The steel skeleton that once was the Pallets Plus building should disappear within 3 weeks from the landscape south of Emporia.
Lyon County commissioners discussed the status of the standing steel beams and debris during their study session Wednesday morning in the commission meeting room of the courthouse.
The building and its contents, which were destroyed in a fire about a year and a half ago, have been a source of complaints for months. The building is at the northwest corner of Road 130 and Kansas Highway 99.
Sam Seeley, flood plain manager and zoning director, told commissioners he had talked with a local real estate agent who had a prospective buyer for the property.
“There’s still a person out there who wants to buy, but they (owners) won’t give him a price,” Seeley said.
“We have the authority to go in and clean it off,” County Attorney Marc Goodman told commissioners. “... They obviously don’t care. They just immediately moved to the Americus Road and started business there.”
County crews will have finished current projects within the next two to three weeks and will be available to raze what’s left of the building.
“If they haven’t moved on this by the time your crew is ready to tear it down, I’d proceed,” commission chairman Scott Briggs said.
Representatives of CKEC Engineering reported the results of a countywide bridge inspection project that showed no serious problems on any of the 406 bridges in Lyon County; the figure includes 10 bridges considered to be within the city limits.
Commissioners received a request for a $10,000 donation to the William Allen White Partnership board of directors.
Judy Schade, John Mallon and Steve Haught of the Partnership talked to the commissioners about the need to support the historical site, which does not receive money from the state of Kansas. Educating both children and adults about White’s prominence on the national scene is a primary goal of the group, which is working with educators to bring in more fourth- and seventh-grade students to tour the home.
Vicky Henley of the Kansas State Historical Society attended with the group and talked in more depth about the teaching program and materials that have been developed for the site. The White home study guide includes pre-tour guide to prepare the students before the visit and test questions to follow up after.
The society also has published a Kansas history book that includes White in eight sections. Haught purchased the book Wednesday morning and donated it to the county.
Mallon, who joined the Partnership about one year ago, said that discussion during one of the first meetings he attended centered on the possibility of having to close the site.
“Our partnership hadn’t been doing a good enough job raising money to keep it open,” Mallon said.
Mallon said it is important to create synergy between the Granada Theatre, the historical museum and other sites to produce better results overall for the city.
He, Haught and others in the group have solicited donations from the public through a tax-credit program that can result, for example, in an actual cost of $250 for a $1,000 donation, Haught said. Partnerships with other groups also are being created.
Commissioners briefly discussed the feasibility of donating $10,000 during tight economic times. They noted that the city of Emporia, which already has committed to a $10,000 donation, will draw the money from motels’ guest tax receipts rather than from the basic city budget. The county has no funds from guest taxes.
Commissioners also noted that operational costs for the White home are about $60,000 annually, a figure that include salary for a full-time director at the house. They said they were reluctant to donate county money to finance a budget that is made up primarily of salary costs.
Commissioners also discussed the $10,000 the county donated for the fireworks display held on July 4. The city has not donated money directly to the fireworks project for the past two years.
The commission will decide soon whether they will finance the display again in 2010.
Comments
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madpoet (anonymous) says...
Can the county sell the steel for scrap to recoup some of the clean-up cost? Could they bill the company that has let that eyesore sit there for all these months? Or both? I find it offensive that the taxpayers will have to pay to clean up a private companies mess.
Mallon did a good job with the Granada Theater, hopefully he can help out the White group too. Does anyone know what the salary is for the director?
July 9, 2009 at 12:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
How about a county visitor center in that location for folks travlin' in from Greenweed county. They could stop there and tinkle and whatnot.
July 9, 2009 at 1:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Great idea, we could promote the......... chicken house? Sounds about as viable as what Longbine proposed.
July 9, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
I am glad this situation is being dealt with now, but I am profoundly confused. The last I had heard on this was:
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...
"Some discussion centered around the site of the Pallets Plus building, which burned more than a year ago. An audience member expressed concern over the condition of the site and the safety hazards. Briggs responded and said it is a concern, however, it is within city jurisdiction because the site is in the city’s metropolitan planning area."
Why was it City and not County responsibility in April, but now County is overseeing it? Was there a piece of info missing? Like I said, confused!!
July 9, 2009 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
If Pallets Plus isn't billed for the county having to raze that building, I'll be surprised. They certainly should be. I wonder why Pallets Plus has been dragging their feet about a price? Perhaps if they sell, they may have to clean it up. I hope some other business keeps it in better shape than Pallets Plus did. That place was an eyesore.
July 9, 2009 at 4:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Forget the WAW Alliance $10,000. County alread budgets funds to the Historical Society. If it is worthwhile and draws tourists off the highways, the bed tax is the place to get public money.
July 9, 2009 at 4:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truelovecharlie (anonymous) says...
The insurance payment to Pallets Plus should have been made out to them and the city or county to ensure final clean up. When there is a tornado a percentage of the payment from insurance on totalled property is held in trust, with the local authority, to insure a full clean up takes place.
July 9, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Visitor center.... great idea! Or maybe we could build something like BETO Junction (Burlington, Emporia, Topeka, Ottawa)..... lets see.......Hartford, Olpe............ Strong City, Emporia.
HOSE Junction
.
July 9, 2009 at 5:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Maybe I should have re-arranged them to SHOE Junction. Then there could also be a shoe store there.
July 9, 2009 at 5:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Nope, HOSE is better! We can start a running commentary for comedic value on how we get "hosed." Even run oral essay competitions with other counties' residents to either prove our case or to gain perspective. Either way, it could be way more entertaining than shoes (I can't believe I just said that) by bringing in funner and funnier visitors. I vote HOSE Junction!!
July 9, 2009 at 5:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Here's what I don't understand, it looks as if the large steel I-beams got so hot that they just sorta melted and slumped over. It sure looks that way to me but this just can't be the case. "Why not Seriously?" you may ask. Well, I reckon I'll tell ya. You see liberals(like Rosie O'Donnel), who we all know are the smart ones, say that fire has never melted steel. So what appears to have happened out thar didn't. The only question left unanswered is, why did Bush take out Pallets Plus?
Seriously R. Folks
July 9, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Maybe Chaney was out there hunting and he took a shot, missed his hunting partner, and up from the ground came a bubblin' crude and Pallets Plus wouldn't sell the land to him so ................
July 9, 2009 at 6:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Maybe the CIA convinced someone that there were WMBs hidden there and we all know what happens when WMBs are suspected of being hidden somewhere, BOOOOOOOM !
Wonder if the CAE complained about the SHS !
July 9, 2009 at 7:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Or maybe someone thought OSAMA was hiding there !
July 9, 2009 at 7:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Knowing it would distract Chaney, his hunting partner was never so happy to see oil.
July 9, 2009 at 7:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Gosh, seriously, I can't believe that never dawned on me. Obviously the steel beams can't have melted from the heat. Given its proximity to the airport, it had to have been an airplane hit, but where is the plane? This just gets curiouser and curiouser (thanks Alice). Where is Inspector Closeau when you need him???!!!
Let's connect the dots for what we have so far:
1) Crack walked inside one day barefoot (despite the sign stating footwear was highly recommended) and was injured by SHS (stepped on a Second-Hand-Staple). She then convinced the CAE that exposure was dangerous even to those driving by on Hwy 99 (the occasional staple might inadvertantly make it out that far). The CAE then planted evidence to make it look like there were WMD's stored there, leaking stories and evidence, misleading the CIA, which then convinced Bush to authorize its destruction.
2) We're not sure yet whether Cheney owned a rival pallet company or stock in the company that will provide cleanup, but he did go hunting outside and shot the detonators to ignite the whole shebang, all the while pretending to be aiming at his CIA provided guide (who was wearing a bullet-proof vest).
3) The fact that there were known massive oil reserves underground bubbling up helped the fire spread and destroy all the evidence.
4) The CIA then lied about it to Congress, like they do all the time (according to Pelosi).
Sounds logical, but I have some alternate theories that I think bear equal consideration:
1) Since there were known oil reserves below it, Palin planned the whole thing so that she can now build an oil derrick above it and "Drill, Baby, Drill" - of course, it will be cleverly disguised as a hockey rink.
2) Burning it down was part of Obama's stimulus plan to create jobs to clean up the mess.
3) It was determined the company had too large of a carbon footprint - so as part of "cap and trade", it was destroyed. In exchange, Gore added another 10,000 square feet to his house, which uses electricity at such a massive rate the hospital and homeless shelters next door commonly have blackouts. Which of course is justified since he traded off the carbon credits by destroying the pallet company. He then won the Nobel Prize in Literature. (Don't ask me what the connection is, I never figured out what it had to do with the Peace Prize in the first place).
4) Totally accidental, no conspiracy: Biden was inside playing with matches above an open container of gas and oil.
I eagerly await further evidence and clues to be uncovered.....
July 9, 2009 at 11:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
open_eyes, I am totally impressed! I could never come up with that, especially that late at night. :)
You forgot the rumor I heard, that they were actually a cover for drug running and a rival burned them out. They don't want to clean it up since evidence could be buried in it.
I like the Palin one better. ;)
July 10, 2009 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Actually, late at night is probably the ONLY time I can come up with my best wild consipiracy theories - LOL.
Let's call it the "Hockey Rink to Nowhere"...... :-)
July 10, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
open_eyes, are you sure you aren't writing for the Daily Show and John Stewart or Stephen Colbert? I like your #2.
Okay, smarties, how many degrees of separation between the Pallets Plus scenario and Cheney or Bush or Obama?
madpoet, interesting rumor. Maybe thats what the "Plus" is all about. I always wondered plus? Plus what?
July 10, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Well, Kevin Bacon says there can only be 6 at the most.... did the building have any "Bushes" planted around it? Or any "Cheney" link fences? Can't come up with any corny Obama-sounding things right now.... unless you count the sound of a car backfiring on the highway as it passes by....... point of all 3 is.... the separation might be REALLLLLY slim..... :)
July 10, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Duey (anonymous) says...
Another instance of the government telling a business how they can run their business. How dare them to "...just immediately moved to the Americus Road and started business there". I mean for crying out loud, they just lost thier equipment and inventory in a major fire and displaced local employees. If it was my business I would be looking for the quickest way to get back on track and not lose contracts that are vital to my company's existance and get the trusted people I have back to work.
Granted the site is not the prettiest on 99 but it is private property and I am kinda tired of everyone else thinking that they need to tell others how to conduct thier business and live thier lives.
July 10, 2009 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
open_eyes, wasn't Bush in the oil business? Did Pallets Plus use oil in any of its trucks or machinery? That's two slim ones. Shucks!
July 10, 2009 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Shucks, maybe it was burned down by an overheated hotplate, having burgers cooked on it and now it will be used for a new 10 story, " WENDYS IN THE COUNTRY ", owned by " LIL ABNER & DAISY MAE " !
Oh, thats right I forgot about the oil under it polluting the ground. DARN.
July 10, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
And I think there used to be an ACORN tree behind the building, so Obama's in the thick of it too! - LOL
There are bullet holes in some of the signs up/down 99, so we KNOW Cheney's been around......
And you can see Bunge from the roof of the Pallet building, so Palin is close also......
I still think the most likely option is #4. Biden didn't think fire had been invented yet, so he didn't see anything wrong with lighting matches over the gas tank.
That's IT!!!!
Cheney saw Palin on the roof, fired a warning shot to get her down, which startled Obama so much he fell out of the ACORN tree and fell on Bush (who was hiding in the bushes, where else).......
Meanwhile, Biden was inside oblivious to the whole thing (as usual) - LOLOLOL
July 10, 2009 at 12:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Will the county be using any stimulus money to clean it up? AHA! The truth comes out!!!!
July 10, 2009 at 12:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
methusla, maybe it was just cooking oil underground, which would make it perfect for a "Country Wendy's". Even then I don't think we'd be allowed to "Drill, Baby, Drill".....
After all, we have natural oil and gas seepage off the California coast that it would be extremely easy to tap, as well as clean up the environment at the same time, and they won't let it happen...
"Natural oil seeps off the shore of Santa Barbara are responsible for substantial pollution of regional waters, and area environmental groups are eager to mitigate the problem. Oil companies want to take advantage of the seeps, which they see as an abundant oil resource, and thereby help clean up the environment..........The effective prohibition of oil production off California’s coast runs counter to California’s ambitious global warming efforts. By requiring that oil be transported farther distances to reach state consumers, it simply increases the amount of fuel—and hence carbon emissions—required to serve the consumer market"
The Santa Barbara seeps, for example emit 5,280 to 6,600 gallons (nearly 20 to 25 tons) of oil per day....... and that's just what seeps out naturally and goes to waste....
http://www.heartland.org/publications...
But then again, once you look at the mess California is in, and who they elect to the House and Senate...... figures....
July 10, 2009 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
What does Palin have to do with Bunge? I didn't think they could grow soybeans in Alaska. :) Maybe Bush and Cheney are really in the SOY oil business?
July 10, 2009 at 1:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Its all connected somehow, there's a conspiracy there I'm sure. After all, we've had them for 8 years, we can't quit now.... :)
She mistook Bunge for the lighthouse while out fishing in the fog.
July 10, 2009 at 1:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
It's all so clear now! Thanks open_eyes for opening my eyes. Sorry, I couldn't resist. It's been a long week.
July 10, 2009 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
open_eyes, lots of good laughter coming from my den. The Santa Barbara Seeps? Sounds like a personal problem to me. I'm sick, I tell you, sick! Thanks for the laughter.
July 10, 2009 at 1:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Duey (anonymous) says...
YYU4,
What is the mess on private property hurting? Did someone trespass on private property and get hurt? Is the steel frame of that building poluting the neighbors ground? Causing cancer to someone?
And just who exactly asked the county to get involved? Someone who is just a busy body and can't stand to look at someone else's hard luck?
I wish life and business was as simple as putting everything on hold to completly rebuild a business and knowing that your contracts would still be intact when you got done pleasing everyone else. Well I'm sorry but I can tell you from real life it is not. A small manufacturing company that loses everything and doesnt get started again quickly is done. Insurance doesn't go out to your customers that you can't supply product to and win them back from your competition when they are forced to go with someone else while you rebuild.
I appreciate that they were able to get people back to work with hopefully little impact to thier customer base.
Trying not to lose sight of the real issue, why is everyone so content on letting others tell them how to run their business and lives? And why do you think you have the right to tell me how to run mine?
July 10, 2009 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
They've had ample time to go back and clean up their old site. I understand they needed to get back going as quickly as possible. With that done, why are they dragging their feet on selling the property or cleaning it or something? If I lived next door to that, I wouldn't be happy. I wonder if that has an effect on the property values out there? It's not a case of people being busy bodies, in my opinion. It's a case of taking responsibilty for yourself. Even my 4 year old knows that if he makes a mess, he needs to clean it up. And not take over a year to do it. They've had ample time to reach an agreement with insurance companies etc.
July 10, 2009 at 3 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
But then again.... we're talking a little more $$ here than mowing a yard or lot to cleanup. A chance that if you wait the taxpayer will foot the bill and you can blow the money on yourself instead?
People, ya've got WAY too much faith in human beings and their pride/dignity when $$ are involved.
July 10, 2009 at 8:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dml (anonymous) says...
The cost of the cleanup will be added to the property tax bill and if not paid, the county will sell the property at sheriffs auction. That is how these things are handled when government barges in and takes over.
seriouslyfolks, When we were looking into building a couple haybarns, we found out from our insurance company that a steel framed building looses tensil strength in a fire and collapses faster than a wood framed building does.
July 10, 2009 at 10:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
They need to check with Rosie O'Donnell about that cuz she says ....................
July 10, 2009 at 10:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MrCmonkeeDo (anonymous) says...
See Duey, here's the problem.
Folks around here are of the sensitive type. They get nervous when they see any kind of dilapidation or disarray. Seems kinda funny to folks like MrC but it really don't affect him that much...shoot-fire, truth be known it probably keeps this monkeeDo in line.
AnyHooo, dilapidation an' disarray actually cause eye sores in these peeps. Not sure what it's all about, but it seems to be a real affliction. It's a sort of blindness from what MrC can tell, though he tries not to get too close. 'Course the good thing is you ain't gotta get too close to see the afflicted. They like to bunch up an' make squeaky wheel type noises and often they are noticeably bent out of shape. Oh, yeah an' their noses grow. Not sure if it affects their hearing but hollerin' at 'em sure doesn't appear to help none. 'Bout all you can Do to quiet 'em down is their bidding.
It's a quandary.
July 10, 2009 at 11:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
YY4U, I'm still bigger than my 4 year old. That helps a lot! Good luck with your 20 somethings. ;)
July 11, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )