In any local election, Jack Oglesby II believes a central question for voters is how many services are they getting for their tax money.
That is something Oglesby will keep in mind if he’s elected to the Emporia City Commission. After years of watching some of his students run for office, Oglesby is one of eight candidates vying for three open commission seats in the April 5 election.
Oglesby taught government, history, sociology, driver’s education and pretty much anything else that was needed during 30 years at Olpe High School.
“From those experiences I’ve taken away ideas for limited government and for the people to be involved in problem solving,” he said.
Oglesby, 54, retired from teaching though he still helps run Planet Sub, where he’s been a part-owner of the past five years. He sees a lot of good in Emporia even if some people who live here don’t.
“Look at the downtown with the Granada, the Granada Lofts, the arts center, Genesis expanding, the Kellogg lofts, the Villa apartments to the north and the courthouse as an anchor,” he said. “These are great things. Other communities would be excited to have these. The focus should be on those more than the places that have closed and the empty buildings.”
Oglesby said the $101,165 spent on entrance monuments will be a done deal by the time the next commission takes office. He understands the public’s frustration with the amount of money but is not ready to rule out moving forward with items that help the community long term. He said he agrees with the principle that the city must do more than just maintain existing infrastructure.
“Fixing potholes is not enough,” he said.
He also doesn’t like the us versus them mentality exhibited on this and other issues.
“When everyone works together, it seems to work out better,” he said. “The Granada is an example of a communitywide effort. That’s what it takes to take projects on.”
Oglesby would prefer to not have a deficit budget if possible. That being said he understands the argument the reserve money should be spent before asking the taxpayers for more.
“Reducing the reserve is not necessarily all that bad,” he said. “You have to look at the entire picture.”
Oglesby doesn’t claim to have the answers to parking downtown, saying it’s a problem at times but not much of an issue at other times.
“With the combination of residential, commercial and government it can get tight,” he said. “We have few options. For the ball games last week and this week parking can be difficult. But it’s a give and take because it generates business.”
Today was the final day to file for city commission. Check the Gazette website for any last minute filings. The other seven candidates running are Commissioner Bobbie Agler; former Commissioner Tom Myers; Christian Keisler, an Emporia State communication major; Rob Gilligan, sales director for Emporia Marketplace.com, a subdivision of The Emporia Gazette; Jenell Tebbetts, a salesperson for Genesis Health Club; Helen Hill, former owner of Hills Appliance Center; and Bobbi Mlynar, a former Emporia Gazette editor and reporter.
buschlight51 (anonymous) says...
I will be voting for you! Good Luck Sir!
January 25, 2011 at 7:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
newtoemporia (anonymous) says...
Mr. Oglesby,
I see good in Emporia and the renovation of downtown is a great start. However, there needs to be equal, if not more attention on the vacant buildings throughout Emporia. Why are businesses leaving? What can be done to keep local businesses and attract new business?
And, vacant buildings cost communities: Fires because of poor maintenance, faulty wiring, etc. Which can damage other nearby businesses and homes. You are carelessly risking the lives the first responders.
Vacant buildings are subjectable to rodents, which carry disease into nearby neighborhoods and business.
Vacant buildings decreases property value for other homes and businesses.
Vacant buildings are a loss of tax revenue.
Vacant buildings give the impression that Emporia doesn't care and weakens the town as a whole.
Emporia must maintain their existing infrastructure.
If Planet Sub had many health violations (leaking roof, rodents, cracked sidewalk, etc), but a larger sign was desired to compete with the other restaurants on Industrial ... Would you take care of your existing infrastructure or purchase a larger sign?
January 25, 2011 at 7:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Great post, newto. I am waiting for the answer with you. I had high hopes for this candidate, but, to me, this article makes him seem a lot like what we already have.
He doesn't have my vote yet.
January 25, 2011 at 9:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
oh4theluvof ,
I agree with you about this man sounding like the same ole thing, that we already have !!
However newtoemporia, sounds as though he/she may have a little more to offer any City as a Community leader !!
January 25, 2011 at 10:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I don't know guys, it's kind of early yet, the comment about unity,
"He also doesn’t like the us versus them mentality exhibited on this and other issues." made me pause.
How does he expect people to react to a stupid idea?
i hope this isn't going to be the standard Gazette story on all of the candidates. I'd like to know more about the candidate.
The spouses and where they work, clubs and organizations they belong to, that stuff counts also.
January 25, 2011 at 10:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Did Mr. Oglesby ever serve in the armed forces?
January 25, 2011 at 11:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ec52 (anonymous) says...
I will agree with Steve that the article does not give enough insight to the candidate and I hope that there will be better snapshots of the candidates soon. I can understand some people have lost trust in the reliability of commission candidates from past experiences. This brief article does not give an accurate picture of this candidates ability to see and work through a problem. I have seen his committee work and leadership in the schools in Southern Lyon County for many years and I know of no one that consistently sees a way through a problem without prejudice and without being influenced by the opinions of others. He is a deep thinker, that has the ability to perceive a problem and find unique and helpful answers. He is very much an independent thinker and problem solver. His background is in teaching, especially in Government and Social Studies, but he is a very intelligent and diverse problem solver and a voracious reader. I know of not one person that has worked with Mr. Oglesby or been a student of his that would not tell you all of these same things. We are lucky at this point to have a candidate run for this position that has his understanding of civics and government issues. Take the time if undecided to get to know this candidate and all that he is about. I assure you that you will not be dissapointed. On election day I will cast a vote for this candidate and will be thankful to have him serve this community.
January 26, 2011 at 12:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
ec52,
A glowing endorsement of the candidate. He is lucky to have such an articulate friend.
I have heard the same from a couple of other people also.
We all have a month before the primary to get to know the candidates and their stands on the issues facing our town. It is going to be interesting and I hope the voters stay involved and cast an informed vote. We have so many choices this time.
January 26, 2011 at 6:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
newtoemporia (anonymous) says...
ec52 - With the first eight candidates, I did a very basic research on their experience. And, Mr. Oglesby, for all the reasons you mentioned, seemed like a strong and hopeful candidate. When I saw the article, I hoped to learn more about him. But, after reading the article, I felt empty. Mr. Shapiro alloted more space for parking in downtown. A good topic, but more pressing issues need to be answered by all candidates.
I know he will have more time to answer questions. But, I hope the Gazette does a better job interviewing each candidate and asking more in depth questions and allowing more space for their answers.
Mr. Shapiro, as the government and political reporter, today, you have one of the most important jobs. At this moment, you are providing each candidate with a voice and informing the community. Ask better questions. Give more space for answers.
January 26, 2011 at 6:46 a.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
I KNOW, I KNOW.
This spamming of every thread must stop.
I just thought we should listen to the other side for a while.:>)
January 26, 2011 at 6:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Steve and Jamie Sauder on the Sauder owned KVOE radio station to discuss or rather tout the " ROCKS " as a good use of taxpayer funds !!! PEE YEW !!
You will more than likely be able to hear the praising, kissing, hugging , and back slapping of each other without a radio !!! I will be amazed if they will be able to get thru the door, as their heads will be swelled so BIG !!
January 26, 2011 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Well, since the " MONUMENTS " as they are now called has been put on " HOLD " it would seem that the Sauders blog on the radio has been has had a topic change !!!
January 26, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
We must be careful not to make judgments of a candidate based on the reporter's ability to create a thumbnail sketch. I agree with Steve that this sketch is not as complete as it could be.
One thing for certain, we must all celebrate being offered this great cross section of candidates. It hasn't seemed this way in the past.
That being said, having worked professionally with this candidate, I am well aware of his commitment to looking at an entire picture when solving problems. As someone who has often been described as a “deep thinker,” his sense of logic is extremely well-developed.
In my entire teaching career, I found few individuals more devoted to fair-mindedness in the process of problem solving than Jack Oglesby. In fact, as an historian, his thinking would naturally be fact-based not swayed by individuals. That is integrity!
On many occasions at Olpe High, I found myself serving on committees with this candidate. When it came time to pick a leader, all eyes turned to him because we trusted his abilities and his wealth of knowledge. This gives me a clue as to how he will work with others on Emporia’s city commission. What is more, this man is incredibly cool-headed.
Jack Oglesby's qualities of positive leadership coupled with a determined commitment to carefully weighing all options have convinced me to vote for him. We need a man like this on our city commission.
January 26, 2011 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nutsaboutools (anonymous) says...
Mr. Oglesby,
A lot of what you published is true. On the other hand, what you appear to offer is more "political rhetoric". My concerns are with the future of Emporia and what it will have to offer my children (when they graduate from HS and possibly a higher level of education).Will they have to look for employment elsewhere (and take their money/potential revenue with them)?
What is our commission doing to stop the current trend of businesses leaving Emporia? The many vacant buildings (they leave behind)?
What are Emporia's (your) plans to attract new businesses? jobs? revenue? reduce the "burden" on the middle class tax payers?
January 26, 2011 at 12:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )