The Emporia Gazette

ESU presidential search committee named

Can you imagine how intimidating it would be to be "interviewed" by 19 people? That should give the search committee a good idea about the ability of candidates to appeal to a diverse group. :-)

May 27, 2011 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Sherrer Shock

Gary Sherrer's abrupt and petulant resignation from the Board of Regents is unfortunate. Instead of accusing the other Regents of playing political games, I prefer to believe that they considered that Mr. Sherrer might not be reappointed as a Regent when his term expires on June 30, and so they did not want a "lame duck" heading the search committee for ESU's new president. I think that was prudent of them. I recall that Mr. Sherrer also resigned abruptly from a position on the ESU Foundation's Board. Perhaps this is a pattern of behavior indicating someone who doesn't like to play unless things go his way....

May 25, 2011 at 1:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

New bid on table for Lowthers

I can't help but wonder why John Mallon and his group weren't organized enough to submit a bid on deadline as the other bidders did. I also wonder what legal repercussions there could be if the school board reneges on the deal they've already made. Oh, one more wonder--why didn't the school board defer making a deal when they knew Mallon and others were trying to come up with a plan?

May 11, 2011 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

St. Patrick committee readies for auction

14 years! Doesn't seem possible. Bravo to all the committee members, past and present for doing such a good thing for Emporia--thank you. $111,000 is nothing to sneeze at. I wish you continued success--and don't forget to have fun while you're doing it!

February 9, 2010 at 2:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Admire School to close

Many of these posted comments are right on target. I agree that closing the Admire Grade School was a most unfortunate necessity. I also believe that further consolidation is inevitable. I am most sorry for the kids, who will spend too much time on the road--never a good situation. But I have to say that EVERYONE has some responsibilities for this situation, including you, dear reader, and me.

We've been too territorial--wanting OUR school to be bigger and better than others; too invested in developing athletics programs--no matter how expensive they are, or whether the basics are well-funded first; too disengaged in the day-to-day issues of our schools (when is the last time anyone attended a meeting of the school board?); too blind--supporting all that infrastructure means someone has to pay, and the bottom line is that the "someone" is the local taxpayer.

There are no simple solutions to these problems that have been building for decades. The question is, will we continue to travel along this path that isn't going anywhere? As a society, we need to pay attention and be accountable for our own decisions and choices. We need to come up with creative ways to resolve this economic and educational crisis instead of criticizing the hard decisions the USD 251 Board had to make. I don't have the answer, but I believe that together our communities can find it.

February 9, 2010 at 11:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

‘Catering to the senses’

Thank you, Dave--excellent job of bringing beauty to the community!

September 21, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Smoking ban passes

I'm no longer an Emporia resident, but I was there for nearly 50 years, so I think I know the town and its "personalities" pretty well. I'm ambivalent about this smoking ban.

On the one hand, I have to take issue with government, any government, telling property owners what can occur on/in their property. That doesn't sound like democracy to me.

On the other hand, I HATE going to a restaurant where smoking is allowed. Face it, no matter how far away the "smoking section" is, the smoke permeates the entire establishment. I choose not to smoke, and I don't want to smell like smoke or have my food taste like it. There are few choices of restaurants (not fast food joints) in Emporia, and it would be nice to go somewhere that didn't allow any smoking.

Bars, now there's a different story. I have spent many an evening/night in Emporia's drinking establishments in my past. But my ability to tolerate the smoke has decreased over time. These days, after an hour or so, I have to exit. I'm sorry for that, because many of my friends still congregate in bars, and I miss hanging out with them. I do recognize that smoking and bars historically go together, and I stand behind Corbin, Burgess, and others who feel that their business is threatened by this smoking ban.

The real problem here, as a (now) outsider looking in, is that Emporia's Commission seems to have adopted a faulty ordinance. It seems ill-considered, and I hope the petition drive to put it on the ballot will correct the flaws. Good luck!

December 4, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lowe’s too costly

Trainrech, you have done a thorough job of presenting the facts about this development, and of pointing out that Emporia's provincial attitude is the city's worst enemy. Why would anyone be opposed to bringing an upscale, diversified store like Lowe's to town? Let's give Wal-Mart some competition. Let's keep the other hardware stores in town on their toes. Competition is good for the consumer. And developing the property, building the store, and running the store will all bring jobs and tax revenues to the city--what's wrong with that? Have more futuristic vision, Mr. Maley.

October 28, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

‘Cruel to each other’

Lycomu, you're exactly right--substance trumps style. Not that I liked Palin's style, either, but she seems to have NO substance.

October 6, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )