Petition drive will begin to put Extension merger on ballot
Citizens collecting signatures to get item on August ballot
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact), Russ Morgan
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
A petition drive to force a question on August’s primary ballot that will allow Lyon County voters to decide on the issue of Lyon County Extension and Research joining the Frontier Extension District soon will begin. The drive will begin this week, after the county’s resolution to allow the merger is published a second time today in The Emporia Gazette, according to Phil Dillon, who has been working to put the petition together.
The push for a petition comes two weeks after Lyon County commissioners voted 2-1 to allow the extension office to join the Frontier Extension District, which was formed in 2010 and contains the extension offices of Osage and Franklin counties. The vote came after two public hearings during which community members spoke out against the consolidation on the grounds that it would shift taxing authority from the county to the district.
“At this stage I’ve got the draft of the petition and had it approved by the county attorney,” Dillon said. “After the second publication of the resolution we can distribute it.”
The day after the resolution’s second publication, petitioners will have 60 days in which to collect names and addresses of registered Lyon County voters, according to County Attorney Marc Goodman. The question on the petition will appear as it will on the ballot, Goodman said, and will be submitted to the county clerk’s office for verification.
Petitioners must successfully collect the names of 5 percent of registered voters in Lyon County. According to County Clerk Tammy Vopat, that number is 990. She recommends collecting a couple hundred more just to be safe.
In addition to preparing the petition, Dillon has found a place to hold meetings for interested parties.
On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. interested parties will meet at the Lyon County Courthouse Annex at Fourth Avenue and Commercial Street. Dillon invites those who are interested in distributing the petitions as well as those interested in signing it. Those who are not registered to vote can find information on how to register, but will not be able to sign the petition until registration is complete.
In the meantime Dillon has been putting together a list of people who have agreed to circulate the petition. He said the interest people have expressed on the issue has been encouraging.
“I actually see this as a great opportunity to maybe get some galvanizing in the community to improve things,” he said. “Some things have just a narrow band of people — the smoking bands and whatnot. I think this is different than other things I’ve seen happen here. This is one where you have people both high and low really interested in this.”
A number of people have helped in this early stage in the process, Dillon said — even those who differ in their views.
“The fellow I call my mentor in this process is Steve Corbin,” Dillon said. “We’re from different worlds philosophically, but he’s a great guy to work with.”
Corbin was instrumental in organizing the petition to put the question of the city-wide smoking ban on the ballot for the April 2009 election.
“There are lots of other people that have gotten involved in this,” Dillon said. “I’ve talked to people in the pastoral community that are at least going to give us an opportunity to be able to get signatures. Seniors are interested. Just everybody, I guess.”
If the petition drive is a success and the question does go on the ballot in August, the district merger will be held off until after the vote, Goodman said.
“The statute puts (the agreement) on hold until the vote is taken,” he said. “So the agreement is suspended or in abeyance until the popular vote. So if the vote is yes, the resolution should be approved, the earliest they could do that would be July 1, 2013, and their budget would not take effect until 2014.”
F For more information, call Phil Dillon at 343-9143
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Good to have someone to jump in and get things done! Thanks to Steve and Phil both!
TIme to stir the pot and stop just sitting around complaining and do something. Sign the petition and get out and vote! Time to get people in who will listen to the voters instead of thinking they know whats best for us
January 18, 2012 at 8:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I will be their to sign, and help in any way that I am able .
January 18, 2012 at 8:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
ohhh do ya hear it, its the sound of CITIZENS waking up.
January 19, 2012 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Hope the voters wake up and realize just because someone owns a business or has money will not make them worth electing to office. How many of these great minds would run their business like they do the county or city? Lot easier to thow away taxpayers money than their own!
January 19, 2012 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
As this is a county wide petition I hope there are some rural residents and people from Olpe, Hartford, Admire, Americus and the other small towns who can make this meeting Saturday.
This shouldn't be just a city drive.
January 19, 2012 at 1 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
I've given a supply of petitions to one rural person this morning who can get us about a hundred or so signatures in the Olpe area.
I've even had calls from folks in other counties. They realize they can't sign the petition, but they are encouraging us to fight the good fight and that we're in the right.
January 19, 2012 at 1:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Let me know if you need anyone else to take a petition to gather signatures
January 19, 2012 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
booker5m
Will be able to make the meeting on Saturday? If not, I can get petitions to you. Please let me know.
January 19, 2012 at 5:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
I plan on being at the meeting!
January 19, 2012 at 6:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
TODAY IS THE DAY !
PETITIONS CAN BE SIGNED or picked up to carry at the Lyon County courthouse annex from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
You may also register to vote if your not already registered, moved or had a name change.
If 100 people could get 1 petition sheet filled with signatures, we would have this wrapped up.
There will be petitions available to sign at the Town Royal also, but as we have some new staff that are not yet registered and cannot take signatures, I would recommend people wanting to sign come in between 5 and 7 P.M. when either myself or my wife will be there. At least for the time being.
HOPE TO SEE A GOOD TURN OUT THIS MORNING !
January 21, 2012 at 7 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
OH, 4th and Commercial street, use the handicap entrance.
January 21, 2012 at 7:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
If someone cannot make todays meeting I will be available to take signatures or give out sheets this comming Tues. the 24th at the town royal 405 Commercial street from 9:00 a.m. till noon.
January 21, 2012 at 7:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Nice work, Phil and Steve. I'll be there to sign too. This is democracy in action and because of your hard work, seems to have happened quickly and smoothly too. I hope this gives those in power pause to think that when the people say one thing and they vote the opposite, that the people do have recourse.
January 21, 2012 at 7:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Steve/Create et all
I printed 50 copies of instructions for those circulating petitions. Do you think that's enough?
January 21, 2012 at 7:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
yes
January 21, 2012 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
netloafer,
I really messed up last night. I wasn't feeling well so I didn't go down to the bar. The wife came home and said we were packed and I probably could have gotten 100 signatures. I could kick myself, BUT I'll jst have to make sure I get the ones that were there.
January 21, 2012 at 7:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Steve
I suspect we'll all feel like kicking oursevles from time to time as this progresses. That's the beauty of a grass roots campaign. It's organic and folks overcome the "Oops" moments or other calamaties.
We'll get through this just fine!
January 21, 2012 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Steve,
It may have been my fault that there were so many people at the TR to sign petitions. As I mistakenly put the word out to the many people who called me about the petitions, I believe, it was Tuesday, that if they wished, they could probably sign the petition at the TR on Friday !
I even had people from around the County, that know me and saw me at Wal-Mart, asking me when and where the petitions could be found and signed !
Sorry for jumping the gun and causing a mess.
On an unrelated side note. Has anyone heard anymore about Fanistel and Fema ?? I was just wondering, as I have heard that the County has paid Fema back the money the County received !!
January 21, 2012 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
The place was rockin Steve.
January 21, 2012 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Thanks to everyone who came and thanks to those who signed the petition.
The work begins in earnest.
January 21, 2012 at 1:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
It was a good turn out. Didn't get to meet many folks, but there will be another day. AND YES, now the work begins.....
January 21, 2012 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
netloafer,
I have got to repeat, that I was really impressed with the grass roots response at the meeting.
There were probably 4 main reasons I heard from people signing. And a good cross section of people also. And the fact that some people kept coming in until 1:00 means there is interest in getting this question on the ballot.
I forgot to ask you if Brian signed your petition?
January 21, 2012 at 5:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
He was the guy from extension office, right? If that was him, he didn't sign the petition. I asked hi to, but he didn't. There was also a young woman who didn't sign. She seemed quite upset.
It was a really good kickoff. Thanks for mentoring through this process and thanks for the time you've put in.
And thanks to everyone who is out there circulating petitions.
I'm going to be at church tomorrow getting signatures - outside to avoid any potential negative talk. I think I can easily get a hundred or so signatures. Will let you know.
January 21, 2012 at 5:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
I'll be in Tuesday Steve, had to work this weekend.
January 21, 2012 at 7:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
It will be good to see and talk to you in person.
January 21, 2012 at 8:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
You should note the two articles from the Gazette archives broght forward today by me. Please do not misread them because of the headlines.
The extension district is still a done deal unless we get the required signatures on the petitions. We still have to fight this.
January 22, 2012 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Got 2 and 1/2 pages today. Felt it was a good day.Everyone I talked with was pretty upset with what the commish did
January 22, 2012 at 8:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hometownkid (anonymous) says...
Your place was packed friday night steve! Your staff did an excellent job also! I will see you tuesday.
January 23, 2012 at 7:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Good work booker5m, keep it up.
thanks hometownkid.
See you and goodoleboy tues morning. Front door will be unlocked.
January 23, 2012 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
We have had "several" come in to sign, thank you all. We have also registered or re-registered, (because of address changes), 5 voters. I am encouraged at the wide diversity of those singing the petitions.
January 23, 2012 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
netloafer,
Have you run down Chris Walker and Steve Sauder for signatures yet? :>)
I urge everyone to listen to KVOE today and tomorrow for the differing views on this question. I'm not sure of the times.
January 23, 2012 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
I've got Chris's. Ste S. was out of town when I went down to KVOE last week.
I also spoke with Tammy Vopat this morning. There are a large number of folks circulating the petition beyond those we got to sign up. Tammy has assured me that we wouldn't get into a situation where someone turns in one page to the county and all the hard work is invalidated. I told her that you and I would be the ones turning the petitions in for final count by her folks.
We also need to check back with folks in a couple of weeks to get whatever signed petitions we have at that time. That way we can see how far along in the process we are.
I have over twenty full pages of signatures already.
I'm going to be on KVOE with Bob Agler at 7:15 tomorrow morning.
January 23, 2012 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
netloafer,
The show was interesting. i had some questions but waited too long to call in and didn't get to ask them.
The one thing that was my main concern was the statement "Don't sign the petition until you get informed on all the issues."
WHAT BETTER WAY TO GET INFORMED THAN TO CALL FOR A PUBLIC VOTE AND HAVE BOTH SIDES OF THE QUESTION ARGUE THEIR POINT?
What is the extension office afraid of?
Don't they believe in the democratic process?
Another thing the speakers couldn't understand was where the term "unlimited taxing authority" came from.
They went on to say that there were boards and such that would keep a handle on expenditures and the mil-levy so it really wasn't unlimited.
Well, I checked the state statutes to see what they said and ksa2-610 mentions no cap on the mils that can be used by these districts. That sounds like unlimited to me.
One speaker mentioned that the budgets had to be approved by the head director of k-state extension sevice and we could trust him to keep spending and the budgets under control.
According to my research, (from k-state extension records), total county funding of state-wide extension services went up over 6.6 million in the last 8 years. In this economy !
Anyway, I for one believe in the democratic process of our great country.
I heard today that the extension teaches young 4-H'rs about parlimentary rule and the democratic process.
Wouldn't it be wise to practice what we teach?
January 23, 2012 at 1:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Steve and Netloafer,
I am proud of you guys, because of your efforts the people in charge just "might" stop and listen to what we have to say, we may be some rabid dogs, but folks are gonna learn the the dogs have some bite to them.
January 23, 2012 at 1:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Steve
Great work. As this thing progresses I'm confident that the people of Lyon County will support deomcratic processes.
Once this gets to the ballot we'll have time for the publc to have information from all sides. I, for one, am willing to debate in a telephone booth, the Fairgrounds, my house, their office. I think there are a lot of us willing to do the same.
There are plenty of options available to us. Letters to the editor. Conversations at local watering holes. Talking to neighbors as they pass by our front porches. What we lack in organizational power, we can more than make up for with grass roots power.
January 23, 2012 at 5:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
Here is the link to the new Facebook page for the petition. If you need someone to run the petition by your house for your signature just say so.... comments are welcome!
https://www.facebook.com/petitionlyon...
January 23, 2012 at 9:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )