The Emporia Gazette

13 year old crashes into deputy’s car after two-county chase

Wasn't offended at all, Meth. Matter of fact I was reminded of the time, when I was in college, working one of those small convenience type stores in Wisconsin, when this woman comes strolling in (very over-weight, with 3 children, bare-footed). I immediately informed the woman that the children aren't allowed in the store without any footwear (explaining the risks involved), she gave me some crap back & continued on. She comes back to the register with a 6-pack of Old Milwaukee and a bunch of junk food and tries to pay for it with food stamps. In Wisconsin, food stamps can only be used for non-taxable items (beer & junk food is taxable). She gives me more crap, goes back and gets a quart of milk and gives me a $20 food stamp (and a dirty look) (and hoping to get about $18 in change). You should have heard her when I gave her change in food stamps (they'd probably pull my comment if I posted the words she used). Needless to say she stomped out the door with her milk, dragging the kids with her (probably to head to a store that doesn't enforce the Food stamp rules as closely).

Y'all have a great day too :D
Dave R.

October 31, 2011 at 11:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

13 year old crashes into deputy’s car after two-county chase

I think you're on to something Steve. Charging the parents for the expenses incurred in stopping this accident waiting to happen should be mandatory. Money talks, maybe the parents of this "child" will "wake up" and show a little responsibility. We have 6 kids (and not because of the tax credit, Meth) and it's been a chore ensuring our values are upheld. We've gone as far as taking away their cell phone for a week or more (I think they would have preferred the ole fashioned "whipping") and or taking away many or their "privileges". We also try to instill respect and courtesy (I'm amazed at how many of their friends don't ever say please or thank you when we pick them up, give them a ride somewhere, invite them for dinner or a family outing). You can definitely tell the difference between those children that have been brought up with a sense of the traditional values and those that have parents that don't give a sh##.

October 31, 2011 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Italian Food!

SWEET :D

October 6, 2011 at 11:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Sound Off - Repeal in-state tuition for illegal immigrants?

Let me see if I understand this. If a tax-paying, LEGAL, US Citizen is from out of state, he/she has to pay out-of-state tuition. If a non-tax-paying, ILLEGAL, non-US citizen is from out-of-state (country), he/she pays in-state tuition. What's wrong with this picture?

We're supposed to be working on removing the incentives that are attracting these ILLEGAL immigrants, not creating more reasons for them to come.

February 10, 2011 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Oglesby strives for community cohesion

Mr. Oglesby,

A lot of what you published is true. On the other hand, what you appear to offer is more "political rhetoric". My concerns are with the future of Emporia and what it will have to offer my children (when they graduate from HS and possibly a higher level of education).Will they have to look for employment elsewhere (and take their money/potential revenue with them)?

What is our commission doing to stop the current trend of businesses leaving Emporia? The many vacant buildings (they leave behind)?

What are Emporia's (your) plans to attract new businesses? jobs? revenue? reduce the "burden" on the middle class tax payers?

January 26, 2011 at 12:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Monuments put on hold

Emporia commission, have you been paying attention to what Topeka is planning, to improve their "image"? Some real good ideas/goals that will benefit the community as a whole.

January 26, 2011 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City to spend at least $100,000 on entrance monuments

You want to "beautify" Emporia. How about attracting some businesses/buyers to purchase the many abandoned buildings around here. Use the 100K+ for tax incentives.

January 21, 2011 at 6:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City to spend at least $100,000 on entrance monuments

Are they serious? A phrase comes to mind, "Polish a turd, it's still a turd". What are you thinking Emporia Commission? This is totally wrong and NOT the best idea for spending tax payer money.

January 20, 2011 at 6:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

253 Board to discuss Lowthers

This probably wouldn't have been necessary if Emporia had encouraged growth over the years, rather than keeping it "small" and protecting the local downtown businesses.

Families are getting smaller and there is very little to attract new families to Emporia. Hence enrollment is down, and teachers will probably lose jobs.

I'll be real surprised if they ever find a buyer. I'm sure it's behind in meeting all the codes necessary to be anything more than a warehouse (which may not meet zoning limitations where the schools are located).

Emporia really needs to stop stifling growth and start looking for means to attract bigger businesses (warehouses/transfer stations), consider the possibility of a passenger train station (options that will bring people, families & revenue to Emporia).

January 12, 2011 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Coal Wars

Another thing to keep in mind about coal fired generation is the radioactive gases and toxic waste (and stored) generated.

By the way, I'm a "nuke". Before we moved to Emporia, I worked at a nuke plant in NY, about 30 miles east (and sometimes down-wind) of a coal generating station. We could always tell when the coal station was on/off line by the indications of our effluent radiation monitors (they would show a peak when the plant was on-line and the wind was from the west).

Although I'd like to see more nuclear (most "bang-for-the-buck"), I don't think we will see it happen. Too much regulation (and thus extremely costly) and there still is the waste issue. Another possible choice is Pebble-bed reactors, however, the government (NRC) is the biggest roadblock (they don't know how to regulate them).

Fuel cells would be the best possible alternative (Utilities don't like this choice, because if each individual home were to convert to fuel cells, they wouldn't generate any profit).

Coal is just plain not the best choice.

Dave R.

December 29, 2010 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )