According to information provided by Lyon County Counselor Mike Halleran, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied an appeal by Fanestil Meats that would have provided funding for the company to relocate.
Fanestil’s applied for FEMA funding so it could move out of the floodplain next to the Cottonwood River. The relocation would have given the company room to expand. The original award was terminated, according to FEMA, because Fanestil’s and Lyon County did not comply with its terms.
The county will have 60 days to file a second appeal with FEMA. County commissioners had no comment on the issue at their Thursday action session.
For more information, please see Friday’s edition of The Emporia Gazette.
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
HUGE WIN! Thank you FEMA!
December 8, 2011 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doubt_it (anonymous) says...
So, now what happens?
How much are the taxpayers going to fork over for Smoots?????
December 8, 2011 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Unless they literally want an uprising, it better be left to die.
December 8, 2011 at 11:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
I thought this first round was expected to be denied since it's the same group that disallowed it in the first place....
December 8, 2011 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Well, the city commission went into executive session yesterday, so you know they are talking about it.
December 8, 2011 at 12:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I'm sure a second appeal will be filed. What else can they do?
December 8, 2011 at 12:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
They better start preparing for the reality this will not happen, and the taxpayers are not going to foot the bill.
December 8, 2011 at 12:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
well, i hate to say "i told you so", but i did. fema was broke a long time ago. the taxpayers of emopria and lyon county are going to foot this bill wheather we like it or not. get used to it. this is the good ol boy way.
after all, the rocks will save us!!!
December 8, 2011 at 1:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Malique (anonymous) says...
No matter. Their ham isn't very good anyway.
(~_~)
Free Coca~Cola glass at McDonald's w/purchase of large meal! Yummers!
(^_^)
December 8, 2011 at 2:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chalkrocks (anonymous) says...
Didn't the county or the Smoots's or somebody already spend a bunch of that money or am I mistaken?
December 8, 2011 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bubbadleroy (anonymous) says...
As long as "we the people" continue to allow ourselves to be taken advantage of by bailouts, and taxes being used to "support" OLD ESTABLISHED, private industry without protest, I mean vigorous in the street protest,( seems to be the only way) then we get what we deserve. Let the company assume there own risk. My Taxes have now reached a point they are more than my house payment.
December 8, 2011 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
chalkrocks
The grant was given to the county. The county advanced $1.1 million to Smoots.
The answer to your question from there is in the following quote from KVOE:
"In a letter to county officials dated Nov. 30, FEMA Regional Administrator Beth Freeman said a warranty deed was executed to Lyon County in August 2010 and accepted by the county, effectively setting the stage for the transfer of funds from FEMA through the county to Fanestil and triggering the 90-day window to move. Freeman's letter also cites over $1 million in grant disbursements that went to pay off a mortgage and apply for new property instead of being used to "acquire hazard-prone property" and demolish the at-risk buildings in question. Futhermore, Freeman says FEMA notified KDEM, a partner in the process, of the 90-day requirement."
December 8, 2011 at 3:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
solong (anonymous) says...
As President Bush said to his FEMA head, good job Smooty.
December 8, 2011 at 4:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
owenrhys (anonymous) says...
Smells like Karma.
December 8, 2011 at 4:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Sooo what about the jobs???
December 8, 2011 at 4:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
someone refresh my memory.
so fema's not coming.
so how many tens of millions of dollars is the taxpayer on the hook for? 10 million ,20? 25??
December 8, 2011 at 6:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
I'm confused: It is stated:
In a letter to county officials dated Nov. 30, FEMA Regional Administrator Beth Freeman said a warranty deed was executed to Lyon County in August 2010 and accepted by the county, effectively setting the stage for the transfer of funds from FEMA through the county to Fanestil and triggering the 90-day window to move. Freeman's letter also cites over $1 million in grant disbursements that went to pay off a mortgage and apply for new property instead of being used to "acquire hazard-prone property" and demolish the at-risk buildings in question. Futhermore, Freeman says FEMA notified KDEM, a partner in the process, of the 90-day requirement."
One million has been given to pay a morgage off (lucky!!!) apply for "new property (being purchased by the tax payers), to demolish the at-risk buildings. Now we know this will be appealed but if refused again, then are we the taxpapers reponsible for that million......shouldn't it be paid back by the person who RECEIVED amount? This brings about memory that if they would move, we loose 15 job positions, have paid off his loan, bought the new land, have done water and sewage lines plus the fact of 10 years no taxes and the loss of taxes on the current facility. Please say it isn't so and the OWNER will be reposonbile to pay that million back.NOT we the taxpayers.
Also, a warranty deed given....does that mean the county would own and thus be reponsible...a governmental purchase??
(Buy out???)
December 8, 2011 at 6:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
This Fanestil deal, in my opinion lacked the proper planning and Study from the Get-Go . Both on the part of Fanestil/Smoots and the City Leaders.
Further any and all offers of tax abatements for old, already existing companies must be brought to a vote, to be approved by the taxpaying voters of Emporia . Further, the number of total employees must by strictly adhered to and the average wage must meet State and National average wage guidelines, before any such tax abatement is put to a vote by the taxpaying voters ,
Further, if any of the abatement guidelines/requirements are not, can not or refuse to be met or guaranteed in a signed " iron clad " agreement between the City/taxpayers and the business/company seeking a tax abatement, then the question of a tax abatement will/should be removed from any and all offers put forth by the City of Emporia/taxpayers - soley at the discretion of the grantor of said tax abatement, namely the City of Emporia, or the taxpayers, by popular vote, thereof .
Fanestil/Smoots, I believe still has the option of moving into the still empty Lenze building .
I believe that this is a perfect example of " Putting the Cart before the Horse " !
And now VEKTEK is seeking a tax abatement, that will cost the taxpayers an unknown amount over a period of 10 years.
Neither the City of Emporia or the taxpayers can afford any extra costs in the way of tax abatements/bailouts, increased taxes, unneeded spending, etc., for any length of time.
JMO
December 8, 2011 at 7:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Everyone should relax. We have another 60 day waiting period, (if the county files an appeal).
And we know our local officials wouldn't do anything to harm us.
Rumor has it that the county is holding on to a cashiers check from a local mortgage bank for the amount needed, just in case this all falls through. So hopefully the county is not on the hook.
Of course you can
hear a lot of rumors at the coffee shop.
Bet there are some aspirin or maybe even Xabax being popped today by both commissions. ;>)
Just my opinion.
December 8, 2011 at 7:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Also, is that flood plane property even worth one milllion Dollars if he defaults if turned down again by FEMA? Also, say in appeal, it is accepted...who now owes the floodplane land since the county holds the deed? It is worth one million once buildings are destroyed??? Gee, I moved on the wrong side of town!!!!!!!!
December 8, 2011 at 7:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Gosh, sandman, you need to relax.
The leader type people are taking care of things and they are really really really really really really super smart.
Believe them, they will do a great job, and everyone will live happily ever after.
The end.
If we keep a positive spin to this, it may qualify as a "FEEL GOOD FRIDAY" story for the radio station.
And the Gazette can squeeze a positive blurb on it among all the charity requests
December 8, 2011 at 8:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
On a brighter note !
There are only 16 days left until Christmas !
And only 12 days until property taxes are due!
Merry Christmas to all !
December 8, 2011 at 8:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Steve_Corbin.....relax??? Believe that is exactly what people have been doing in the past and look where it has got us.
Same with the "smart" people you say we have working on this....oops, a number of mistakes by THEM....not so smart.
Property tax due in 12 days....Oh, just relax Steve....it is only money!!!! :-) Mine has more then doubled since 1990....how about yours??? RELAX!!!!! :-) The county just might own all the land pretty soon!!!!! Then who will pay the taxes??? I know, RELAX!!!! :-)
December 8, 2011 at 10:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Steve_Corbin, Concerning relaxing...I know, I need to come into the Royal and have a cup of coffee and have the bartender put in, what is it called? Had it once and Oh! yummy!!! Hope you have a stock of it. Need to get car repaired and I'll be in, just warning!!! Yes, time to relax!!!
December 8, 2011 at 11:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...
from the July 8 article:
"About $1.2 million of the grant has already been spent and must be re-paid if the grant doesn’t go through. Walters expressed concern earlier in the conversation that taxpayers would have to shoulder the responsibility of paying that money back.
Dan Smoots spoke to the county commissioners.
“I want to assure the county that in no way shape or form does Fanestil Meats intend on the county to share in any burden as a result of this process,” he said. “ We fully intend to meet any responsibilities that Fanestil Meats has.
I have no intention of the taxpayers of Lyon county shouldering the responsibility. My bank has assured me that the money that we used to pay down the loan, which is in accordance with all FEMA guidelines, will be returned and I will assure the county that any other monies that will be returned.” "
Hopefully the above statements will still be valid and honored if the next appeal is denied. I'm tired of paying more and more taxes.
December 8, 2011 at 11:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Ho Ho Ho, this sounds more like the Stephen Colbert show with all the satire. So funny.
As I have stated many times on these threads, I don't mind paying my fair share in taxes, but when I have to pay because some slick deal is made, then I take to the streets with my pitchfork.
I hate their ham anyway.
December 9, 2011 at 7:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Like Steve said, we'll have to wait and see if another appeal is filed. We can hope that the county made provision to be held harmless if things blew up, but I'm not sure. If there is an appeal and it also fails we may be left with the "good will" and best intentions of Dan Smoots. If he has a change of heart and says "I'm tapped out" and I can't pay the county back the only recourse will be litigation.
December 9, 2011 at 8 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
This is why private enterprise should not be subsidized by the taxpayers. As a taxpayer I found this to be a poor investment to start with because the jobs sub par and the promise of future expansion suspect.
I find it astounding that we live in a red state, and the term socialism gets thrown around, but yet when it slaps people right in their wallets socialism is OK because it's local.
This whole thing stinks. Please let it die.
December 9, 2011 at 9:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
when this thing first started I was of a create mindset; This thing is great as long as I don't have to pay for it.
Now things have changed, it may cost us something.
You know when our mil-levy gets up to 200 + and our sales tax hits 10% and there is a local mil level option for schools, maybe some like create and I will say, WTF ? maybe not, we are pretty close to being there now, and it seems everything is o.k. with her now.
December 9, 2011 at 9:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Robin (anonymous) says...
Well darn it,
Here go our taxes again.
Maybe they can add the price to pay for smoots foolishness to are trash bill so we won't feel the pain so bad.
I worked for the fool and I know how people like him think. We are screwed!
December 10, 2011 at 12:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I questioned this Fanestil issue in the beginning because I didn't believe all the expense was worth the number of jobs it was supposed to protect. I was astounded that someone would elect to move an entire business to Lebo just for a few jobs. Besides, the jobs themselves were low paying to begin with.
Even the plan of some highway entrance for the public to buy sausage and ham was some kind of pie-in-the-sky idiocy designed to get people to accept the tourist dollar concept. It was if-you-build-it-they-will-come BS!
I also doubted the story of the other building having a scent issue. Baloney! You can't tell me that in this modern age, there are no devices that would solve that problem. No, that was just Smoots dragging his feet because he was not getting what he really wanted which is the place now in question.
Robin is right, it's "smoots foolishness" and will just go to line his pockets. THAT is not why I pay taxes.
I pay taxes for schools and upkeep of our city and county providing it is sensible and benefits all people in general. That is what I mean by "my fair share."
Why has this been allowed to go on and on? I blame the city and county commish for this.
I never did understand why a person would locate a business on flood plain to begin with. Way back when the original butcher place was for sale, that sale should have been quashed because it was on flood plain. I didn't think mortgage financing south of Logan Avenue was available because it is on flood plain. So how did he buy that place?
Maybe he had his own money and bought it despite its location. If so, then he'd better not expect the entire county to pick up his pieces.
December 10, 2011 at 7:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
At a time when we have another major employer in town on the ropes how can the commission justify this?
I wish I could be as frivolous with my income.....
December 12, 2011 at 5:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )