Taxpayers, not landowners, to pay for sewer extension out west
By Jeremy Shapiro
Thursday, September 29, 2011
If landowners want to tap in, they must become part of Emporia
The 11 landowners in the path of a sewer extension to the proposed Fanestil Meats plant won’t have to pay $1.15 million for the project.
But if any one of the landowners want to use the sewer, they will have to be annexed into the city of Emporia. The sewer line would be free, but they would have to start paying city property taxes.
This was the compromise reached after 80 minutes of discussion during Wednesday’s Emporia City Commission work session.
Before discussing the project and obtaining easements from landowners, City Manager Matt Zimmerman wanted to know if the commission was interested in charging the landowners up to $1.15 million of the $1.44 million it will cost to extend the line. That way city staff could develop negotiation tactics when they meet with landowners.
Commissioner Jim Kessler said the property owners didn’t ask for it and may have no interest in switching from a lagoon system.
“They did not ask us to do it so I see how they may not want it,” he said. “But I also see how they could benefit from it.”
Costs to the landowners could have ranged anywhere from $2,500 up to $341,000 depending on size of the property and how many properties are deemed as gaining benefits from the sewer.
The extension has been in the works for awhile to supply sewer service to undeveloped Industrial Park IV. From a time perspective the project became much more pressing since Fanestil’s may soon be cleared to build a new plant next year on a 12 acre lot near the intersection of US Highway 50 and Americus Road.
Phase I of the extension would go from a lift station at Sixth Avenue and Overlander Street to the southeast corner of the Fanestil’s property. Phase II in 2013 would take it from there west to the industrial park.
“This sewer line is the Industrial Park sewer line,” said Commissioner Rob Gilligan. “That’s how we’ve sold it and how we are paying for it. These properties happen to benefit because of their proximity. If you choose to annex in, pay us 42 mills per year in taxes, we will give you free access to this sewer we happened to build in your neighborhood.”
The line will run along Sixth Avenue through the Vernon property, the Midcontinent Orion Corp. property and the Lapping trust. It would then turn up north along Betty Miller’s property and cross under the Kansas Turnpike.
On the other side of the highway, the line would go through the Coleman property, next to Emporia RV Park. It then turns north so MKM Venture could tap in. The line crosses US 50 so the DeBauge property could tap in and then crosses Americus Road and goes along the Waechter property.
The city implemented a sanitary sewer line policy in 1985 that is still in effect today. Zimmerman said the policy allows the city to assess the cost of an 8-sinch sewer line to impacted property owners. The city pays in full for oversizing the pipe if it’s more than 8 inches. The city can waive the policy if it’s determined the system is a trunk or intercept sewer.
A trunk sewer is one that is receiving sewage from many tributaries. Jerry Menefee, city engineer, said this project would likely qualify as a trunk sewer.
Staff came up with three approaches to charge the property owners. One was for just the 11 property owners. In that scenario, the DeBauge family would have to pay $341,000 while Miller would have to pay $191,000. Commissioners agreed that would be a ridiculous request.
“We’d be laughed out of the room,” Gilligan said.
The other two options would also charge other land owners nearby, in essence spreading around the cost.
The other factor to consider is how much the city has to pay property owners for the right to use their easements for the sewer line. The line is buried underground so it’s unobtrusive, but the landowner can’t build anything on it.
Blaise Plummer, city attorney, said an appraisal is underway that will give the city an idea of how much to pay for the easements. If owners refuse to grant the easement after negotiations, the city can go to court to get access, he said.
Judging by the response so far, easements negotiations may be rough. Zimmerman said when the city sent someone out to do survey work, there was an attitude of how dare you come onto my property.
While an easement trade for no sewer charge was discussed, Commissioner Joel Phipps brought up the idea of annexation. He said when some residents on Burlingame Road wanted sewer access, as part of the process they were annexed into Emporia. Those homes have access to city water, solid waste and police.
Zimmerman said it’s unfair to give people free sewer when other people had to pay for it.
“We can waive it, but just know there will be other people in town, like on Burlingame Road, that say why did you charge me for it,” he said.
Mayor Kevin Nelson said in this instance, these people are fortunate to live on the way to an industrial park the city wants to develop.
“We are planning on doing it so there shouldn’t be any charges at all, but if you want to hook up to it, here’s our policy,” he said. “If you want sewer or water, you have to annex.”
Another reason Phipps preferred the free but annexation approach is the city is not in a position of strength in negotiations because they have to get the line built to Fanestil’s next year, assuming all the issues resolving the company’s move are ironed out.
countrydog (anonymous) says...
Mr Nelson If you want them to have it for free YOU CAN PAY FOR IT YOURSELF NOT THE TAXPAYER!!!!
September 29, 2011 at 7:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Here is another approved link: It also concerns negotiations, but on the federal level.
http://www.theonion.com/articles/cong...
September 29, 2011 at 9:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
IF IF IF ??? Whats the rush, you can't sell the industrial parks you have now. WE know you want Fanestil & you all have made up your minds. So the city is willing to sue landowners in court ? And all over 48 jobs ! I think the taxpayers should remember this come election time. Where can we buy buckets of TAR ? I have the RAILS, Feathers are cheap..
September 29, 2011 at 9:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
This thing just keeps getting better and better.
Almost as good as comedy channel.
September 29, 2011 at 9:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
This CAN HAPPEN HERE ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4ssor...
September 29, 2011 at 9:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
This whole Fanestil deal gets more and more bizarre and complicated all the time.
Yeah, I can see the City taking the Debauges, Millers, etc. court and trying to sue them over Sewer line easments.
That would be something I would pay to see.
This whole mess could have been avoided by Fanestil locating in the old Lenze building in the beginning . Installing a state of the art, technically advanced air filtration system or two or three in the Lenze building . You know, similar type of air filtration system that the Navy uses on their nuclear submarine fleet ! I am sure there are state of the art filtration systems available for filtering odoriferous air and contaminates from the air being brought into the building from the outside, as well as odors and air born contaminates that exist in the building eminating from the employees as well.
But, it would seem that the City of Emporia, the City Commission/Commissioners have let Fanestil hold them hostage or put them over a proverbial " Barrel ", with out so much as a " whimper " of protest from the City/City Commission/ City Commissioners or even an exhaustive, thorough investigation into possible alternatives, negotiations or compromise, especially on Fanestils' part.
I say, the City of Emporia, the City Commission, City Commissioners should tell Fanestil that the origional offer is open to re-negotiation, but the Obrien property acquisition with the help of the City and the 10 year tax abatement is " Off the Table " and let Fanestils' think about their options at this late date . Maybe even stew, for a while, in the " Boiling Pot " that they themselves have created for themselves and now want others to pay to get them out of the " Boiling Pot " they have put themselves in .
It is apparent that Fanestil needs/wants help, but are asking for far more help and concessions than the City of Emporia or the County should give or agree to give or can afford at the present time.
AAJMO
September 29, 2011 at 9:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Just give fanny a blank check! The tax payer is going to get the shaft anyway
September 29, 2011 at 10:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
The one thing that is a given in America is most couples are in debt up to there eyeballs. So if one gets layed off, there in big trouble. If Fanestil lays off 48 workers and it is public knowledge that one factory is going to out sourse there office and lay off 40 people and if all the other plants don't lay anyone off in this the greatest recession, we are looking at about 98 people and home ownership is about 68%, this adds up to about 68 more homes on the market and so your property values will go down and that nest egg you thought you had may actually put you under water. Nice going, you are promoting a self imposed tax on yourself. Fanestil needs encouragement and the history of Economic Development in Emporia has come from the commissioners promoting industrial revenue bonds, not from cranks envious of folks who put their life savings on the line. CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOU CAN CHANGE EMPORIA. And please tell one crank who ever made a difference for the betterment of this city--K.B.Thomas Jr. Sept. 29, 2011
September 29, 2011 at 10:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Somebody please tell me just one crank who made a difference for this city in the area of economic development. COME ON STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND SAY SOMETHING PROFOUND, INSTEAD OF YELLOW BELLY REMARKS BEHIND YOUR MASKS. I am round'n third and head'n home.
September 29, 2011 at 10:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Hey KB, got news for you buddy, I told you this already, but Emporia is WAY overvalued, only now is market going to start correcting itself now that exodus of jobs and poor leadership has decimated what was once a thriving town. IT IS CLOWNS LIKE YOU SELLING PROPERTIES AT INFLATED VALUES THAT HELPED CREATED THE SITUATION. You reap what you sow.
Concerning Fanestil's I have seen you time and time again rail against wasteful spending, and government, FEMA in particular, that is until it someway benefits you. This whole deal stinks to high hell of waste and fraud, all your cranks on your spam sites would be ashamed of your hypocrisy. Another news flash for you, Fanestil is going to cut jobs even if they get this done, it's lose lose either way, it's absolute lunacy that the taxpayers have to bail out this company when the wages they pay not even mediocre.
This is not Field of Dreams buddy, just because you build an new industrial does not mean they will come, hell the ones we have are not even fully occupied.
Enjoy the haircut!
September 29, 2011 at 11:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Pretty funny watching you squirm KB, but if I was vested in real estate in Emporia I would be squirming too.
You want something profound? Poor leadership over the couple of decades caused this, no one who comments dictated the policies, perhaps that is the problem? Profound indeed.
Set your sets squarely on those in charge of the decisions, look where the town was, and where it is now, not hard to see failure is abound. Maybe once you start losing your ass on properties you will come over to common sense side.
September 29, 2011 at 11:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
This quote by Zimmy says it best to me,
"Judging by the response so far, easements negotiations may be rough. Zimmerman said when the city sent someone out to do survey work, there was an attitude of how dare you come onto my property."
I have new hope now that if FEMA comes through these landowners will throw one hell of a monkey wrench in your plans.
September 29, 2011 at 11:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
I'd donate to their legal fund!
September 29, 2011 at 11:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Emporia is way over valued, compared to what city, oh I guess your talking about some liberal town like Detroit. Emporia did not boom like other places like Nevada, so the downturn isn't all that bad and I think most well informed folks know that. The lowest rates in 60 years is a lot more attractive than the last downturn in the 1980's and I quote from an article in the K.B.Thomas Real Estate Forecast--interest rates have come down to 12%, the lowest rates in 5 years. I told people that they were not just buying a home but, they are buying the future of Emporia and even though we have had a correction, those folks are still way ahead. Like Fanestil, those folks had a dream and were willing to take the risk. Just like Spangles who probably paid about 10 dollars a square foot to get into Emporia and Wallgreens who paid over 1 million for there site. Another site that just sold for a pretty penny was the old Wendy's site on 6th avenue. What I enjoy doing is taking people around town that haven't been back for about 20 years and it just sweeps them off their feet and just think, I had a part in it as I promoted a full time Economic Development Director when I ran for City Commissionor. EVERYTHING LOOKS IMPOSSIBLE TO THOSE THAT DON'T TRY ANYTHING.
September 29, 2011 at 11:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
As Paul Harvey used to say,"and now for the rest of the story."
http://www.economics.arawakcity.org/n...
September 30, 2011 at 12:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Emporia Housing is way overvalued, I stand by that. It will continue to decline as more and more jobs bleed out of the area.
You... Just... Don't......Get....It....
It does not matter what interest rates are, if you do not have the job base to support the housing market, housing goes to hell. It's funny you bring up Detroit, because Emporia is going to look like a mini Detroit soon. Do all those people you take around town notice how many store fronts and factories are empty? Do you really think fast food joints and pay day loan shops are going to generate the kind of jobs that people can buy houses with?
Almost every company that provided a middle class wage has moved on, and rising fuel costs have forced many of the commuters to relocate, and that trend will continue.
Unless Emporia secures a middle class employer in the next few years to bail them out the town is doomed to stagnate and contract even further in the coming years, every big name retail chain you named off can just as easily close up shop as fast as they came here and write it off.
September 30, 2011 at 1:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
One overlooked factor in the housing market is the response of young people. My wife and I are around young people a lot in KC and the majority of them tell us they have no interest in buying a home. They don't see the value in it. They've watched their parents and other "adults" go under water in an overvalued/over-appraised/over-priced market and have decided they've got far more important things to do with their money. It will take time to see whether it's an on-going trend. I think it will.
My wife and I learned in NJ that homes are overvalued. When we finally bought we purchased at the lowest possible end. We did the same thing in Memphis and here in Emporia. I'm glad we did.
One thing you won't hear realtors talk much about is the convoluted appraisal process. It invites over-valuation. It benefits the realtors and the taxing authorities and it artificially inflates the price of homes.
Goodoleboy is also right. Rising fuel costs are leading to relocations. We see this in downtown KC. A lot of the young people have sold homes in the suburbs and have taken up renting lofts. Not only that, but more than a few are selling their cars and getting to work on bicycle or using buses like the MAX to get to their workplaces.
September 30, 2011 at 7:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
FROM THE ARTICLE:
Blaise Plummer, city attorney, said an appraisal is underway that will give the city an idea of how much to pay for the easements. If owners refuse to grant the easement after negotiations, the city can go to court to get access, he said.
Judging by the response so far, easements negotiations may be rough. Zimmerman said when the city sent someone out to do survey work, there was an attitude of how dare you come onto my property.
Just a heads up to Blaise and Matt.
i know some of these landowners, and the city better be extra gentle in dealing with them. Mentioning court ordered remedies is NOT the way to deal with them.
These landowners don't need the money, and don't care about the money. The could sit on that empty land forever and not care about YOUR problems.
It would take only 1 of them who doesn't like the city or felt slighted by prior dealings with the city to screw things up.
More than 1 of these landowners is worth more than the city in net worth and could, (if they were so inclined), drag this out for years.
Just a friendly suggestion, guys.
September 30, 2011 at 7:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
solong (anonymous) says...
Steve,
SSSSSHHHHH!
September 30, 2011 at 7:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Also, if the article is correct, Mayor Nelson should realize that maybe not all landowners feel "fortunate" about this.
It would seem Mr. Phipps is the only one that knows the city is negotiating from a weak position.
Like I said earlier, this just keeps getting better and better.
September 30, 2011 at 7:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
solong,
Sorry.
September 30, 2011 at 7:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
Steve, you are right. I too know several of these land owners. They need to walk soft !
September 30, 2011 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
reddog,
Now, you and I have both done late night postings on here this week. Mine wasn't so late, but I did have a couple of belts in me, and judging from yours, you may have had 1 too many glasses of wine. We both, really should stop doing that.
We can and should be concerned with the possible loss of 48 jobs in our area. NO-ONE would want that. But doesn't the responsibility for that fall on Mr. Smoots?
This whole comedy of errors started with 1 business decision by Mr. Smoots to apply for the FEMA grant through the county.
HIS decision.
Now it seems, more and more decisions are being made, and more taxpayer money is being obligated because of Mr. Smoots 1st decision.
Helping Industry locate and stay in Emporia is an ideal way to help us all.
If it works right we all benefit.
If it doesn't, well think Solyndra.
1/2 Billion, (with a B), dollars in taxpayer funded loan guarantees panned out to bankruptcy, a company closed and employees lost jobs.
This rush to get the Fanestil deal done is beginning to look similar to that endeavor.
Your comment about putting ones life savings on the line, is an example of Mr. Smoots taking a chance with his business and HIS decision to do so,. Once taxpayer money is involved in this, it becomes our business decision also.
The city and county have gone out of their way to accommodate Mr. Smoots and his 1st decision. If this falls apart and fails, it rests solely on him and his 1st business decision, not the taxpayers.
Knowing how government works, we can expect them to screw up. But should we use taxpayer funds to help when a private business does it?
You mentioned the loss of those office jobs. Should the city offer tax dollars to that company to keep the jobs here?
September 30, 2011 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
THANK YOU STEVE !!!
September 30, 2011 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
K.B. Thomas Jr.,
You are so "Asanine " that your attitude, remarks and comments, border on the totally " Insanely Absurd " and insulting of others intelligence, not to mention, just plain derogatroy and insulting !
You are also the biggest " self indulgent braggard " I have ever had the misfortune of knowing or listening to.
September 30, 2011 at 9:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Wow, meth, don't blow up man.
I would like to offer this suggestion to you and others, (in the spirit of friendship).
Please disregard or don't read any of my or reddogs posts that occur after 9:00 p.m. Because sometimes, not always, it may be the booze talking. Not trying to make excuses, just trying to "splain"
Have a good one !
September 30, 2011 at 11:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
I am very confidant that the leaders of our city will make stepping stones out of your stumbling blocks. If a window of opportunity would appear, most of you folks would pull down the shade. What would be the economic life of this town be if our leaders back in the 1950's, did not have the courage to attempt anything. I want to invent a new airplane, but it appears that most folks on here are into parachutes.
September 30, 2011 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Steve C.,
My friend, your comments, whether influenced by " Demon Rum " or not make more sense than K.B.s' supposedly " Lucid " comments .
And I enjoy reading your comments, whether late at nite or under the " Influence ", they still make more sense than K.B.s', but sometimes I think that he is looking for a real " Physical " fight and someday he may just get it, perhaps not from me, but then again perhaps it will be me . Point is K.B. is writing checks with his mouth his a$$ or his bravado may not be able to Cash !
Any way your are right K. B.s' ignorance just needs to be ignored .
Have a good one my friend and Thanks .
September 30, 2011 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
Blue_Dog (anonymous) says...
What is this about easements? I thought the line was going west along old Hwy 50 (under turnpike) and north up the county road west of turnpike (americus road south of Highway 50) and west out Highway 50 to the new Ind Park. All that should already have easements for public utilities.
September 30, 2011 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
High expectations are the key to everything--Sam Walton. Sam once said, 'I don't know how many people told me my stores would fail in small towns.
September 30, 2011 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
I tip my hat to Dan Smoots for moving ahead on this project and it might be a long time before another industry comes to town in this the greatest recession.
http://www.goldsilvermashup.com/categ...
September 30, 2011 at 12:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
K.B.,
read the following and see if you can understand what it says .
Opportunity CostWhat Does Opportunity Cost Mean?
1. The cost of an alternative that must be forgone in order to pursue a certain action. Put another way, the benefits you could have received by taking an alternative action.
2. The difference in return between a chosen investment and one that is necessarily passed up. Say you invest in a stock and it returns a paltry 2% over the year. In placing your money in the stock, you gave up the opportunity of another investment - say, a risk-free government bond yielding 6%. In this situation, your opportunity costs are 4% (6% - 2%). Investopedia explains Opportunity Cost
1. The opportunity cost of going to college is the money you would have earned if you worked instead. On the one hand, you lose four years of salary while getting your degree; on the other hand, you hope to earn more during your career, thanks to your education, to offset the lost wages.
Here's another example: if a gardener decides to grow carrots, his or her opportunity cost is the alternative crop that might have been grown instead (potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins, etc.).
In both cases, a choice between two options must be made. It would be an easy decision if you knew the end outcome; however, the risk that you could achieve greater "benefits" (be they monetary or otherwise) with another option is the opportunity cost.
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/o...
Here is another site, but it may just be beyond your comprehension level !
http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/Op...
September 30, 2011 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Now let me give you a real, recent example.
If, Fanestil would have made the move to the Lenze building, The cost to the City of Emporia and its taxpayers would have been $1.15 million dollars + Approx. $275,000 dollars less or a saving of $ 1.425 million dollars plus the cost to Fanestil quite possibly, may have been considerably less to them also, plus Fanestil quite possibly would still be producing a product and still retaining 48 jobs !
Fanestil, the County and the City of Emporia would not be in the " Pickle " that they are now in and Fema would not be demanding their money, that is gone, be returned !
And that is what bad economic decisions can do to increase the " COST OF OPERTUNITY, ( OPERTUNITY COST ) to everyone involved and the taxpayers of Empotia, Ks. !!!
And to me this whole Fanestil fiasco, may not greatly benefit anyone, except the land owners and Fanestil at an increased cost to the City of Emporia taxpayers, via, the cost of a sewer line extension, land purchase, and 10 years of no property taxes paid by Fanestil !!!
Now just who will benefit the most in the next 10 years, if this deal becomes a reality ?
It certainly won' t be the current property owners, who are currently paying property taxes .
Oppertunity is all about, making the right decisions and thoroughly studing and researching every aspect of a so called " Golden Oppertunity " !
Again, am convinced that this is nothing more than another demand or want of someone without regard to consequences of the cost to others of the end result .
AAJMO
September 30, 2011 at 12:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Tell me about your golden opportunities.
September 30, 2011 at 1 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Anytime you think you have a lot of influence, just try ordering around someone else's dog.
September 30, 2011 at 1:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fedup101 (anonymous) says...
The only people who stand to benefit from this are Mr. and Mrs. Smoots. The taxpayers of emporia will be paying this forever. The money that is going to be wasted here will never be recouped. This could be the last nail in the coffin for Emporia. My advice to property owners in Emporia is cut your losses and get out while you can. Fast food restaurants and tax payer funded business are not going to keep the local economy alive.
September 30, 2011 at 1:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
hummm, i guess i have influence then, neighbors dogs respond to a water gun in the snout.
hmmmm
September 30, 2011 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
In my opinion Fanestil missed one " Golden Oppertunity ", in the form of the Lenze Building and Property that would have gotten them into an already existing building likely at less cost to them and the City of Emporia and the Emporia Tax payers ! And with a whole lot less headaches for everyone !
Golden opertunity that was turned down, Lowes, wanting to locate on 24th ave .
Golden Oppertunity, Home Depot wanting to possibly locate in the old Modine facility, which was also turned down/defeated by those who were afraid of either competition or an intersection objection, which by the way has been redesigned, anyway to accommodate increased truck traffic !
Some of the established businesses are so afraid of competition and competing that they are paranoid of any " competition " .
An add in some magazine at a cost of $ 10,000 dollars is not a golden oppertunity, nor is upwards of $ 150,000 dollars for rocks an oppertunity, Allowing anyone to dictate City Policy or make extravagant demands on a Citys taxpayers or a City is not a Golden Oppertunity, only when the City and taxpayers give in to those demands, then it is a one sided " Golden Oppertunity" to the one making the demands and receiving what they demand !
Golden Oppertunity
1.Ideal moment to do something.
You have said it yourself several times K.B., this is an exceptionally hard and long lived recession, with no evident end in sight .
And now is not the time to be taking chances with other peoples money !
Now is the time to sit tight and ride this recession out and try to be as " Frugal " as possible.
This particualr, supposed, " Golden Oppertunity " may just come back to bite someone or everyone very, very hard .
I know these are missed " Golden Oppertunities ", but true " Golden Oppertunities " in the present economy are very few or non existent. Companys' are down sizing, outsourcing jobs,etc ., therefore " Golden Oppertunities " are few and far betwee and competition for them is fierce .
Fanestil/Dan Smoots himself, admitted that every other place he looked at to locate, he could not afford !
Well I ask, what makes him think the City of Emporia taxpayers can afford what he is demanding ?
Or for that matter what you are demanding of the Emporia Taxpayers ?
If this is such a " Golden Oppertunity " why don' t you and others, donate a couple of million dollars to pay for what Fanestil wants ? This would be a " Golden Oppertunity " to build your personal " Historical Legacies " !!!
And just think of, how good it would make you all feel !!!
September 30, 2011 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Well today is the end of the 3rd quarter 2011.
Another down day at the stock market making this month the worst since May of 2010.
BUT, there is a ray of sunshine.
Tomorrow the sales tax rate drops from 8.8% all the way down to 8.3 % in Emporia.
WooHoo !
September 30, 2011 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
Damit Boy Im goin shopping, Been lookin fer a bigger boat. Sum thin in the 60' area. Ya got one fer sale ? Now Imm worreed where my gona spend all my new money. Maybe I cood buy a rock ?
September 30, 2011 at 3:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Steve C.,
Only problem is the County is talking about implementing or wanting to implement a new sales tax !
Any bets on how much of a sales tax increase the County will want .
I believe I, may have the right to say to everyone, I told you so !!!
And I am not " Gloating ", just saying !!
Because you see our local gov't. and their bosses .. and the bosses are not " we the people " , have found it to be very easy to dupe the people into voting for higher taxes and paying higher taxes, even in " terribly tough times " and our local gov' t leaders cannot break the " addiction " they have of wanting and spending more than can be afforded by those who are already paying " thru the nose ", namely you/me/we/us... the taxpayers !!
AAJMO
September 30, 2011 at 4:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Is it any wonder that most people avoid shopping Emporia, like the plague and sales tax revenues are down !
September 30, 2011 at 4:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Donate one and put your name on it, then watch them spend double trying to dress it up real nice.
September 30, 2011 at 4:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/US-inco...
September 30, 2011 at 8:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
This is a little off topic, and yet it shows the coming economic climate of the rest of this year and perhaps a full fledged recession.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Greece-...
I am guessing at least another 300 point drop in the stock market tomorrow Oct 3. Most of us with retirement funds are taking a real beating lately.
October 2, 2011 at 4:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
owenrhys (anonymous) says...
Question: If the City is going to pay for a new meat plant, why don't they just build and operate their own?
Might as well.
October 3, 2011 at 6:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Good point owenrhys. But the this city couldnt run a for free outhouse
October 3, 2011 at 9:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )