Possible grant opens way for new ball fields
By Jason Johnston - Emporia Gazette
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
A new grant proposal to fund a new ball complex in Northwest Park and plans for new trucks at the Lee Beran Recreation Center were discussed Monday evening at the Emporia Recreation Commission board meeting.
Recreation center director Tom McEvoy said he and Assistant City Manager Mark McAnarney sent a grant proposal on Dec. 30 to the W.S. and E.C. Jones Trust requesting $3,247,500 toward a new $6.495 million baseball and softball complex at a park next to Jones Aquatic Center.
“I have not officially heard anything from Jones Trust,” McEvoy said.
The grant proposal also would include a contribution of $3,247,500 from the recreation commission through the four mill property tax increase.
The complex would have four large multi-purpose fields and four smaller fields. It also would have a concession stand and a small playground.
The recreation center went back to the original figure of $6.495 million to see if that is attainable, said Roger Hartsook, a board member. The lower estimate for the ball fields was $5.7 million. Vance Rzepka of VSR Design came up with both estimates for the commission.
“None of these (estimates) are set in concrete,” Hartsook said.
The complex needs grant money to help the project get underway, said Jim Markowitz, the commission chairman. The recreation center does not have the authority to raise taxes.
“If we were to go to a sales tax or a property tax increase, that would have to be something that would be done through the city,” Markowitz said “... I am opposed to that.”
The commission approved 5-2 to purchase a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado truck from the federal surplus in Topeka for $14,000. Board members Mike Helbert and Britton Hart opposed the motion.
Helbert said the recreation center should have talked to local dealers for price comparisons of their three-quarter ton extended cab trucks.
McEvoy said he and his staff are looking in town for a half-ton extended cab that the center also needs.
“But this is something that just fell in our lap,” he said.
McEvoy and three center staff members discovered the Silverado on Friday at the federal surplus, McEvoy said. The truck would be used to haul equipment with a trailer. If the recreation center decides to purchase a snow plow, the truck could also be used to shovel snow.
The truck has 60,000 miles on it.
McEvoy said the recreation center purchased two trucks in 1992 and 1993 from the federal surplus, and they both need to be replaced.
The commission also approved 6-1 to move start time of the meeting from 7 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for the next six months. Hartsook opposed the motion.
slimbolen99 (anonymous) says...
Why is everything being done in this city being done on the Northwest side of town?
Why don't we put resources towards rehabilitating the parks and ball fields in the inner core?!
I remember as a kid spending hours upon hours at the ball fields at Jones Park, Woodland Park on 9th Ave (now a big hole in the ground), and the fields across the interstate from the University.
Coming back into town to visit family, we drive those places. There's nothing; yet there are still homes and kids playing outside...I'm sure there's a need; but does anyone really live on the Northwest corner of town that isn't on the City or County Commission, Rec Board, Extension Office, etc?
January 17, 2012 at 7:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
slimbolen99,
It is done on the northwest side of Emporia just for the reason you stated, " does anyone really live on the Northwest corner of town that isn't on the City or County Commission, Rec Board, Extension Office, etc? "
And because nothing will be built on the northwest end of Emporia unless it costs millions of dollars and that fact alone gives the City Commission, REC, etc, etc., the excuse to increase property or sales taxes even further.
Did you notice, that Tom McEvoy stated that " The grant proposal also would include a contribution of $3,247,500 from the recreation commission through the four mill property tax increase." ?
There you have it, a 4 mil property tax increase, just for a $6.5 million playground !
But we must all remember " its for the kids " ! What they are not saying is, that those " kids " this spending is for will more than likely end up having to pay off the debt that these " idiots " are building !
Is this is what is meant by, " Emporia building futures " ?
These people don' t seem to realize that Emporia's " INFRASTRUCTURE " is falling apart, while money is being spent on Rocks, New Playgrounds, carpet for football practice fields and other usless wastes of taxpayer dollars, instead of building/repairing Emporia's Foundation. And I am talking about Emporia' s " IFRASTURCTURE " and the absolute necessary needs of the people . This is the real " Foundation of Emporia " , its ability to keep a solid Foundation/Infrastructure, in good shape and repair ! And a people that are able to have the needed services required at a reasonable cost and to be able to keep an amount of their own hard earned money for their own individual needs, instead of giving their money away via taxes for unnecessary and unneeded frills and wants just because a certain few believe that is what will propel Emporia into the Future .
Well I say " Balderdash " !!
I believe that what will propel Emporia into/toward the future is " less spending ' by our leaders/Commissions, allowing for lower taxes, property/sales, etc., allowing the taxpayers to keep more of their money, and it is their money --not the Commissions money !
This in itself will, cause others to see what a wonderful, live within its means City, Emporia, Ks. is, and a place you can keep more of you own money and not be " TAX POOR " and want to become a part of a place that is not sending its taxpaying citizens into " Bankruptcy or unfathomal Debt " the their children, childrens children will be paying for, for generations.
Now that is a Future worth working for/toward .
I am not against spending or taxes, as long as it is within reason and is not morbidly more than the taxpayers can afford.
JMO
January 17, 2012 at 9:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sittingeagle (anonymous) says...
Just think what would happen if we used that 6.5 mil to promote new business to come to town to replace the jobs lost over the past several years.
January 18, 2012 at 12:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasper007 (anonymous) says...
With all the ball diamonds in town, what's up with this? "If you build it, they will come". BS.
Maybe we will get a Major League team now? Come on. The "old" diamonds will now become grassed-over eyesores, not enough use of this "new" complex and once again, the City of Emporia gets to laugh at there un-savvy tax payers.
Too many old farts trying to re-live their childhood through the expense of the taxpayers.......Bring on the REAL jobs, instead of peanut vendors and soda JERKS.......
January 18, 2012 at 5:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
But look at the tourist this will bring in! LOL
January 18, 2012 at 6:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Coincidentally, the Granada is playing "The Sandlot" this weekend. Or is it coincidence?
More $$$ being spent on the Great Northwest like that giant swimming hole so few can afford to go to. What a joke.
One hundred thousand for rocks and not one thought to the kids of tomorrow. Real thinkers would have sunk some money and muscle into restoring a few of these mudhole ball parks here and there in the central city. Children still live in those neighborhoods.
Smaller towns nearby do more with their one small city park than Emporia can or will ever do. And those small towns don't have a big rec commission. What a joke!
January 18, 2012 at 6:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
I really hope the Jones trust will put the brakes on this or at least bring some wisdom to this discussion. It simply can't go forward without fixing at least some ballparks in other areas of the city. It really should't happen at all anyway. Would taxpayers get to vote on the mil increase for this? Let's hope so.
January 18, 2012 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Well friends and fellow taxpayers, I would wager that this Sports Complex on the " far " Northwest end of Emporia, will be attempted to be forceably shoved down the throats of all citizen taxpayers ! Or approved by the Commissioners, by some " Secret Midnight, closed door meeting " and done so as fast/quickley as possible !
And yes, once this 6+ million dollar playground is complete, the rest of the Parks and playgrounds in Emporia will, just plain be left to go to " HELL ", as they are not located in the perceived " Affluant " part of the City !
JMO
Unless, we, the taxpayers again petition our elected officials to put this to a vote of the taxpaying electorate, aka, " We the people " !
It would seem that the only way to get our local leaders to listen to the " Bill Payers ", again " We the people " is to force them to heed our " voices and opinions " by " Public Petition and Vote.
As, it would seem, our elected leaders will not or are unwilling to listen to the voice of the people in any other manor, except by " Public Petition and Vote " !
January 18, 2012 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Am I the only person who believes that our elected leaders and their puppet masters are completely out of control as far as spending and taxing is concerned .
January 18, 2012 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slimbolen99 (anonymous) says...
Remember all the money the water park was supposed to bring in when they sold it to us?
Uh, show me the money.
January 18, 2012 at 11:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
93shocarguy (anonymous) says...
Ok, so let me see if I can get this right. The current condition of our parks and ballfields is pretty dire (actually downright terrible for the most part). So instead of spending quite a bit LESS money and repairing/maintaining what we already have and don't repair/maintain, we want to spend a bunch more $$$ in this crappy economy, tax the hell outta people already struggling and build a "NEW" complex then let the old existing fields go to hell? WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE? If we can get a grant to build new, why couldn't we get said grant to repair what is already in existance? I do not understand the mentality here !!! Am I missing something?
January 18, 2012 at 12:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doubt_it (anonymous) says...
Methusla said: "These people don' t seem to realize that Emporia's " INFRASTRUCTURE " is falling apart, while money is being spent on Rocks, New Playgrounds, carpet for football practice fields and other usless wastes of taxpayer dollars, instead of building/repairing Emporia's Foundation."
Well said, especially after reading a headline saying the courthouse was shut down for the day due to a water main break.
Why do we need to build new when we can't even take care of what we already have. This is definitely needless spending and I feel that asking for a grant was totally inappropriate at this time. If a grant is approved, then use that grant to fix up our existing ball fields and parks.
January 18, 2012 at 12:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
doubt_it,
The deteriorating " Foundation/Infrastructure " of Emporia has been allowed to deteriorate for years, through a " piecemeal, effort of patch work ", instead of a dedicated effort of real and true system of " solid and real effort " of focused repair/rebuilding/maintaining of all of the Citys Foundation/Infrastructure .
Rather, our leaders and their puppet masters have made a conserted to shift and build a new City Infrastructure/Foundation to the Northwest at a cost of millions of taxpayer dollars. While basically, saying " To Hell with the rest of Emporia and its citizens, because all they are good for is to pay ever increaseing taxes, to pay for what we the importan/affluant of Emporia perceive as what " We " want or need ! Regardless as to whether it will be of use and benefit to " All " of Emporia's citizens. Just as long as they get what they " WANT " !
Such is the way Emporia and Lyon County has been " Run " for the last 10 to 20 years .
And what really, really agravates/pisses me off is the fact that everyone of our elected leaders give us the taxpayers the same old line of B.S. . That line being, either, " Its for the Kids ", " We are Building Futures or working toward moving Emporia and Lyon County, " INTO THE FUTURE " or, and this is the best B.S. line of all, " We are working hard to hold your taxes " Level or not " RAISE TAXES " !
Well I say to this, it would seem that you are not doing a very good job at any of it !!
JMO
January 18, 2012 at 2:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
americus1987 (anonymous) says...
Why can't we see some models and prices for renovations instead of building a new complex? There are already too many "sandlots" collecting around this town already.
January 18, 2012 at 2:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
The rec comm needs to grab hold of their collective rear ends because people are P/O at being told "its for the kids" wonder how many "kids" will break away from air/conditioning and their electronics to venture out side and playyyyy ballll. Well tommy boy are you ready for the wrath and asswhoopin we taxpayers are willing to unleash on your little fiefdom??
January 18, 2012 at 3:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodjoss (anonymous) says...
Sail - I saw Tom McEvoy's presentation on the ballpark renovations that were from the recommendations of the ERC staff and hired architects. This was at the EPL last fall.
Although a new NW field was discussed, it was CLEAR that the NW field was not on the table. The maintenance costs alone were more than ERC could afford.
I think Mr. McEvoy is doing what his board has directed him to do.
Look who made the motion and you'll find who'd driving this:
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...
Pull back the curtain and you'll see the truth. Don't blame the wrong person.
January 18, 2012 at 4:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
What about the soccer fields we now how to take care of? How they even thought about all these new fields plus the old ones we are going to have to pay for? Oh I forgot the tourist will take care of these
January 18, 2012 at 8:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
It doesn' t really matter who wants or recommends spending millions of dollars . Be it, a City Commissioner, a local attorney or anyone who perceives themselves as an " Oracle " who thinks they know what is best for the taxpayers and have a preconceived notion as to what will be the best way to move Emporia and its citizens toward/into the future !
The plain truth of the matter is,
neither the City, County, REC, Kevin Nelson, Mike Helbert nor the rest of Emporia's taxpayers, both present taxpayers and taxpayers well into Emporia's future can afford what they are proposing -- given the amount of present debt and future debt that these " so called " leaders are building for Emporias present and future generations of taxpayers !
If this " insanity " continues the " Curtain " may just fall on the last fatal " Act " of the " Play " called the " Death of a small East Cental City, called Emporia, Ks. and its people " !!!
The efforts of our leaders and the taxpayers money should be solely consentrated, in this place and time , on attracting permanent sustainable Jobs, Foundation/Infrastructure maintenance/Repair, Cutting Spending and Taxes, not increased spending and taxes, and above all, spending only what the all the taxpayers can afford and not spending on what a few people " WANT " !!
What kind of a future is " Insurmountable Debt " , especially if it means that future generations of Emporians to come will be burdened with paying that debt.
Is it any wonder our young people see not Future in Emporia and are leaving in " drove's ", as if Emporia had the " Plague " . Which in a way I guess Emporia/Lyon County is " Plagued " with a disease called
' Unnecessarious Spenditis/Taxitis " !
For which there seems to be no cure .
JMO
January 18, 2012 at 8:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Wow, Tom, you have pi$$ed some people off.
January 18, 2012 at 9:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
If you are a taxpayer, who thinks this is a bad idea, please send a letter, note, email or phone call to somone on the Jones trust fund board. Tell the Jones fund this is a bad idea and the rec center will not be able to provide matching funds.
You know this could be a good idea, 1/2 of the cost paid for by the Jones fund, IF THE REC CENTER WOULD GET OFF THEIR BUTTS AND RAISE THE OTHER HALF THROUGH OTHER PRIVATE DONATIONS. But if you think the taxpayer will stand still for another mill levy increase, I am sure there will be a list of at least 990 registered voters that say otherwise.
FOR THE PAST 10 OR MORE YEARS You people have counted on voter apathy to slide your programs through and raising our taxes. NO MORE, we have had enough. Time for you boys to fade into the sunset.
I'm MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE.
I THINK THERE IS A PROVISION TO RECIND YOUR TAXING AUTHORITY.
DON'T PUSH IT.
January 18, 2012 at 9:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Steve,
My email to the Jones trust will be sent tommorrow A.M. !
January 18, 2012 at 9:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodjoss (anonymous) says...
Corbin (et, al.)
Everyone read these Rec commission minutes form last November 21:
http://emporiarec.org/wp-content/uplo...
The director reports on staff recommendations. The STAFF and the DIRECTOR of the ERC are in favor of fixing what we HAVE. The renovation of our existing facilities, in town.. in our neighborhoods is what was on the table.
YOU READ: *who* proposed *what* and direct your (very justified) ire toward the correct parties. McEvoy and his staff didn't start this. But they're being professionals, doing what the ERC Board of Directors asked.
Your friends and neighbors WHO SIT ON THE ERC BOARD deserve your call bright and early tomorrow morning.
It's all in the public record. Everyone here deserves to get mad at this silly idea and the proposal for ANOTHER tax increase. Just be sure your directing your anger at the right people.
January 18, 2012 at 10:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodjoss (anonymous) says...
Be SURE you're directing your anger at the CORRECT people!
January 18, 2012 at 10:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
I don't see anything wrong at all with a4 mill tax increase to raise over 3 million dollars to build a baseball field!
Just kidding, I think it's a f^*#ing stupid idea. Are you kidding me? Forget welfare, drug test elected officials! There's almost 2,000 LESS people in Emporia than there was ten years ago. Why do we need a new ball field? Hopefully at the next meeting we will hear a collective POP when they pull their heads out of their @sses.
Matt
January 18, 2012 at 10:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bubbadleroy (anonymous) says...
All this Pi$$ing and moaning you all are doing over being over taxed will do absolutely no good. Oh maybe, just maybe this time it might.
I have said all along quit paying your taxes, time for a tax revolt in this country. Way past time! The people have the power, yet we will all just Pi$$ and moan again and again and again.
January 19, 2012 at 12:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Maybe the people of Emporia have woke up at last? Go to the polls and vote all the current great minds out! Stop voting to raise taxes everytime you hear its for the kids!
January 19, 2012 at 7:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
goodjoss,
Why don't you just come out and say that Kevin Nelson is the driving force on this?
Didn't this whole thing start over a year ago becase of a little behind the scenes tiff between the city, rec and Trussler?
I appreciate that Tom says we should take care of the fields we have. He is taking the "heat" on this, (rightly or wrongly), because he is the head of the rec center.
January 19, 2012 at 7:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
The ERC has 6 voting board members and 1 non voting board member.
My question would be, exactly how many board members voted to build a Northwest Complex .
And since when does 1 or 2 consenting votes out of 6 constitute a majority and since when was Kevin Nelson or Mike Helbert appointed or crowned Kings of Emporia/Lyon County !
Sounds as though it is time for a second petition and vote on where and how to spend the taxpayer money and whether a mil levy increase of 4 mils is " warranted or needed " and if a Northwest Sports Complex is actually need, " right away and at this time " !
Besodes tje wau Emporia is loosing jobs and people, what makes Kevin Nelson even think that Emporia will " Expand " anywhere, let alone toward his part of town ?
Are these people " Insane " ?
JMO
January 19, 2012 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Sorry about the fingers, sometimes they just seem to have a mind of their own.
Should read, " Besides the city of Emporia is losing jobs and people,
My, bad !!
January 19, 2012 at 8:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Thanks Goodjosh for the info.
January 19, 2012 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chepa67 (anonymous) says...
I've been an advocate of baseball in Emporia for quite sometime. Coaching rec ball, Cal Ripken/ BabeRuth, and ShowCase Travel team, but at this time this community cannot afford or support such a complex. First and foremost you have to have the participation and not just for 4 to 6 weeks a summer, baseball and softball would have to be played from April thru October to justify such a complex, and for years now the numbers of boys and girls have been down, contrary to what the recreation commission might say. Also you have perfectly good fields for baseball and softball, they just need upgraded and kept up. You can't just let fields deteriorate and then expect the community to give you new ones. The Jones Fund should reject any proposal of a grant asked of them by the Emporia Recreation Commission.
January 24, 2012 at 12:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I played recreation center " program ' baseball, back in the mid to late 50' s.
I can tell you that there were many more teams and interest, ty the youth of Emooria, in the ERC baseball program tnen than now.
chepa67, you are absolutely right in saying that this community/taxpayers cannot afford such a project, given the present economic climate of Emporia and Lyon County !
January 24, 2012 at 5:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )