SINCE THE CITY of Emporia and Chamber of Commerce launched their campaign to discuss Emporia’s image, there has been no shortage of people sharing their views.
Everyone has an opinion and it is those opinions that people share with their friends and neighbors that create the perception of our community.
Whether you see the positives of our community or the negatives, we should be able to agree on some facts. One, our community is on the move. Two, our city leaders are addressing community issues.
Our community is growing. Right now we have three new factories under construction that will add jobs to the community. The west side of town is being reshaped with the new highway interchange. When the work is completed, the project will create new opportunities for retail and big-box stores for the community.
Seeing growth is good, but more important is the fact that our city leadership is addressing our city issues.
From improving housing standards to addressing community diversity, to improving the retail, commercial and industrial business opportunities, to studying wages, recreation and image our leaders are studying a wide range of issues that affect the city.
It would be easy for city leaders not to address some of those issues, but they have chosen to work through them.
One notable improvement that has not received much publicity is the fact that the city commission worked hard to keep the budget small, and that has put our community back in the black. Being financially sound is the first step to community growth.
Whether you think Emporia’s image is positive or negative, we need to agree there is a lot of work going on to address our city issues and that is a positive for the community.
Christopher White Walker
Editor & Publisher
Comments
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Posted by VerySpatial (anonymous) on November 7, 2007 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Our community is growing"..........In size yes in population NO. Sprawl is occurring Mr. Walker. NW Emporia is becoming the haven for the haves while the central, south and east Emporia are becoming run down and filled with abandoned houses and drive by shootings.
Posted by jim (anonymous) on November 7, 2007 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why do we need another Big Box Store?
Posted by johncanyon (anonymous) on November 7, 2007 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The East side of Emporia should start growing pretty soon. We have the next wave of Somali refugees to look forward too.
Maybe our city leaders could consider renaming the east side of Emporia "Little Mogadishu"
Posted by boomer46 (anonymous) on November 7, 2007 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You've got to be kidding Mr. Walker, "our community is on the move". I guess you are right, BUT, we are moving in the wrong direction. And, "our city leadership is addressing our city issues." Didn't you know the city leadership doesn't know anything about the "refugee" issue in the city they are suppose to be leading. Don't suger coat the issues of Emporia - there is nothing sweet about the city leadership not knowing what is happening in our city. They are passing the buck rather than find out answers and help Emporians know the FACTS.
Posted by TPK (anonymous) on November 7, 2007 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes Roundabouts definitely create incentive and opportunities for retailers and big box companies. Rolls eyes. And what about the empty factories on the east side of town (the old Lenze building and the one by menu that has never had a company in it). Maybe someday this town will worry less about "beautifying" downtown and more about stimulating the economy and providing well paying jobs for the 20-30 year-olds.
Posted by cheerup (anonymous) on November 7, 2007 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where have you been for the last three years-The building to the west of the original Menu building has been ocupied by Menu for the past 3 years. Open your eyes.
Posted by momus (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sorry, but it is the "work going on" that has me concerned. Instead of focusing on the root causes of the problems here in Emporia, it seems that our leadership is fully invested in looking at the effects generated by those root causes. By perpetuating that linear style of thought, they are creating more problems (potentially) than they are solving.
I'm trying to be positive in my posts, but I think the first step in solving a problem is admitting that you have one (that's what they say in AA anyway ;) ). Take for example your comments about big boxes. We know they have reservations about coming to Emporia because of our small trade area, population and median income. So, instead of focusing on jobs that would increase our population, projects that would improve the population in our trade area and enticing growth industries with a relatively high income level, we hired a recruiter at $70,000.
I'll agree with the sprawl comment made earlier. If you want to know why the property taxes in Emporia are high, just remember this: every square mile of land in Emporia that is developed has infrastructure costs associated with it that are supported by tax dollars. As our surface area of Emporia continues to expand relative to our population, and that means less people are paying for more acreage. Of course our property taxes will go up! And, without any attempt to engage in a sustainable development strategy, we will continue to see the east side, south side and various corridors of the community backslide to the benefit of the west. We're not building anything; we are simply tearing up one part of town to build on another. It's the development version of Jenga. Without leadership that strives to fix the root causes of our problems, and without a media that highlights the fact that our "fixes" thus far are simply cosmetic in nature, I fear for the future of this city.
Posted by Dr_Mac (anonymous) on November 9, 2007 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We must not forget to mention the residue from WW II that has been strategically placed on an acreage that the city calls 'The Fair Grounds'. Heaven forbid if this property is developed into something which the residents could be proud.
Posted by MrCmonkeeDo (anonymous) on November 9, 2007 at 11:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
momus...
Most excellent observation. You said what Chris Walker should have said.
Sorry Chris, MrC usually identifies with yer editorial comments; but this one reads like common propaganda.
See Ya...wouldn' wanna be Ya.
Posted by momus (anonymous) on November 10, 2007 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dr_Mac,
This was identified in another thread, but the fair grounds was a donated property. The specifics of the donation were such that the city/county could not profit from the land, instead all proceeds would go to a charity. So, we would "sell" the land for nothing, and then be forced as taxpayers to fund the building of a new fairgrounds. Doesn't make much sense from an economic standpoint. And, I think there are a few people that are working hard in an attempt to develop the property with some convention type buildings that may bring more people to town over time. The other residual impact is that the asthetics of the property are slowly (at a pace we can afford) improved over time.
Posted by quarterback (anonymous) on November 10, 2007 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Momus said:
"We're not building anything; we are simply tearing up one part of town to build on another. It's the development version of Jenga."
It is too bad that you think Emporia main street isn't doing their job keeping the center of town going.
They work hard and much development has happened in downtown.
With growth on the west side of town and Emporia Main Street keeping the center of town going it looks good to me.
It is too bad you can't see the whole picture.
Posted by momus (anonymous) on November 10, 2007 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Quarterback,
I do see the whole picture, and that is the problem. We are pouring much more Emporia development tax dollars into the west side of town than any other section, by far. While the east and south are being almost entirely ignored, we still have people griping about a five year old street scape program that was in large part funded by grants and donations.
The center of town and the other sections of Emporia will only continue to look good if they retain support of city leadership. And, most development analysts will tell you that sprawl is one of the easiest and quickest ways to kill a downtown. I think Main Street is doing a good job, but they need help from those with influence. Areas beyond the west need to become a development priority. After listening to some with influence talk about their sprawling, unrealistic and unsustainable development strategy, I think it may be more than most organizations could absorb at any one time.
Nope. From my vantage point I think I can see the forest AND the trees. Our population remains stagnant, while our surface area continues to grow. We are pulling out blocks in some areas to build out west. Eventually, the tower crumbles: Jenga!
Posted by momus (anonymous) on November 10, 2007 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hate double posts, but quarterback: weren't you the same guy a few months ago that said how horrible Main Street looked, and insinuated that the director should loose her job? Man, that was one quick turnaround in thoughts...
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