eldiablo (anonymous) says...

Heffington should receive ZERO votes. She makes Sam Brownback look like Ted Kennedy.

August 3, 2010 at 8:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...

The economic sales tax will be passed and now it's time for our community to come together and work for our future. Emporia is just one idea away from the best economic expansion in the history of Emporia. K.B.Thomas Jr. July 3 2010.

August 3, 2010 at 9:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...

EMPORIA is just 100 miles to 85% of the population of Kansas and no other city can say that.

August 3, 2010 at 9:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...

There isn't hardly a day that I don't talk to someone coming through Emporia and tell them how much I appreciate them stopping in our community. Please make this a habit. After you get on to it, you will discover it's really a small world.

August 3, 2010 at 10:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Now, all everyone will have to do is watch their property tax bill very closly each year for the next 15 years and see if their property tax decreases and shows any signs of the property tax relief that was promised by the proponents of the sales tax extension.

And what will happen if the sales tax revenue collected continues to decline ... what will happen to your property tax mill levy then and will there be a demand for another sales tax extension ?

And what if the City Commission decides to raise you property tax mill levy anyway ?

I am on the verge of deciding not to attend the public City budget hearing.
As It will most likely do no good anyway .

And I have also come to the conclusion that most of the people of Emporia are satisfied with being subjugated, ruled by the few who have had a hold on the City of Emporias governing body and most of the people of Emporia for years now.
And I am weary and worn out fighting to break the hold that the few have over the many in Emporia and have decided to fight no longer to lift the yoke of subjugation from most of the necks of most of the people of Emporia ... when most of the people will not even vote to help lift the yoke of subjugation from their own necks.

I congratulate , Kent Heerman, Steve Sauder, Raymond Toso, Evora Wheeler , and all who B.S.'d and hoodwinked the people into believing that extending the sales tax for another 10 years would either lower property taxes or give those who pay property taxes some " property tax relief " . I also congratulate the City Commissioners Jim Kessler, Kevin Nelson, Bobbie Agler, Julia Johnson and Jeff Longbine and City Manager Matt Zimmerman who also B.S.'d and hoodwinked the people into believing, if the sales tax extension was not approved, property tax mill levy would have to be increased. Well I believe the property tax mill levy will increase and the City of Emporia actually bears me out on this .
So nice job your are not so good at being City leaders, but you are certainly very good at lying, hoodwinking and deceiving the people .

I yield to you and will no longer fight for the the concept/idea, that you may in fact someday come to represent all of the people of Emporia and not just your own self serving interests and the few people of Emporia . And when your sensless and at time ruthless spending and taxing has finally destroyed Emporias people and quite possibly Emporia itself, then perhaps the common, ordinary people of Emporia will have finally opend their eyes as to what kind of persons you really are.

August 3, 2010 at 11:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

And I believe that if Fanestil does actually leave Emporia and Lyon County, even though it may be bad for Emporia and Lyon County ... but may just turn out to be the best thing for Fanestil and the 80 Employees, if they choose to move with Fanestil.

August 3, 2010 at 11:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

pencilguy (anonymous) says...

all anybody ever does online is criticize and criticize. heck even im criticizing rite now. i always thought that people should be able to voice their opinions, not totally trash everyone elses

August 3, 2010 at 11:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

pencilguy:
Read closer. reddog isn't criticizing...admittedly, he isn't really participating in relevant conversation and I imagine he's in the middle of a halucination, but still, he isn't criticizing.

August 4, 2010 at 1:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Now that a rather contentious election cycle is over I feel the need to explain something.

While I was against the ½ cent sales tax extension, and was a little more than vocal about it, I have tried to stay calm and collected about the issue. The reason is this. The two main proponents and spokespersons on the pro side were Evora Wheeler and Ray Toso.
Two Emporians who have stepped up time and time again in their public service. I am hard pressed to think of anyone who has done so much for our town and received so little in recognition. And they don’t do it for the glory or recognition. They do it to help our fair city.

I have never considered them as good close friends but rather good, involved acquaintances who had common sense and the desire to help others and their city.

While we didn’t agree on the tax issue, I realize that this is part of our great political process. We can not agree on every issue and I would like them to know that I still hold them in the highest regard and with respect for their views and their deeds.

Maybe the next issue that comes up we will all agree on and I would be proud to stand with them and make it happen.

Respectfully,
Steve Corbin.

August 4, 2010 at 5:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

irishemporia (anonymous) says...

Nicely done, Steve.

August 4, 2010 at 6:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Flint_Hills_Sage (anonymous) says...

BOB LONDERHOLM IS A GREAT MAN!

Although Robert Londerhold withdrew from the race for US Senator in mid-July

http://cjonline.com/news/state/2010-0...

I'm glad that he made an effort to represent moderate Republicans. His service as Kansas Attorney General (1965-1969) was exceptional.

As a side note during his 1964 campaign, Bob Londerholm and his wife, stopped on the Kansas Turnpike between Topeka and Emporia to assist 40 Chase County HS students whose bus was disabled with mechanical problems.

Thank you Bob, then and now. Best regards.

August 4, 2010 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Okay, Okay, I finally do get it. Trust no one, Fighting for fiscal responsibility and the little guy gets you absolutely nothing .

From now on, I am supporting the City spending as much as they want on whatever they and others want and doing so by extending and raising taxes as much as they want whenever and however long they and others want .
I will no longer question any more City Budget expenditures, sales tax extensions or property tax increases and will fully support all of it .

And with abject humbleness to those rulers of the Kingdom of Emporia, I join the rest of Emporias subjucated masses in silence and utter, abject servitude . As I do finally get it, that we the humble, subjucated masses existance in your Kingdom is to provide you the Rulers with the money to do with as you will .
And I apologize for ever doubting your great and infinate wisdom and power.
" Long live the Kings and Queens of Emporia " .

August 4, 2010 at 8:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

methusla,

Please e-mail me at townroyal@sbcglobal.net.

Lost your address and need to talk with you.
steve

August 4, 2010 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jamesbordonaro (James Bordonaro) says...

What are we to make of the central idea of behind the T.E.A. Party's rise when the voters in Emporia and other cities in Kansas overwhelming approved tax increases?

Is it possible that people believed their overall level of taxes will be lowered by shifting the tax burden from ad valorem to sales tax? Or, is the Taxed Enough Already phenomena a reflection of dissatisfaction with federal budget deficits and that voters are willing to raise taxes on themselves at the local level to fund services?

Personally, I voted against the extension because I believed the overall rate had gotten too high after the KS Legislature increased the sales tax by 1% which puts some communities at nearly 10%!
I'd have much preferred to have targeted taxes increased on items such as cigarettes but some in the legislature said that would lead to less revenue because people would smoke less. Well, isn't that the point? Then the state wouldn't have to spend so much for healthcare on those with smoking related illnesses!

August 4, 2010 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

If indeed the majority of the people voted for the sales tax extension they did so because they were threatened if they didn't vote for it their property taxes would be raised. It was a question, in peoples minds, of whether to pay more for items that are not necessarily necessary that they can choose not to buy and save a coin or two or pay more taxes on their shelter which is kinda necessary. I pondered this decision right up till I read the ballot and it said the tax money could be used for "general funds" which means anything and everything even though I was assured that it could only be used for what they said it could only be used for. So I promptly ,enthusiastically, and proudly voted NO!!!

I don't think people wanted to vote for more taxes. I don't think they were thinking "Please take my money from me government. I am incompetent and you will save me from myself."(that would be a Democrats dream come true, right James?) I think they felt that they had to choose between the lesser of two evils. The sad thing is is that property taxes are going to go up anyway.

August 4, 2010 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

christym123 (anonymous) says...

Seriouslyfolks,

Well said.

August 4, 2010 at 10:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

I really can' t see much point in speaking to anyone at this point in time. I have said and been saying all I have to say and everyone knows and has read what I have had to say . Besides speaking and talking and even doing has become, in my opinion, a total waste time.

The same old " STATUS QUO ", " STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE " is to strongly rooted/entrenced in Emporia and nothing will ever change that or anything else in Emporia . I have come to realize that I am just like everyone else in Emporia, just a " sheeple " to be herded and told what to do by the real rulers/herders of Emporia .

Because you see it has been proven by past history and recent happenings ... when times are bad, the rulers still want to " foolishly " spend and tax and then when things are good and everyone is flourishing , the rullers will proceed to spend and tax even more .

I therefore will no longer waste my time worring about a City or County Budget or attending any further Budget hearings .

August 4, 2010 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Most of the people I spoke to said they voted yes because they felt that a sales tax would help to level the burden of taxation when everyone paid the bill for keeping us afloat, not just property owners.

Now it is up to us to keep them honest by watching how they spend it. One of the ways to do that is contact them personally, not just bitching and moaning on this web site. They listen. I know because I myself have spoken to them by e-mail and by phone with regard to issues. Another good way is to write them a letter.

We had a good turnout and we should all be proud of helping to keep democracy alive. In other countries, people are shot down dead while making their ways to the polls. I feel good about us, don't you?

August 4, 2010 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

create,

To answer your question, " NO " .

Let me try and explain something about taxation .. all forms of taxations, whether it be increased/extended sales tax or increased property tax , or whatever tax .
All taxes really accomplish is to take money from people, all people and yes even newly brought in businesses and industries, at some point in time. That is the only guarantee associated with taxes .... taxes will always be wanted, not necessarily needed and those who control the government and government leaders will always control taxes, the amount of taxes, the spending of taxes and where and what for the taxes are spent and there will never be any guarantee of any return on your/our tax money that is spent, stolen, thrown away, etc., no sir, no such guarantee, never, ever and the promise of lower taxes or taxrelief is just that an empty promise . Unless the taxpaying people put a stop to this " Status Quo ", " Standard Operating Procedure " themselves.

However it would seem that the people of Emporia do not have the stomach to stop anything .

August 4, 2010 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

"Now it is up to us to keep them honest by watching how they spend it."

With all do respect, I don't think this can be done which was why I voted "no." It was really easy for them to give us general answers as to what it's been being used for, but when asked for specifics, they all clammed up and hid behind "confidentiality." When several names in the group are names that are already known to be less than honest, I have a hard time believing them.
The track record of some of these less than honest people also indicates that they will form any committee and run any agenda that gets them extra income they don't need through public money...gold-diggers.

I really am not generally that pessimistic of a person, but the politics in this town drive me to it.

August 4, 2010 at 3:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

neighbor (anonymous) says...

No new taxes!

Vote em out!

New Blood!

Wow, same ole same ole once again sheeple.

August 4, 2010 at 4:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Thanks for both your answers.

Methusla, I appreciate the thouroughness of your post; however, how else is a government supposed to run without taxation?

While you say all taxes really accomplishis to take money from people, I can't really agree with you on this "all" word when I think about all the things that taxation does support in a community. We have an awful lot of services provided to people paid for by tax dollars.

I wish the Gazette would publish a city budget!

August 4, 2010 at 4:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

marko (anonymous) says...

most of the stuff i get from the city is pay as you go... water, trash service, that sort of thing... somehow though putting the other functions of the city on a pay as you go basis might not be a good idea imagine the call to 911.... "deposit another five hundred bux and remain on the line."

August 4, 2010 at 5:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

marko,

Don't give anyone ideas. The technology is in place to automaticaly charge your phone bill so much every time you dial 911.

August 4, 2010 at 7:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

create,

All, was a poor choice to start that particular comment with.

What I should have said was. " The biggest thing " in place of All. And yes part of taxes does do some good for some prople.

August 4, 2010 at 8:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

irishemporia (anonymous) says...

I voted to extend the sales tax yet I never felt threatened with a property tax increase if I didn't. However, I am not so naive to think that property taxes are not going to go up. My hope is that with the extension, they won't go up as much. The only place where I've heard anyone says that we were threatened is on this forum.

Create, I agree with your statement 100 percent. Right on!!

August 4, 2010 at 8:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sail (anonymous) says...

Hmmmm,wonder what the cost per job works out to for our hills plant.How much of the econ tax"corp welfare" was spent to obtain the 100 jobs, and how many of those jobs are filled by people who live out of E-town.

August 4, 2010 at 9:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

"The only place where I've heard anyone says that we were threatened is on this forum."

Well they weren't going to come right out and SAY what they were doing.

August 4, 2010 at 9:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

b3bill (anonymous) says...

Both Chris Walker and Steve Sauder fully backed the 1/2% sales tax extension. They need to see to it that ongoing thorough updates on the RDA, reporting successes as well as failures, are provided by their respective media.

I heard Steve Sauder's commentary this morning on KVOE regarding the 1/2% sales tax extension passing. He sounded a bit huffy and annoyed when he said something to the effect of there are no secrets regarding the RDA.

If Steve Sauder wants to stand behind that commentary for the long term, how about scheduling at least a few minutes on the KVOE on-air blog every fiscal quarter to give a report on how many companies inquired about locating in Emporia during that time, how many of those companies did Emporia say NO to, how many chose other towns instead of Emporia, how many chose Emporia, what existing companies is the RDA helping, etc. I'm not asking for any disclosure or discussion of negotiations in work, only what has been finalized, whether it makes the RDA look good or bad. If there are really no secrets regarding the RDA, then this request should be very simple to do.

It is not right when a tax-receiving entity like the RDA says how they've done all these wonderful things for the town, but won't discuss anything they've failed at or made mistakes with. They are human, they will make mistakes. They need to be a professional enough organization to acknowledge that and discuss their shortcomings and how they can be continuously improving.

August 4, 2010 at 11:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

Steve Sauder....hmmm....haven't I heard that name before? Steve....Sau..d.......Oh Yeah!!!
"The RDA board of directors are Steve Sauder,......"

August 4, 2010 at 11:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mslater (Matt Slater) says...

Irish,

In the first article the Gazette covered about this, they flat out said if this tax doesn't pass, they will raise property taxes.

August 5, 2010 at 2:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

SOMETHING FOR STEVE SAUDER AND ROGER TO THINK ABOUT !

Yesterday on the KVOE blog, brother Sauder stated that perhaps hey were giving the Gazette bloggers to much credit or something like that. Why then did he start the Radio blog? My guess is he wanted to counter balance this blog. That's a good thing.
While talking about the election Roger brought up the idea that maybe we should be like Australia and make voting mandatory. You don't vote you get a $25.00 fine. I USED to feel this way, but consider the following link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5p3OB...

Please, Roger, tell me if you still think mandatory voting is an idea we should pursue?

August 5, 2010 at 3:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

irishemporia (anonymous) says...

Thanks, Slater.
Steve, only if one could guarantee that every voter was an informed voter.

August 5, 2010 at 5:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Thanks for the blurb on Sauder's radio program yesterday re: too much credit to the Gazette bloggers. How funny. Well, at least we know he reads it.

I do know that a lot of people read this blog who don't speak up themselves, but they do read all the comments and then speak about them elsewhere among themselves. People who don't know that I am on here have even commented to me about certain bloggers and their opinions. They've even suggested I look in on this blog. Hilarious!

August 5, 2010 at 7:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

neighbor (anonymous) says...

I've had people tell me they like to read these blogs for a good laugh, heard others cuss and discuss what was being discussed on here, heck I've even had folks ask that I post a comment for them because they didn't want to sign up to participate. The trolls and non-posters are just like the public that don't vote. Their opinions don't count unless they sign up and join us! :)

August 5, 2010 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

neighbor (anonymous) says...

Hey Sauder, beings you read these blogs, your website is cheesy and cheap looking, and rather archaic. Spend some money you tightwad. Oh, and leave the sports broadcasting to Greg and the rest of your staff. Your play by play commentary is almost as bad as listening to someone hone their fingernails on a chalkboard. :)

August 5, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

I'm with you, neighbor. Hey, here's an idea. Maybe the Gazette could put up a poll -- vote for your favorite Gazette blogger. Now that would be funny.

August 5, 2010 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )