EDITOR’S NOTE: Each Friday, The Gazette salutes those who make Emporia and the surrounding area a better place to live and work. The following folks deserve a pat on the back...
Christian Smith for winning the Lyon County Spelling Bee.
Everyone who contributed to the $575,000 the United Way of the Flint Hills raised this campaign.
Plumbing by Spellman for being named Business of the Year at the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting.
Jim Lowther who received the lifetime achievement award at the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting.
Shelly Ren and Hua Liang for opening Lucky House restaurant in Emporia.
Emporia and area firefighters for their efforts in fighting and containing a fire at Camplex.
Braysen Butter, 5, who has courageously endured cancer treatments.
City of Emporia and Lyon County crews for their strong efforts in plowing and snow removal on streets and sidewalks.
Emporia Gazette carriers for braving snow, ice and freezing temperatures to deliver the newspapers.
A slew of area high school athletes who signed to play sports at Emporia State, Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State, Missouri Western, Baker, Hutchinson Community College, Highland Community College and William Jewell College.
Selena Rodriguez for taking on the challenge of participating in the traditionally male sport of wrestling.
The Kansas Jayhawks for thumping rival Missouri 103-86.
Jeremy Shapiro
Reporter
matt (anonymous) says...
Yea, Yea. The Chickenhawks fans always have BIG MOUTHS this time of year. Pat this you !!!!!!! red leg.
February 11, 2011 at 6:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
How about a big pat on the back to K.B. Thomas Jr. for holding a vital position against strong odds concerning the Rocks. This is like history repeating itself, only on a much less hasard playing field. My great, great great grandfather was General George Henery Thomas in the Civil War and he was the hero at the battle of Chickamunge and his nickname was the rock of Chickamunge for holding his position.
February 12, 2011 at 1:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
SLAP!
February 12, 2011 at 1:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
I am still standing.
February 12, 2011 at 1:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
KB, that is the most pathetic and petty thing I've ever heard. No, you don't deserve a pat on the back. Not ever. I would love nothing more than for the Gazette to ban you from these forums.
Regarding your post, I'm assuming you are referring to the Battle of ChickaMAUGA and General George HENRY Thomas, who might have been the "Rock of Chickamauga," but he was a Union General, and they still lost the battle. He was completely disowned by his southern family. In fact, he sent money to his sisters, who refused it saying they had no brother. Isn't history FUN?
Matt
February 12, 2011 at 1:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
P.S.-- You're singing sucks.
February 12, 2011 at 2:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Let's have a pat on the back for Alex Jones. You can listen on your anytime cell phone minutes--512 646 5000.
February 12, 2011 at 3:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Folks, just keep all those cards and letters coming in, I really appreciate it.
February 12, 2011 at 3:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
General George Henry Thomas. Mslater, you were absolutely right and that is the reason it was about 10 years ago we discovered that we were related because his southern family completely disowned him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_H...
February 12, 2011 at 3:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Mislater, thanks again for teaching me to copy and paste.
February 12, 2011 at 3:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Just curious, but if a male competed in a female sport such as volleyball would he get a pat on the back?
Matt,
Don't waste your time, the guy is a scumbag.
February 12, 2011 at 3:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
If a male competed in a female sport he'd get the ole raspberries.
February 12, 2011 at 7:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
reddog, I can copy and paste too, and evidently I can research a hell of a lot better, too.
http://generalthomas.com/thomas_genea...
Gen. George H. Thomas had no children.
Matt
February 12, 2011 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporian (anonymous) says...
KB is probably posting from the bar.
February 12, 2011 at 11:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gogreen (anonymous) says...
Ok...this has nothing to do with this article, but there is no where else to put this....that Emporia Motors picture is so annoying..as are they. Take that women off of here...
And who is KB Thomas? Sounds like a real winner...pfft.
February 12, 2011 at 7:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Emporian, I am not a lawyer. Thanks for your comment.
February 13, 2011 at 3:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
mslater,
Howdy !
Let's give the dog a break. Maybe there was a un-recorded adoption involved?
Or as the General was a advocate for abolishing slavery and even broke the law by teaching slaves to read, Maybe there was a slave / general "love child" born out of wedlock.
When you research way back in family history that family tree has many branches going every which way.
Family trees are many and diverse.
some are just stumps
some bear fruit.
some bear nuts.
hope you have a great and safe day.
February 13, 2011 at 6:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Not to mention the brothels that serviced the boys at West Point. How many illegitimate "love" children came from places like that? History is great at documenting spouses and legitimate children but "babies mamas" haven't been part of the official public census. We may all be directly related to George Washington and his Entourage of "founding fathers". lol
February 13, 2011 at 1:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Come on Jeremy came out with a nice piece lets not turn it into garage
February 13, 2011 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
I don't allow people without vision to get in my way. There are no impossible or ridiculous ideas. How can stones become economical for the future vision of Emporia? What would be wrong with using the stones at the Fairground for entrance stones and put the one under construction at the Fairgrounds?
February 13, 2011 at 10:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Your own vision is so mucked up I'm surprised you don't get in your own way.
February 13, 2011 at 10:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.artreview.com.au/art/artan...
February 14, 2011 at 12:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
"What would be wrong with using the stones at the Fairground for entrance stones and put the one under construction at the Fairgrounds? "
They're all a terrible waste of money and should be crushed into usable rock for the soft roads in Lyon Co. and in Emporia.
February 14, 2011 at 12:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
"What would be wrong with using the stones at the Fairground for entrance stones and put the one under construction at the Fairgrounds? "
For one, they are all a waste. I agree with neighbor.
For two, the stones at the fairgrounds don't make much sense. Even local people question those things all the time. Imagine newcomers who have no connection to those who are "depicted" in those giant fairground things.
Those metal sculptures above Council Grove have more meaning, both locally and to anyone passing through. They don't have to be explained.
Rocks schmocks.
February 14, 2011 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Besides, using the entrance rocks at the fairgrounds means the city would still have to pay for the damn things. THAT HAS BEEN THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG -- WASTING MONEY BETTER SPENT ON GENUINE INFRASTRUCTURE!!!
February 14, 2011 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
You're half-right KB. There are no impossible ideas. But there ARE such things as ridiculous ideas, stupid ideas, and really bad ideas, and these entrance stones fit the latter 3 categories to a T.
February 14, 2011 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.
http://www.manningvalley.info/details...
February 14, 2011 at 1:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=c...
February 14, 2011 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
GO TO TAREE CITY COUNCIL NEW TOWN ENTRANCE......THEY GOT A FEDERAL GRANT.
February 14, 2011 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
In Australia?
February 14, 2011 at 3:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sloan (anonymous) says...
Spellman Plumbing??? Really? Did they get the award for over-charging for their work? If so then it's deserved.
How does the Chamber choose the business that gets this award? It sounds like it is time to re-visit how it's done.
February 14, 2011 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I have several friends in different businesses here in town. They don't belong to the chamber even though they did at one time. They quit membership because they weren't receiving much of anything for their annual dues. Then you see a plumbing company that overcharges constantly get the big prize. What? How many other plumbing companies belong to the chamber? Aha, we're on to something here.
February 14, 2011 at 5:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sloan (anonymous) says...
Well said, Create! But even if they are the only plumbing company in the chamber there has to be another business more deserving. That award is a joke!
February 14, 2011 at 11:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lcountyvictim (anonymous) says...
If I remember right, I believe Spellman Plumbing owned real estate that was needed by the Arts Council to build their new space to tie in with the Granada Theatre.
As far as plumbing companies go, they should be deserving of awards as well as any other type of business. They charge for providing a skill that people either can't handle themselves...or don't want to.
A few best paying careers vs. low cost of education include plumbers, electricians and heavy equipment operators.
February 14, 2011 at 11:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Having a skill nobody else has does not give a plumber free reign to overcharge for his services. Other plumbers in town do not.
I know, I know, free market system. We can just patronize the plumber who doesn't overcharge. And I will do just that.
I don't know the real estate deal that went down, but I'm guessing Spellman didn't give that property away. If they did, they got a hell of a tax deduction.
February 15, 2011 at 6:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Well it's a chamber award, it should go to a member business in the chamber, no biggie.
Congratulations to Spellman's !
I appreciate you are in business in Emporia.
As create states above you give us a choice in our plumbing needs.
I appreciate the people you employee in Emporia.
I appreciate the remodel you did on your building in Emporia.
I appreciate any business that can stay open in these hard economic times.
February 15, 2011 at 7:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sloan (anonymous) says...
Create is correct. Knowing that family they didn't give it away or earned a hefty deduction. They always find a way to come out ahead when it comes to money! If you want good work for a reasonable price don't call them.
February 15, 2011 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
I think it is bad form to take jabs at a business because of what they charge. A service is a service and they believe that in order to get their service they will charge the fees that they believe justifies the work they do. If you don't like it, don't use them. But to say that they are a bad business because they charge too much is lame. If you think you can do it yourself or have someone else do it cheaper and better, then why are you calling them?
February 15, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EmporiaRocks (anonymous) says...
I'm pretty sure that Spellman is in business to make money. Nothing wrong with that.
February 15, 2011 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I don't call them any longer, yev. So that's that. I disagree with you about it being bad form to complain because almost all services have industry-wide standards for pricing. Just because I know how to cut hair doesn't mean I should scalp you.
February 15, 2011 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sloan (anonymous) says...
I didn't call them for two reasons. 1) I called to get a price estimate from them and two other places. Their quote was almost double one of the other plumbers. 2) I had many friends that had work done with mistakes. Then Spellman wanted to charge another service call fee to come fix their mistakes! If the customer really challenged them they would back down. But another friend just paid it. When I pointed out to him he should not have to pay for them to correct errors he felt a little silly for falling for their trick.
Sure, they are in the business to make money. I'm just saying I wonder what qualifies them as business of the year? If that is the best business the chamber has to honor then they really need some new membership.
February 15, 2011 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )