Change commission?
Paul Dixon, Emporia
Monday, December 22, 2008
AFTER SOME rather divisive decisions on the part of the Emporia City Commission it strikes some of us that perhaps the current commission members represent certain areas of Emporia better than other areas.
I suggest that Emporia be divided into districts and that each of these districts be allowed to elect their own commissioner(s) who might better embody the needs of their neighborhood(s) rather than having a disproportionate number of commissioners who seemingly represent only one or two parts of town.
(One of these districts might include the so-called Metropolitan Planning Area. It seems to be “taxation without representation” when some downtown business owners cannot vote on issues affecting their business because they don’t live in the city proper but still live close enough to be required to abide by city zoning, reviews and permit rules. How is it possible for someone to pay business taxes to the city but not to be able to vote on issues that affect their businesses?)
By increasing the number of commissioners to seven or to nine, Emporians might feel that their points-of-view and their best interests were being represented more fairly and equitably than they are presently. Hopefully, this would also go a long way to dispel the feeling that lately a number of resolutions have been enacted by commissioners with conflicting interests.
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
This would be a small scale model of the way our State and Federal governments are lined up. Of course it isn't perfect or capable of making every single person happy, but it is historically the most efficient way of governing free people, i.e. government "of the people, by the people and for the people." It is a way to insure that what some think is best for all can only happen when most think it's best for all. It's a way to make sure that all cities and towns across America aren't coerced into being "Stepford" communities under one elite "Stepford" government. You know, like the university towns that would fold like a paper napkin if it weren't for the enormous STATE funding that funnels into them through the high profile State universities. The ones with the big schools that attract a large number of liberal-minded people who live sheltered lives in their big buildings, thinking their liberal thoughts, never living much of a real life. Because they all essentially have the same "Stepford" brain, what one wants is usually what they all want; for example.........oh, a smoking ban. This is Emporia--we have a smaller state funded university here, but we also have a lot of other things keeping this city going. We have a lot of real life, real problems people of liberal, moderate and conservative thought throughout our town and university. We have a greater diversity of thought, therefore we should have a greater diversity of representation. Thank you, Paul, for repeating this for the whole town--I liked it the minute I saw your original post about it.
December 22, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
We live in the age of "change". Why not change this too? It makes sense, our city is supposedly growing and the current system is obviously ticking people off, why not give them a voice they can trust?
What exactly is the Metropolitan Planning Area anyway? Do they have neat little names for other parts of town? Like "pothole place" or "crumbling sidewalk who gives a crud ville"? I live near the waste water treatment plant, I don't even want to know what they call my hood.
December 22, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paccifier (anonymous) says...
The Metropolitan Planning area is the City of Emporia, and areas adjoining the city that influence development or city activity, or that the city is apt to grow into in the future, like hiway 50 going a ways west of town and up Americus Road, or K-99 down to, and around, the Airport. This use to be the city limits and three miles beyond. Now the exact area is determined between the City and County Commissions. Planning Commission recomendations on those areas in the city limits go to the City Commission, those decisions outside the city limits go to the County Commission. Maps showing these areas can be found on the city website www.emporia.ws
December 23, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
djdiablo (anonymous) says...
Wow, crackinsack, what is up with the 'tude?
We know you're glad the smoking ban passed, at least for the time being, but this article really is about the "big picture." Perhaps you should get out more...there are lots of other issues out there, for instance when people have to get permission from the city to build a shed on their property in the "planing area" but aren't allowed to vote in city elections. Even those who own businesses within the city and who pay dearly for the "privilege".
It was once called "taxation without representation" and folks thought it was important enough to fight a war over. Try to see beyond your little world, other people have other interests and, just because YOU can't see it, doesn't make it so.
December 23, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Paccifier
Thanks for the info. I wonder what's in the plans for my neighborhood since it is apparently in the "area"? I can't wait to see.;)
December 23, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
HOW THE HECK DID THAT OVER 1 YEAR OLD ARTICLE
ABOUT GANG CLOTHING GET POSTED BACK UP HERE? Are we doing the year in review?
Corbin
December 24, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
Nope, Steve. Someone posted a new comment, which put it back in the story list.
Gwen
December 24, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Gwen, It was kinda funny me reading the story on line and telling the wife about it and my wife searching for it in last nights paper. Didn't notice the story date until this A.M. Guess you would have had to been there?
Steve
December 24, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Happiness09 (anonymous) says...
Kind of like having a private conversation via email got posted on.........Gee, what were we talking about?
December 26, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
PAUL DIXONS LETTER TO THE GAZETTE.
December 26, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I THINK WE MAY ON TO SOMETHING HERE!
In my travels around with the petition you would not believe the county residents that are up in arms over this ban, and the fact that they can't vote on it. Did everyone know that there are AT LEAST 4 business owners/managers that can't vote on this issue that affects their business just because they LIVE outside the city limits? They own or manage a business in town but can't vote on the most important business decision of their lives because of where they live.
Kinda of sucks , doesn't it? Meanwhile youv'e got paid hired guns coming into town telling everyone that will listen that this is a "health issue". DON'T BELIEVE IT ! THIS IS A RIGHTS ISSUE , PURE AND SIMPLE.
Steve
December 26, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
djdiablo (anonymous) says...
Your right, Steve, and until people realize the true nature of this move they are jeopardizing all their other rights. What is next? People who believe that "it can't happen here" are the ones who wind up getting smacked right between the eyes when a nasty surprise cooked up by the elites suddenly intrudes upon their lives.
People are furious at how the commission handled this, people who don't smoke and never have smoked cannot believe that local government has arbitrarily decided how to run other peoples businesses. Do some research on soda pop and you've got to wonder how long it will remain on sale, the health related issues with such soft drinks put tobacco to shame, yet it is ubiquitous and is even sold in most of our schools.
Emporians, be mindful of what is sure to be a very slippery slope if decisions such as this one are allowed to stand.
I have heard the suggestion many times that anyone who pays taxes at the courthouse on Commercial Street should be allowed to vote on this...and any other city OR county issue.
December 28, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )