Even in tough economic times, 64 percent of Emporia voters agreed to continue a half-cent sales tax for economic development and property tax relief through 2024.
The ballot measure Tuesday received 2,156 yes votes, with 1,223 voting against it. Voter turnout was 25.6 percent.
Tuesday’s result means the tax will continue uninterrupted for 15 more years. It has been on the books since 1995 and has been now been renewed twice. Sales tax in Emporia is 8.8 percent.
“We were a little concerned given the economy and the recent state sales tax increase, but it looks like voters were very interested in continuing industrial and economic development and property tax relief," said Kent Heermann, president of the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas.
The result gives city and economic development leaders a sense that the public has approved of the direction taken to attract companies to Emporia.
For more, see Wednesday's print or online pdf editions.
jmac (anonymous) says...
Wow. Now lets see some action with this tax
. How bout keeping Fanetils in town and maybe building a better mall and theater. Give us something more to do than go and drink everynite. I love a good bar but this town sure has alot of them and not much else entertainment.
August 3, 2010 at 10:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Emporia is just one good idea away from the greatest expansion in Emporia History. K.B. THOMAS JR. July 3, 2010
August 3, 2010 at 11:25 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 11:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Action ! You will see action all right. You will most like see a property tax increase, even though the sales tax extension has been approved.
August 3, 2010 at 11:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jmac (anonymous) says...
i agree Meth, my first post was me being sarcastic.
I know I should have gone and voted but Im tired of all the lies and bs our goverment and politicians is telling us.
August 3, 2010 at 11:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
christym123 (anonymous) says...
Just hope they live up to their promises.
August 4, 2010 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
The choice was between a rock and a hard place. You can vote to extend this tax and continue for another decade to pay more at the store and maybe we won't raise your property tax(wink wink) or you can vote it down and we will raise you property taxes. In the military I low crawled on both rocks and hard places. There were time when I was so tired I didn't even mind sleeping on rocks. If I had a choice though I would choose not to sleep or crawl on either but sometimes you don't have a choice. This vote being one of them. I hope the powers that be realize that this is not a majority of the people backing this tax. This is people choosing what they see as the lesser of two evils. A hollow victory at best.
August 4, 2010 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
Methusla giving up?!? What will Emporia do without its town crank?
I agree with christym, let's see some results now. The people have given their elected leaders tax dollars and tools to encourage economic development. Now it's time to deliver. Let's start with keeping Fanestil's in town and move up from there!
August 4, 2010 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
irishemporia (anonymous) says...
Maybe I'm just taking the middle road here, but I always figured there would be a property tax increase, even with the sales tax extension. I just figured (hoped) there would be less of an increase with the extension.
August 4, 2010 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
bobhornet,
Yes, after 50 + years of being the town crank and seeing, realizing where the government of Emporia and those who have controlled the government of Emporia were taking the people of Emporia, into the realm of outrageous, needless spending and outrageous extending and raising of taxes, by dubious means, such as holding the voters hostage or " blackmailing " if you will, by threatening to raise property taxes if they don' t vote in favor of a tax extension. And mark my words they will raise property taxes and a page in the City of Emporias proposed, extended 2011/2015 Budget, proves they will.
Yes, I give up, as there are to many easily duped citizens, who have not learned not to believe everything the City Commission and the powers behind the City Commision tell them .
So, again after 50 + plus years of trying to get the other citizens of Emporia to see and realize what is happening to them, I say yes I absolutely, totally give up.
August 4, 2010 at 11:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hometownkid (anonymous) says...
I wish I could talk the city into voting in a tax for my pet projects that end in total failure.
How come several companies have come to town and then leave Kent?? Well I guess one company came to town and then sold the company to get out of it's responsibilities. What happened to the can plant?? What happened to the bio plant?? What happened to lenze?? How did no one know Tyson was going to be laying off so many?? Did anyone from the RDA go and talk to Tyson??? Maybe some things could have been done.
I am curious how we lost fanestils, that company has been around our town for decades.
I can't believe the people of this town got hood winked into spending millions of tax dollars again. Hopefully this time buildings won't be built and then left empty with no jobs for emporians. How many more years will we allow this to continue ( ten I guess) I hope all the people who voted for this tax extension would drive around our industrial parks and realize how empty they are after we spent so much to develop them.
August 4, 2010 at 1:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Definition of Irony - Emporia extends 1/2 cent sales tax to help spur manufacturing jobs, then 80 manufacturing jobs move to Lebo because taxes are lower.
BANGING....HEAD...AGAINST...WALL...MAKE...BAD...MAN...STOP...
August 4, 2010 at 1:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joejoe2 (anonymous) says...
People need to understand 1 thing. Fanestil's does not want to stay in Emporia. They want everything GIVEN to them. If they leave, it will not be the cities fault. It did all it could to keep them. They have bent over backwords to help them out.
August 4, 2010 at 1:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Is Fanestil's even in the city, or are they in the county?
August 4, 2010 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Harley could be looking to move out of Milwaukee. Get on the stick RDA
August 4, 2010 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
joejoe2,
Please elaborate. What exactly is Fanestil asking for and what exactly has Emporia done to keep them. We keep hearing statements like yours but they aren't very specific. Is Fanestil asking for more than what we have given new companies to come to Emporia? If they are asking for the same or similar, I think that is a reasonable request. Sure, they aren't a new company but in a way I think keeping n old established successful company is better than taking a gamble on a new one. We've got a few examples of companies coming to town for a short time and then leaving for various reasons and we have examples of companies that say they are coming and then don't for whatever reason. I'm a conservative guy so I like a safe bet. I personally would bet on Fanestil before I'd bet on Super Mack's Shiny New Widget Emporium but like I said I'm just a conservative fella that likes to think things through before I do them.
Harley in Emporia!! Now that would be cool! The City would never allow that to happen. It does make sense though. We have a lot of folks with mechanical ability and production experience in this town and many of them are looking for work. Sounds like a perfect fit. RDA you have your orders, bring Harley Davidson to Emporia. Make it so.
August 4, 2010 at 1:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I'd be interested to find out exactly what Lebo is offering them as opposed to what Emporia is offering. Lower taxes, yes, but what else?
August 4, 2010 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
But create, the RDA and city can't reveal that yet. they don't want Olatha to find out our offer and one up it themselves.
Anyway one of the other posters said to "hide and watch", maybe they wouldn't leave after all.
August 4, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Hide is right, and do as they are told is also right. That is all most Emporians do is Hide and say " Yes your Majesties " what ever pleases you and then tuck their tales between their legs and run in utter terror.
BBBBBBUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH ! ( sound of vomiting )
August 4, 2010 at 4:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jackslap (anonymous) says...
Methusla.... You Idiot!
August 4, 2010 at 4:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Here's the article on Harley thinking of relocating. They cite rising labor costs. Kansas is a right to work state -- no unions. Hmmmmmmm......
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38561236/...
August 4, 2010 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
The Harley relocate would not only bring jobs but you would have tourest running everywhere. I know it wouldnt be as many as the Opal ad LOL .
August 4, 2010 at 6:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Hey, the worst thing they can do is say no, right?
Go for it! That'd be awesome!
We could re-name the Cottonwood and Neosho Rivers Harley and Davidson. Instead of the Hornets, we could have the Hawgs, and instead of Spartans, we could have the V-Twins.
Come on people, let's make some changes! It's for the children!
August 4, 2010 at 7:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Wonder if our leaders have even looked into this ?
August 4, 2010 at 7:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I don't know if they have, but they should.
One of the plants up for closing has 192,000 sq. feet and employees 400 people.
The new/old can plant has 150,000 sq. feet and room for expansion, I think.
Emporia would also be close to the assembly plant in K.C.
And don't forget the Sunday Cassody ride every month. :-)
August 5, 2010 at 6:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Okay everybody, get off your duffs and e-mail your city reps. I think their e-mails are on the city's web page. Send them the link I posted above re: the Harley situation. If you don't want to e-mail them, why not phone them?
Best argument of all to convice Harley is that Kansas is a right to work state and we have no unions to contend with if we don't want.
Another argument is that we are located right off the I-35 corridor and the Interstate. We also have the rails. Maybe a spur can be built going to their new plant.
Best argument for Emporia beside the plant and tax base is the tourism feature.
Were they to come here, THEN I could see building a nice feature out on the Interstate with a sign that says "Home of Harley Davidson -- come on in and put something hot between your legs!"
August 5, 2010 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Over the top? So sue me for being imaginative. Besides, in my younger days, I used to ride an Italian Stallion, 1000cc of big and beautiful. I've always loved motorcycles. Romance of the road and the roar of well-tuned engines and all that.
Okay now, e-mail your city reps and send 'em the Harley link.
August 5, 2010 at 7:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
create & all " sheeple "
Nope, won' t email or call anyone or attend another public hearing or Court of the Gods, Kings & Queens of Emporia and suggest anything . Been there and done thant many, many times . It will no /has not has not done any good anyway. The " Gods, Kings & Queens " of Emporia won' t listen anyway or give any credence to a lowly " sheeples " suggestions . Besides, it would bring down the rath of the Gods of Emporia upon the " sheeple " of Emporia, who are supposed to be " deaf, dumb, blind," and kept out of the loop and in the dark. Besides haven' t you heard, " we the sheeple " know nothing anyway and are only worthy of believing what we are told by the Gods and Kings and Queens of Emporia and have no right to say where and how you/our tax monies are to be spent or used or even hold the Gods and Kings and Quens of Emporia accountable as to where and how they spend or use our tax monies .
We " the sheeple " are only supposed to supply the tax monies for the Gods and Kings and Queens of Emporia to do with as they wish .
I am just going to be and do what is expected of me by my rulers, the Gods and Kings and Queens of Emporia. That is be a good little subserviant, subjugated, "sheeple " and never , ever again, question the wisdom, decisions of my Gods and Kings and Queens of Emporia or say anthing against them ... as I recently realized it is a lost cause to fight the ruling powers of the " Kingdom of Emporia " .
So, I humbly bow, bow out, in abject subjugation to the Gods, Kings and Queens of Emporia and humbly beg you forgiveness, for ever having doubted your " POWER ' , wisdom and decisions.
For I am just one of your humble " sheele " and am here only to do your bidding, whatever it may be.
August 5, 2010 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Thank you, methusla. You have done your part. If you want to bow out, you can. It comes under the heading of free country. Free to state your opinions, free to bow out when your're damn good and tired.
Not me. I refuse to give up. I'm a fighter, so I'll hang in there till the last dawg is dead. There are too many ways to skin a squirrel and Emporia, my chosen home town, is worth my time to fight for her well being. What the heck, it's my own well being too.
The way I see it, as long as I refuse to give up, then I can continue to offer ideas, and I can continue to bitch and moan too. There's no future in giving up. What if our forefathers had given up? Hell no, they died fighting for their beliefs.
Keep me in the game, coach!
August 5, 2010 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
create,
Perhaps this old fighting dog just needs to take a break and rest up, you know a little " R&R " in order to contemplate and regain his will/desire to continue the fight for possibly 50 + more years .
I/we shall see, if there is any fight left in this old dog/war horse.
That was one helluva pep talk create, thanks, to you and Steve C., my friends.
August 5, 2010 at 9:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create your post at 7:40 made me blush.
Not really, but it didn't sound like your normal postings. Good ideas though. I bet a sign on the highway like that would get some attention allright.
August 5, 2010 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
If I had to guess, I would suspect that the RDA, upon hearing that Harley-Davidson is looking for a new place to locate, would probably roll their eyes, pat us on the head, and say that they will look into it.
I think we might need to do this on our own.
Matt
August 5, 2010 at 10:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
irishemporia (anonymous) says...
How about we ask the Gazette to give us the once-and-for-all on Fanestil. One of those indepth pieces that would give us the facts and halt the rumors. Hay Gazette! Is that doable? Heck, I'd settle for a link to a past story, if this has already been done.
August 5, 2010 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
mslater, create,
I have heard and I have acted.
August 5, 2010 at 12:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
" UP THE PEOPLE " !
August 5, 2010 at 12:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Or, " RISE UP YOU PEOPLE "
August 5, 2010 at 12:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Steve, sorry if I made you blush with my 7:40 posting. You're right, that was a departure from my usual. What fun to get folks' attention now and then. There's fire in the old gal yet.
I remember the first time I rode my motorcycle to the school where I taught, Matt's alma mater. The principal, Mr. Dougherty, stuck his head out of his office window and exclaimed, "Mrs. xxxx!!!! What is all this?" "All what?" I asked, "my car is in the shop."
The kids loved it and I became a star.
August 5, 2010 at 2:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )