murmusic (Regina Murphy) says...

Any chance they might be fixed? This isn't the first time we've seen that they are out of order. What's the City/County going to do about it?

March 11, 2009 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justaflushaway (anonymous) says...

I'll tell you what they will do, zimmy and smith will probably get pay raises. they knew 6 months ago they weren't working, but instead of fixing them, they bought new cop cars
and I am sure that zimmy purchased something like bleachers for the top of the auditorium. like it says, people should be observant, kinda hard to hear storms in the college building in that area, maybe lane should get involved, he can spend money.

March 11, 2009 at 3:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Bjnemp (anonymous) says...

How is this news? Nothing in Emporia works. Slum lords are permitted to prevail and prosper. Striping and markings on city streets have worn off and not repainted. Citizens aren't allowed to celebrate July 4th. A small group of malcontent elitists are allowed to dictate law, i.e., smoking ban. The city commissioners cater to friends and bow to wealth. Animal control is nonexistent. Booming car stereos shake windows and walls with impunity. The city is a sanctuary for illegal aliens. The cable company is a joke and operates unchecked. The liquor laws are archaic. Zoning is by whim, not reason. Youth sports and entertainment programs are deficient.

And those are just a few of Emporia's problems. So, again I ask; why would non-working tornado sirens be news?

March 11, 2009 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

Bjnemp:
Because this is their disclaimer against liability. A public notice means the citizens in those areas should not expect to rely on the city warning system. All about defense. I grew up in a house just feet away from a siren that always broke down and for 10 years, the city crews worked on it one day out of every month until it tested right--boy, those were excruciatingly noisy days. I guess fixing things is an old time philosophy, though. That's why all of our new, shiny philosophies have made this town so unkempt and dumpy.

March 11, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Free4all (anonymous) says...

Couldnt say it any better Bjnemp, you left me with anything to add. Maybe with the new cop cars they can drive around the neighborhood and warn those with their sirens and public address systems.
But I am wondering if it is County or City problem? Didnt county comm. just get a fat raise?

March 11, 2009 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Let' start up a collection for Two new sirens. If everyone kicked in a couple of bucks and we could get some grant money from johnson&johnson we could get new equipment right away. Heck maybe Sauder could kick in a few bucks?
That's something to think about!
Steve

March 11, 2009 at 4:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justthefacts (anonymous) says...

Flush, rather than insulting people, maybe you should check the facts. In checking with the police department (who by the way sent the notice to keep the community informed), they had technicians working last week and this week on the 50 year old sirens. If you drive a fifty year old car, I imagine you would know how much fun it is to find parts and keep it running. I learned they have a regular maintenance program and are now using licensed technicians who are trying to fix them right. I also learned the sirens cost about $20,000 each plus installation. I was also told the city commission is working on a plan to replace them this year. And I would mention again, they are exercising caution by warning folks about the problem. I learned these things have been breaking down for years but they just never said anything and swept it under the rug. Give em credit they are trying to keep people informed and it sounds like in the last year are trying to get stuff fixed. The commission was given this information last fall but chose not to do anything until February. That is their policy decision. The real issue is people should be responsible for themselves. If a tornado really comes down, by the time the sirens probably go off it will be too late anyway. I also find your reference to public officials who are trying to do the right thing rather sophomoric.

March 11, 2009 at 7:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

chiefsfan (anonymous) says...

I find flush and bjnemp's comments right on target. It is irresponsible in this day and age that tornado sirens are not working. $20,000 is ALOT of money, but how would you feel if a tornado came in the middle of the night and injured/killed/destroyed your home and there were no warnings? I agree it's one's responsibility to keep informed by radio, etc when bad weather is approaching, but storms do creep up in the middle of the night and one would not know to listen to the radio. We have moved away from Emporia, since 2001, and it is sad to come back home and visit. Each visit seems to bring more detioration (sorry for my spelling on that one!) to the place I still call home and love.

March 11, 2009 at 7:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justaflushaway (anonymous) says...

justthe facts, thank you so much for setting me straight, I am so glad you know so much. insulting? just telling it the way I see it, and a lot of others around Emporia also see it too. so sorry you have your head in the sand , seems you always are on their defense, hell you are probably one of them, since you know the facts!!

March 11, 2009 at 8:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

I can't believe noone has blamed smokers for the sirens not working.

crack......?

slvrncrck............?

irish.......?

eldiablo.............?

noone.............?

really.........?

March 11, 2009 at 9:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Justthefacts;
The City could have, (@$20,000.00 per), replaced every siren in Emporia, if they would have de-funded EDA just last year.

March 11, 2009 at 9:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Doug (anonymous) says...

I thought stimulus monies were for upper management bonuses.

March 11, 2009 at 11:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Bjnemp (anonymous) says...

Chiefsfan: I feel your pain, my friend. I moved here 14 years ago and was shocked to find Emporia to be the most cliquish, unfriendly, backward, "good ol' boy" run town I have ever lived in. However, as in any town, there are many fine people living here and over the years I have met some incredible people and made some dear friends. I, too, have grown fond of Emporia and that is why it saddens me to see it falling so short of potential. Emporia is stale at best and deteriorating at worst.

A wise man once said "there is no such thing as status quo: a city is either growing, or it is dying".

Emporia is not growing, and with antics like prohibiting the celebration of Independence Day, cancelling the Veterans Day parade due to some sprinkles, and considering the proposed ludicrous smoking ban, it will eventually join Bushong as a Kansas ghost town.

It could be worse. Being invisible is better than being a laughing stock.

March 12, 2009 at 12:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justthefacts (anonymous) says...

Just for the record, I am not "one of them" the policy here is you are not supposed to be trying to identify folk anyway. Everyone had their opinion as do I. I checked stuff out rather than just basing everybody and everything. If you don't like the way things are going put your name on a ballot and change things. It's really easy to blame the "ruling elite" whoever they are for all the ills. Hows if feel sitting in the cheap seats?

March 12, 2009 at 6:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justthefacts (anonymous) says...

I would would also appreciate it if some of you would give direct reference locations on any city official who is getting a bonus. A bonus is different from a pay raise or salary. Based on all the stuff floating around here, I'd say most of 'em earn their money just putting up with all the garbage people like to throw their way. I checked the Justice Department web site. The grant monies referenced have to be used for projects that maintain or create new jobs. The money isn't automatic and would not qualify for buying warnning sirens according to the justice department. My other question is why should the money be taken from the police department budget? Is this not an infrastructure project? Is it not better served through public works and those dollars? Seems like better money spent in that location. As for the smoking, I could care less if folks want to smoke as long as they don't do it where I work or live. Better to let Darwin's theory thin out the population anyway but I sure do get tired having the issue tied to every single posting here. Maybe the Gazette staff needs to start cracking down on this.

March 12, 2009 at 6:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justaflushaway (anonymous) says...

justthefu-- get over your damn self, the sirens don't work, the damn city needs to get them fixed, I don't care where the damn money comes from, the city can find it somewhere, This problem should be a high priority for the city. But as long as people like you think otherwise it wont get done. Maybe you can get those bad storms that will be coming towards Emporia to just go around so some of us will be saved by you. My family and my dog thank you for being concerned that the money does not come from the police dept accounts, I wonder why that is?? pi$$ on your grant money, we pay taxes towards having some protection toward our safety, and I for one think they the city, that's right the city, should be the ones who fix the sirens, better yet, REPLACE them with NEW ones THAT WORK.

justthefacts:
"Better to let Darwin's theory thin out the population anyway but I sure do get tired having the issue tied to every single posting here. Maybe the Gazette staff needs to start cracking down on this."

so sorry you are getting tired, once again get over your self justthefacts now your sucking up to the gazette staff, don't you ever stop?

March 12, 2009 at 7:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

barefootin (anonymous) says...

justthefacts:

Reading these comments have obviously ticked you off on several occasions, what keeps you coming back to read the postings if they pis@you off so bad? Also, there is no need to defend the city, the bashing is a fact of life, live with it.

March 12, 2009 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justthefacts (anonymous) says...

Obviously I struck a nerve. It's my experience when people have no sound argument or facts they resort to shouting, cursing and pounding on the table to try to intimidate others from contributing. I will continue to share my views and stand my ground..simply because it is so in a society such as ours. I would also disagree that the bashing is a fact of life. Civil discourse will go a lot farther than name calling and finger pointing. I routinely hear from friends who live elsewhere that the juvenile dribble on here is much to their amusement and does a great deal in convincing them to avoid this community at all costs. Congratulations...you all finally accomplished something...driving potential customers and residents away.

March 12, 2009 at 6:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

midnight_rider (anonymous) says...

Let us consider the facts - It is so interesting that two of the sirens that do not work are close to very populated areas. ESU, with a student population of close to 5,000-6,000 students that most of them DO LIVE close to the university, plus consider the faculity and staff that work there. JONES PARK, right next to Lincoln Village trailer park and Four Seasons apartments, Gee, does anyone else remember when they were hit by the tornado back in the 1970's. There was not a whole lot left of the trailer park after that one. TRYSA soccer field. Consider the stupid parents that push their kids to play stupid games no matter what the weather is. Ok - So the question is. How far does Zimmy live from the siren at Jones Park? It is the closet one to him or is there one closer? What about Smithy? or my favorite, what about mr. homeland security, Frevert? Come on here, we can't forget Frevert cause if something would ever happen, he should be there putting his emergency plan to work. GOD HELP US. It would be worth a drive around to just check out how far the good ol boys, including the city commissioners, live of actual working sirens.

March 12, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justaflushaway (anonymous) says...

here is another stupid remark made be you facts,

"If a tornado really comes down, by the time the sirens probably go off it will be too late anyway."

I was here when Prairie street go hit, the sirens worked and probably saved my life, but that was just luck. you are really becoming a laughing joke on here and YOU are the reason your friends are avoiding the community, hell, you don't even want to make it safe for them, give up put your big girl panties and deal with yourself

March 12, 2009 at 9:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

I said it before,lets get a collection started to help out ole Emporia and get new sirens. 1 or 2 dollars from everyone and a few thousand from CAE and Steve Sauder and we'll get this taken care of. THAT'S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
STEVE

March 12, 2009 at 10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

I mentioned CAE because tornados are proven to be a health danger.
corb

March 12, 2009 at 10:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Bjnemp (anonymous) says...

Tornadoes, large hail, and lightning are all health hazards and should be banned in Emporia. Where are Sister Theresa, CAE, and crackinsack when we really need them?

March 12, 2009 at 10:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

I'm just saying, with all those thousands of dollars that Emporia Radio Stations
are making off of Johnson &Johnson funded tax-free foundations maybe he could give a few back. I've checked on the net and they could even be painted with the Sauder name on them. Sauder Sirens protecting all of Emporia. What a advertising coup? I'll donate what I can but it won't be near as much. That IS something to think about.

March 12, 2009 at 10:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justthefacts (anonymous) says...

Here is a link: http://www.ky3.com/home/video/3944103.... Please pay attention to the reader comments that follow. Sure sounds like Emporia doesn't have a lock on whiners and ignorance. I would agree that it's better to work toward solutions whether it is through fund raising, supporting those trying to fix the problem and keep people informed or having a constructive discussion. It's also a good idea to purchase a weather radio so you can be well informed. There is a program called Storm Ready Community http://www.weather.gov/stormready/, that might work for Emporia. Having grown up mostly in Oklahoma and Kansas in rural areas where there were no sirens simply good rural common sense and few complainers, we managed to deal with severe weather without much assistance from the government.

March 12, 2009 at 10:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

midnight_rider (anonymous) says...

mr. facts - why dont' you start by acknolwleding that the sirens are not 50 years old. I remember when thy were put and it was not no 50 years ago. And yea- me and probably half of the others here have either a wather radio and/or bearcat scanner to keep posted on weather situations and someone us i would bet attend the annual storm spotter meetings. Quite being so stuck on yourself and think of others for a change. Not eveyone is between the ages of 20 and 60, Stop and think about the senior citizens and children who are left alone who don't pay attention to the weather. Face it ten year old kids have not learned to pay attention to the weather, but they do know that when the sirens go off, they need to take acton. So, lets just get the sirens fixed once and for all and you can go back to Oklahoma

March 13, 2009 at 8:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justaflushaway (anonymous) says...

rider.... I could of not said it better, he does need to go where his precious friends live and stay,

facts, you suck, your the kind that would not help a fellow man at all, you think you are better then the rest of us, pack your crap before the storms move in because you will be the first to beg for help, if your crap gets blown away, I see a couple of your kind everyday and and I want to puke, save your sorry crap for your almighty country club types

March 13, 2009 at 9:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justthefacts (anonymous) says...

That's what happens when you all assume. I give up, you are always right and I know nothing. You need to quit transferring your insecurities on everybody else. I'm done with this thread. At least I didn't have to resort to kindergarten slander and four letter words to get my point across. I'll just flush you away for the night. Since I helped install the kind of sirens in other communities I happen to know the Thunderbolt brands are from the 1950's with many of them being installed in Emporia used from other places. But I'm sure you aren't interested in the facts.

March 13, 2009 at 11:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )