City, State officials discuss layoffs
By Joey Berlin
Originally published 02:12 p.m., February 19, 2008
Updated 02:12 p.m., February 19, 2008
City Manager Matt Zimmerman said he and a representative of Friends in Faith had a productive meeting in Topeka on Monday with members of the state cabinet, local legislators and a representative of the governor’s office to discuss what kind of help is available for the city following the Tyson layoffs.
Also at the meeting were Friends in Faith President Mike Tovar, Jesse Solis of Solis & Solis, state Secretary of Commerce David Kerr, Secretary of Labor Jim Garner, Rep. Don Hill, Rep. Peggy Mast and pastors from several churches.
“We just sort of talked about what things the city as a community is doing to help to help the displaced workers and then see what kind of help we can get from the state,” Zimmerman said. “I thought it was very productive. We had a lot of good conversations of what kind of programs are out there, what’s the status of funding, those kind of things.”
Zimmerman said there was some talk about House Bill 2776, a measure introduced by Hill that would set a floor on weightings in the formula that will determine Emporia USD 253’s state funding. The bill would alleviate some of the loss in enrollment expected to result from families relocating.
“It’s a one-year bill,” Hill said. “And then of course, this event that we’re experiencing with the job displacement is going to (be more than) a one-year event, but the point is, (in) the one year, we’re going to experience the great, great majority of the impact.”
Zimmerman said the city tried to let the state know that Emporia wasn’t coming to Topeka with its hand held out.
“We have specific programs in place, and we just need some help funding those programs,” he said. “And what we’re trying to do is say if our programs are successful, a lot of the school kids won’t leave and there won’t be much of an impact.”
Zimmerman said the state and city would attempt to communicate every Friday to touch base.
“They’re going to give us an e-mail report on what the state is doing, and then we can disseminate that out to all the different agencies,” he said.
Renegade (anonymous) says...
I'm just curious....what are these "specific" programs that we have in place, that we are trying to get funding for?
Can I assume that these programs include those of ALL races that have lost their jobs at Tyson, and those that have lost their jobs with other companies?
We had a farewell party for the Somali's......
and the community members in the delegation to Topeka was from Friends of Faith...which appears to me to be a majority of Hispanics.(only judging from the newspaper photo's)...and, according to Mr.Zimmerman, they are asking for funding for "specific" programs.
Did I miss an announcement of what the specific programs are, and who they benefit?
Just asking.....................
February 19, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ozland (anonymous) says...
Come on Zimmerman and the City of Emporia-you just keep showing us that it is only certain people that you will support. Delegation ! How does one become worthy enough to have the City of Emporia advocate for them at the Governors office.
Zimmerman, you are asking the Governor, in essence -all of Kansas to bail you, the Commissions, and local government leaders out of your mistakes. It’s we the taxpayer that will have to eat your incompetence.
Nice that Don Hill is actually trying to pass legislation of some kind. For years Emporians have needed him, Rep. Mast, and Dr. Barnett to look out for legal residents and help to end the exploitation of corporate greed-yet, hum-they seem to only now be working to address issues. I’d love to see them all sit down- it would be funny, to see if they could with all that Special Interest Money in their back pockets.
One thing is clear to me after reading through the blogs-racism is alive and well in Emporia-the honest, legal white man does not count unless he jumps in bed with lawbreaking invaders.
February 20, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )