reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...

CHRIS, none of these roofs were replaced, what was replaced was the shingles on the roof. Emporia has a strict building code, so none of the out of town contractors are incompetent. THERE IS ENOUGH BUSINESS FOR EVERYONE. After the backlog, some local companies would not answer their phones or return calls in a timely manner. I recommend 3 estimates, especially since some contractors are really booked up and may not be as hungry as they were after the storm. SHOP EMPORIA FIRST, BUT THERE IS TWO SIDES TO THIS STORY.

June 20, 2011 at 12:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...

I have noticed that out of town contractors have invested in radio advertising over other alternatives. Roberts Roofing has the best location according to traffic count.

June 20, 2011 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

powercat (Jerry Seinfelt) says...

K.B. Do you prefer people use a local real estate agent or one from out of state when buying house in Emporia?

June 20, 2011 at 1:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bluebonnet (anonymous) says...

"None of these roofs were replaced, what was replaced was the shingles on the roof."

Oh brother... get a grip.

June 20, 2011 at 1:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

booker5m (anonymous) says...

We had a outoftowner do ours. They came around knocked some doors. Not one intowner came around to see us. About a year ago I called 3 intowners to see if they would give me a quote. All said they would come by. Not one showed up

June 20, 2011 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

romano1784 (anonymous) says...

Since the April hail storm out-of-town roofers have invaded our town. Several came from many states away in search of making a quick buck.

Kinda sounds like the city commision right? Sorry I'm all in favor of supporting local business but why would I do that with an outrageous sales tax that is only going to go higher? If I could swing it my family would shop Topeka first always. At least there I get variety, decent prices, and clearks that are knowledgeable about their products. Example: a couple months ago my wife and I were walking from business to business looking at this and that. At five businesses the clerks actually got annoyed at our questions because we were interrupting their basketball game. Those are five businesses I personally will never visit again. Emporia is overpriced generally and the only real place for decent prices is buying from China, better known as Walmart. Our grocery stores carry decent foods but they are on the expensive side as well due to the sales tax. Nope. I'll continue to shop Topeka first until the tax rate drops from ludicrous back to just plain greedy.

June 20, 2011 at 2:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

romano1784 (anonymous) says...

Hey Gazette maybe you could do a story of indepth explaining on why a mediocre sized city has a sales tax rivalling (and superpassing some of) the top ten cities in America...

June 20, 2011 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

romano1784 (anonymous) says...

sorry superpassing shouldve been surpassing

June 20, 2011 at 2:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

powercat (Jerry Seinfelt) says...

I have been surprised at how many local business owners that understand the importance of shopping local have these out of state roofing company signs in their yard. These signs are like scarlet letters! They really need to think twice.

June 20, 2011 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

moderator (anonymous) says...

Romano- Because you Asked

Current Sales Tax Rates in Kansas

http://www.ksrevenue.org/pdf/forms/pu...

Emporia, KS - 8.80%,
Hutchinson, KS - 8.050%,
Junction City, KS - 9.55% to 11.3%,
Kansas City, KS - 8.55% to 10.025%,
Lawrence, KS - 8.85% to 9.85%,
Leavenworth, KS - 8.30%,
Leawood, KS - 8.65% to 9.65%,
Lenexa, KS - 8.90% to 9.90%,
Manhattan, KS - 8.55% to 9.05%,
Olathe, KS - 9.65% to 10.15%,
Overland Park, KS - 8.65% to 9.65%,
Prairie Village, KS - 8.525% to 9.525%,
Shawnee, KS - 8.775%,
Topeka, KS - 8.95%,
Wichita, KS - 7.3% to 9.3%.
Any city that has a range is attributed to the use of a CID or TDD which adds to the Sales Tax to help with development cost, in that area.

One last point of note is that Lyon County will pay off the Courthouse this summer (significantly early) and this will reduce our sales tax burden by 0.5%

Thanks for your questions and comments.

June 20, 2011 at 2:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

railroadhorn (anonymous) says...

I try to shop Emporia first but it isn't always easy or profitable to me. Many of the roofers you list do not return calls timely nor do they show up when they say they will. I personally have contacted many of them for both my house and my mother's. One company I won't single out wouldn't even prepare a written estimate, which my insurance company required. I did finally after much frustration find an Emporia roofer (Rich Roofing). I could have easily gone with the Lawrence/Topeka roofing outfit that took my calls and inspected in a timely manner. I'm glad I went with Rich Roofing. They did a good job and I'll use them again.

That's generally my experience with Emporia businesses. They don't have the customer service to make me want to buy from them. Not all, but a worrisome amount. Maybe the Gazette or Emporia Main Street could host more free programs for businesses to learn how to provide quality customer service.

June 20, 2011 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...

just my opnion, i ALWAYS use romo roofing. he does an exceptional job, and he is reasonable with prices. he always leaves the place cleaner than the found it! his honesty is is exceptional also.
sweigert construction also does an exceptional job, with honesty and intregrity with great prices.

June 20, 2011 at 4:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...

k b how do you know the decking on the roof wasn't replaced also??? are you a roofer???? NO you are a gazette forum poster occasionally you list a house for sale.

June 20, 2011 at 4:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Local all the way, if possible. However I have heard at the coffee shop that over 500 roofs are going to be repaired. Some homeowners may not want to wait because they are afraid of further damage from a leaky roof.

As far as out of town contractors are concerned, at least two of them have rented empty store fronts for offices, I know a couple of the estimators are renting apartments and the crews are staying in town during the week.

The out of town companies may not be buying shingles here because a better volume discount from distributors or maybe it's the sales tax.

Also the out of town companies are spending an awful lot on radio advertising. And the out of town roofers still pay the city permit fee and are inspected by the city.

Maybe this article will help the local roofers land a few more jobs.

June 20, 2011 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...

chris, if i remember right. groh & sons is no longer a local company, it was bought by a wichita company long ago. they still use a local name for recognition. i could be wrong tho, please correct me if i am wrong, but i seem to remember that.

June 20, 2011 at 4:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...

i misspelled swigert construction
phone 620 340 5089
over 35 years exp

June 20, 2011 at 5:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

Just look at those tax rates, tells the tale to me, how many of towns are 3-4 times our size? Want to bet that when the courthouse is paid off that .5 gets allocated to some other POS project we don't need.

June 20, 2011 at 5:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...

umm like a fallen warrior project, or rocks? fallen warrior project will just pay those lawyers involved in the lawsuit.

June 20, 2011 at 5:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

cwalker (anonymous) says...

George Groh and Sons is locally owned by Kurt and Shiela Steinkuhler. They live in Emporia and are big supporters of ESU and are involved in the Emporia Chamber of Commerce as Keystone members. They purchased the company in 1995. To learn more go to their website at http://www.grohroofing.com.

June 20, 2011 at 7:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...

ok, i stand corrected.

June 20, 2011 at 7:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

booker5m (anonymous) says...

When was the last time a sales tax went down?

June 20, 2011 at 9:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/mar...

June 20, 2011 at 10:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sandman (anonymous) says...

Shop Emporia??? You bet!!!! In the same manner that if I was in business I would want my friends, neighbors and locals to shop in my place of business. Also, we must remember this can only go so far since we are a small town with small businesses which can only carry so much stock. Plus, when dealing concerning larger items, some busineses that are local need to realize if they don't deal and we as a consumer can do better concerning product and price, we will do just as they would, go out of town.

June 21, 2011 at 1:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

I appreciated the moderators quick response to Romano above.

I checked out some cities on the list and most gained population from 2000-2010, Emporia did not.

Leawood Ks. is one comparison that you just have to laugh at, when comparing tax rates.

The medium income for a family was $136,871.00 in Leawood and is $41,571.00 in Emporia

1.3% of the population in Leawood is below the poverty line, while in Emporia it is17.9%

The population from 2000-2010 grew in Leawood by 13%.

The population from 2000-2010 declined by 6.9% in Emporia.

Both Manhattan and Lawrence had higher poverty rates, (which is typical of cities with large university student enrollments.

It's kind of hard to compare just the tax rates from city to city without taking into consideration the other demographics involved.

June 21, 2011 at 6:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

blulitespecial (anonymous) says...

My local builder DOES shop here first.That's why we have lumber here - from Topeka.Why? A better price,and they deliver in Americus. Makes me wonder sometimes why I bought a pickup.My groceries will fit behind the seat.I guess I need it for towing because for longer lumber or pipe,I'll have to buy a trailer to buy local.Once the trailer is bought,I'm going to shave every penny off the lumber prices to pay for the trailer.Even if that's out of town. So it wouldn't surprise me that area builders/roofers are lined up with a better deal from out of town.

June 21, 2011 at 12:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

The biggest problem with Emporia is, all of these so called intellectual, self appointed leader types, that have grabbed absolute and complete control of Emporia ( Euphoria, Camelot, River City, Rabid Dogsville ) , whatever you wish to call it, who have a penchant for looking at and envying the other citys that were mentioned in the moderators list and so want to be like those citys, they are absolutely and unequivocally bound and determined to achieve one thing, make Emporia a clone of those other citys, without regard to the cost and regardless of who or what they succed in destroying or bankrupting , in doing so !
And it does not matter to these people, whether real estate signs are going up at an alarming rate, whether businesses are closing or leaving faster than ever or whether taxpaying citizens themselves are leaving or shopping elsewhere because of the ridiculous tax rates for a city of approx. 20 to 23 thousand, of which approx. 22 percent of those are actually paying excessive property taxes, because of the " cloning sydrome " these self appointed, intellectual types, want and desire .
I won' t mention jobs. I believe everyone knows the Emporia job situation.
The only bright light in all of this, is the fact that the Courthouse will soon be paid off. However, I believe that noone had better unfasten their bumpy ride seat belts, even after this one burden is, one might say " lifted or gone ". As I believe that spending by both the City and the County will only gain momentum , instead of slowing down, in order to give the taxpayers the " BREAK " they need and deserve.

June 21, 2011 at 12:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

blulitespecial (anonymous) says...

You know, I do shop here first most of the time.The article was about roofing so I commented along the line of construction.

June 21, 2011 at 12:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

Starve the beast, shop anywhere but Emporia first. Speaking with your tax dollars seems the only way you can make your voice heard in E town

June 21, 2011 at 9:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

thrashed (anonymous) says...

Bobby D's is on a shop Emporia first radio ad but goes through Sysco which isnt local. Evco is a local wholesale foods company.

June 22, 2011 at 7:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

thrashed,

Food for resale is NOT TAXED. So that argument is somewhat moot. Of course EVCO does employee local people. Maybe some of their prices are not competitive with out of town suppliers, I don't know. If a local eatery can keep food costs down, it also means their prices are kept down, right? I would bet that Bobby D's buys some of their stuff from Evco, I have seen their trucks there before.

June 22, 2011 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

NOTE--NOTE--NOTE.

So far in today's county commission meeting it sounds like they have found a NEW USE for that 1/2 cent sales tax that is to expire this month. READY FOR ANOTHER VOTE?

June 22, 2011 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

Simply astounding, they...just...don't...get...it. Keep pushing, in another 10 years there will be less than 20k here. The median income accompanied by the tax rate shows we are on a downhill slide, small town living is supposed to be simple and affordable, we are headed in the wrong direction.

June 22, 2011 at 1:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

moderator (anonymous) says...

Corbin we have been receiving reports that you have a Roberts Roofing sign in your yard?

June 22, 2011 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Here is an earlier statement I made on this same forum subject, " June 21, 2011 at 12:22 p.m.

" The only bright light in all of this, is the fact that the Courthouse will soon be paid off. However, I believe that noone had better unfasten their bumpy ride seat belts, even after this one burden is, one might say " lifted or gone ". As I believe that spending by both the City and the County will only gain momentum , instead of slowing down, in order to give the taxpayers the " BREAK " they need and deserve. "

The news of something being paid off, will undoubtedly bring every Tom, Dick and Harry around, with a sob story, looking for a taxpayer funded " HANDOUT " .

And the sad thing is, they will probably get that " handout ", when it would be better to give the taxpayers a break by lowering taxes and the taxburden .

Is it any wonder that the " SHOP EMPORIA FIRST " slogan has come to mean so little ?

And don' t we as citizens of a " FREE " society/country have the right to shop/buy or hire whom we decide to .

I would hire a roofer, etc. from China or Timbuktu if they would/could do a quality job that would pass inspection, for less than what the locals would charge .

June 22, 2011 at 1:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kswatchdogg (anonymous) says...

Only places like Emporia play music advertisements to try and get people to shop in their town. Pretty desperate. Whats funny is when listening to KVOE, it plays like every other commercial. hmm.... Thats a lot of tax dollars lining someone's pockets for a rediculous advertisement. What if I want to buy a boat, or a Honda? Boy I sure would like to shop Emporia first, but darn, that just doesnt seem to work for 90% of bigger things I want to buy. And what if I want to go to a mall. I wish Emporia had a mall. That thing is an eyesore. The theater is disgusting, and the whole 3 stores arent worth the time spent to park. Besides, things are cheaper everywhere else. And its almost worth it to pay the gas to get out of dodge for a time.

June 22, 2011 at 2:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Chris,

Glad people are keeping up. Yes I am going with an out of town roofer. If you dig a little deeper, that company is thinking of opening a permanent Emporia office. They should start my roof sometime this week and I got $500.00 for putting that sign in the yard.

Oh and most of the local roofers you mentioned in your article are buying roofing supplies out of town, (it's just what I heard, don't know if it's true or not.)

June 22, 2011 at 3:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

also, ROBERTS ROOFING is listed with the Better Business Bureau and has a 5 year warranty on workmanship which includes tearing off and disposal of materials if the job is deemed defective. That sounded good to me.

Let's face it there are enough damaged roofs in town that the locals and out of towners will all stay busy for a year. Think of the revenue the city permit office will be getting this year.

June 22, 2011 at 3:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Don't want to get in a p-$$ing match with anyone. As a business owner, I know the importance of buying locally. My bar business depends on local employed people for it's survival, as do others. I appreciate the piece in the paper from Chris, extolling local contractors. I have used many of them over the years and for the most part have been pleased with their work. This includes the local roofers.

In my case I was approached by the company sales person who was friendly and answered all my questions.

As a roof protects a persons largest investment, (your home), I decided to go with an out of town company that promised more expedient service.

Over the last several years my wife and I have spent upwards of 50K on repairs and improvements on our home and business. All of it by local builders, electricians, plumbers, and other craftsmen. They all did a fantastic job and I will probably use them again on future projects.

If some think ill of me because in THIS CASE I went with an out of town contractor, I can only point out the Bowyer building, the middle school addition, the court house, hills pet food plant, and many other projects that went to out of town contractors. Granted they are larger projects but the same premise holds true.

And look at it this way; If they do a lousy job on my roof, my big mouth will sure let everyone know about it.

June 22, 2011 at 4:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fedup101 (anonymous) says...

Romano made a great point that many contractors will not return your call and many other businesses act like you are burdening them with your business. And if you have a problem with the work they do, try getting them back out to fix their screw up!!! It's hard enough to get them to show up and do the work when they said they would when they are getting paid, but when they have to warranty their poor workmanship it is nearly impossible to get them to respond. I realize not all local businesses are like that but it seems as though the majority fall into that category.

June 22, 2011 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

What the heck, after a martini (1 only) I decided a p-$$ing match isn't so bad.

How long ago was it that a local business, sighting cost concerns, closed down the printing side of their business, laying off employees and contracting the job out to an OUT OF TOWN contractor to print their product?

JUST SAYING.

June 22, 2011 at 7:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

and host their webpage......... ironic we are all debating shop Emporia first on an out of town website.

June 22, 2011 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

moderator (anonymous) says...

Corbin are you sure it isn't two martinis?

June 22, 2011 at 9:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Nope, Just one, but did you know?

Martinis are like boobies.
One is not enough and three are too many;>)

June 22, 2011 at 9:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

In a earlier post reply to romano, the moderator stated;

"One last point of note is that Lyon County will pay off the Courthouse this summer (significantly early) and this will reduce our sales tax burden by 0.5%"

Would the moderator care to make a friendly bet on that sales tax reduction remaining in force for over a year?

June 23, 2011 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Steve,

The moderator would be smart to stay as far away from your bet as possible .

I for one cannot remember when there has been an actual decrease in taxes or anything else around here .

June 23, 2011 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

The only thing that has decreased is the population, number of businesses, jobs and common sense .

June 23, 2011 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

You know Meth, I don't like to complain all of the time. (all right everyone, quit laughing and pick yourself up off the floor.)

But darn it, it's hard not to complain when MY EMPLOYEES, (the government) won't listen to what I am saying.

I had a bartender long ago, who it seemed I was dinging him all the time about this or that.
After a couple months I pulled him aside and asked him; "don't you get tired of me ragging on you?" Naturally, he said, "yes I do." My reply was, "So listen to what I tell You!"

It seemed to be a novel idea to him to listen and take direction. Later on, after terminating him, he joined the armed forces.
After a few weeks in that job he did learn to take "direction" and now I am happy to say he is leading a productive and contented life.
And I am proud of what he has accomplished.

Maybe our city and county commissioners and all the other civic leaders should be sent to boot camp?

June 23, 2011 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

Steve

You're right about our leaders' blindness to the public.

I try to figure out why our leaders act the way they do. There are only a couple of things that make sense to me. It seems that when they get elected pride and vanity take over. They operate under the assumption they are the subject matter experts. They must be, since they got elected. They act like experts about subject they absolutely nothing about.

Then, any time there is public pushback they make the assumption that since the public is not as expert as they are, the public must be wrong.

I think the place you and I differ is that you hold out hope. I think that's good. But, I'm more pessimistic. I think the only thing now that will effect change is implosion. Unfortunately things are going to have to collapse under the weight our leaders have imposed.

June 23, 2011 at 10:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

netloafer,

You are very correct about the so called " expert leaders " , in their own mind that is, of this community . And the really sad thing about the present and past " experts " of the City is, the fact that they can' t seem to see that this Community is and has been " imploding " for quite a spell now and they can only blame the public for the Citys woes/predicament, as if they are and were completely blameless. Besides, one must have an idea of what caused the problem in the first place, before they/you can fix it .
One with any sense at all, can' t help but be somewhat pessimistic about the direction and future of " OUR " City/Community .

Steve,

I really don' t think that boot camp would do the elected and self appointed leaders of this city a bit of good . As they believe that they are above listening to any sort of direction, anyone with wisdom or common sense .

Boot camp is kinda like school . You have to go there with the idea that you are going to " learn " something .

June 23, 2011 at 11:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

i don't know , I think our leaders have listened, just to the wrong people. Many of us have stayed quiet for too long while others, who have a special agenda, have been the only voices heard. When the times were good, most of us just sailed along leaving it to others to make the decisions. As long as we could afford it, no one complained. Voter apathy and our ever growing sense of entitlement have brought us here. Our leaders have just given us what the most vocal asked for.

Now the times are bad and despite what our city manager and other cheer leaders espouse, the next few years are going to be as bad, (or God help us), worse.

So I feel bad for the arts council, the historical society, public library, W.A,W. house, city band, CVB, and all the others asking for funding. I feel sorry for the government workers that have gone without pay raises. I feel sorry for anyone and everything that depends on government allocations of taxpayer funds. At a certain point our elected officials are going to have to cut more services, along with government jobs. It is not sustainable. City and County. State and federal.
What are they waiting for? Riots in the streets like in Europe? That couldn't happen here could it?

June 23, 2011 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

You may have seen this site. I've been following it for about five months now. It's scary. Pls note the municipal debt load. Granted, the $600 billion hole includes all municipalities, but it shows that the debt is being shoved down from the federal and state levels.

June 23, 2011 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

Whoops, I forgot to include the site.

http://www.usdebtclock.org/

June 23, 2011 at 1:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kansasdman (anonymous) says...

Maybe Bob had a philosophical difference with Skipper or something we don’t know about, or he could purchase some products that aren’t offered by Evco. We really don’t know. I do know that they offer a great product and great service. I have heard and seen first hand what people are talking about when they mention the poor service that is offered in Emporia. Maybe he wasn’t getting the type of service he expected at Evco. You can’t expect people to do business locally just because. I respect Mr. Corbin for his willingness to admit to hiring a non-local contractor. I think if you do business in Emporia long enough you know what is offered and a change is sometimes needed.

June 23, 2011 at 2:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

netloafer,

wow, did you notice the amount of small business assets? It's dropping, one of the only figures dropping on the clock as a matter of fact.

June 23, 2011 at 4:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

Steve
I did. At current rates they're projected to decrease by over a trillion.

At current rates debt to GDP ratio will rise to 133% of GDP, putting us in the same boat as Greece.

We are in the deep kimshi

June 23, 2011 at 4:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sandman (anonymous) says...

Approx. 4/5 years ago we were going thru the same thing, new roofs. I accepted a bid from a local roofer which it took two years for them to get to mine. I wasn't in a hurry, my roof was OK, not great but not leaking either. Some can't wait that period of time.....after this last storm they need it NOW. So yes, with the number of roofs that are needed to be done quickly, some WILL need to go out of town inorder to get that accomplished. Folks, let's work together and use some common sense instead of trying to burying our fellow neighbor. Maybe that is what is wrong with Emporia, the ability to work together peacefully with the knowledge we won't ALL be happy campers!!!! Also, PLEASE give the current commission some time, believe they will show the proper colors.

June 23, 2011 at 5:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

booker5m (anonymous) says...

Sandman I think we have seen the colors of the commissioners and the City Manager

June 23, 2011 at 6:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

booker5m (anonymous) says...

Some keep talking about getting the tourist. I had to take a parent to the hospital in Topeka and gas was $3.30 and $3.32 and here $3.45 and up. Why would a tourist even want to stop here and pay out the nose for gas?I know that the price in Topeka still wasnt cheap but why stop here and get ripped

June 23, 2011 at 6:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Moderator,

Well, Roberts Roofing started on the house yesterday at 8:00 a.m. Stripped it too the decking, cut in new ridge vents, and re-shingled it all. At least one inspection by city code office while I was present. At 8:30 p.m. they finished cleaning up and rolling the magnets through the property to pick up stray nails. Just waiting for the skylights to come in and the new guttering. So far so good. I'll keep everyone informed.

June 24, 2011 at 7:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kswatchdogg (anonymous) says...

Why did Emporia build such a fancy arts center? That is a place only artsy people will use. The general public wont all use that. Yet the public library hardly gets enough money to keep its doors open. Im sorry but a library can be used by everyone. Dont you think that Emporia, who seems to try and place themselves right next to Lawrence on the totem pole, would want to invest heavily into the public library. More computers, more new books, rennovations, etc. That is a place I would rather tax dollars go instead of a arts center. Why do the unartsy need an art center. I tell you, its whoever yells the loudest that gets heard. and unfortunately, the average joe doesnt like to speak up, only the liberal artsy I guess, so the town ends up with an arts center.

June 24, 2011 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kswatchdogg (anonymous) says...

As for shopping in Emporia, the tax rate is so high anyways that you might as well go somewhere else to shop. And what does the city have to show for it. A court house. Every park in the town is not worth going to. There are no upgraedes or nice playground equipment. Where are the trails. A water park that was the biggest waste of tax payer money, simply due to the location. Emporia is so focused on tourism that they wanted to put a city pool near the highway to encourage tourism. Hello, its a city pool. One that no one can get to without taxpayer funded bus rides in the low income side of town. They should have kept the pool at peter pan park. Instead of in a field. In the middle of nowhere.

June 24, 2011 at 11:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

romano1784 (anonymous) says...

For the longest time I supported Emporia, since it is my families home. But the way things are handled here, the constant spending, the insults to whoever questions them, the taxes taxes taxes, and the lack of results following only strengthen my resolve to leave Emporia. My wife and I were planning on buying a house here, but that idea's shot to hell.

There's practically no entertainment for kids here. We have a 10 minutes mini-golf center with video games from the 70/80's, and.... well thats about it right? The bars are becoming eraticated one at a time, restaraunts are too expensive, and nothing open after 10pm (sorry i dont count fast food as a restaraunt). But Emporia is doing better! says the commission/city manager. No it isnt. People are leaving quicker than ever. If you google around a bit you'll find that entire towns are being abandoned all around the US, and yes it can happen here. Just my opinion.

June 25, 2011 at 12:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

I agree romano, if I did not live in the country I would have left long ago. I pretty much buy everything I need in bulk out of town and bring it back here to enjoy my seclusion. Emporia does not deserve my tax dollars. Low cost of living is what initially made me stay, but the cost of living here is rapidly becoming more like that of towns 5 to 10 times this size, so where is my motivation to commute back and forth? Schools? Nope I can do better in larger towns.

Only thing Emporia has going for it anymore is a few good Mexican restaurants and Bluestem. Mark my words, ESU enrollment will start dropping soon as they increase tuition and more go the JUCO and Votech route to finish their first 2 years of gen ed requirements. Fort Hays is cleaning up right now because they figured it out, keep prices down and people will come. Same goes for the town, those in charge just don't get it.

June 25, 2011 at 12:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fedup101 (anonymous) says...

Basically Emporia has nothing good to offer anyone. The kids have nothing to entertain them but a lame skateboard park. there is not much more for the adults. the only thing we have in abundance is liquor stores. the majority of companies that provide a service charge outrageous prices. from enormous service call rates to marking up parts sometimes more than 400 percent. (a local heating and cooling company once charged me $535 for a motor that I later found out a company in another town charges $135 for) needless to say I don't use them or recommend them to anyone else. And they are not the only company I have found that follows this practice. Most of them do it because they know we don't have much of an option when we are in a bind. I don't have a problem with a company making money but that much markup is @#$%^*& uncalled for. It is no different than stealing from someone in my opinion. The only thing keeping us here is my wife doesn't want to commute to work. Once she finds something else or we win the lottery we will sell our house (probably for a loss) and get out before the crooks in this city get everything we have.

June 26, 2011 at 12:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

fedup, I don't blame your wife for not wanting to commute. Tons of time involved plus gas is so high.

It's a sad state of affairs here, that's for sure. I've noticed prices going up around here too. I suppose it does no good to say that other cities are having similar woes and that this is a nationwide problem.

Those cities who had commissions that had made good spending decisions in the past would be faring much better than we are now because they aren't facing problems that erupt as a result of poor decision making like spending a hundred grand for rocks, or installing a swimming pool with no access to the majority of kids. When my kids were growing up we lived on the south side and my kids sure got a lot of use out of Peter Pan Pool. I did too with daily lap swimming. Wish it was still there.

Sad to say we are losing people left and right, and not only blue collar people who have lost jobs, but professional people who are fed up.

We have two lame things left to do. Complain, or hang in there as best we can until the economy improves. Neither is proactive. It costs to be proactive I'm afraid.

I do hope they stop with the tourism BS soon. It's beginning to make me sick. Are they just trying to justify their jobs? It's not working.

June 26, 2011 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Inventory;
Dear Fellow Emporian,

The following is a quick inventory of empty buildings and land taken on a drive through our towns main commercial avenues. I find it troubling and hope you consider the list and the down economy in your budget deliberations.
Commercial north from south avenue.;
204 commercial
330 commercial (may be some activity here)
7 east 4th store front
409 commercial store / bar
417 commercial office suites
20 East Fifth (old TEMP buildings)
9 West fifth offices
504 Commercial (old high gear)
511 Commercial (old Madelyn’s)
606 Commercial sold but still empty
623 Commercial (villager)
701 Commercial (old bank)
707 Commercial (bar & Grill)
709 -711 Commercial (winter furniture)
718 Commercial (shopper)
727 Commercial (blue fox)
823 Commercial ??????(Nice curtains)
829 ½ Commercial small store front 4 rent
923 Commercial (old nature’s paradise)
1100 block empty lot (old spade bldg)
12th and Commercial Mediterranean café, (Is it ever open?)
( Continued)

June 26, 2011 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

continued

Driving west from East Emporia;
Red Cross building ????????????
812 East 6th Gas station, the car wash still operating
324 East 6th Jack’s closed for sale
19 East 6th club swag closed
Two empty lots 6th and Mechanic (Old Buff’s)
Coming soon 215 &216 West 6th 2 Empty schools
Old Wendy’s empty lot
Blockbuster video (1/2 bldg.)
6th & Prairie empty lot (old Barnett steel)
Carlos O’Kelly’s
S&S Café
2705 w. hwy. 50 (Next to price chopper)
Big Lots
Empty lot next to extension office
Pumping Pete’s gas station
Regency gardens (Italian)

Annie’s West in motel (gone)
Auto Outlet west hwy. 50 and Graphic arts
Flying J restaurant closed (and no Denny’s)
Industrial going north;
Midwest painting bldg.
Modine (Temp storage rental)
Strip Mall at least 6 empty or closed stores
Flint Hills Mall (seems to be 25% empty consistently)
Coburn’s Restaurant
This is my quick list and is in no way complete. It may be depressing but is still a realistic view of the small business climate in our town. I feel that in order to improve the business climate in Emporia you must reduce the amount of debt, and corresponding high tax rates . Only then will Emporia be an affordable town to live in. A town we can all, once again, be proud of.

Steve Corbin

June 26, 2011 at 11:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

There's another symptom of decay around town - the inventory of payday loan shops. It's one of the few business models that seems to be thriving here. The reason is painfully obvious. Our high poverty rates and low wages paid for hourly labor.
It's really offensive to me that the business model that is succesful is the one that takes advantage of people at the low end of the economic totem pole.

June 26, 2011 at 1:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fedup101 (anonymous) says...

create, I don't blame my wife for not wanting to commute either, and I agree with totally with your comment about the tourism crap. What is here for a tourist draw? The veteran's memorial at Sodens Grove? The clock tower at 12th and Merchant that most residents don't even realize it's there? The flint hills? Yes the scenery is beautiful as you drive through, but they are not the Rocky Mountains or the Grand Canyon for heavens sake. Not many people are going to travel from afar to visit them. It's time to give the tourism s#$t a rest and stop wasting money on it.

June 26, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Steve,

Steve, my friend, you are wasting your time gas money and voice, as none of our illustrious leaders are listening or paying any attention .

And the sad thing is, the City and County " Debt " just continues to " climb ", as do taxes and public service fees . And I will allow you only one guess as to why City, County debt and taxes and public service fees continue to rise, while jobs and revenue continue to " plummet " !

My sister as well as most every other employee of the local Wal- Mart have had their work hours cut, as much as 4 to 6 hours per week . And the reason being ? " Decreased sales ", why ? Loss of the jobs base and the real probability of a rise in the tax mil levy and rise in public service fees, which means less disposable income/cash flow to spend . And the high cost of shopping/buying " Locally " !

My question is why shop Emporia First, as there are not that many places to shop Emporia First, in the first place.
And those places are over priced anyway .

Over the past six months to a year, I have saved a considerable amount of money shopping elsewhere and online . Enough to more than pay for the gas that got me there and back .

In case no one has noticed, Emporia is a " dying " town/city and " Hills ", " Tourists " , " Rocks " , " Memorials ", " Bowyer Buildings " or " Fabulous Waters " are not going to save the town/city . It will take more than this to save Emporia. It will take, 1. Substantially decreased spending on " Material Wants " by the so called leaders of Emporia. 2. It will take a "Lowering " of a ridiculous tax burden. 3. It will take, A really well thought out, well studied program of jobs/business creation. 4. Secession, of any and all City handouts to all city taxpayer funded organizations, etc., until the City and the taxpayers can afford such frivolous " Handouts ".

The City Commissioners wanted the job, supposedly to help the City and its people out of the mess that the City Commission and the few so called leaders have put the city and the people in. But they have and are failing, miserably .
JMO

I am sure that there are others that could to the list, as well.

June 26, 2011 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

methusla,

I do not consider my above post a waste of time.

Perhaps our city and county commissioners and school board drive to work on different routes and don't see the problem.

Perhaps they are smiling so much and thinking about all the positive things around here, their eyes are squinty and they don't see the empty and dilapidated buildings.

Perhaps their noses are just too high up in the air, blocking their vision.

We know they are getting the positive, (glass is half full), side of the story.

So it is up to someone to let them know about the other side of he story.

2012 Budget discussions are ongoing now before they are set in August. Everyone should e-mail, call, or write letters. Weekly ! Attend meetings if we can, let our side be heard.

I have not given up on any of them, especially the newly elected ones. We will see how things are, in the coming months on the budget and spending issues.

If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito. ~Betty Reese

June 26, 2011 at 5:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sail (anonymous) says...

Money is like magic when you see what the multiplier effect does to a community..Bring in one dollar of new money and it is rolled over nine times before it finds its way out of town.So the trick is to find a way of keeping those NEW dollars flowing into Emporia. .....hmmmmm mayby if we encourage more students with money in their pockets to come to Emporia we would find a way to prosperity....

June 26, 2011 at 7:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Sail, have not heard from you in a while. Vacation?

I'm not sure about the students with more money in their pockets idea. With a 6.8% tuition increase at ESU and a 28% unemployment rate for college graduates, even that idea has its problems.

June 26, 2011 at 8:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

Steve,

I am not sure where you found figures about the college unemployment rate, but I guarantee you it is not near that high. More like %4.2 percent on the whole. It's still the way to go to find a job, but the real question now is whether or not debt kids are taking on to get the degrees is worth it.

The draw of ESU was always a great education at a great price, they are quickly pricing themselves out of the market. Fort Hay's business model is thriving, their enrollment continues to grow, think the cheapest tuition in the state for a 4 year school might have something to do with that?

Here is a chart on the unemployment data.

http://coydavidson.wordpress.com/2011...

June 27, 2011 at 12:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Good point about those payday loan places, netloafer. My daughter, a retail executive whose job it is to judge areas of the U.S. with regard to locating their stores tells me that her company will not locate in areas where there are many payday loan places. That's one of the things on their checklist. People who must make payday loans will not have much disposable income.

Also, Goodwill is doing a landoffice business too. There is always traffic in front of that place. We're in trouble.

Thanks for that list, Steve. Good research. My curiousity gets the best of me now. I wonder how many of those are up to date on their property taxes? Whether the business is closed, the taxes must still be paid. Yes, I realize that some of those building owners were not the retailers themselves.

June 27, 2011 at 2:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

goodoleboy,

darned if I can find that article now, it may have been a "sky is falling" piece. I did check out your link and another that takes into consideration Under-employment Part time jobs and those who are not even looking.

http://www.frbsf.org/publications/eco...
It's a dry read but eye opening.

June 27, 2011 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sail (anonymous) says...

Steve, went away for a few days , was surprised to see Ed McKernan gone.....He was one of the good guys....

June 27, 2011 at 3:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sail (anonymous) says...

I agree with the vacant blds being a problem,A BIG PROBLEM, ....but our leaders seem to manage only by crisis......when we take one more major employer pulling out we will be over the tipping point of crisis,,,we will be in a calamity.Whats the plan chamber and rda......wait for ESU to pull out and then try to get a federal prison??? Oh that one wont work it was tried before..........I just wish we as a community had a plan and a common goal to strive for.As it looks now we just have a stroke and pat society saying ITS A GREAT DAY IN EUPHORIA.

June 27, 2011 at 4:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

One place doing a land office business -- Lyon County District Court. Man, those dockets are full for weeks to come. Many weeks. Fines have to be paid. Lotsa crime going on.

June 27, 2011 at 5 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

Steve,

I understand your point, but many of the college grads out there having trouble finding employment either picked a poor major or are unwilling to relocate. Every study I can find states the unemployment rate for college grads is half of what it is for non college grads. Please understand I was not trying to play "gotcha" merely I have not seen anything that correlates the numbers you stated. I tend to fact check everything I post regardless of political affiliations.

I do thank you for doing that survey of the empty businesses on our main streets, I was thinking of doing the very same thing but have been discouraged by the realization that no one cares. It is very telling though, and with all those tourists supposedly coming in we really need something to offer other than a place to get 30% loan against your auto.

June 27, 2011 at 7:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

romano1784 (anonymous) says...

The one thing keeping me in this town is ESU. Great teachers who go out of their way to help you study, learn, and hopefully find some work. Im going for a doctorate in history, hopefully to get a job teaching. just not in Emporia. I do wonder what will happen to Emporia though if ESU ever decides to move locations to a more profitable area. The federal cuts on education to increase on defense will and have hurt all current and future students.

BTW did anyone hear anything about Coleman opening a distribution center here in Emporia? and who just took over the old Lenze building?

June 27, 2011 at 9:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Richie (anonymous) says...

When it comes to the Emporia economy, the RDA (et al) needs to focus in upon employment opportunities that are not solely blue-collar. There's nothing wrong with blue-collar, so don't get me wrong. However, as technology quickly replaces blue-collar, attention needs to be given to more sustainable jobs. The Emporia workforce can be retrained and retooled for these positions as Emporia has ESU and FHTC to assist.

June 27, 2011 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

eccentriceric (anonymous) says...

netloafer i agree about the payday loan places. it makes me sick. i fell victim to the JC Penny's store card and the Walmart store card since they don't have lay away anymore. it took a few yrs to get out of debt so those great savings from Penny's turned out to costing more in the end. no wonder Penny's has such good sales. they know they will recoup the money by talking you into a store card.

June 28, 2011 at 2:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

romano1784,

I know Hills rented the Lenze building during their hiring process. is that what you are talking about, or is someone else in there?

Reddog, heard anything about Coleman?

June 28, 2011 at 7:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sail (anonymous) says...

Chris : The problem in Emporia is , we have become the luch pail town WAW worried about.Emporias median household income is 65% of the state average.ITS AN INCOME PROBLEM. The rda has overspent and underpreformed imo, its as though the rda is rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

June 28, 2011 at 7:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Where is the Lenze building?

I've heard that Steve Sauder has something going in out at the Hill's Appliance building. Just a little bird who told me, but one in the know.

June 28, 2011 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

create,

The Lenze building is almost directly across the street from Hills pet food .

June 28, 2011 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

Sail,

Your point is exactly the same one I have been trying to make over and over. The median income of this town cannot support the aspirations our leaders have, and the end result are tax rates that are completely out of whack for a town this size, with no signs of relief or receding.

The housing market here is now overvalued and the solution to all of this is supposed to be tourism? Tourism at a time when true all inclusive and tourist meccas are seeing unprecedented drops in numbers? It would be hilarious if it was not so pathetic. Cheap, clean, low cost living coupled with good schools is what made Emporia prosper, if we cannot attract the jobs then we must do everything we can to attract the commuters, with rising fuel prices people have to have a good reason to commute, more of the same just equals more moving closer to the metro areas.

All it would take to get Emporia back on track would be a mid size firm that pays middle class wages. Instead of wasting time attracting fast food restaurants we should be after one of these entities, everything else will follow suit.

June 28, 2011 at 11:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )