Elk Konnected Hand out at County Commissioners meeting on 4/25

[pepelect]

Now the school system in Elk county is known as Howard West Elk? What's up with that?

It is called West Elk Schools.  It's the one with combination grade school, junior high, and high school all on one efficient campus just like Elk Valley. Longton is the town the school building is located but the students come from all over the area. Howard is written on the sports schedules to state what town the game is going to be held either home or away.

[jprxmkt]

FYI  The wine tasting is and has always been sponsored by the Elk County Community and Education Foundation (ECCEF)  which is used for scholarships for high school students! 

Elk Konnected had nothing to do with the Elk Manor nursing home closing!  That happened way before Elk Konnected was ever started.

Elk Konnected is an LLC because that business model was needed to separate those involved with putting on the childrens events, movies, Fitness Center etc from being sued if anything happened to anyone at one of these events.  To set up an LLC you must put someones name to set one up.  That does not mean that person is some "communist" who has drugged all followers with lollipops.  There is no sinister plan in trying to make our community a better place to live and a place our children would like to come back to and raise their own families.


EK had nothing to do with the "Vote Yes" campaign.  Yes, there were probably people on the Vote Yes Campaign committee that are also involved in EK events but this is a small community and people are involved in many groups that they are interested in.


You keep asking for transparency.  There is nothing to make transparent.  You have twisted EK into something so far from what it actually is that there are no answers to your preposterous questions.

The fitness center was originally proposed to be put somewhere between Howard and Moline to be centrally located in the county.  Because there are no buildings in that location, that idea is still out there as a dream but is not realistic at this time.  After much research of many other fitness centers, the current location was decided upon.  The rent was reasonable and the size appropriate for the amount of equipment available at that time.  All other towns were searched for comparable buildings at the time and none were found that would work as well.  It has nothing to do with "Howard gets everything."  It has to do with the fact that people will not drive very far just to sweat and Howard has the largest population and therefore is the most logical place to put this type of a business.

[Ross]

ROTFLMBO    government is government and private business is private business and never should the two copulate and become one.

I like that. Just think if that was applied fully with in the federal gov't perhaps we would not be facing a possible depression.

[srkruzich]

I like that. Just think if that was applied fully with in the federal gov't perhaps we would not be facing a possible depression.

Well being that the only outcome of that would be a bastard child of socialist fascism it can only make sense to prohibit it.

[Ross]

FYI  The wine tasting is and has always been sponsored by the Elk County Community and Education Foundation (ECCEF)  which is used for scholarships for high school students! 

Elk Konnected had nothing to do with the Elk Manor nursing home closing!  That happened way before Elk Konnected was ever started.

Elk Konnected is an LLC because that business model was needed to separate those involved with putting on the childrens events, movies, Fitness Center etc from being sued if anything happened to anyone at one of these events.  To set up an LLC you must put someones name to set one up.  That does not mean that person is some "communist" who has drugged all followers with lollipops.  There is no sinister plan in trying to make our community a better place to live and a place our children would like to come back to and raise their own families.


EK had nothing to do with the "Vote Yes" campaign.  Yes, there were probably people on the Vote Yes Campaign committee that are also involved in EK events but this is a small community and people are involved in many groups that they are interested in.


You keep asking for transparency.  There is nothing to make transparent.  You have twisted EK into something so far from what it actually is that there are no answers to your preposterous questions.

The fitness center was originally proposed to be put somewhere between Howard and Moline to be centrally located in the county.  Because there are no buildings in that location, that idea is still out there as a dream but is not realistic at this time.  After much research of many other fitness centers, the current location was decided upon.  The rent was reasonable and the size appropriate for the amount of equipment available at that time.  All other towns were searched for comparable buildings at the time and none were found that would work as well.  It has nothing to do with "Howard gets everything."  It has to do with the fact that people will not drive very far just to sweat and Howard has the largest population and therefore is the most logical place to put this type of a business.

"FYI  The wine tasting is and has always been sponsored by the Elk County Community and Education Foundation (ECCEF)  which is used for scholarships for high school students!" I do remember that and that's true. It was not me that suggested otherwise just someone trying to stick up for Elk Konnected LLC.

"EK had nothing to do with the "Vote Yes" campaign."  I never heard of that one. That must have been about the grade school. That's a perfectly normal activity and to suggest otherwise is wrong.

"You have twisted EK into something so far from what it actually is that there are no answers to your preposterous questions." If I have asked anything twisted or preposterous tell me what it was, please. I have simply asked why they deny using taxpayers dollars, what's preposerous about that? I have asked who owns Elk Konnected, what's preposterous about that? I am so sorry that you feel that a person has no right to ask questions.

You are the only one I have read to use the words, "communist" who has drugged", and I say double wow. Not nice at all.
The lolipop was used as a euphemism: the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant. I wasn't trying to offend, that is not my goal.

Anoother question was why is Elk Konnected LLC a private company doing the job of our elected officials, while representing only about 5 or 6% of the county? This implies our elected officials are incapable of doing there job? But really there is no guarantee that the money will ever materialize, perhaps there may be some money in a year or two perhaps no where near the amounts discussed. So what was the hurry on the part of the company Elk Konnected LLC. I'm just trying to understand?

[Diane Amberg]

I was the one who brought up the wine tasting fund raiser and I was not necessarily defending anyone. I was pointing out that E K had put in some effort to raise money on their own, not just use taxpayer money. My comment was based on an Oct. 8, 2008 post...."Besides being fun and an opportunity to learn something about wine, this event will raise funds for Elk Konnected." Perhaps this was a different event? If I'm wrong then I apologize. I didn't mean to stir the pot.

[Lookatmeknow!!]

Ok, Ross. Everyone knows who I am. I am a small business owner in Howard, actually two small businesses. I was born and raised in Severy. Lived in Severy all throughout my grade school and high school years. Attending West Elk schools, Severy Grade School and WE. My name is Angie Town. I have 3 girls that attend school at West Elk. My husband is a rancher and I run a daycare. I am not sure what it matters who I am, but almost everyone knows who I am. I try not to offend anyone on here, I guess its just getting under my skin how everyone is against this organization or feels that they have underlying issues to work the local government. I don't really see that they are. Do you know that there are only a small amount of people willing to be part of organizations in the county? Yes, one is a member of Elk Konnect and a commissioner, so? If you don't like it run for county commissioner. It's that simple! J answered your question about LLC, here it is: Elk Konnected is an LLC because that business model was needed to separate those involved with putting on the childrens events, movies, Fitness Center etc from being sued if anything happened to anyone at one of these events.  To set up an LLC you must put someones name to set one up.  That does not mean that person is some "communist" who has drugged all followers with lollipops.  There is no sinister plan in trying to make our community a better place to live and a place our children would like to come back to and raise their own families.
I know several people that are part of this organization, and they just want to help keep the small communities in Elk County alive and thriving. But with all the negativeness that you and several others put out there, makes me wonder what your agenda is?? What will you do when you have to drive 30 miles for gas, or any sort of staple?

Also got to point out something about grants or schoolorships, they are money that organizations or the government give away.  Before I opened up my daycare there was grant money to help daycare providers buy things to help the children in their care. I also know that different organizations put different stipulations on their different types of grants or scholorships.

Also, I didn't want Severy Grade school to close either. But it just makes sense to have one campus. I attended Severy school all 7 years. But I don't want my kids to have to be shipped over an hour either, so the one campus just makes sense. I hate to see either school suildings close, but the one campus is really working well for the kids. At the first of the year, I was not to happy. My youngest didn't like all the bigger kids and I was taking a crying, kicking, screaming kid to school for the first month. I was about to pull her out, because she just wasnt happy. But the teacher and I worked together and she is doing just fine now. All my girls are and I love that they are all in one building, not in three different locations.

Ross, I see you have questions, and I have also seen many of your questions answered. I guess you don't see them being answered. One that I would also like to state is Elk Konnect running the wind farm meeting. It had nothing to do with Elk Konnect wanting the money or being in charge of the money from the wind farm. It had to do with running a very CONSTRUCTIVE meeting. I remember going to a school board meeting where it was sit and face the front of the auditorium and only 1 1/2 hours for all the people in the room to ask their questions about the schools or voice their oppinions. Was it productive??? Kinda, but not not near as the one that was organized by Elk Konnect concerning the schools. And the sheriffs officers where at those meetings, too. It was for the safety of all concerned. People get pretty heated when you talk about different subjects and it was just to make the meetings safe.

I am hoping that you could see my point in why I feel the organization is good. They really do want what is best for all the communities that are involved. I don't see any hidden agendas in what they want or are doing.

[Diane Amberg]

You just reminded me of something. Even here, separating by legal means is done. New Castle County runs a public riding stable, boards horses, and gives riding lessons. It is legally separate  from the county and set up so if someone sues, even after they sign a disclaimer, they can't get more than the one day's receipts. It protects everyone. I suspect the Ek situation is similar and I suspect they got legal advice on how to set it up for everyone's protection.

[Patriot]

...The shits getting over my hip waders now...

In more ways than one, Steve.  Ross is correct in one regard.  Simple straight questions keep being asked.  Questions that, regardless of who's asking, are valid in light of 1) the fact we live in a free republic where government is supposed to be accountable to the people, and 2)  government officials & public monies are involved.  Potential conflicts of interest only amplify the seriousness of the subject.

Ross, however, is wrong in claiming that no answers are forthcoming.  There seems to be no shortage of 'answers' coming from the south end of this northbound horse and the horse's water bearers.  The brain end of the horse remains, for reasons yet to be determined, mute.  This horse is indeed a very capable critter, and I'm sure if it desired it could express the unvarnished truth either directly or through those who are regular riders. 

This is not unlike finding the cookie jar missing and the seeing young siblings exert all manner of energy to deny, deflect and defend each other with respect to its whereabouts when the simple truth in fact would be so much easier.

[Patriot]

...separating by legal means is done...

Yes, that 'separating', or liability insulation,  is also done to limit the personal liabilities of individuals involved in the project in the event of wrongdoing.

New Castle County runs a public riding stable, boards horses, and gives riding lessons.

Now, would it be unreasonable of citizens to 1) question if that operation is a legitimate function of government, and 2) ask to see all the particulars of the government involvement in the project?  Surely there are no issues there that would necessitate government secrecy for the purposes of protecting national security.

It protects everyone.

Except any truly injured parties.  The process only protects those running the project.  In theory, do you think 'everyone' includes all taxpayers in the event of fraud or misappropriation?

I suspect the Ek situation is similar and I suspect they got legal advice on how to set it up for everyone's protection.

I suspect they did.  And who is 'everyone'?