Johnson Files for re-election to city commission
Commissioner Julie Johnson decided to run again
By Russ Morgan (Contact)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Emporia City Commissioner Julie Johnson filed on Monday afternoon to run for re-election.
Johnson’s decision to run again is the result of her positive experiences on the commission, and is based on her desire to move the city toward more prosperous times.
“I think these are challenging times,” she said, “and my experience on the commission in the past has been very positive, and I hope I can continue to bring positive ideas and work as we continue and try to work through these difficult times. I’m fully aware that this is not an easy time for anyone in this country, but I think that we have some opportunities, and I would like very much to be a part of making the most of the opportunities that we have and helping to get the city moving again and working towards some positive things.”
Three seats on the city commission are to be open for the upcoming election: Johnson’s, Kevin Nelson’s and Jim Kessler’s.
Kessler filed for re-election last month, and Nelson filed Friday afternoon.
No one else has filed to run for the open seats. The deadline to file is noon Jan. 27.
Joe (anonymous) says...
Hard to believe with so many "experts" in this community that these are the only canidates to apply. I guess the people that truly care the most about our community are going to continue their hard work to make it better. Actions do speak louder than words.
January 12, 2009 at 6:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
Joe
Some have to contnue to support thier families by working fulltime jobs and don't have the time to stop in the middle of the day to go play leader, It would be nice to not need the money so one could run for office but my guess is Most people can not afford to. by making your comment, you put yourself in the same boat with the so called experts you speak of.
January 12, 2009 at 6:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paccifier (anonymous) says...
Joe:
It is still to early. If you will watch- there will be a number of people who are thinking about running and will wait until last day or two so they can see who else is running- always happens. The deadline to file is Noon Jan. 27, as noted in the article. Still time for you to file.
January 12, 2009 at 7:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Good God I want to post right now, but I'll wait till tomorrow.
Steve
January 12, 2009 at 8:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
secondintermissions (anonymous) says...
rbow- looking forward to your post.
Our fair city needs commissioners and the community support to back up the fundamentals that America was founded on. Not necessarily the much disputed "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" but moreover, "Justice without peace is tyranny."
Commissioner Nelson has my vote already, as I feel he speaks for the majority of the community, objectively and rationally, as a commissioner is meant to do. And, I wouldn't mind seeing rbow on the ballot, as he would have my vote as well.
January 13, 2009 at 2:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Joe,
To list just a few things, "the people that truly care the most about our community" are the ones who go to work everyday to earn a living, pay their taxes on time, shop Emporia, support local charities, remember to vote, and try to save a few bucks in a local bank. Many of us find the time to volunteer regularly in local organizations or church groups, or when there's a call, we grab our tools and go help some organization paint a house or build a playground.
Do you volunteer, Joe, or do you just flap your lips? Like you say, "actions speak louder than words," and your own action of posting what you did speaks volumes of the kind of person a community really can't depend on.
January 13, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Joe (anonymous) says...
Amazing that when the critics are criticized how they become argumentative and have numerous excuses and explanations. I, too, get up early and go to a full time job. I always shop Emporia, pay my taxes, vote, support charities, and try to save as much money as possible for my family. I absolutely admire each and every one of you that do. I am not rich monetarily but rich in life and family. I have served both my community, country, and the freedoms for which they stand. I am darn glad to have the local leaders that we have. They too have families they support. They too care about Emporia. They get $500 a month with no benefits other than that they love Emporia and want to make it better. You can't do a job like that and ask for any money reward. We may not all agree with their decisions or politics, but for people to attack them personally is absolute lunacy. I simply state that if you can do a better job...do it. You will have my support.
January 13, 2009 at 11:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Joe
Since you have served your country as I have, you surely along the way have heard of a little thing called freedom of speech. This is a public forum and we are free to speak our minds.
You basically tell people to put up or shut up. That is unrealistic and un-American. If people aren't allowed to voice their opposing views then how do the government officials know what the will of the people is? Aren't the opinions of the voters supposed to be taken into consideration along with the personal opinions of the officials? How are they supposed to know what we are saying when we're told to just shut up?
January 13, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
seriouslyfolks:
Your above reply to Joe is right on the money. Thank you for exercising one of your few remaining rights.
Joe;
I stated before that to run for political office and serving takes more work than most people understand, I know, I ran for city commission once. The experience was rewarding even though I wasn't elected. That was about 20 years ago. Now my health prohibits running again, because I think you should be willing and ABLE to do the best possible job for the electors, and I don't believe I could do that.
I do, however, feel well enough to state my opinions in the public forum as long as it is legal to do so.
Steve Corbin
January 13, 2009 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
I have thought about it trying for a seat myself. I think a hard working citizen like the rest of you could bring change for the better instead of the same ol, same ol, we have been complaining about. But I, like many may feel that we aren't as 'qualified' enough but are certainly smart enough to see and hear what this community needs. Our rights are shrinking by the day and our concerns aren't being met. The USA is in a hardship but we were there long before. I truly hope someone steps up and steps in who is here for the "people". Its a tough seat to be in but nothing in life worth having is easy.
January 13, 2009 at 11:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
hottopics;
the only qualifications for service is the urge and the ability to serve.
I know a lot of college educated people (some 6 years or more), and a lot of people that barely made it through high school. Your qualifications for office have less to do with your education than they do with the fire in your belly.
If you think you could serve the people then by all means run for office. You sound like someone I would be proud of voting for.
Steve
January 14, 2009 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Now that Ms. Johnson has filed for re-election do you think she and the other commissioners should push back the date that the smoking ban takes effect until after the April 7th election in order to give the voters the chance to decide? It only seems fair and equal to me, what about you people?
Steve
January 15, 2009 at 9:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
How about it JOE?
Do you think the city commission should change the date of the new smoking ban till the day after the election to get the true voice of the people?
Steve Corbin
January 16, 2009 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )