The Emporia Gazette

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 )

Learn from the past

USNretired--You hit the nail on the head. "Current holder of the authority hold[s] the responsibility."

In my opinion, trying to pin this economic crisis on the Democrats who were in office EIGHT YEARS AGO is ludicrous. Are you saying there was no way to correct this over the past EIGHT YEARS???? Come on! How stupid do you think we are?

But, truth to tell, there's plenty of blame for this shambles to go around to both Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, even Wall Streeters and Main Streeters. Yes, the bankers and brokers were greedy and self-serving. But the individuals who didn't have the patience, the self-discipline, the intelligence to WAIT until they could afford their huge homes, fancy cars, and other items of instant gratification are also to blame. The lack of accountability is at crisis proportions in this country, and I'm sick of it.

So, what happens to those people like my husband and me, who have been living within our means, saving and investing for our retirement, paying our bills and managing our money? We're now thrown into the same boat as all the idiots I mentioned in the previous paragraph. Makes me mad as
H - - L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

October 6, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

More vetting

Julius, I'm sorry I haven't been on the Gazette's website for a while, because I would have given you some support on your well considered letter! Palin is a disaster--an embarrassment to women. John McCain could have chosen from among a large group of more experienced, more apparently intelligent, more professional and articulate women. Why he picked Sarah Palin is a mystery to me. The fact that he did reinforces my opinion that he is not the leader I want in the Oval Office!

October 6, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Give us a choice

Although I grew up in Emporia, and lived and worked there for many years, I'm no longer a resident, and I haven't been for nearly a decade. So, perhaps I have a somewhat more objective perspective of this issue than those of you who posted such impassioned arguments to this forum.

A couple of things really strike me: first, some things never change. Emporians still see themselves divided into two distinct categories--the "Country Club set" and everybody else. How ridiculous that seems from the other side of that myopic lens. When will Emporia residents realize that those class divisions exist only in their own minds? Learn to reach out to each other to develop better solutions! I was never part of the "Country Club set," but I learned to work hand in hand with people who were considered to be in that group, and I can tell you that together we accomplished much more than they or I could have done on our own.

Second, I've been somewhat amused at the outcry against a smoking ban by some of the same folks who've indicated they think the legislature can dictate whether or not a woman can have an abortion. Before you all jump on me about the abortion issue, I'm NOT equating the issue of second-hand smoke with the issue of abortion. I'm merely pointing out that if you don't want civil liberties trampled on, recognize that ALL issues of civil liberty should be equally sacrosanct!

Methusla put it well, "have the common deceny to respect everyone's right to live their lives as they choose to do and don't try and force [your] way of living, life, and philosophy upon them, [but] respect [another's] choice to live the life [he/she] chooses and [his/her] opinion."

I also like the idea posted by several--put it to a public vote. Let the citizens decide if they want a smoking ban.

Having said all that, I will offer the opinion that this smoking ban seems to me to be in the same category as many other "public safety" laws, such as helmets for motorcyclists, seatbelts for vehicle occupants, car safety restraints for infants and children, fire occupancy restrictions, vaccinations for school kids, etc., etc. This country is all about trying to legislate the SAFETY and well-being of its citizens, because we don't trust our citizens to make good, sensible choices for themselves. Is that wrong? I'm not sure...

October 6, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )