Tough economic times or not, Lyon County Commissioner Bob Davis felt that bringing Independence Day fireworks back to the county was something that had to be done, for the sake of tradition and for the sake of the children.
“When I was a boy, I had four things I really looked forward to,” he said. “Of course Christmas, and the Fourth of July, and my birthday, and probably one of the most important things was my grandmother, who I didn’t get to see too often, because she always brought me a nickel’s worth of jawbreakers. And that was usually around the Fourth of July.”
Davis made the motion near the end ofThursday’s county commission meeting “to fund 2009 and subsequent Fourth of July celebrations with the assistance of service clubs not to exceed $10,000 annually.” Commissioners Scott Briggs and Marshall Miller joined Davis in passing the motion 3-0, reinstating a fireworks display after the city elected not to fund one this year because of budget cuts. Davis said during the meeting that he felt that the Fourth of July and Veterans Day should be celebrated every day.
He said Friday that the economic situation of the city and the entire country affected things like the fireworks show, but that the city and county had a mutual understanding of its importance.
“I feel it’s the county’s responsibility as the primary taxing entity to assist and keep some of these traditions alive,” he said. “I think it means a lot to our young people, it means a lot to the community structure and what we stand for. And I think Veteran’s Day and Fourth of July — extremely important to capitalize on their importance so we don’t drift away from our independence and the importance of Veteran’s Day.”
City Manager Matt Zimmerman, who first proposed cutting the fireworks display from the city budget last year, said he was appreciative of the county commission supporting it.
“I think that’s a great thing,” he said. “I also think that it makes a certain amount of sense, since most of the people who attend the fireworks, we believe, at least a number of them don’t live in Emporia. And of course, all Emporia residents are county residents as well. So I think there’s a certain amount of common sense or logic to that.”
In past years, the fireworks display was based at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. Davis hopes the county can work with the city to use the 70 acres around the Jones Aquatic Center, north of the soccer fields.
“It’s much more visible, a lot of parking out there, roadways all around it, and I think it could be seen for miles up on that hill,” he said. “But that’s an issue ... we’ll work out.”
He said the county would like for the Optimist Club to continue to help fund the show and provide assistance.
County Clerk Karen Hartenbower said that while the funding action is binding for next year, the section of the motion about “subsequent” Fourth of July celebrations doesn’t really carry any weight, because future commissions aren’t bound to actions by a previous commission.
Also at Thursday’s meeting, county commissioners looked at four potential mill levies in an overview of the county’s preliminary 2009 budget at their action meeting Thursday morning.
Bob Agler of A&M Consulting gave commissioners a version of the mill levy based on initial departmental requests, a version after modifications, a “potential target” mill levy based on expenditures staying exactly the same as they were the previous year, and a modification with sales tax added.
Agler said a $1.5 million estimate for sales tax revenue was arbitrarily used as a conservative estimate; the number expected to be closer to $1.9 million based on recent budget history. Commissioners will hold a one-hour session on the budget at next Wednesday’s work session.
In other activity, commissioners:
• Voted to purchase a bronze Braille American flag for the courthouse for $465. The Braille flags, created by Wichita native Randolph Cabral, have been distributed to servicemen and women worldwide through the Kansas Braille Transcription Institute, for which Cabral serves as president. Commissioners hadn’t yet decided where in the courthouse the flag would be located.
• Approved the purchase of a used 1996 New Holland 6640 SL Tractor for $6,000 from state surplus.
• Voted to make an early payment of $750,000 on Lyon County Courthouse bonds.
Comments
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Posted by midnightlilly (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I honestly don't care about the fireworks display, the county commissioners should worry about more important things going on than the fireworks display.
Bob Davis needs to live in modern society not in the 1960's. I wouldn't give a dime of my money to support the Lyon Country commissioners.
Posted by Mypoint (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Midnight this is just political grandstanding at its finest. Davis waited until after the 4th so that he could look like the hero trying to support the fireworks display, but since it is to late to do anything about it this year he doesn’t actually have to do anything. If he really wanted to support the 4th he would have proposed this BEFORE the Holiday.
This way he gets the good PR and he didn’t have to do anything. It must be an election year for him.
Posted by d23_66801 (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You got it mypoint! all this whole county is about is $$. This is the most self centered place I have ever lived. midnight if you don't care then close your eyes and don't ruin it for the children whom really think that the display is a spectacular thing. maybe the city fathers should get their heads out of their rear and do something with this place.
Posted by hogan77 (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good Lord. First, we complain that something needs to be done. Now, that it is finally being done, we complain some more?
It is incredibly true that the commissioners need to do something about the community, before it all goes up in smoke. I was one of the ones who originally said that.
How in the world can the public do something in just 2 weeks time? I am sure that trying to get the funding in that short of time was near impossible. I see that the city of Emporia just had to lay in the bed that the commissioners made for them. Simple as that. No need to complain about it, nothing will come of it.
midnight, I am sure there is no way that Mr. Davis is trying to live in the past. A fond memory recalled is just that. A fond memory. If he had been trying to live in the past, there would have been a fireworks display this year, one way or another. Back then, life was much more simple... communities thrived, family life was great, and you loved your neighbors. Simple pleasures were much more important than the almighty dollar, and our freedom was more important than anything. If he was living in the past... certainly he would have found a way to handle this subject, rather than sweeping it under the rug until afterwards. I am not vouching for Mr. Davis, nor do I support him. I feel, that as commissioner, he should have realized the importance of something like this, and deal with it before time was up. I would say that he, as well as the other commissioners, would have had the information well ahead of when the general public did. They waited until a few weeks before the 4th to notify the public that nothing was going to be done this year, giving them an out and not having to deal with the problem.
Perhaps this will set up the community to be prepared for next year's 4th of July. This gives you all time to get to city hall, and fight for what you all want... public fireworks displays, and the ability to shoot off your own, in the comfort of your own homes. Don't complain about a deed already done, no matter what the reasoning behind it may have been. It just means now you know who and who not to vote for when the time comes. Be like we were in the past... appreciate life and what you have, and if something happens that is taking away your freedom, fight for it. Don't just sit idly by and try to let government fix it. You are the ones to make the big difference... not politicians.
Posted by coble34 (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think everyone should be happy that Mr. Davis proposed this idea to bring the fireworks back. Some people have been making this annual tradition since the 1960's so "midnightlilly" should probably think about other people's traditions that have been going forever. It not only makes people happy, it makes the town of Emporia look like they care about making the people happy!
Posted by midnightlilly (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am not against the fireworks display, I just dislike the county commissioners. I could go all day long on my dislike for them, but I can see this would be an argument I wouldn't win.
Posted by LifeGoesOn (anonymous) on July 12, 2008 at 4:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Independence Day is more than just an expression of an historic American desire to be independent from England. It is more than a separation of a colony from the home country. Independence from England was declared to end the abuse of government on the governed. It was a declaration of independence from an over-arching structure of feudal treatment. It was a radical idea in its time - a large “benevolent” government usurps the individual, God-given rights of men.
Our founding fathers did not espouse a large central government, they rejected one.
((Our founding fathers did not hold to the idea that government was a charitable organization dedicated to ensuring that everyone was happy by providing fireworks.)))
They presumed, correctly, that most would be happy if they were given equal opportunity in the pursuit of happiness, in the equal administration of liberty, and a right to live without undue interference from government.
As we celebrate our God-given rights on the next July 4th. Let us not forget what our statement of Independence in 1776 was meant to reject. While times may have changed since then, the basis upon which we declared independence should not. If you keep that in mind, it will serve you well for the rest of your life.
I am sadded by those who seem to think that government "owes the people their happiness" on Independence Day.
I remember a saying, Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.
If one wants something, work for it. Do not sit in the background and expect it to fall in your lap.
Posted by create (anonymous) on July 12, 2008 at 6:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Excellent commentaries, Hogan77 and LifeGoesOn. Let me just add what I have said before, that just last week there was a meeting of the City Commission wherein they asked for public input for budget priorities. NINE people attended.
Posted by jmb232 (anonymous) on July 12, 2008 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Especially in this economic climate I don't think this is a good way to spend the taxpayers money. With the fuel costs what they are and other costs of operation in the county I don't think you can justify the cost. A donation of $1000.00 might be considered reasonable and might spur the other agencies and buisness to donate also.
There is a lot better way to spend $10,000.00 such as helping our less fortunate, our veterans or feeding our citizens that may not have enough to eat or have health problems.
Posted by Renegade (anonymous) on July 12, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Create...WERE YOU one of the 9 at the Budget meeting? NO!!!!..You heard about it on the radio.
It's easy to be self righteous and criticize everyone that didn't go to the Budget meeting, sitting at your computer...but, it would be different if you had attended yourself.
You told the people of Emporia if they didn't like it, because there were no fireworks this year, that they should pack up a dinner, gas up their cars, and go!...who cared..and who was going to stop them.
Create...I wasn't at the Budget meeting. I couldn't be. BUT...I DID GO to the City Manager, and the City Attorney and other people in City Hall. I asked questions, and I am still asking questions about the fireworks, and, I am being involved. Didn't see you there Create!!!
Whether you are for, or against something, you have a right to your opinion...That's what we CELEBRATE on the 4th of July too..Our Independence!!!!.
I don't like the way our tax $ is always spent either..But, when was the last time it was spent on something that made people smile...and have a good time..and be proud of our town?.....Hmmmm...I must have missed it.
LifeGoesOn...Clearly you sound like another Educater...and, I am impressed with your words...but, honestly, I don't think the "City Fathers" would have been very proud if they had driven through Emporia this 4th of July week end...and seen the lack of Flags..and celebration by the people, the businesses...and, our leaders!!
What I have noticed about Emporia lately...is we, as a town, and people, are OLD..and staunchy...dying...and whining...and, watching as the smaller communities around us are starting to grow,and, come alive!!
And, by the way..I don't always ask "what my country can do for me...I do ask what can I do for my country"....I can't do everything, and..I don't have to like everything. but, I don't just sit back and quote Constitution to everyone either.
Posted by LifeGoesOn (anonymous) on July 12, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Renegade, A big Thank You for doing all you do for your country, you should be proud of yourself. I do not quite understand however, that you assumed I was speaking directly to you?
I also do not understand why you would assume that I only "quote Constitution to everyone"
Believing oneself to be better and more important than others with statements like "...I DID GO to the City Manager, and the City Attorney and other people in City Hall. I asked questions, and I am still asking questions about the fireworks, and, I am being involved." seems to imply that you are somehow doing more than others. Please do not assume you know me or the actions I have made to better this community.
On a final note, I am happy to know that You are impressed with my words but I must tell you I am not an Educator. Clearly you are mistaken in yet another Assumption.
Posted by create (anonymous) on July 13, 2008 at 5:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Renegade: No, I was not one of the nine who attended the city budget meeting. That meeting was designed to discuss budget priorities, and I had no serious input with regard to budget priorities. Nonetheless, were I someone with a keen desire to see the city finance a fireworks display for the 4th of July next year, I'd have attended in order to suggest such an expenditure. When I heard on KVOE that only nine had attended the meeting, I was astounded given the amount of complaining that was taking place, hence my reason for bringing it up on the forum.
I regret that you misread what I had to say about packing up a dinner and leaving the city to enjoy fireworks on the 4th. It was my way of saying "if somebody hands you a lemon, make lemonade." As I recall, SiameseFred stepped in to explain my comments when I came under attack the first time.
With regard to personal appearances at City Hall, thank you for taking the time to do that. I have neither the reason nor the desire to do that on account of fireworks.
I enjoy fireworks just like most people do; however, in the face of a troubling economy, I prefer to take a more conservative approach and curtail spending on luxuries. Spending a large amount of money just to make people smile is something I consider frivolous, particularly right now when many in Emporia are not smiling because they don't have enough to eat or they can't pay their utility bills. Many in Emporia can barely afford the gas it takes to get to work, and many are making the choice between meat for their families and gasoline. Somehow, not having fireworks pales in comparison.
Posted by Renegade (anonymous) on July 13, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Create...I'll drop the remarks about the "leaving town" now...and, I still think it's ok to complain about something you don't like in our community, and not go to the Budget meetings.
Also, as far as my going to City Hall. It's one of those things that if you don't like something, and complain, you're told to stop complaining and, "do something"...If you tell anyone you tried to do something...you're accused of believing you're "better than other everyone else"...Sorta dam*ed if you do, and dam*ed if you don't" Don't you think?
I do know that you step forward when you believe in something Create. And, I think we agree to disagree on the fireworks.....
I remember Mr. Zimmerman informing us, after the panic when Tyson cut back, that Emporia wasn't in as terrible financial problems as some believed. That there was money to take care of some programs.
I realize Create, that, to some..the fireworks display, may be frivilous, but, if that were the case..then, we should allow people that wanted fireworks in our city..to have the the ordinence either lifted for this year...or over-turned...so they could purchase their own fireworks....AND, again...I think it would bring sales tax revenue to our City...(not just the County)
Smiles...on kids faces...are important...I don't know if you had fireworks, at home, when you were growing up. I remember the fun, and, the fun we had with our own kids and Grandkids.....I also understand how some people may be against them and others for them.
So, I would like to make sure this issue is on a ballot before next 4th of July, or our Commissioners can review it before then, and give us an answer.
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