I've never had a mowing order. I think pit bulls are beautiful, powerful beasts, but I don't like the idea of them roaming the streets. I converse pretty regularly with gas station attendants, preachers, production workers, engineers, doctors, lawyers, tool and die makers, bloggers, city commissioners, students, teachers, and assorted scoundrels. I've even been known to frequent the county jail, talking to folks locked up for one reason or another. Someone in one place I lived asked me why I would associate myself with such riff-raff. He was a good, decent man. An upstanding citizen. All I could think to tell him was that one often meets a better class of peoplr in the most unusual places.

I'm pretty content with life. My wife seems to have gotten adjusted to living with a village idiot after all these years. So have my children, grand-children, family, and friends who have also embraced me, flaws and all. My neighbors even seem to be none the worse for wear with me in the neighborhood, although the slumlord down the street isn't too happy with me.

Back to village idiots. History and Holy Writ seem to be replete with them. There was Moses challenging the power of Egypt. There was Columbus insisting the world was round when everyone else "knew" that it was flat. There was this guy who trudged up and down the roads of Galilee saying things like "You have heard it said.......But I say." There was, as Create so ably pointed out, our founders, Dr, King and the women suffragettes. They were really annoying, almost always the minority, often right.

Now I don't profess to be in the same league with them. I'm just your average village idiot, doing the best I can. If that makes me anathema in the eyes of some, I proudly accept the title.

August 7, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Weltha (anonymous) says...

Very well written net. Maybe a little long winded but great reply to Mr./Ms. Life trying to call you out for some odd reason. I love how you can stay so level headed with people MOST of the time.

August 7, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

Weltha

Thanks. I try, but don't always succeed. I do agree that I tend to be a bit long winded. It's the Irish genes, I think. I've tried changing that, but it never really works well and when I assign myself to simple yes's and no's I get lost. My favorite baseball player of all time was Ted Williams. He used to talk endlessly about the science of hitting a baseball or fly fishing in the off-season. I read somewhere that he once tried an abbreviated approach, but it didn't work. He loved doing things the way he did and that was that. I'm a cheap imitation by comparison, but I have to be me and allow others to be themselves as well.

I do appreciate your compliment. It's very kind.

August 7, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

glarson (anonymous) says...

OK, folks, we've hit 50 comments, so we're moving the primary election thread to a forum:

http://www.emporiagazette.com/forums/...

August 7, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )