Sign the petition
Phil Dillon, Emporia
Thursday, January 19, 2012
ON JANUARY 5, our County Commissioners¸ in a two to one vote, approved a resolution to allow the Lyon County extension service to merge with the Frontier District (Osage and Franklin counties).
In the wake of the vote many Lyon Countians expressed their displeasure. In informal polls conducted by the Gazette and KVOE, the displeasure could be clearly seen. Of the 1,209 citizens who expressed an opinion in either poll, 1,024 (85 percent) said they disapproved of the measure or believed the matter should be put to the voters. Some might say that informal polls carry no weight, but when one considers how difficult it is to get 85 percent of any community to agree on anything, I believe the polls carry considerable weight. About the only time a community expresses this much agreement would be about whether or not Mom’s apple pie is the best in the world or whether or not the world is actually round.
I’ve made no secret of what my opinion on this matter is, but this is not, in the strictest sense, an opinion piece. I think it is paramount that we get this issue to the voters. To that end, some of us have been preparing a petition to put it on the ballot. The drafts have been completed and approved by our County Attorney. All that remains in phase one is to circulate the petition to those registered to vote in the county. That process can begin on Jan. 19. From that point we will have a sixty day window to get the 1,000 signatures necessary to the County Clerk. I believe we can easily achieve that goal and possibly double that number.
Once phase two begins, the debate and discussion will begin in earnest. Like others who share my view, I intend to give this my very best effort. A couple of days ago I told Steve Sauder when the time came I would be in the same frame of mind Joe Frasier was when he prepared to meet Muhammad Ali in Madison Square Garden. In a pre-fight press conference, Ali taunted Frasier. Frasier responded by telling Ali that in the ring, “I’m gonna’ be dead up in your nose hole.” I intend to fight hard on this issue. I hope and expect others will as well.
You’ll be seeing information coming out as things progress. As soon as we can make arrangements we’d like to have a brief meeting with those who would like to circulate petitions for signature. It’s going to be a labor intensive task, but, like any worthwhile endeavor, the rewards will be considerable.
I’d like to thank those who have already expressed interest in this petition. Thanks to Bob Agler, James Bordonaro, Steve Corbin, Tom Cotte, and Eldon Parkman. Thanks in advance to those who aren’t yet on the volunteer rolls, but will be. Thanks to Tammy Vopat, Marc Goodman, and their staffs for the timely review and input. Thanks to Steve Sauder and Chris Walker for seeing the importance of this issue and putting it before their respective audiences. Special thanks to Steve Corbin, who has been my mentor in this process. And, thanks to the Gazette’s “bloggers.” You guys often get a bad rap, but I believe that you’re an important part of this community. You’ve taken on the unenviable task of holding our leaders’ feet to the fire. You represent the voices of people in this community who have difficulty getting a hearing through more traditional platforms. Most importantly, you say what you say because you, too, care deeply about this community!
I’ve only lived here twelve years, but one of the things that has become clear to me is that many Lyon Countians have given up on our political process. That sense of futility is evident in the number of us who vote for candidates or issues that should be important to all of us. When 20 percent or less of us vote, it is not a sign of good community health.
Some may be frustrated in this case. But, we need you! Please don’t tune this out. Let’s not make this another one of those times when less than 10 percent of us finally decide for the entire community.
This issue has the potential to change things for the better. It’s given us a real opportunity to come together. I’ve gotten calls of support from people of both high and humble estate since the Commissioners cast their votes.
So, the hard work begins. Sign a petition. Gather signatures. Be on the lookout for press releases. Call me; I’m listed. Stop by the Town Royal and have a chat with Steve Corbin. Write letters to the editor.
Let’s dig in and give it our very best. Then, when the time for debate comes, let’s fight hard and let’s fight … fair!
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Thank you Phil, especially for the nod given to the "Bloggers". So many like to make fun of them and say they are irrelevant. Some say they don't read them, but I know better.
Phil has stepped up and done the legwork on this and if some want to become more involved and serve on a committee for this campaign in the coming months, I'm sure he will welcome all your help.
The issue now is to get this to a vote of the people in August.
January 19, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
"BAD RAP",,, yes i suppose so from those who say shut up and get along with the status quo, WELL FOR ALL THOSE STATUS QUO TYPES ALL I CAN SAY IS ""there is a new sheriff in town""
January 19, 2012 at 6:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dude (anonymous) says...
I only vote in the general elections-am I able to sign the petition?
January 19, 2012 at 6:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Yes. If you're registered you can sign. Would also like your vote in August.
January 19, 2012 at 6:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Just a early morning groggy thought before my 2 or 3 cups of coffee.
I hope every registered voter signs the petitions, including dude. Unfortunately this question will be on the primary, not the general.
All of the local budgets, and resulting tax increases will be decided AFTER the August vote. So our thoughts on this, (pro or con) should be known before budget discussions are started.
January 20, 2012 at 6:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
I wonder should this plan is defeated by the voters if the commish might try some back door maneuver to get this done anyway. Feel we better keep an eye on this group!
January 20, 2012 at 7:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
giggles (anonymous) says...
Just a note to those who don't know where to go to register to vote.
Applications are also available at many Registration Outposts near you.
■Emporia City Clerk, 104 E. 5th Avenue, Emporia
■Americus City Clerk, 604 Main Street, Americus
■Kansasland Bank, 702 Main Street, Americus
■Hartford State Bank, 208 Commercial Street, Hartford
■North Lyon County Library, 412 Main Street, Allen
■Olpe State Bank, 202 Westphalia, Olpe
■Citizens State Bank & Trust Co., 402 First Street, Reading
■Flint Hills Technical College, 3301 W. 18th, Emporia
■Hetlinger Developmental Center, 707 S. Commercial, Emporia
■Kansas Commission of Veterans Affairs, 702 Commercial, Emporia
■Kansas Division of Vehicles – Drivers License Examinations, 1640 Industrial Rd, Emporia
■Kansas SRS Office, 1701 Wheeler Street, Emporia
■Lyon County Health Department, WIC Office, 420 W. 15th Avenue, Emporia
■Emporia State University, Office of Disability Services & Non Traditional Student Programs, 12th and Commercial, Emporia
■Resource Center for Independent Living, 614 Merchant Street, Emporia
■Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas, 1000 Lincoln, Emporia
You can also register online with a valid Kansas drivers license. It is very easy. You can also check to see if you are registered to vote, to make sure that your registration was entered and you are set to vote in upcoming elections. Make sure your signature counts!
January 20, 2012 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Giggles
Thx
There will also be voter regirstration applications at tomorrow's meeting.
January 20, 2012 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Can't make the meeting tomorrow but am anxiously awaiting the opportunity to sign the petition. Thanks for taking the lead on this Phil and Steve.
January 20, 2012 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
neighbor
Thx for the support.
January 20, 2012 at 3:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
To prevent a dirty backdoor attempt by the commish, maybe their reelection should be looked at in August. Maybe we should clean house before this comes up after the Aug.election. They won't hear it coming because they don't listen to us anyway..
January 20, 2012 at 8:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
I got to the point I dont trust any of them. After Mrs W. more orless said she didnt care what the voters want she is doing it her way
January 20, 2012 at 8:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )