Last week, after the city commission approved spending more than $100,000 for new stone entrances to the city, readers instantly went to the Internet voicing their displeasure.
Comments ranged from the project costing too much to people not happy with the design.
The community reaction should be a sign that perhaps the community felt bamboozled by the project and city leaders should have done a better job gaining public input and selling the community on the project.
Clearly in any building project there is no way to make everyone happy and even if there were public meetings that is no guarantee a consensus could be developed. But it might have let the community felt more educated on the project.
We have said for more than a decade that we need to dress up our exits along the highway by putting something permanent. With millions of travelers that pass by every year, we need to take the opportunity to say something about our community as a great place to live, work and play.
Outside El Dorado they have a Norman Rockwell type image of kids riding bikes that welcomes people to their city. Traveling on the turnpike this week we were impressed with a new sign for Topeka.
Signage is important and it says a lot about a community. But it is important that our community buys into the signage.
Many of the online comments talked about the money. Emporia is the intersection of three major highways so we need many signs. Spending $100,000 may not be out of line.
However, most citizens are having a hard time justifying the money after the city has been raising the cost of city services. And now city leaders talking of going to a fee for service and paying a consultant $275,000 to figure out how to charge citizens for rain water landing on their property.
Citizens are feeling the pinch and have grown weary of the increases. For many citizens, spending money on signs seems more of a luxury than a necessity. The uproar indicates that citizens want the necessities taken care of first.
Even though the city commission has approved the entrance monuments it would be in the city’s best interest to listen to the community’s concerns.
The last thing we want is our own community disparaging the monuments at our city entrances that are meant to welcome people to our fine city.
Chris Walker
Editor & Publisher
lowereastside (anonymous) says...
Well said Mr. Walker. I would like to see the newspaper do a series of articles about our crumbling streets, sidewalks, and poor drainage. Start on the roads on the East side. It would be great to have the city commission and manager respond to the photo expose' you could create and explain to the citizens why these rocks are more important. These rocks are not going to bring shoppers to town. There is really no large shopping mall or anything else to bring people here to shop. No shopping, no sales tax money to waste. Also from what I've read in your fine paper, sales tax revenue has done nothing but drop over the last couple of years. What can be done to rein in the spending?
January 24, 2011 at 2:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Excellent idea on an expose about crumbling streets, sidewalks, and most especially, poor drainage. These are the uglies of Emporia, nobody but the constituency pays attention to them because we must live with them.
Chris, you say you travelled the turnpike this weekend and were impressed with Topeka's sign. May I ask what it was that drew you north? Did you shop? Did you dine? Did you buy gas?
January 24, 2011 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
""Many of the online comments talked about the money. Emporia is the intersection of three major highways so we need many signs. Spending $100,000 may not be out of line. ""
I just added another idiot to the list
January 24, 2011 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dale011 (anonymous) says...
I agree with the concept of signs welcoming folks to Emporia. The problem is how do you justify the expense? By what means will the cost/benefit analysis be done?
I can honestly say I don't believe the analysis will happen.
You know, we have that odd stack of carvings at the corner of 6th and Industrial and even though I've driven by it for years I don't even notice them, other than to think about how odd they are. Now we will have more odd stone pillars around for folks to drive by and ignore.
January 24, 2011 at 4:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
The Narcissistic bunch downtown wont listen or even rethink their decision
January 24, 2011 at 5 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Guessler (anonymous) says...
"Traveling on the turnpike this week we were impressed with a new sign for Topeka. "
Not even remember when was the last time we went to Topeka and the sign was already there. Nothing spectacular but far more attractive and tasteful than the Emporia rocks, I would bet it was cheaper too.
January 24, 2011 at 5:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
create,
Very excellant question to Mr. Walker, good going !
In my opinion Mr. Walker shouldn' t even talk about Emporia' s signs, as it is apparent by his going to Topeka to shop or whatever and his moving the printing of a hometown paper that had been printed in Emporia for decades to Lawrence, does not add much to his credibility !!!
January 24, 2011 at 5:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Good point on Lawrence, meth.
I'll bet not one of those bozos downtown thought of offering the art design to students at Emporia State. What a boon for the university it would be to be a part of it.
They could have easily had a call for designs, published them with costs, then let the people of Emporia vote for their favorite to be used as entrance signs?
Allowing people in the community to have ownership of the designs instead of shoving it all down our throats makes for good leadership.
Good leadership. Slap my mouth.
January 24, 2011 at 5:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
If they had given it to Estate they wouldnt have been able to take care of their buddies! Transparency remember LOL
January 24, 2011 at 5:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Folks, cost of living, how tax revenue is spent, availability of jobs, will draw people and businesses to a place quicker than
any amount of signage will ever accomplish, especially in todays economic climate !!!
Just why do you believe that most of Corporate America has moved jobs, headquarters, operations to countries such as, Mexico, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, etc. ? Its because of the cheaper corporate cost of living/surviving and the ability to keep more of the money the company makes and they don' t have to pay the job force more, because of the lower cost of living in those countries, i.e., No, High cost of entrance sign!rocks, No, high sales taxes, No high property taxes, etc. !
January 24, 2011 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
knute (anonymous) says...
It's really none of my business why the author went to Topeka; for all I know, he was visiting someone in a Topeka hospital which is a whole 'nother can of worms.
The initial article mentioned that the rocks were supposed to entice the traveler to stop in Emporia to enjoy the fine hotels and dining.
Really? I guess I need to get out more often because I don't know about 'fine' hotels and 'fine' dining in Emporia.
I have noticed a "new" sign relating to Topeka [because I travel on business] along the Turnpike that indicates a store closed.
Yeah, let's spend $100k+ on rocks. Just like the rocks in the heads of the commissioners, only bigger.
January 24, 2011 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wyankee49 (anonymous) says...
Have to agree with Create all this about spenting our money in Emporia and then to read that even the Editor of the paper doesn't spent their money in town. JUST what does that tell people. Tells me $100,000 stone isn't going to help.
January 24, 2011 at 6:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tossedcat (anonymous) says...
great place to work, live, and play? where are the jobs besides the ones that pay peanuts? Fine dining in emporia? Where? What's your classification of fine dining? montana mikes. I travel for my jobs and not once did i ever see an entrance to a city that would make me want to move there or get a job or go play. I might get gas if it is cheap enought. Maybe something to eat but other then that i'm gone another town in my rearview mirror. Anything else i probably would not notice...Can't the city give there employee's a raise or something really usefull or spend the money on snow removal since they are willing to throw money away...
January 24, 2011 at 6:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
howdo (anonymous) says...
I'm more concerned with the bidding process for awarding the work to be done. Was this ever let for bid? Who was invited to bid?
January 24, 2011 at 7:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Three ropes came to Emporia and they went into a bar but were not served because they wanted to smoke, they tried another bar with the same result so, one rope decided to fray the end of the rope and tie a knot and when he visited the next bar, he asked, may we smoke in here and the bar maid said, "afrayed knot." And as they were leaving town they noticed another beautiful rock and one rope said, "this town must get it's rocks off on the smoking ban."
January 24, 2011 at 8:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
This is already a PR disaster. Soon the Topeka TV stations will air something about how the public is up in arms over the rocks, then everyone will say as they drive by, "There are those silly rocks everyone was against." Great way to sell the city, huh? Your original purpose is officially defeated.
January 24, 2011 at 8:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jafo (anonymous) says...
With todays economy, Freddies is fine dining for us. I've had friends from out of town come visit and when they see our mall they just start laughing. They wanted to go out and eat, but after we gave them all of the choices, we took a short trip to Topeka to shop and eat a nice sit down dinner.
It's not the entrances that deter people, its when they get into town that makes them want to turn around. All the empty and run down buildings is enough to scare people away. Lets not forget all the art work from our local spray paint artist.
Who's going to pay to have all art work removed once the wantabe gang bangers get the old spray paint out marking the stones as their territory.
Is the parks department going to add a position to maintain the landscaping?
I mean't the cemetery staff to maintain the tombstones.
Please stop killing OUR town.
January 24, 2011 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
Geez. $100000 might not be out of line to spend on signage? I don't ever recall making a decision on whether or not to shop in a given community based on the sign at at the entrance.
I don't live in Emporia, but close, and have been giving my wife heck anytime she went to Topeka to shop. However, if the leadership of Emporia is so out of touch they can't see how insulting it is to taxpayers who don't even live in the community to spend tax money on something so frivolous, what the heck, lets go to Topeka and shop honey, at least they have a Red Lobster.
January 24, 2011 at 10:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
49 tv news
13 news
27 news
maybe all three will show up in town tommorrow to visit al of those people who want the rocks that kessler spoke about, they probably could not find any unless the city commission is meeting, We do the meet? tuesday evenings maybe some must go!
come on down to emporia Topeka TV stations you will be welcomed with open arms by the citizens, NOT the commission idiots or the idiot zimmerman
January 24, 2011 at 10:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
I don't know about the TV stations visiting here....how will they know where Emporia is without the rocks??
January 24, 2011 at 10:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
The picture in my mind of Ashley pulling the splinters out of her husbands butt, from him straddling the fence on this issue is boggling.
GROW A PAIR OF STONES CHRIS. ARE YOU FOR IT, OR ARE YOU GOING AGAINST YOUR BUDS AT THE COUNTRY CLUB
Does it make sense or not, for Gods sake take a stand!
January 24, 2011 at 11:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.la-quinta.org/Index.aspx?p...
January 25, 2011 at 1:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.sandblasted.com/Monument-S...
January 25, 2011 at 1:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
delostboy (anonymous) says...
My dog just woke me up to let him out. So I figured I'd get his opinion on this matter. I asked him what he thought about the rock issue..? He lifted his leg and pee'd on one..... If that isn't honesty ... I don't know what is ...
January 25, 2011 at 1:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt (anonymous) says...
If the cops cant stop the spray painters in town just how are they going to stop them from getting to those rocks?
January 25, 2011 at 6:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Well, sing it out, kids. You know the tune to Follow the Yellow Brick Road.
Follow Emporia’s rocks, follow Emporia’s rocks
Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow Emporia’s rocks
They welcome you to restaurants,
They take you on a tour,
To see whatever it is you want,
Yes, rocks can be a lure.
You’re off to see Emporia, the wonderful city of rocks,
You’ll find our many potholes deep, you’ll love our cracked sidewalks,
We charge you just a pittance, to buy the things you love because,
Because, because, because, because, because,
Because we gotta pay for these rocks.
In case you forgot the tune...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bu3o3...
January 25, 2011 at 7:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Boy, thats a good one create and funny too !
Perhaps the City Manager and City Commission could record it and play it over loud speakers mounted at the " ROCKS " and play it 24 hr. a day at around 1000 dB, so people for 20 miles will know that they are approching " Emporia land of OMIGOSH " !!
January 25, 2011 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
You should always try to see both sides of an issue. I have been trying to put myself in their shoes, and envision myself being one of Emporia's elite top thinkers. In a room, with other top thinkers. Someone says, "times are tough, money is tight, what can we do to get Emporia off the ground, brighten up its future, improve the business climate". Suddenly, filled with inspiration, I jump up and say "I know!!! Let's spend $100000 on some big rocks that say 'Emporia' on them!!!".
Nope, I can't see myself doing that. After looking at both sides of the issue, I think it is still without a doubt one of the poorest ways to spend public money ever, not just in Emporia, anywhere. Those big rock signs should cost a tenth of the price Emporia is spending, anything more is a ripoff.
I guess it's a done deal, so buck up and enjoy.
January 25, 2011 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
photobuggy2 (anonymous) says...
I tell you what the day they pay a consultant 275 grand and start charging me for rain that falls on my property is the time I kick the dust of Emporia off of my shoes and move!
Now is not the time to spend the money on stones for the entrances...especially from TAX dollars. Have you tried to raise private funds and then get matching grants?
The solution always seems to be...RAISE TAXES! Do you not have any brain power at all to try and come up with some other ways? Have you tried to ask the Emporia Community their ideas? What may not seem to alot of money to you is more then alot of us make in a couple or more years and adding to our burden makes it even harder.
January 25, 2011 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
Just to clear the record. Not once did Mr. Walker say he went to Topeka. He said he was on the turnpike and noticed the Topeka sign. Shame on you who presume to know why and where he was going.
January 25, 2011 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
My apologies to the Walker family.
my post last night is a perfect example of why a person should not post after a couple of shots.
Sorry Chris and Ashley;>(
January 25, 2011 at 9:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
A QUESTION:
Would any of you have voted for the sales tax extension if you had known the money would be used this way?
January 25, 2011 at 9:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jafo (anonymous) says...
It was stated that they didn't have a spot picked out on S-99 yet. Here's an idea, place it at Fanistils drive way and on the back write - Here lies another company that the city gave up on. RIP
January 25, 2011 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
I am curious however if the commission took the time to weigh the costs and benefits of putting the rocks up. Just exactly what would that 100k get us in other infastructure. How many man hours cleaning streets or how much drainage pipe would it purchase?
There needs to be a lot more transparency when it comes to the commission. They need to be much more vocal as to why they make the decisions they do. Telling us that we had planned to do this for a while is not a good answer in my opinion. They need to make decisions based on the information they have today, and that information sure looks like spending 100k on something that add little to no value is not a good use of taxpayers money.
January 25, 2011 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
yev_kassem-
$141,000 / 12 months = $11,750/mo
$11,750/ 30 days = $391.67/day
$391.67/ 8 hrs a day = $48.96/hr
$48.96/hr / 4 workers = $12.24/hr
The city could have hired 4 new workers @ $12.24/ hr for a year with the amount they spent on rocks. Isn't math fun?
Matt
It's a great day on the FOB!
January 25, 2011 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
thiefs_necktie (anonymous) says...
Long time lurker, first time poster here. I feel it's time to speak up.
First, CREATE, a "Thank you!", I'm one of the countless that owes you that.
Next, reddog, please stop with the silly links. Although they are annoying and skipped by most, few of them have very little to do with supporting your view. Example, your City of La Quinta sign link. That is very, very nice. I'm sure that visitors feel very welcome with that. Let's look closer at what La Quinta has to offer....Median Household Income is at 76K, whoa, more than twice of Emporia. Median Housing Price, 340K...over triple that of Emporia. That's just the tip, we won't talk about their 644 MILLION in taxable retail sales. Are you trying to sell me on the idea that the success of this California town stems from the sign?
People, its time we take a long, hard look at the priority list. At the top should be new leadership.
You want a welcoming entrance to our city? One that promotes tourism, jobs and tax revenue? We have rivers to the north and south, ever been to the Riverwalk in San Antonio? What about Council Grove? Those are examples of big cities and small towns using their heads and resources. Look at the potential.
January 25, 2011 at 11:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Steve,
Absolutely, unequivically, " NO " !!
January 25, 2011 at 12:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
* doing a better job gaining public input and selling the community on the project *
... that's not really a priority of people who deem themselves always (and exclusively) to know best.
January 25, 2011 at 12:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
mslater,
put down the calculator and pick up your gun. My taxes are paying for you to go over there and shoot people, get busy!
Note: for those who find that distasteful, get over it.
January 25, 2011 at 12:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
mslater,
You math assumes there are 30 days in each month and that the person works every day of the week. If you use a biweekly pay schedule it's more than that! Typically, you get 26 paychecks a year on a biweekly schedule. The math below is figured (without rounding up) based on working 80 hours each paycheck and 26 paychecks a year.
141000 / 26 paychecks = $5423.07 per check
5423.07 / 80 hours a check = $67.78 per hour
$67.78 / 4 employees = $16.94 per hour for each employee
$17 an hour ain't bad scratch! I'm no math wiz, but I think that's right...
Good one, Steve!
'enry
January 25, 2011 at 12:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
thiefs_necktie (anonymous) says...
Or $13.56/hr for 5 employees. I believe that is still more than the City starts laborers out at. $11.30/hr (probably really close to starting wage) for 6 employees, imagine the work that could get done.
And to stop it before it starts, the 5 guys watching while one guy shovels is always a possibility.
January 25, 2011 at 1:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lookup (anonymous) says...
Fill the need for a Visitors Center also! Pave a place to pull over at each stone (people need to get out, stretch their legs on the long drive from Olpe), let the dog go whiz on the stone at the same time! Perfect!!!
January 25, 2011 at 1:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
mslater--
Thanks for the math lesson. The question wasn't whether or not you and I had looked at the numbers, it was whether the commissioners ever bothered to. Needless to say I think the opinion of myself and most others is that no they did not.
January 25, 2011 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
romano1784 (anonymous) says...
why not improve the mall? why not bring in more stores instead of letting walmart be the end all be all of our shopping experience? more stores would equal more employment. it wouldnt be the greatest pay but anything vs nothing is a great deal. the city doesnt care
January 25, 2011 at 4:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
thiefs_necktie, thank you.
Please don't stop posting now that you've broken the ice. And welcome to this wonderful place for screaming and steaming and dumping and frumping and voicing and rejoicing.
Dear Biscuitboy, you'd have loved this so much. I miss you.
January 25, 2011 at 4:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Man can you just think what BB would be saying LOL
January 25, 2011 at 6:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cap (anonymous) says...
$27,000 for designing a rock that comes out of the ground? I have some property I'm sure the city commissioners would love to have. Would be great for expansion to the city limits with out moving the rocks. It's two miles straight up! Only $99,000!
January 25, 2011 at 7:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Steve,
First, I thought your post at 11:15 last night was dead on (I wouldn't have added the imagery, but sometimes shock effect is best). I read the article and it made me mad, so I refused to comment. It does seem to me that Chris is speaking with two faces on the same page and I take offense at the assumption that I am too stupid to notice. Second, I think I remember a few people arguing that the current commission couldn't be trusted to spend that tax increase wisely. Those of us who said that voted "No" but have been taken for a ride anyway. I remember you were one of us. I hope the others have learned.
create:
You are so right about biscuitboy, but, that's not fair to spring that on me. I can't go anywhere around here without being reminded of him. I'm going to feel this for a long time. I'm going to go back and sing your rendition of "Follow The Yellow Brick Road" now. That made me laugh and smile.
January 25, 2011 at 9:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Henry,
Thanks for the math check, I thought about that right after I posted it. Steve, I was going to fix it, but had to go back to shooting people. My 15 minute Union break was over. If you have a problem with that, you need it bring it up to my Union rep. Thanks for understanding! haha
That blows my mind that instead of hiring 6 new workers, they chose to spend the money on rocks. Wow.
The fact that Henry and I agree on this is proof positive of what a "monumental" f*%^-up this is.
Create and Booker - Yeah, his voice is DEFINITELY missed right now!
Matt
January 25, 2011 at 10:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Well folks,
Today on KVOE Jamie Sauder will be on with Steve Sauder probably discussing the rocks.
Starts @ 10:05
http://www.kvoe.com/kvoeblog.htm
January 26, 2011 at 6:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )