With just more than two weeks left, two people have filed for three open seats on the Emporia City Commission.
Commissioner Kevin Nelson filed for re-election Friday afternoon. He has held his seat for the past two years.
Three commission seats will be open in the upcoming election: Nelson’s, Julie Johnson’s, and Jim Kessler’s. Kessler filed to run for re-election last month. Johnson was not available for comment by press time.
City Clerk Susan Mendoza said that no one else has yet filed to run for the open seats. The deadline to file is noon Jan. 27.
Nelson said his decision to run again was based on his desire to serve the community, and with two years of experience on the commission, he believes he has the knowledge to better serve.
“The reason why I ran initially was because I felt I could have an impact for the city of Emporia and the surrounding area,” Nelson said. “I think over two years, it’s been a good learning experience, and I think it takes a little while to get adjusted to all the different things you see. After two years, I think I have a clearer picture and I can give even better input if I’m elected again.”
Nelson said he believes the commission has accomplished a lot in the last two years, and there are many things left to do.
“I guess why anybody runs is to give back to the community and do it in a positive way,” he said. “I think as a commission, we’ve accomplished quite a few things. We still have a lot of things left out there that we need to deal with, and I really don’t want to jump without seeing some of those things accomplished, as well as see Emporia move forward.”
Joe (anonymous) says...
I expect to see a flood of applications for city commissioner from all of you that heavily criticized the commission this year. You all seem to have the pulse of the community and have all the correct answers to the problems that face Emporia. This city needs experts like you?!? It's time for you all back up your comments.
January 10, 2009 at 1:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Nope not me. I have a full time job and am a full time dad. I can't afford a nanny or someone else to raise my kids so I can't do it now. But in the future perhaps I will be able to. Until such time as it is more feasible for me to do so I will continue to exercise my freedom of speech and voice my disagreements with decisions I...... well disagree with.
Joe
I'm sorry if my complaining has caused you to complain, for apparently the first time in your life. You must live such a charmed life to have a little complaining disturb your life so much.
January 10, 2009 at 2:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sociallyconsious (anonymous) says...
Ladies and Gentlemen I so agree with Joe. Most people on here constantly critize the way our elected officials govern, so this is your chance. Don't wait, the deadline is approaching. You can represent the average joe and show us that you can do a better job than the current commission, or do you just want to complain?
January 10, 2009 at 2:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
sociallyconsious
I am also very happy for you that your life has been so incredibly blessed that you have never had anything in your life to complain about but sadly there are those of us that aren't so fortunate. As long as there is freedom of speech in this country I'm sorry to say that when you come down from your glorious tower you may have to put up with some grumbling from the unfortunate sons and daughters in this country.
January 10, 2009 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Joe (anonymous) says...
seriouslyfolks-
There are people that are proactive and say they can, do, and will. Then there are people that are sideline critics that say they can't, don't, and won't.
January 10, 2009 at 4:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spuds4all (anonymous) says...
Why run now when you can wait till next election and the pay rate should be about 23k that is if the gov. is still active then.
January 10, 2009 at 5:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Well then, Joe, are we to deduce that you are one of the proactive can, do and will's? Personally, I appreciate someone who chooses to serve the community by preparing his children for the lives ahead of them, making productive, well-adjusted citizens of them. To my way of thinking, he is doing his part in community service by actively parenting while making his voice heard to the people who do run for those offices. My friends who are public servants agree with this prioritization and they would know. They have to deal with the fallout of children who were left to raise themselves because their parents' career ambitions--no matter how seemingly noble--took priority.
I'm with you, seriously. Thank you for raising your children first.
January 10, 2009 at 7:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trainrech (anonymous) says...
Ok, we've now heard from but a small portion of the "throw the bums out" crowd. Where are the rest of you (use the search function if you have forgotten)?
Not surprisingly, quiet.
January 11, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Hey everyone chill!
There will most likely be a flood of people filing before the deadline. Then we can start bad-mouthing the candidates, (and those who chose not to run).I don't know you Joe because you CHOOSE to remain anonymous, but if your last name isn't Nelson , Agler, Longbine, or Kessler then maybe YOU should file.
Respectively,
Steve Corbin
January 11, 2009 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I would extend the above invitation to file for office to sociallyconsious, but she sounds a lot like Julie Johnson who is already on the commission.
Respectively
Steve Corbin
January 11, 2009 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
rbow- Hey, do you know how much the filing fee for City Commissioner happens to be. Its been more than 30 years since I made a run for a Commission seat and at that time as now , I am bull-headed, self consious about other citizens rights, libertys, etc., have the ability to listen to all peoples concerns, am pretty frugal, have a certain amount of common sense, ability to think and reason, and definately am an advocate of doing only what will be right and beneficial to all citizens and not just those with money and influence. Of course I am much older now, have some physical and health problems, my other draw backs seem to be as some put it, my lack of logic, the fact that I come from the wrong side of town ( the tracks), am an uneducated " old fart" (according to some), "just don't get it" ( according to some), not one of the socially prominant and do not have a lot of money !
What do you think rbow, (Steve), should I make another attempt at Commissioner ?
January 11, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
P.S.
Also as far back as I can remember there has never been a Commissioner elected from the so called wrong side of town or so called wrong side of th tracks.
January 11, 2009 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Methusela:
While I think you would make a great commissioner, I don't know if you could put up with the bulls--t. I would vote for you. I thought about running myself also,but the health and time constraints won out over that. I think it only costs 30 or 50 dollars to file, let me check. You would have campaign expenses, I would donate some. Talk to your family and friends and see what they think. If you think you can give it your all, I say hell yes!
Steve
January 11, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
Spuds it sounds like your getting the city commisioners salary confused with the county, the city makes far less.
January 11, 2009 at 4:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sociallyconsious (anonymous) says...
rbow thank you for the suggestion, but at this point in my life I have family responsibilities which will not allow me to serve on any more boards. As a supporter of giving back to your community I do feel you should put actions into your words, and I stand behind my invitation to all of those who do not like the system. Make a stand, run for office, and let your point of view be known in a media where it can make a difference.
January 11, 2009 at 7:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Methusla:
Have you thought more about running? Talked to your family and friends? I know right now I can't do it, unless no-one else files. We might have to do a write in campaign.
I sure hope there are some waiting for the deadline to file, that's what usually happens.
Steve
January 13, 2009 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
rbow- I have talked to my family and friends and they believe like you that I would not be able to put up with the B.S. of the other easily influenced Commissioners. So I guess given my attitude I will have to pass on running for a Commission seat.
January 13, 2009 at 11:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
methusla;
Well, we still have a few days to decide. You and I could file, even if we didn't actively campaign, just to give people another name on the ballot to check, but then with our luck we would get elected and have to serve.
Steve
January 14, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
You know if I had any say you would, Steve and methusla ; ). Just think of all you could get away with once you're elected--because apparently, once the election happens, we citizens are done until the next election (someone said that to me in person today---AAAAAHHHHH!) .
Steve, if I find a notary to notarize these sheets before I bring them to you, is that okay? I usually have kids with me after 2:30 so coming into the bar is out--unless I know far enough in advance to arrange a place to drop them off while I come in. When do you want these in and where are you on collecting more over the weekend? I have about 65 people I still want to approach as time allows and more keep coming to mind every minute.
BTW, gas stations are a great place to approach the workers and a few customers at a time.
January 14, 2009 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
oh4theluvof:
Yes please notarize them before you drop them off, if there is a charge to you I will pay for it,(part of my business costs).
If you could get some of them in before the weekend then we could verify them . We are real close, but want to keep collecting thru next week. There are a couple of ads coming out in the paper telling those who want to sign to call the bar and we'll bring them to them. I can't thank you enough for your help.
Steve
January 14, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )