slimbolen99 (anonymous) says...

The golf course certainly is a draw to folks outside of town, but I don't think that someone says, "hey, let's go play golf in Emporia!". Some subsidy is needed, however, I don't think it needs to be such a substantial amount. It would be interesting to see a profit/loss report on the golf course over the years. In the last ten years, it seems that fees have doubled, but not much has changed so far as the course itself (other than the massively extensive watering system that doesn't work as it was designed).

August 11, 2010 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bobhornet (anonymous) says...

The city and county are both considering cutting basic services and laying off workers, and we the people are subsidizing a golf course to the tune of a quarter million dollars?

The choice is clear, though I would fully expect our commissioners to lay off people and cut essential services before doing the right thing and ending this ridiculous subsidy.

August 11, 2010 at 12:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

zippy (anonymous) says...

Lived here almost fifty years and have never played golf. Spend the money for the needy.

August 11, 2010 at 12:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bloomsbury (SC DIXON) says...

I have always been curious about this: I would like to see a demographic or a poll of just what percentage of Emporian’s have ever even set foot on the golf course. Any guesses? Mine would be less than 10%. It sure is a lot of money to support so few.

But the same could be said about the water park, which I'm told is closing today, the 11th day of what is typically the hottest month of the year. I work till past 6 so I rarely had the chance to use it. Even folks who get off work at were hard pressed to get there before closing time.

August 11, 2010 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

moderator (anonymous) says...

Posts from Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/emporiagazette

Amy P. umm NO your tax dollars should go to something like our schools that have to down size when they really need to be getting bigger, or something to make more jobs in this town,, what % of people in emporia golf?

Shirley M. I think if they do they have their priorities in the wrong place.. I agree it should go to the school districts.. We have plenty in Lyon County who could use more.. Our children are our future..

Koleen H. This is giving tax payer dollars to a small fraction of the city's population. If the golf course can't be self- sufficient, it needs to be downsized, not subsidized! This would set a precedent that I don't think should be set. Are each sport in Emporia going to receive $255,000 of tax payer dollars?

Amber B. I've lived here 25 years and never sat foot on the golf course why iS a portion of my money going there. There are soo many better ways the money could be spent but that is not one of them!

Misty G. Don't they have to pay to play there?! HELLO?! Our kids are having to pay to play sports etc. in school now... What the heck is wrong with the local government?! Flat tires from potholes, kids watching sports instead of playing cause they can't afford to play,wait... this on the heels of the report that Emporia population down 1300 something??!! LOL Guess that makes sense!! Good job to those we trusted to spend our money WISELY!!!!

Amy P. Maybe if the golf course needs money for something they should hold a fun raiser like our kids have to do for our school, sports, or any other "extra" club that makes out children better. who knows maybe if our schools had more money for more resources we could have some GREAT leaders in the next 15-30 years!! :)

Joyce P. And you wonder why I moved myself & my family out of Emporia....here in Washington..you dont have to pay to go to school....all ou need is supplies....;)

Mark S. maybe a charity golf tourney?

Stephanie F. Ventura I don't know anyone who goes golfing. This is stupid. We need to move out too.

Edward Mckernan Golfers pay fees to enter. Fees should also be charged for library and zoo use...maybe 20% of what it costs to golf. Entertainment is entertainment

Stephanie F.Ventura Ummm no. No one will pay to use the library or the zoo when its been free all these years..

Cherie C. If you start charging people to use the library or the zoo then you will be taking away the one source of free, nice, family entertainment that this town has.

Keri S. the city of emporia leaders are ignorant as hell they need to give money to our schools before all these brand new schools shut down and force kids to stay home to learn which will increase the obesity epidemic.

August 11, 2010 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

No doubt, FarmRaised.

It is better to let people wonder if you are ignorant that to open your mouth and confirm it.

As for the money to the golf course, why not? The city has decided to operate on a deficit this year, they are probably going to raise taxes to cover it and I guess I can sub baking soda for toothpaste, laundry soap, dish soap, deodorant and maybe even body soap too. How many times can bathwater be re-used before it's considered unhealthy instead of just gross, anyway? I mean, that golf course is going to need water, so anything I can do to help with that. No, really, it's the least I can do.

August 11, 2010 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

esu42 (anonymous) says...

The money should be used to lure employers in instead. My husband and I are having to move out of Emporia, where we have lived all our lives, because he can't find a job here. Bang up job, city commission.

August 11, 2010 at 3:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Well, at the City of Emporia public budget hearing last night, I suggested that they cut expeditures across the board as much as what ever the percentage of reduction in tax revenue collections, which if you take the Commissioners point of view, is 5%, however most believe that it is closer to 26% and Matt Zimmerman admitted that the 26% figure was correct for last month . But it looks like they are going to ignore cutting any expenditures and go on with business as usual.
I suggest if you wish to make it known to the City Commissioners how you really feel about the spend and tax policy that has been going on for quite a number of years now, you attend the next public Budget hearing on Aug. 18th at I believe the Rec. Center.

But if you do attend be prepared for a lot of the old proverbial " Blowing of Smoke " .

August 11, 2010 at 4:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

lowereastside (anonymous) says...

The city has got to start running like a business. If something isn't making enough money to support itself. SHUT IT DOWN!

August 11, 2010 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gooseylucy (anonymous) says...

Hey City Comm., I like to play horseshoes, but I don't have enough $$ to water the grass, paint my stakes etc. Could you subsidize my horseshoe pits?? A couple thousand ought to do it. Thanks!!

August 11, 2010 at 4:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

reality (anonymous) says...

I can understand why people are objecting to this, but I don't think they are considering everything. Improvements to the golf course will draw out-of-towners in to play golf. Tournaments bring it a lot of people, mostly local but not all. I play golf, and I know I have traveled to a lot of other cities in Kansas to play golf at well known courses, and I hold an annual membership to the Municipal course. Will the extra people in town justify the $250,000? Not for me to decide, just trying to point out other sides of the discussion. I would love to know what this money will be spent on because it does seem like a lot.

August 11, 2010 at 4:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bobhornet (anonymous) says...

Reality, you have a point, but I don't see how a municipal golf course in a town of 26,000 is ever going to be a regional draw. People will go to Manhattan, Lawrence, or the KC area to play at first-class golf courses before they will come to ours.

I have no problem with a reasonable subsidy; after all, a golf course falls under the purview of recreation. I do have a problem with a $255,000 subsidy.

August 11, 2010 at 5:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ToxicPink (anonymous) says...

Down with our education system!

Up with golf!

GOLF! F-YEAR!

August 11, 2010 at 6:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sail (anonymous) says...

ohh the people are waking up,limited money means someones ox is going to get gored.Better find a new way to raise rev. fast or cut spending.

August 11, 2010 at 8:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Wichitawings (anonymous) says...

I think that some of the people who are making these posts don't realize how much money that the golf course brings to Emporia. For every High School State event, at least $50,000 goes into Emporia businesses, such as motels, eataries, shopping centers. We should help the golf course and we should really lobby the KSHAA to get more of the state tounaments into the city. Also the monies that the city collects from the golf course goes against all of the park maintenance areas that don't have any fees.

August 11, 2010 at 8:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

booker5m (anonymous) says...

The city will do what they want just like always! Doesnt matter what the tax payers want

August 11, 2010 at 9:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bandit1 (anonymous) says...

Read USA Today from last week. Played golf rounds in Kansas are down approximately 8%. What this means is that the subsidy should increase in the years to come.

August 11, 2010 at 9:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oops (anonymous) says...

Here is an idea...sell it. That way the people that want the golf course get what they want, and the rest of us aren't footing the bill.

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

neighbor (anonymous) says...

In the grand scheme of things, $250k is relatively cheap considering the money spent on other parks around town that most residents never step foot into.

I don't golf. I know several people that quit because fees got too high for their budget. I've always felt that the golf course was a privilege enjoyed by very few for the expense. Perhaps we should shut down the airport too?

The schools are where the fat is located IMO.

August 11, 2010 at 11:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

What's a beer cost at the city (tavern) golf course? Maybe they could raise the price of beverages to help defray costs. I've been told that the fees are high now, don't know I can't golf.

The golf course does fall under a quality of life part of the taxes, just like the swimming pool, zoo and parks system. Emporia does need a golf course other than the country club.
How much we subsidize it is a tough question.

August 12, 2010 at 6:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MisterO (anonymous) says...

"For every High School State event, at least $50,000 goes into Emporia businesses"

Well....how 'bout if we just take that $50,000 out of the $250,000 in taxpayer subsidies and return the other $200,000 to the taxpayers?

August 12, 2010 at 7:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

LAZER (anonymous) says...

Well....
I am sure, that with the huge majority of members VERY LIKELY being REPUBLICAN...and most of those, probably, "Tea Partiers", I can't see how this can be justified.
Of course, people being people, when something concerns them, there is a much different outlook.
I am sure most members were strongly against the GENERAL MOTORS and the Insurance Company, as well as the Bank Bailouts---that all happened during the Republican "Watch".
If money was given/loaned, whatever, would that mean the City of Emporia has TAKEN OVER the Golf Course?
Republicans said that about Obama.
Maybe, we should check into the City Council's Birth Certificates? Can we be sure they are actually American Citizens?

August 12, 2010 at 7:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hometownkid (anonymous) says...

This little story makes me think of local government.

Monkeys --

Start with a cage containing five monkeys.

Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string

and place a set of stairs under it.

Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs

and start to climb towards the banana.

As soon as he touches the stairs,

spray all the other monkeys with cold water.

After a while another monkey makes the

attempt with same result, all the other

monkeys are sprayed with cold water.

Pretty soon when another Monkey tries to climb

the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.

Now, put the cold water away.

Remove one monkey from the cage

and replace it with a new one.

The new monkey sees the banana

and wants to climb the Stairs.
To his shock, all of the other monkeys attack him.

After another attempt and attack, he knows that if

he tries to climb the stairs he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five

monkeys and replace it with a new one.

The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked.

The previous newcomer takes part

in the punishment with enthusiasm.

Likewise, replace a third original monkey

with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth.

Every time the newest monkey

takes to the stairs he is attacked.

Most of the monkeys that are beating him up

have no idea why they were not permitted

to climb the stairs or why they are participating

in the beating of the newest monkey.

After replacing all of the original monkeys, none of
the remaining monkeys have ever been

sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey

ever again approaches the stairs to try for the banana.

Why not?

Because as far as they know, that is the way it has

always been done around here.

And that, my fellow monkeys,

is how Congress operates....
We need to REPLACE

all the original monkeys this November.

August 12, 2010 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justaflushaway (anonymous) says...

Having never been on the small ball field, but I have driven by many time in my 66 years.

The place looks like it has a good stand of grass, even though they do mow the grass really short, and I have heard the are some ponds on the patch of ground, along with some cement paths, I think that if a guy was to let that grass grow, it would be a hella of a good spot to put some cattle on maybe around 50 head of cows. I have been told there are some sheds on the area for the cattle to get out of the bad weather. One neighbor even told me that a friend of his said that there is a building there that would make a damn good home for a young farmer or cattle man to start out with. With all of them city people wanting to move to the country, maybe that land can be saved before they want to take it over. JMO

August 12, 2010 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Wichitawings (anonymous) says...

When you think about it, it all makes sense. The half cent sales tax for the new courthouse that will never go away because the voters didn't know the total bill (there never was one) and we all see how much they improved that. The half cent sales tax to improve and bring business to Emporia (Tyson scaled way back, Modine shut down, Menu got sold before it had to start paying property taxes). The same will happen with Hills. We make all these concessions to get a business, but it seems no money ever hits the city coffers. Just keep adding taxes and pretty soon we will be a town of 12,000.

August 12, 2010 at 8:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Wichitawings (anonymous) says...

I also agree with Opps, maybe the city should sell it, maybe to the group in Topeka that took seven golf course from Abilene to Lake Perry and there fees are half of what Emporia is. A corporation can handle the business end very well, of course then our high school kids would have to pay to play when school is in session, but I am sure the parents wouldn't mind that. We don't have to help our kids do we?

August 12, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

nks (anonymous) says...

The Topeka deal is awesome. It is app $29/month per family. It includes a workout facility, and a choice of 7 golf courses to choose from. A round on Fri-Sun out at the muni is over $30 by itself.
I still think that if they would move their twilite time up a little earlier and even offer a nine hole fee it would help business. (maybe they have) In the past, twilite didnt start til 5 and who wanted to take advantage of the measly discount with only a couple hours of daylight. Not to mention that after golfing at courses around the state, when it was mentioned where we were from, we received several replies such as "beautiful course, but bad customer service, very unfriendly, etc...". THis was a couple of years back, though.

August 12, 2010 at 10:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tbluma (anonymous) says...

There was $280,000 in the budget for landscaping and tennis courts at Hammond Park.
$400,000 for a wading pool at JAC.
$250,000 for a arbor at Peter Pan Park.
Why ain't any body raising hell about that?
Maybe it's just me but they aren't needed any more than the golf course needs their's.

August 12, 2010 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bloomsbury (SC DIXON) says...

Hometownkid, you made me laugh out loud. Thanks, that was spot-on!

August 12, 2010 at 12:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

tbluma

I questioned the Commission about all of the expenditures that you mentioned.

The answer I got was those expenditures are listed under CIP, ( Capitol Improverments ) and was told that those expenditures are just there, but funds would not be spent on them now . Those things listed in CIP are improvements to be considered in the future. As for how far into the future money will be spent on CIP items, is anyones guess. But I am guessing it will have to be after 2011, since the 2011 Budget is pretty much set.

So we will all have to be very vigilant as to future City of Emporia Budgets and what kind of spending and taxing the local government leaders are wanting to spend and on what.

I am watching and keeping tabs as best I can for all of us.

I am planning on attending the Commission Budget Approval session on the !8th. of August, just to make sure that there is no sneeking of anything from the CIP list into the 2011 Budget. If that is tried, you can be assured that this old " fart of a Roman Candle " will certainly blow its top.

Hope that answered your query?

August 12, 2010 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

neighbor (anonymous) says...

That's exactly what I referred to above tbluma. At least the golf course puts money back into the economy with it's events and tourneyments. It creates a few jobs. It prevents a few divorces and probably causes a few more. The arbor at PPP will produce what? ZERO How many people will come to town and spend money at the wading pool? ZERO Landscaping and tennis courts at Hammond Park will not put money back in the economy unless you count the booze sold for the college parties that will be held on them.

August 12, 2010 at 1:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Here is a post I made on another thread concerning the City Budget.

The only mention I can see about anything concerning Peter Pan Park or the Golf course listed on the 2011 Budget is listed under Multi Year Fund as follows,
Repair Parking Lot at Golf Shop-$85,000
Enlarge # 9 Pond $180,000
Peter Pan Park Rest Room
( lake/arbor ) total cost $75,00 - $25,000

The big ticket item for Peter Pan Park, JAC, Hammond Park, Quiet Zone Improvements, are listed under CIP, but not funded. And all of these listed under cCIP, but not funded .... total $2,193,316 .

Does this answer your question .

And I agree that none of these are really necessary, especially the $ 1,050,000 price tag for Quiet Zone improvements or the $400,000 JAC wading pool, $250,000 Hammond Park Tennis court replacement and there are other items that I feel are unnecessary as well.

August 12, 2010 at 2:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

marko (anonymous) says...

all this talk about monkeys makes me wonder why they dont put monkeys back in PPP, it is a quality of life issue.

August 12, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

rabblerouser (anonymous) says...

When looking at the budget they first need to look at Critical Services first. Then look at other needed Services. In this economy forget about the wish list of Nice to have services and expenditures. Treat your budget just like every other household has to do in Emporia. Forget about the unnecessary items and pie in the sky spending for things you can not afford. No critical capitol line items and stop wearing out those new John Deere mowers mowing along the Americus Road Outside the city limits.

August 14, 2010 at 7:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

REWBA (anonymous) says...

Stupidity means that no one who agrees to have a hole dug has ever dug a hole. That is why it costs so much to dig a hole. I just dug a hole for a decorative pond and it only cost the price of a sharpshooter. 18 bucks. My new pond is 23 foot long and 14 foot wide. It is 4 foot deep and is shaped like a kidney. I used recycled materials to line it and found enough rocks to decorate it while I was digging it. If the golf course people really want a bigger pond they will do it without money. Just get out shovels and start digging. What a bunch of idiots! I mean the people who pay these guys....Taxpayers!

August 14, 2010 at 11:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Love your new pond, REWBA. Your idea for those golfers to dig their own pond is the best one yet. Bravo!!!

I don't play golf. Never will. To be fair, however, I don't often go to the zoo either, but I do like supporting it for the good of those who do use it because it is a good thing for our children who get much more entertainment from going to the zoo than going to the golf course to watch people look for little white balls.

August 15, 2010 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

REWBA, create,

The City of Emporia Budget is a " done deal ". The Budget will be adopted as is, with no cuts in expeditures of any kind . The Commissioners ask for public input, but ignore same and continue with the business of raping the taxpayers, as usual, without a second thought as to the conquences their actions may have on the Emporia taxpayers or the City.

Sales tax revenues are down, because people are not visiting or shopping Emporia ... property tax revenues are down, because a lot of people cannot afford to maintain their homes to a high standard, so the assesed value will either stay the same or increase in value, so they will have to pay higher property taxes on it and people are leaving Emporia, because of the growing lack of jobs and the continued spending and taxing that our local government leaders, insist on doing. So there you have it the vicious, seemingly, unbreakable circle. That has caused the downward spiral Emporia and Emporias taxpayers are and have been in for the last 5 to 10 years .

All because our local government leaders do not have the fortitude to make the necessary Budget, expenditure cuts needed to try and stop the free fall into unbelievable debt. that is waiting at the end of chasim . Apparently our local City leaders have not taken a look at the 2011 City Budgets of the Citys they continually wish to " emulate " to see that these Citys have in fact made the difficult decision to make the necessary expenditure cuts to their budgets, in order to keep the costs to taxpayers within reason and not raise or extend taxes. And most of these Citys, such as Lawrence, Overland Park, Topeka, Manhattan, Wichita are much larger than Emporia and have a larger jobs and tax base to draw from and most of these citys I mentioned also have the same exact sales tax rate or less than Emporia. " Go Figure " !

But since the 2011 City of Emporia Budget is, essentially, a done deal, I will not worry about the 2011 City Budget any longer and worry only about whether I and my sister will be able to get outta here in the near future . And I certainly will not put forth the effort on the 2012 budget or any future City of Emporia Budgets .

August 15, 2010 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

REWBA (anonymous) says...

Give me $180K and I'll make a pond that people could go surfing in. And, since we will have all that dirt left over, let's make a mountain for people to ski down in the winter. Seriously though, KDOT has made ponds for people just to get the dirt. Has anyone from the golf course offered KDOT some dirt?

August 15, 2010 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

'If the golf course people really want a bigger pond they will do it without money. Just get out shovels and start digging."

Talk about your classic "shovel-ready job" to stimulate our economy.

August 15, 2010 at 1:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justaflushaway (anonymous) says...

still dont understand why they need to enlarge a pond, that has to be the most stupid idea, and who had the balls to go and ask for money to get a bigger pond WOW and the city dont have any money??? seems like they have loads of money, I only wish I could say what I want, but wont

August 15, 2010 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

irishemporia (anonymous) says...

does anyone know why the golf course wants a bigger pond? What is to be gained?

August 15, 2010 at 7:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

marko (anonymous) says...

come on people everybody knows that having a bigger pond will attract more tourists. not to mention increase the sales on golf balls.

August 15, 2010 at 8:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bmlynar (Bobbi Mlynar) says...

We have Friends of the Zoo, Friends of the Library, Friends of the Health Center, and other similar groups. Any reason why municipal course supporters can't organize a Friends of the Golf Course to help with the city subsidy?

August 15, 2010 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justaflushaway (anonymous) says...

ooooooooh, damn didnt think about that.
Maybe alot of the "O" crowd will want to go see a enlarged pond.

I would almost bet that we dont know but , there is probably a $150,000 ball retriver in one of the cow barns, right beside those $75,000 lawn mowers they use to mow the damn place. and I wonder if the commission or zimmy has looked at the gazettes question yet, I will say now that this will fade away ,along with the voting. If this really happens, it will be a sad deal, but, it reminds me of someone else who does listen to anything the people have to say.
Hey gazette, would you please find out more on this pond enlargement and who it will cost $180,000? I dont really to much to ask, since you probably covered it when it was discussed, as you are the official newspaper, remember??

August 15, 2010 at 9:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

neighbor (anonymous) says...

"does anyone know why the golf course wants a bigger pond? "

More irrigation water.

August 15, 2010 at 10:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Things must have gotten nasty on the

Everything outdoors thread.

neighbor is correct on their answer. You have to keep those greens watered, hence the need for a larger pond.

August 16, 2010 at 5:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

I would ask these questions . What happens when the " $180,000 enlarged pond " has almost no water in it, caused by a prolonged dry spell, that has been known to occur around here and the greens can' t even be watered, either with the " $180,000 enlarged pond " or City water, because of water rationing ? These kinds of dry conditions have happened here before !

And does anyone, even the leaders of the City of Emporia, know how many golf courses there are in Kansas, alone ?
The answer is .... 236 !

What is really amazing to me is the fact that the City of Emporia's Kings and Queens and their Court( City Commissioners) can' t seem to realize that they, the City of Emporia or Emporia's taxpayers cannot afford to compete with the likes of the larger Citys, that have a larger jobs base, therefore a larger taxbase with which to draw taxpayer revenues from and they will certainly never be able to compete with the likes of a " Pebble Beach " or the like.

August 16, 2010 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

FarmRaised,
The two comments after your pic link were agreeing with you, based on your info, that the EG needed to look a little deeper. I didn't see the last one. I assumed it was just the time stamp of when they shut down and removed the comments. I don't know if it works that way, though.

August 16, 2010 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Know what you mean farmraised.
Someones toes got stepped on.

Maybe the Gazette feels there may be legal issues with the posts, I don't know, I didn't see the last ones either.

August 16, 2010 at 11:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

booker5m (anonymous) says...

Man they took all the comments down LOL

August 16, 2010 at 12:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

neighbor (anonymous) says...

$180k to build a pond is outrageous in the lst place, I've had quotes of under $2k for a nice sized pond on my place. I would hope that pumps and plumbing would be included in that price for the irrigation system and other improvements. They want the bigger pond now Meth because the current one could do exactly what you suggest, it might go dry in a drought. They are trying to have much larger reserve of water so that won't happen. Dug deep enough anywhere in Lyon Co, they will hit the water channel or a spring. I have never seen ponds on my parents place go completely dry in really dry years, and they are not that deep.

August 16, 2010 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

I wonder if Farm Raised comments will make Wednesday's Words? Hmmmmmm

August 16, 2010 at 4:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

rabblerouser (anonymous) says...

Maybe the Commissioners should offer to dig the pond at the golf course. They are pretty darn good at shoveling it, #^&&^@$ that is!

August 16, 2010 at 9:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

I like Bobbi's idea about "Friends of the Golf Course."

Maybe they could offer coupons for playing so many holes free in exchange for wheelbarrows of dirt dug by volunteers.
rabblerouser's right. There are a lot of talented shovelers around here. ☺

August 16, 2010 at 9:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Wichitawings (anonymous) says...

I don't understand the enlarging the pond on #9, that pond isn't used for irrigation anyway, it is just runoff from the airport to the farm to the south when it rains a lot. Now if they are going to enlarge the pond and install a pumping system so it can be used for irrigation then that would help with not using city water when we are going into dry spells like we have been this year. They should also do the same and fix the pumping system in the pond west of #2, this would actually save some money that is spent on city water usage. But then we would all have to pay higher water rates because of lower city water usage.

August 17, 2010 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Wichitawings (anonymous) says...

For all of you people who complain about the golf course because you don't play, maybe you should be argueing about setting up a "First Tee" program for our youth in the area and promote golf to our youth. It would help our EHS golf team and maybe give our kids something to do instead of painting graffiti around town and vandilizing cars.

August 17, 2010 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

REWBA (anonymous) says...

$180,000.00 would buy a lot of water. If the pond is for irrigation, perhaps the management should look at drilling a well. Out there you don’t have to go very deep to hit water. I would like to see the scope of work for this project to understand where they come up with $180,000.00.

August 17, 2010 at 10:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

nks (anonymous) says...

Maybe when we find the little SOB"s that painted the Peter Pan playground, they can start the pond digging process by hand.

Didnt they enlarge a pond just a few years ago for the same reason????

August 18, 2010 at 6:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Wichitawings (anonymous) says...

The pond that was enlarged was on #15 so if they are wanting to enlarge #9 that is a query. Promote the "First Tee" program for our youth!!!

August 18, 2010 at 8:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justaflushaway (anonymous) says...

CITY WATER??

HEY ZIMMY,

MAYBE THAT IS WHERE THE WATER LEAK is

August 18, 2010 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

Well, as I see it, if they dig this pond for irrigation, I won't need to re-use my bathwater to conserve water for the golf course--so that's a plus.
Now, if they raise my taxes any more to cover this deficit spending, I'll just have the "substituting-everything-I-can-with-baking-soda" issue to deal with. Of course, I may have to cut back on water usage to keep my bill down.....so I'm right back where I was.

Well, never mind. It's back to the state of defeated confusion headaches for me.

August 18, 2010 at 4:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tbluma (anonymous) says...

Been out of town for a week and still am.
My statement and question is this.
I like to play golf, and I frequent the course as afften as I can. However I still don't think we need to spend the money now.
My question is this. Is the money still in the budget for the improvements to Hammond park to the tune of $280,000 for landscaping and tennis courts? If it is why aren't you guys raising hell about that. At least the golf course has some return on investment. Unlike a damn park.

August 18, 2010 at 7:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

tbluma

The $250,000 replace Hammond Park Tennis Courts is listed under CIP, but not funded . Which my understanding is that this expenditure is not funded in the 2011 budget, but may be funded in some future budget .

August 18, 2010 at 9:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )