Bowyer withdraws from consideration for entrance signs
By Russ Morgan (Contact)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Signs to honor Clint Bowyer will not be going up at Emporia’s entrances after Bowyer withdrew himself from consideration out of respect for veterans, Mayor Jeff Longbine said at the city commission’s study session on Wednesday.
“Clint has expressed his desire to be removed from consideration from the entrance signs,” Longbine said. “... He feels strongly that the veterans signs are more appropriate and that he doesn’t want to be co-located with that because he understands the sacrifices and the dedication that the veterans have made, and he doesn’t consider himself in that same category.”
While the city commission had discussed the possibility of acquiring Clint Bowyer signs, commissioners had taken no action yet to do so. City manager Matt Zimmerman said the topic came up as one way to better market Emporia.
“When we were looking at our goals in the winter of 09, one of the things we identified was to improve our marketing ...” Zimmerman said. “... This was about marketing our community. We never went to him and he never came to us. This was about the city trying to improve its marketing, nothing more.”
Bowyer, and possibly others, still may be honored in Emporia as part of an honorary designation program commissioners also discussed Wednesday. The discussion revolved around naming streets in honor of Emporians who deserve recognition. Under the program, street names would not change, but signs would be added to existing street signs to point out the designation.
“We’re not changing the official name of the street, ... this is simply an honorary designation,” Zimmerman said.
Mayor Longbine suggested putting Bowyer’s name on Graham Street, where Bowyer grew up and got his start.
“I think it would be a nice, appropriate way to recognize his past contributions to the city and his present contribution plans to the city,” Longbine said. “My original idea was Graham Street because that’s where his racing career was born. ...”
Commissioner Jim Kessler suggested giving the name to a more visible street. After more discussion, commissioners agreed that it would be possible to move the designation to other streets in the future if it were so desired.
“To me, this is about marketing,” Zimmerman said. “We’re certainly not limited to a person or a location. If we decide, for whatever reason, either through a request or at the direction of the city commission, if we want to honor others who are well-known and from Emporia ... we can take a look at those as well.”
For more on Wednesday’s study session, please read Thursday’s print edition of The Gazette.
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
At a boy, Clint!
“To me, this is about marketing,” Zimmerman said.
Yeah! Who cares about honoring people! This is all about the dollars!
'enry
November 10, 2009 at 1:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slimbolen99 (anonymous) says...
why not rename graphic arts for clint? he worked just down the road and went to school on that road. probably drag raced there too!
Good job Clint.
November 10, 2009 at 2:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gg (anonymous) says...
Thank you Clint, once again you put Emporia's interests above your own.
Now if only our "elected" city council members would do the same thing.
November 10, 2009 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sg (anonymous) says...
What a classy thing to do. Way to go, Clint!
I agree, rename Graphic Arts for Clint.
November 10, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
Clint, You are a True American, Thank you for thinking of all Military Veterans GBY GBA
November 10, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mythoughts (anonymous) says...
Thank you, Clint.
Are there any Graphic Arts on Graphic Arts Rd anymore? Besides Club Orleans, I mean...Then "Clint" it!
November 10, 2009 at 3:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vankamp (anonymous) says...
Wow!! That's what I call class. Thanks Clint.
November 10, 2009 at 3:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Very classy and respectable, Clint. Thank you!! I'm altogether behind naming clock towers, roundabouts and new streets after you or designating existing ones in your honor. You are very meaningful to our community because you have invested back into it in well thought out and caring ways. Thank you so much for yet one more thoughtfulness.
November 10, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
I've never been a race fan, therefore not a big fan of Clint Bowyer... until now. Such a gesture by Mr. Bowyer is a true sign of class and patriotism. Enter me as an official Clint Bowyer fan.
November 10, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Maximus (anonymous) says...
I agree with everyone else. A classy move, Clint. I am now a Clint Bowyer fan! Go Hamburger Helper and Cheerios!
November 10, 2009 at 5:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I second, third and fourth these sentiments. A class act!
November 10, 2009 at 6:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cyberspace (anonymous) says...
Naming a street and portion of a highway is a more common sense way of honoring someone who has acheived and given back to his community. Clint's career in NASCAR has not been a very long one, thus far. I always thought it was a bit premature to post a sign. Let's see how long he can sustain his success and show improvement.
Good luck, Clint. I hope you do have long-term success.
November 10, 2009 at 6:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Nice job Clint.
November 10, 2009 at 6:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
aftsd (anonymous) says...
From an Emporia-born, now military family, Thank You Clint!! Way to show class!
November 10, 2009 at 7:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
The Zim cracks me up
November 10, 2009 at 8:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spectator (anonymous) says...
A class act, Clint. gg - you are a riot! But we really should consider naming the roundabouts for Clint -NOW WAIT A SECOND, IT'S NOT A SLAM- because he's probably one of few who can navigate them (left turns) in his 'Vette (or his motor home) and not be frustrated like the rest of us. "Home of ..." signs are everywhere and, personally, I kind of like them. I do wonder about the city naming streets/hanging signs/whatever as a marketing tool and "We never went to him..." I always, apparently in error, believed the name of the person displayed was done so with the approval of the individual or family.
November 10, 2009 at 8:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Is that his silver Vette I been seeing?
November 10, 2009 at 8:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
phiber101 (anonymous) says...
Some people are so gullible. Do none of you see the double purpose of his withdraw? Sounds like good PR since this "Breaking News" broke on the eve of Veterans Day! There was such an uproar on the first news story about the city commission taking down the WAW and Veterans Day signs to put up Bowyer signs that Bowyer had no choice but to withdraw his name......he didn't want to look bad once the local populous started trash talking.
Zimmerman wants to "market" Emporia. Ok, how about start with projects that may help the EXISTING citizens and maybe new companies will look into moving here. Instead, the city commissions actions are alienating the people who already live here.
Yes, I am VERY bias when it comes to the Veterans signs as I spent 6 wonderful years of my life in the military. I'm sure not many Emporians have seen the "wonderful" landscape of Iraq, Pakistan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar.....too many to name - well I have. So many of my fellow soldiers are over there dying for the freedoms we take for granted daily.
EMPORIA: BIRTHPLACE OF VETERANS DAY!
November 10, 2009 at 10:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Clint gave criticism a lead around the first turn and he revved it up real good and still won the race and that's one for the history books. In recognizing the humanity of our fellow veterans, we pay ourselves the highest tribute. Go the extra mile, it never seems crowded.
November 10, 2009 at 11:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
And jimbo....what have you done that makes you so superior?
November 11, 2009 at 3:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
jimbo you are a damn lier, and you know it. he is not married
NOW , we would not even talking about the veterans signs if it wasn't for the person who wants then up was is getting himself set up for running for city commissioner again, come on people , those who know him should see through his crap
November 11, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jimbo (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
November 11, 2009 at 3:44 a.m. ( permalink )
spectator (anonymous) says...
Maybe he is setting himself up, just, but it sure honored a lot of fine folks in the process. I firmly believe we can never honor or thank our Veterans enough. The sacrifices of combat or support troops are what gave us the opportunity to discuss and debate on this forum. As for a "motive" for the signs, do you know for a fact that this is why he worked on the Braille flags and the signs? And who's to say he wouldn't do a good job? Are you happy with some of the stuff the city government does, hanging a "Home of. . . . " sign without even talking with the person who's to be named as an example? I'm not so sure I wouldn't like to have someone on the commission who'se a little closer to the common citizen aka zimmerman's F*****g hicks. Yes, Boyer "might" have decided to remove himself for his own PR agenda or maybe he decided to remove himself from this "marketing ploy" using his name. Booker, I don't know about the Vette but I'd enjoy watching him run the motorhome through "ClintCurves". The Vette would be way too easy.
November 11, 2009 at 4:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I would a lot rather have the one flush says is setting himself up for another run on the city commission on the city commission than most of those who are on there now....and that includes all of them who brought us the smoking ban. In fact I voted for him each time he has run before and will vote for him again if he runs. He couldn't do any worse by us than the ones we already have.
November 11, 2009 at 5:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TeamKansas (anonymous) says...
We must all be F'king Hicks if we cant see through this smokescreen ........... 10%!!!! 10%!!! 10%!!! Thats how many people actually wanting his name on the sign. DUH!! Do you think that would be the reason to pull his name out?? The same reason a presidential candidate pulls his name from the running ..... cause he has NO chance of winning.
G'day,
F'king Hick
November 11, 2009 at 8:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )