zander (anonymous) says...

There's just ANOTHER idiotic response from crackinsack. Everyone he/she knows is doing fine. Then maybe crackinsack wouldn't mind if some of the hundreds layed off in Emporia recently stopped by his/her house for a little assistance. Take off the blinders crack!

April 13, 2009 at 3:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

djdiablo (anonymous) says...

Once again...7 to 9 commissioners from districts around Emporia...the Commission should reflect the needs of the entire community, east, north, and "the other side of the tracks," not just one or two "exclusive" neighborhoods. Demand it. Make it happen.

S. C. DIXON

April 13, 2009 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Bjnemp (anonymous) says...

Crack: You must be living on another planet. Every one of your comments are so removed from reality as to be inane, or insane.

"You Mercer bros sure hate this economy lately. Everyone I know is doing just fine..."

Wow. Who are these fortunate folks you claim to know? I am not wealthy. In fact, I am just a middle-class poor retired guy living in Emporia, Kansas. In the last two years I have lost nearly 50% of my life's saving which is invested in IRA mutual fund accounts. Half of my savings, my retirement nest egg, gone. Poof! Six figures; Vanished in a flash.

In 2004 I invested $30,000 in remodeling my home in west Emporia. Since then, the value of my home has dropped $30,000 and is still dropping, as is everyone else's in town. In the meantime, taxes have gone up and will continue to do so. Prices on consumer goods continue to rise. Unemployment is at record levels.

I would love to visit the world you and your friends live in, Crack. Do Dorothy, Toto, and the Munchkins live there, too?

April 13, 2009 at 4:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

crackinsack

I don't understand why you seem to have such a need to be mean spirited. Perhaps the idea of a recount is clouding your judgement.

Mike was on the slate of candidates when I ran for city commission a few years ago. While Mike and I differed on some issues, I can say that I had the highest regard for him as a candidate. He always acquited himself as a gentleman. I know he cared about this city and its future.

You see his words as complaint, in part because you and those around you are doing well in this economy. I'm happy for you. But things haven't gotten better since the last city commission election. The poverty rate here is Emporia Kansas is at least 17.9%, perhaps even higher. Look around at the payday loan shops that were profiting from the low wage base that is part of the city's economic development plan. They're profits are even higher now. In fact, payday loans and pawn shops seem to be the few growth industriies around here. Look at the delapidated rentals in the city's core. Look at how they take advantage of people living on the margins, particularly Emporia's minorities and students.

I'm somewhat stunned to think that someone who was interested in improving the lot of more than just the powerful and privileged around here is so casually dismissed as a complainer. I guess I'm naive. I'd like to think that this town's politics and economic structures would work for the benefit of all, even those who don't run around in the trendy circles or live in the high rent or mortgage districts. I think Mike was thinking along those lines when he ran for office. He was hoping to be part of a brighter future for more than just Emporia's privileged.

Yes, crackinsack, everything is just fine here. There's nothing that needs to be improved. Why this is a hybrid of Camelot and Utopia. We're almost heaven on earth.

It must seem that way for those who seem to be doing fine right now. That's when it's so easy to do the Marie Antoinette thing - "Let them eat cake."

April 13, 2009 at 4:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Tell (anonymous) says...

Mike I wonder, do you think the city manager is doing a good job?

April 13, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

booker5m (anonymous) says...

I havnt seen anything the City Manager has done. For that fact any of the City Commish. I voted on the smoking issue and wrote in Mercer. I did not vote for any of the Commish that were up. Left it blank. My way of protesting the job they are doing

April 13, 2009 at 6:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

cheerup (anonymous) says...

I'm not sure why you would write in Mercer when he was already on the ballot????

April 13, 2009 at 9:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

"I'm not sure why you would write in Mercer when he was already on the ballot????"

I'm not sure why someone would put "????" instead of a period at the end of a statement.

April 13, 2009 at 9:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

spectator (anonymous) says...

This commission allowed the city manager an additional $3,000.00 /year raise (He received a $5,000.00/year raise a couple of years ago.) yet 220+ years of city employee experience walked out the door in December 2008. I suppose that in crack's world this is an indication of "just fine".

April 13, 2009 at 11:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justamarine (anonymous) says...

Crack-
You posted,
...I just get tired of hearing people complain all the time. Sorry. I withdraw my earlier post. Maybe I am just vexed by the thought of a recount…

Not everyone is on drugs or alcohol like you,they live in the real world,with real world problems.They don't have the state looking out for them. It's their right to complain,I suppose that is another right you want taken away from them then your world would be a happy one then. And as far as the recount you would have wanted one if it came out different and that close also. So get vexed you twit, it is part of the process and it's only going to cost the tax payers money if it gets turned around. Have you been drinking too many energy drinks, or cokes, I bet you ate too much red meat again. I told you that they were bad for you.

April 13, 2009 at 11:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

People, don't hold your breath on the recount being any different than it was the first time.
You must remember one thing, that being, who the rulers of Emporia and Lyon County are and the power and monetary backing that these rulers have backing them and which, if any, politicians, etc., they may have as allies !
You don't really believe that all of the grant monies that the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition or CAE receives is used just for " HUMANITARIAN " purposes do you ?
You also need to remember that the now ruling Queen is also a County Commissioner .
The taking away of freedoms, liberties, personal rights and civil liberties by imposing bans, etc. is not over by any means !
I have said it before and I will say it again now ! We are all witnessing the birth and beginning of " TYRANNY ", which has been happening, gradually for some time now . However this smoking ban is an open and blatant show of whats to come !
It would seem that many Americans have forgotten what has taken place in History and that is too bad !
It has been said that, " History Repeats Itself " !
I sincerely hope the recount does come out in favor of the ban being defeated, but I really don't think the result will be any different .
Mr. Helbert, I do appreciate your effort in demanding a recount, Thank You and LOL.

April 14, 2009 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

While I don't think the recount will make any difference, you have to hand it to Helbert for asking for it.

Less than 1/2% point difference, I think no-one should be surprised it was asked for. As I stated before Tammy Vopat and her staff did a great job!

April 14, 2009 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )