On the surface, spending one in Emporia may not seem to make much difference to our economy.
But when nearly 53,000 of them are spent out of town they make even less of an impact. In fact, according to a basic economic principle, called the local multiplier effect, every dollar spent in a community is spent seven more times before it leaves town.
So, in theory, last week when Lyon County commissioners approved the purchase of three 2010 Chevy Impalas for $52,969.50 for use in Community Corrections, it would have a potential economic impact of approximately $350,000 on Emporia and Lyon County.
That’s significant.
Unfortunately, it was a missed opportunity. The commissioners approved Community Corrections Director Robert Sullivan to buy the three vehicles from Ed Bozarth Chevrolet, giving Topeka a $370,000 boost instead of Emporia.
According to Lyon County commissioners, the purchase made the most sense. With a $3,000 difference in the submitted bids for each vehicle, Emporia dealerships couldn’t match the contract price the State of Kansas had with the Topeka dealership.
That may be true. Oftentimes state contracts make it nearly impossible for local businesses to compete for dollars. But for a town whose slogan is “Shop Emporia first - it just makes cents,” we expect our community leaders to be the first ones to ensure, when given the opportunity, that dollars are spent in our city and county.
The latest $53,000 purchase may have been unavoidable this time, but the questions it raises should give commissioners — and local consumers — some things to consider in the future: When is it prudent to look for the absolute lowest price, no matter what? And, when is it better to spend a little more on a purchase to keep businesses thriving locally?
Those are some tough questions to answer, but when it comes to spending dollars in Emporia and Lyon County, whether one (or tens of thousands) of them is spent by the mayor, a commissioner or a local consumer, they have the same positive impact on our economy.
Everyone and every one counts.
Ashley Knecht Walker
Editor
Comments
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Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
So in theory, when the Gazette laid off three people to take their business to Lawrence, they're giving Lawrence a $420,000 boost EVERY YEAR instead of Emporia. That's assuming the 3 people laid off made at least $20,000 per year, which I'm sure they did.
January 30, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sunshine (anonymous) says...
Good point Chevy_Guy. Sometimes, especially in the economicly disastrous times we live in, we have to save where we can.
January 30, 2010 at 12:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
The spelling of "cents" in Emporia's slogan isn't really spelled like that, is it? That is a horrible song anyways. Every time I hear it I can't help but sing it as loud as I can in a mocking voice. That song has definitely served its purpose and should be put to rest.
January 30, 2010 at 1:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tbluma (anonymous) says...
Chevy
Pot calling the Kettle black is the phrase that comes to my mind.
Good post
January 30, 2010 at 1:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Joe (anonymous) says...
In spite of the condescending comments, the author is trying to make a very good point. Every dollar we spend out of town directly influences the economic stability of our county, its cities, and its citizens. Some people just can't seem to figure this out. As I have stated before, I will gladly spend a little more, and often times a little less, buying locally knowing good and well that it supports our infrastructure. Taxes will continue to go up and up as long as we spend our resources elsewhere. Everyone expects the same services that they have had in the past and those can only be financed by the citizens of this county. When the coffers run dry your taxes go up and then you really start complaining. It's your own fault! Some people will drive hundreds of miles thinking they are saving a bundle of money and when you put a calculator to the cost of the trip they end up spending more than they thought they were pesonally saving. Same goes with the internet. Think about the shipping charges. Then you add up the tax dollars lost and it is complete lunacy. If we can not take care of each other, we are truly lost. I will always support the local economies. I suggest you take a long hard look at yourselves and do the same. It does make...cents!!!
January 30, 2010 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Does Ashley Walker have the slightest idea how many budget cuts have been made to Community Corrections by the state? Why hasn't she published that along with her condemnation? Not positive enough? Might she find out that entire programs have had to be cut? How does an agency spend precious budget money with regard to the local economy when every single dollar must count right then and there? It boils down to dollars and cents right now, not down the road, especially in an atmosphere of nearly constant budget cuts.
Excellent post, Chevy_guy.
January 30, 2010 at 4:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Unfortunately due to the Gazette's recent decision to outsource its printing...it made Ms Walker's editorial I setting duck for the criticism it is getting. But the sentiment expressed in that editorial is valid despite its somewhat hypocritical appearance.
Joe's comments were right on the money. And as is often apparent on these boards tunnel vision is not always limited to the Gazette and government.....It is a street that runs both directions all over town!
January 30, 2010 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
create
I don't know about community correction's budget or how necessary their decision to purchase out of town was. But I do know that in a time when Emporia's economy is in danger of imploding from within.....an agency of county government spending money in another county.....or the local newspaper outsourcing its printing operation to another city...might reasonably be considered counter-productive to those of us stuck in the middle.
January 30, 2010 at 4:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
powercat (anonymous) says...
I don't know why everyone blames the Gazette for where they print. Today presses cost millions of dollars.
The newspaper is a reflection of the state of the community. If people shop locally, buy locally, and support local then perhaps the newspaper would have had the millions of dollars to buy new printing equipment. Perhaps the local governments should set the example for the community of spending dollars at home.
January 30, 2010 at 5:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
quarterback (anonymous) says...
Before you call the kettle black, think about yourself -- I wonder how many of you bloggers have purchased every item you have locally??? Don't point at the speck in your neighbor's eye before you remove the plank from your own!
January 30, 2010 at 5:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
quarterback......
Every item I have...of course not......every item in the past three years.....you betcha.....every single one of them. Now about the plank in your eye.....
January 30, 2010 at 5:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
"Everyone and every one counts."
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!
Oh, sorry. I was remembering when Ashley was on KVOE reminding people that unless they sign their name to a post, it means nothing to her.......or basically, "doesn't count." I guess the rules are different for everyday dollars than for everyday opinions even if it involves all of the same nameless, faceless Emporians.
Otherwise, I agree with the article (of course, if I said it first--especially anonymously-- it would be negative.
I guess maybe I'm still a little sore and shouldn't be on here too much.
January 30, 2010 at 6:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
Joe
You should replace "In spite of the condescending comments, the author is trying to make a very good point." with "Dear Emporia Gazette,"
oh4theluvof
Can you fill me in on what you're talking about? I just moved back to Emporia so I'm still in the dark on some things. I tried searching around for what you were referring to, but found nothing.
January 30, 2010 at 6:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Chevy_Guy
You make a good point with your "Dear Emporia Gazette" comment. It would have made a good post an even better one.
January 30, 2010 at 6:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Chevy_Guy:
This all went down in early December:
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...
There was a follow-up interview done on KVOE a few days later and you can find notes and related comments here:
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/empor...
I don't know of any official transcript.
BTW, I also liked your point.
January 30, 2010 at 7:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
irishemporia (anonymous) says...
Powercat nailed it. You can't buy a press locally. And even if you could, even a used press will set you back a serious fortune. There really isn't any option for the Gazette except to go elsewhere to print. And, what good are pressmen without a press, so let them go (or find them something else to do at the Gazette).
My guess is the Gazette does plenty to support the local economy. And Walker is right. Every dollar WE spend in Emporia is a boost for the local economy.
That said, I admit to doing business in Topeka and Wichita, on occasion. However, by the time I pay for gas, eat a meal (or two), and account for unexpected expenditures for products I didn't know I needed until I saw them, there are no savings.
Bottom line, if we want a better Emporia, we have to do our part and buy locally.
January 30, 2010 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Look at spending out of town this way, it's redistribution of wealth. Right?
January 30, 2010 at 9:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
When the powers that be build a palace masquerading as a courthouse, talk of visitor's centers and things of this nature I am only strengthened in my resolve not to spend a dime here if I can. I refuse to feed the monster anymore.
January 30, 2010 at 11:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Joe, makes the following statement, " Everyone expects the same services that they have had in the past and those can only be financed by the citizens of this county. When the coffers run dry your taxes go up and then you really start complaining. It's your own fault! "
Well, I have been asking in one form or another, when the taxpayers coffers run dry and the taxpayers no longer have money in their coffers to pay their taxes, because of excessive, unnecessary and unneeded spending that is done by both the City and the County, then who is to blame for the taxpayers empty coffers ? Oh and by the way a substantial amount of the spending that is done by the City and County is for purchases made outside the City and County. So much for shopping and spending locally !
Does the City or County or Gazette spend a little more for local purchases ? Or does the City, County and Gazette accept and approve the lowest bids for goods and services, no matter the location of the seller of those goods or services .
And yet these very same entitys belittle anyone else who shops for lower priced goods or services, elsewhere. How hypocritical is hyprocritical, anyway ?
January 30, 2010 at 11:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (anonymous) says...
Whose job is it? This is a story about 4 people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
January 31, 2010 at 1:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (anonymous) says...
If city and county employees didn't have so many days off, they could spend more money in the local economy. If I was the manager, this is the way I would handle this problem. So you want a day off. Let's take a look at what you are asking for. There are 365 days per year available for work. There are 52 weeks per year in which you already have two days off per week, leaving 261 days available for work. Since you spend 16 hours everyday away from work, you have used up 170 days, leaving only 91 days available. You spend 30 minutes each day on coffee break that accounts for 23 days each year, leaving only 68 days available. With a one hour lunch period each day, you have used up another 48 days leaving 22 days available for work. You normally spend 2 days per year on sick leave. This leaves you only 20 days available for work. We offer 5 holidays per year, so your available working time is down to 15 days. We generously give you 14 days vacation per year which leaves you only 1 day available for work and I'll be damned if you're going to take that day off!!!
January 31, 2010 at 1:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dick (anonymous) says...
Well what do you know, it takes the Editors wife to finally come out and comment on this subject. Doesn't appear the Editor wants to ruffle any feathers so he lets dear wifus take the hit. Good job anyway Mrs. Walker. You are right as rain.
January 31, 2010 at 7:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Agree or not at least Ashley signed her name to a editorial.
Bids are bids, the lowest one should win, if up to the specs. Especially when it is tax dollars being spent.
As far as Chevy_Guys response on the lay-off of Gazette printers, I am pretty sure that was a well thought out business decision by the Walker's and it probably wasn't easy for them to do it, not to mention the devastating effects it has had on the layed off employees.
If the Gazette would have bought a new press and kept the jobs here, how much would the advertising and subscription rates gone up to pay for it? Would a subscription cost $40.00 a month? Some on these threads think the Gazette is overpriced now. Will there even be a paper Gazette in 20 years?
And like goodoleboy, I get tired of the spending habits of some in government, but unlike him I still buy locally when I can and "feed the monster". Because besides the tax dollars collected, buying locally helps KEEP jobs in Emporia.
So it comes down to this, if paying with taxpayers money, you take the best bid. If buying something for yourself, weigh the costs and benefits of buying locally versus out of town and act accordingly, because the FIRST DOLLAR spent is after all, OUR dollar.
January 31, 2010 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truelovecharlie (anonymous) says...
Good Grief! You complain about being fiscally irresponsible and then complain when they went out of town to save $3000. Maybe Longbine should have met the price at little profit for good will. Had they paid a higher price bid they would be raked over the coals for doing that also. It sounds like it's becoming a no-win battle in Emporia. In my book $3000 is a huge amount to save in a budget that is already cut to the bone.
January 31, 2010 at 8:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Steve
I do believe we finally do agree on something. It's the first time in a while. Good post. Most of it I agreed with from the start...the places where I didn't you convinced me.
January 31, 2010 at 8:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I fear there will not be a print edition Gazette in five years. And I am real sorry to say that. Incidentally...I am one of the regular users of this forum the Gazette provides that does subscribe to the paper and believes that all contributors should have to subscribe....."If I had my way".
January 31, 2010 at 8:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Five years?
Really think it will be that quick?
I guess you could be right.
I know more and more young adults are on line for their news now, and some books.
I-pods are replacing radios for young peoples entertainment, so radio advertising is taking a hit, as fewer adults listen to regular radio.
Some of us old timers will still want the print edition of news if the costs don't get out of line.
But it will happen sooner or later.
January 31, 2010 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Also, I didn't want to give the impression that everyone should have to sign their real names on these forums. I have learned a lot from many of the anonymous posters on here. Things that may have not been discussed if identities were required. It is nice to know how the owners and staff of the paper think however.
January 31, 2010 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I agree again!
Don't get the idea that I'm just in an agreeable mood however. I have been unloading on other threads and I'm sure will get a lot of grief when others wake up.
January 31, 2010 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
$3000 per car, iow $12,000.00 saved buying out of town. I'm glad the Commission bought them, it doesn't cost $12k to haul three cars 60 miles South. The local dealerships don't want to deal, they have their price and that's it. I won't hesitate one second to buy elsewhere. Have a friend who bought a new truck recently, went to Wichita because he could get the exact same truck offered here in Emporia for $7000 less down there. Before buying, he told the local dealer what he had found out of town, asked them if they wanted to deal or not. They told him to go ahead and buy elsewhere, they refused to budge.
My thoughts exactly Chevy_Guy, typical of the "upper crust" to think we should do as they say, not as they do. I buy locally as long as the local business is not gouging me for the convienence.
January 31, 2010 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
It would seem that some completely missed the point of my post.
My point was and apparantely not very well made, was that if the City, County, Gazette or the so called powers that be, of Emporia can and do spend money or move operations else where, to save money and keep a little more in their pockets, by shopping and spending elsewhere, then why the big " Bitch " when the common, ordinary taxpayer does likewise and then is chastized for doing so. Also the other point I was trying to make, is, why do the City/County Commissioners expect us, as taxpayers to " tighten our belts " and do with less, when they cannot, will not or do not have the desire to do the same . Especially when when a lot of us taxpayers have already tightened our belts to the point of touching our backbones already .
I will ask again. When the coffers of the taxpaying citizen has completely dried up, where will the revenue come from for the Government, Federal, State, City and County to continue to spend, as if the taxpayer coffers were inexhaustable and forever full ?
January 31, 2010 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (anonymous) says...
Wall Street Journal: Front page news, Greensburg,Kansas population 1000 raises 3 million dollars for Tourism and they don't have 4 million traffic count. This small community is'nt singing on the radio 365 days a year to shop Greensburg but are going after the business. A traffic count of 4 million with 2.5 people per car equals 10 million. I don't understand why people don't get it. Strong City is receiving 6 million dollars for the Tall Grass Prairie but, Emporia is the front porch or are we the back porch? I tip my hat to these progressive small communities that will be building a better tomorow with out of town revenue coming to their towns.
January 31, 2010 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
What I would like to know is. Why is it when a new business, such as Lowes, Home Depot, etc., wish to locate in Emporia, the first ones to complain are the already established businesses, who say, vehemently, that if a new business comes to Emporia that just may have lower prices or compete with the already established business, the established business/businesses say they will not be able to compete or will not survive ! Where were the complaints from the already established businesses when Walmart located or wanted to locate in Emporia ?
Did Modine close because of another business locating in Emporia, did Madellyns close because of competition from another business ? Just how many businesses that have closed in Emporia, did so because of another business coming to Emporia ?
Here is a little hypothetical, scenario for you to think about.
Where would you as Emporians shop, if Walmart would suddenly close its Emporia store and nothing replaced it ?
January 31, 2010 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I'm on a fixed income for the year. Were that to happen, my dollars would certainly not go as far in neighboring stores. That's a great analogy for why Community Corrections went out of town to buy cars -- in order to stretch their limited dollar.
January 31, 2010 at 12:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
But Wally World would not have achieved it's retail dominance if shoppers years ago would have refused to abandon mom and pop's store just because they could save three cents on the dollar.
January 31, 2010 at 1:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
I wonder if our local government knows about GSA programs for local government.
http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/cont...
January 31, 2010 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
irishemporia (anonymous) says...
government agencies are not spending their money....they are spending our money. Therefore, I want them to get the best deal they can. If they means going to Topeka to save $12,000, then by all means, please do. I do expect government and private to shop locally when economically feasible. However, local businesses need to play they game, too. If business owners want the business, they need to offer the deals.
A good deal is a good deal. I'll always shop Emporia first, but if the better deal is elsewhere, that's where my money goes.
January 31, 2010 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
Wal-Mart was located in the so called mall but the owners of that building wanted so much money for rent that Wal-Mart decided to buy all the land north of I35 and build their own store. The parceled the land and sold it at a profit. What used to be an empty field is now the shopping center of this town.
January 31, 2010 at 1:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Wal Mart made a lucrative business deal. Can't blame them one bit.
But biscuit, it's no longer three cents on the dollar. It's more. And I'm told that Wal Mart's new strategy is to raise the value of their merchandise. It's just not a bunch of cheap stuff anymore.
January 31, 2010 at 8:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
create
You are right, Walmart is/has/going through internal re-structuring and adding/going to add more upscale merchandise to try and draw in a wealthier, more affluent customer . Which means that the average shopper will not longer be able to " Live better, Spend Less " at Walmart .
Let me give you an example. The lowest price AC/DC adapter at Walmart is $24.95 . An AC/DC adapter from ECOST online is $9.95 + $2.00 Shipping = $11.95 Total cost.
And the one from ECOST is delivered to the door or mailbox, with out having to fight a checkout lane or lack of enough checkout lanes .
January 31, 2010 at 11:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
You should shop at home when you can, but $3000 per vehicle is more than just a little money. On one hand we want government to be efficient, on the other it is OK if they spend too much as long as they spend it where we feel they should. My own experience of buying vehicles in Emporia (or trying to) is that almost always you can get a much better deal somewhere else. There are two sides of this coin, on one hand local people should try to spend their money in their own community, but local merchants need to pull out all the stops to be competitive, the door swings both ways.
January 31, 2010 at 11:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
create
I've also heard for years that Wal-Mart's ultimate strategy was to eliminate all local competition in an area then start creeping prices back up. Perhaps a good way to do that would be to start going upscale. In fact there were some cases several years ago in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas where Wal-Mart, after eliminating all competition from small towns, would then start consolidating those small stores into one bigger store leaving the small town with nothing. I was working in the TV news business at the time and we did some stories on it.
February 1, 2010 at 3:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
alfalfa
I hear what your saying but it often goes beyond pulling out all stops. The sad truth is the mom and pop store must often pay as much wholesale for their merchandise as Wal-Mart is selling it for retail. At times they can literally buy their inventory off the shelf at Wal-Mart for about what they pay their supplier for it. Buying three train loads of a widget at one time has its pricing advantages.
That proves Wal-Mart's business strength and superiority over the mom and pop...but it's just another nail in the coffin of small town America.
February 1, 2010 at 3:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
If Wal-Mart got into the bar business downtown would be boarded up
February 1, 2010 at 7:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
koalemos,
Where did you get your information?
Those negotiations were supposed to be secret!
February 1, 2010 at 7:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
ooops
February 1, 2010 at 7:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Another personal example of what I was talking about with pricing. I also spent some time doing sales. A company with multiple outlets would get prices from us that were often near half of what a mom and pop would pay for the same items....even when their individual stores were located across the street from each other. Too bad mom and pop. But we did it because the bigger outlet could force us into lowering our prices or they would go to our competitor. Then we made up what we lost in margin on the big outlet on the back of the little one. Might not be fair...but it's the American way.
February 1, 2010 at 7:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I understand your point, biscuit. While I didn't realize Wal Mart was doing this bait and switch with inventory, I did know from a daughter who is an executive in the marketing industry (not Wal Mart) that Wal Mart was upscaling nation wide due to consumer complaints about too much cheap stuff from China and not enough American-made stuff which was Sam Walton's original mantra, "Buy American." I for one would like to see less stuff from China and more American made. Unfortunately, China will continue to copy American patterns, something I believe needs to be investigated -- an Obama initiative, btw.
Perhaps if local business were to start using giant clearing houses for their inventory, they too could play with sale prices. With regard to groceries, Best Choice is one of those brands so I take full advantage of store brands. Then again, so is Great Value, Wal Mart's offering.
You can't just keep soaking people for a widget when they can find the same one elsewhere for less. That includes shopping the Internet. During Christmas, I found several sites that offered free shipping on a variety of items. That's the time to buy. I bought a heavy winter dress coat and used the free shipping for that, plus the coat was on sale. Nothing around here would compare.
Another area I find attractive at Wal Mart is that they have begun offering all kinds of international food ingredients. In the past, if you didn't like plain ole meat and potatoes, you were outta luck.
As the population of baby boomers grows, you will see more and more people wanting to find more bang for their limited bucks.
And when a local agency can buy cars in bulk from out of town thus getting more bang for my tax buck, then I'm all for it.
February 1, 2010 at 7:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Yea...I'm not trying to argue with you. There are limits to how much more you can continue to pay just to keep the money at home...and a three thousand dollar per vehicle savings is a lot of incentive to buy elsewhere.
I was just trying to point out that for small town, small volume, outlets.....there is often more involved than just tightening up the profit margin. Cooperative buying and clearing houses can be a big help to small outlets. But nobody really has much of a chance to compete with Wal-Mart's massive buying power. They pretty much own many of their suppliers to the extent that the supplier plays by their rules or they will break that supplier...figuratively as well as literally.
February 1, 2010 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reality (anonymous) says...
I can't believe that someone would complain about the decision to do this. Finally a decision from the county that seems like good business. And I agree with many of the other posts, shop local until you find something that blows them out of the water. My guess is, had the bids only been $500 apart instead of $3000 that the cars would have been purchased in town.
February 1, 2010 at 8:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
The people have a great point about it being cheaper to print outside of Emporia.
That's why I shop outside of Emporia. Plus, I can find better shoes at the Topeka mall in comparison to the three clothing stores in ours.
Bring me more clothing stores that don't suck and I'll shop here.
Get me a Gordmans. Please.
February 1, 2010 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ksresident (anonymous) says...
Agrees with Toxic. When you shop for quality and cost Emporia does not always have it. I live on a budget, and I have to shop within my budget. Shopping Emporia first is not always within my budget. I wish it was, but its not. I acutally save money by driving to Topeka for my clothing, shoes and electronics. And I really save big by shopping on-line. I would love to put money into the economy locally but its just not always cost efficient for me. Some people are blessed to be able to purchase locally without having to worry about if they can get it someplace else cheaper, but I am not one of them.
February 1, 2010 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
If they would have purchased those vehicles locally, there would have been a screeching cry from the peanut gallery about the good ole boy golfing buddies making side deals over cocktails.
February 1, 2010 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shineon (anonymous) says...
Why don't our city and county leaders shop in Emporia more? The truth is they do as much business within the city as possible. If the car dealership in question really wanted the business, they would have got it done. Apparently they are do well enough to let this deal pass them by. Then Mrs. Walker and her newspaper want to gripe and complain about not doing business in Emporia. Despite the the fact it would have cost the taxpayers an extra $9000.00. Ge wiz Mrs. Walker didn't you company recently outsource all your printing to Lawrence? I don't know all the details of your business decision. But I'm sure you and your husband did what was best for the business. Right?
So now the county county does something similar to save the tax taxpayers as much as possible. And its the wrong decision? Can't have your cake and eat it too Mrs. Walker. What do you see when you look in the mirror?
I for one and proud of our County Commissioners for doing their job and getting the best deal for the taxpayers.
Regards,
ShineOn
February 1, 2010 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
powercat (anonymous) says...
ShineOn,
Did you actually read what Mrs. Walker wrote? She never condemned the commissioners for the purchase, in fact, she said it couldn't be avoided this time. Furthermore, she only wrote this to make people CONSIDER these questions. And rightly so! As responsible citizens of this town, we SHOULD be considering and weighing the pros and cons of where we spend our money. I thought Walker's article was thoughtfully written.
February 1, 2010 at 10:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shineon (anonymous) says...
My interpretation of the story and what yours is apparently different. I was reading between the lines. To each his own.
Regards,
ShineOn
February 1, 2010 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
powercat,you must have read a different article than I did. Walker's message may not have outright condemned the commish, but she made some pretty strong inferences with such phrasing as, "Unfortunately, it was a missed opportunity.: and "...we expect our community leaders to be the first ones to ensure, when given the opportunity, that dollars are spent in our city and county."
It sounds as if she spoke to the commish and received an explanation which she deemed understandable. However, she still wrote the article and put them in the bag. That's chicken!
Also, you would think that by now that first sentence in her editorial would have been corrected. The word dollar is missing. If she intended not to use the word, then I really question her writing skills.
"On the surface, spending one in Emporia may not seem to make much difference to our economy."
One what?
February 1, 2010 at 11:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
The Gazette's decision to patronize Lawrence was based on the quality of the paper, not who would lose their job, or whose town would benefit the most. They thought it needed more color and pictures. I still like the old historic looking Gazette better than the colorful tabloid-style paper we get today. I feel like a lot of the historic value of the Gazette was lost when they made this decision.
February 1, 2010 at 11:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Is the quality of Lawrence paper that much better than Emporia paper?
See what I did there? That's funny.
February 1, 2010 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
knute (anonymous) says...
I buy locally *when possible*. However, I buy as little as possible from WalMart 1) because so much is imported from China. Remember China - lead paint on toys, contaminated pet food and overall poor quality? and 2) because I'd rather buy from "local" merchants. WalMart is a good in concept but it's a giantic small business killer. Sam Walton is likely spinning in his grave over what has become of his dream.
For clothing, unless I want to have western style clothing, [and there isn't anything wrong with that, it's just not appropriate for me], I can't get non-western, appropriate business style clothes that fit in Emporia. And yes, that includes JC Penney.
Shop Emporia first? Sure, when I can, but unfortunately that often takes about 15 minutes and then it's off to Topeka by necessity.
February 1, 2010 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I was unaware that Wal Mart sold contaminated pet food. I thought all pet food was contaminated as a result of the Melmine scare, and that manufacturers of pet food like Menu were caught in that mess, not Wal Mart. We can probably hang them with many indiscretions in retail, but contaminated pet food too? Can you please explain, knute?
February 1, 2010 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I'm with you knute.....I have bought everything locally for the past three years.....but only at Wal-Mart when I have to. Unfortunately, more and more often, I have to because there are fewer and fewer options. Nothing has killed off small business more than Wal-Mart....nothing.
I am old enough to remember when downtown Emporia was a vibrant place filled with local shops and merchants from one end of Commercial Street to the other. During the Christmas Season it looked like a scene from some old 1930's vintage movie with people walking along arms loaded down with gifts and greeting friends and neighbors as they went. Those days are gone forever. Now Christmas is the Black Friday mob the day after Thanksgiving.....trampling each other to get one of the few loss leader bargains. Oh Well.....
February 1, 2010 at 12:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (Gwen Larson) says...
moved to a forum:
http://www.emporiagazette.com/forums/...
February 1, 2010 at 1:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )