District 1, County Commission

[Gadsden1775]

We believe in Elk County. We believe in raising our families in small communities with little crime and good schools. We believe in our friends and neighbors. We believe that the ones that will make a difference in this county are the ones that truly love living here, NOT the ones that think Elk County owes them something!

We have heard several of the oldtimers calling the newcomers to our county "OUTSIDERS". Those "outsiders" work and pay taxes. Those "outsiders" VOTE! Those "outsiders" want a good life for themselves and their families. Those "outsiders" came to Elk County for the same reason we live here and for the same reason that OUR ancestors were "OUTSIDERS" so many decades ago.

There is a hypocrisy among people in this county that cannot be overlooked. The same people who call newcomers OUTSIDERS will welcome (with open arms) someone who hasn't lived in the county for 25 years yet still believe that someone is an outsider because they weren't born or raised here. Think about it: just how many years did it take YOUR family to not be an OUTSIDER when they moved here?

Voting is not a pageant. You shouldn't vote for a person because you knew their mother; their grandfather. You shouldn't vote for a person because "Oh, I knew them in high school" or "He/She was cute and waved at me once." Look at the ISSUES and concern your thoughts there! Look at who they surround themselves with and what influence those "friends" may have on their decisions and voting. Look at how "konnected" they are. Look at what someones' morals tell you about what they will do to your county.

When you CARE about your county/community, your actions speak for themselves. You don't have to pound your chest and pat your back about all that you volunteer for and do. Rural firefighters put their lives on the line to save houses, property and LIVES. They don't get paid for it. Most don't even get thanks for it. I believe that putting your life on the line for your neighbors trumps just about any other "volunteering" one can do.

We have enjoyed the property tax breaks that have been provided to us by Doug Ritz, Gary Hebb and Kenny Liebau over the past couple of years. The road improvements over the last few years have made traveling in the county much easier. Speaking of road improvements, Doug Ritz wanted all of his Districts' roads done before the road at his house so it wouldn't appear that he was getting special treatment. We all know that the previous District 2 Commissioner didn't feel the same as Mr. Ritz about not getting special treatment! It's no wonder that District 2 has a new Commissioner!

What good businesses would want to come to the smallest county with the highest taxes? Not every business in the county is given 40+ years of tax breaks and they shouldn't be! And I don't want to hear that they are one of the largest employers in the county either! If Wal-Mart was to move here to Elk County, THEY would be THE largest employer in the county and they would STILL have to PAY taxes! Is it because Wal-Mart wouldn't be Konnected?

It overwhelms me that people will vote because of some good buddy system rather than vote for what is right for their families, friends and neighbors. The lower taxes are all that keep some people living in their homes here. The cost of living on everything else is so high that when the tax breaks are done away with, most families won't be able to buy food, pay utilities, drive to work, etc. They will be forced to choose: do we live here and raise our kids in a decent school with no gangs, no drugs to speak of and very little crime? or do we move closer to work, where the property taxes are lower than here and the overall cost of living is lower, but we can't raise our children the way we want to?

In conclusion (for now): the people of District 1 should be more concerned about the changes that will come in November. Write-In Doug Ritz, District 1 County Commissioner. Do not give in to the socialistic agenda of Elk Konnected! FIGHT FOR WHAT'S RIGHT!

[sixdogsmom]

Thank you! 

[the shadow]

Well said, Gadsden 1775.  As a district 2 resident, I am extremely proud to say that I played a role in overthrowing a phony, tyrannical, corrupt commissioner! It saddens me to think that we might return to the money grabbing ways of a certain organization in this county with its' own scheming political agenda. I pray that you folks in district 1 will be able to pull this off. Please write-in Mr. Ritz! God bless you all!

Kent

[nykkylsdymes]

Thank you Gadsden1775 for saying what needed to be said. 

Write in for Doug Ritz on Nov 4th.

[The Raven]

I voted for Shari because she is an old family friend. I had read the post about the candidate forum at the fair, but did not believe it until earlier today. I was having coffee with my grandmother and her friend and they were talking about some comments made at the fair. I heard all about how rude Shari was and that she would not answer questions that people had of her and kept pointing to Mr. Ritz to answer questions. Grandmothers' friend said that Mr. Ritz had his good record to run on whereas Shari was the newcomer and should have been more forthcoming and answered the questions. Grandmothers' friend also said that Shari didn't seem to have any new ideas than what has been tried in the past and no real solutions to any problems this county faces. Therefore, Grandmother and I realized our mistakes and we will both be writing in Doug Ritz in November! Good luck Mr. Ritz! We need you!

[kshillbillys]

I believe in Elk County too and I sure as hell don't want to see it go back to the same do-nothing, two-faced, behind the scenes, puppet master known as Elk Konnected. They are only in it to write more grants, steal more taxpayer dollars and put it on phony baloney businesses like, oh I don't know, a fitness center! Yeah, that was sure as hell what the community needed. And then I have seen some of the Kaminska supporters and they are known Elk Konnected cheerleaders. The only reason it would piss them off by my saying this is because they are being outed. They were the same people seen at the Public Square meetings. Oh yes, Public Square and Elk Konnected are tied. I guess recently, Fredonia's Chamber of Commerce decided not to give anymore money to Elk Konnected, excuse me, Cultivate Fredonia. I am glad that Fredonia has enough sense to see through the bullshit of Public Square, Elk Konnected and Cultivate Fredonia. And I for one will sure as hell write-in Doug Ritz to be my county commissioner and I will ask everyone else to do so!--Robert Walker Jr.

P.S. Don't forget camcorders and microphones work well in the public and in the courthouse! Keep them honest!

WRITE-IN DOUG RITZ NOVEMBER 4TH!!

[Ross]

We believe in Elk County. We believe in raising our families in small communities with little crime and good schools. We believe in our friends and neighbors. We believe that the ones that will make a difference in this county are the ones that truly love living here, NOT the ones that think Elk County owes them something!

We have heard several of the oldtimers calling the newcomers to our county "OUTSIDERS". Those "outsiders" work and pay taxes. Those "outsiders" VOTE! Those "outsiders" want a good life for themselves and their families. Those "outsiders" came to Elk County for the same reason we live here and for the same reason that OUR ancestors were "OUTSIDERS" so many decades ago.

There is a hypocrisy among people in this county that cannot be overlooked. The same people who call newcomers OUTSIDERS will welcome (with open arms) someone who hasn't lived in the county for 25 years yet still believe that someone is an outsider because they weren't born or raised here. Think about it: just how many years did it take YOUR family to not be an OUTSIDER when they moved here?

Voting is not a pageant. You shouldn't vote for a person because you knew their mother; their grandfather. You shouldn't vote for a person because "Oh, I knew them in high school" or "He/She was cute and waved at me once." Look at the ISSUES and concern your thoughts there! Look at who they surround themselves with and what influence those "friends" may have on their decisions and voting. Look at how "konnected" they are. Look at what someones' morals tell you about what they will do to your county.

When you CARE about your county/community, your actions speak for themselves. You don't have to pound your chest and pat your back about all that you volunteer for and do. Rural firefighters put their lives on the line to save houses, property and LIVES. They don't get paid for it. Most don't even get thanks for it. I believe that putting your life on the line for your neighbors trumps just about any other "volunteering" one can do.

We have enjoyed the property tax breaks that have been provided to us by Doug Ritz, Gary Hebb and Kenny Liebau over the past couple of years. The road improvements over the last few years have made traveling in the county much easier. Speaking of road improvements, Doug Ritz wanted all of his Districts' roads done before the road at his house so it wouldn't appear that he was getting special treatment. We all know that the previous District 2 Commissioner didn't feel the same as Mr. Ritz about not getting special treatment! It's no wonder that District 2 has a new Commissioner!

What good businesses would want to come to the smallest county with the highest taxes? Not every business in the county is given 40+ years of tax breaks and they shouldn't be! And I don't want to hear that they are one of the largest employers in the county either! If Wal-Mart was to move here to Elk County, THEY would be THE largest employer in the county and they would STILL have to PAY taxes! Is it because Wal-Mart wouldn't be Konnected?

It overwhelms me that people will vote because of some good buddy system rather than vote for what is right for their families, friends and neighbors. The lower taxes are all that keep some people living in their homes here. The cost of living on everything else is so high that when the tax breaks are done away with, most families won't be able to buy food, pay utilities, drive to work, etc. They will be forced to choose: do we live here and raise our kids in a decent school with no gangs, no drugs to speak of and very little crime? or do we move closer to work, where the property taxes are lower than here and the overall cost of living is lower, but we can't raise our children the way we want to?

In conclusion (for now): the people of District 1 should be more concerned about the changes that will come in November. Write-In Doug Ritz, District 1 County Commissioner. Do not give in to the socialistic agenda of Elk Konnected! FIGHT FOR WHAT'S RIGHT!

Great post, I sure wish I had your finesse.

[Ross]

I voted for Shari because she is an old family friend. I had read the post about the candidate forum at the fair, but did not believe it until earlier today. I was having coffee with my grandmother and her friend and they were talking about some comments made at the fair. I heard all about how rude Shari was and that she would not answer questions that people had of her and kept pointing to Mr. Ritz to answer questions. Grandmothers' friend said that Mr. Ritz had his good record to run on whereas Shari was the newcomer and should have been more forthcoming and answered the questions. Grandmothers' friend also said that Shari didn't seem to have any new ideas than what has been tried in the past and no real solutions to any problems this county faces. Therefore, Grandmother and I realized our mistakes and we will both be writing in Doug Ritz in November! Good luck Mr. Ritz! We need you!

I am so proud of people like you living in Elk County. Elk County is a great place to live and I sure hope people keep it that way.

[Ross]

P.S. Don't forget camcorders and microphones work well in the public and in the courthouse! Keep them honest!

WRITE-IN DOUG RITZ NOVEMBER 4TH!!

Right on! Record, record, record.

[Patriot]

I voted for Shari because she is an old family friend. I had read the post about the candidate forum at the fair, but did not believe it until earlier today. I was having coffee with my grandmother and her friend and they were talking about some comments made at the fair...

Finally, a 'revitalization plan' that makes sense!

If voters would take the time to inform themselves, the whole country might be better off.  I've watched the county commission up close for over 3 years.  Since Mr. Hebb (a fiscal conservative, it seems) was elected, he and Mr. Ritz have managed to accomplish a few things of significant import....

1.  The county property tax mill levy has been reduced from 124+ (the highest rate in Kansas) to just over 103 mills...  a REDUCTION of almost 17%.  All while surrounding counties are burdening their residents with higher taxes.
2.  A reduction in long term county debt from over $800,000 to just over $200,000.
3.  The procurement of hundreds of thousands of dollars in FEMA road money.
4.  Substantial cost controls.
5.  A much needed and PAID FOR handicap parking area on the west side of the courthouse (near the elevator).
6.  An almost complete stop to the expenditure of taxpayer funds to support the private programs run by community organizers... who have, by the way created only two (2) FAILED businesses in the county.
7.  Completion of substantial road improvements and bridge repairs that contribute greatly to the safety of those traveling county roads.
8.  The reallocation of liquor tax receipts out of the hands of county 'officials' and into the control of city governments for the explicit (required by state law) purpose of creating and supporting recreational activities/programs/facilities (mostly for the youth).  These funds are distributed quarterly and will amount to significant amounts over time.
9.  The elimination of county tax dollars used to perform accounting & disbursal of payments to a private trash service for residents inside city limits only (a function of city government).
10.  The reversal of a Revitalization Plan that declared the ENTIRE county as blighted (even lands with really nice facilities already in place) resulting in substantial property tax breaks for substantial new construction. Can you say 'tax breaks for the wealthy'?  And did you know that a 'special' few of those who were to benefit were allowed to apply for the program BEFORE it was initially enacted in violation of state law.  Level playing field, my foot.
11.  A common sense (and less expensive) correction of deficiencies in water supplies to the courthouse.
12.  Changes in internal courthouse operations/processes that have resulted in a higher moral among many county employees an thus likely better customer service.
13.  Honest reviews of employee performance that forces substantial under-performers to be more accountable.
14.  A reduction of 'executive sessions' held by the county commission (many of which we regarding matters that were required by state law to be open to the public.  This achieves a more transparent government, and greater accountability to the voters and taxpayers.  Unlike Mr Ritz' 'opposition' who as a private citizen actually asked for a secret executive session during the public forum of a recent commission meeting... in absolute violation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act.  And THIS is a would be commissioner??? Talk about thinking one is 'privileged!
15.  Repeated solicitation of and action on valid legal advice from the County Counselor resulting in sound decision making. As opposed to previous commissions who 'did things blindly' and wasted time & money fixing it later.
16.  Controlled use of the wind farm PILOT proceeds.  Taking time to develop planned use of those funds as opposed to filling the whimsical desires of a few for special interests or to solve the poor management problems of a few city government officials.  It's noteworthy to observe that only PART of the PILOT funds have been used to obtain the tax rate reductions that are being seen.

All this in just three years.  A darned good start to reversing the negative trends caused by years of poor or ineffective management by former spendthrift or special interest driven commissions.

And, after hearing & seeing first hand, Ms Canon/Kominska's non-specific return to the failed policies of faux 'economic development', wasteful spending of taxpayer monies and uninformed position of lawful county operations, I, too, will be lending my support to a write-in vote for Mr. Douglas C. Ritz for District 1 County Commissioner seat on November 4th.

I hope many other District 1 voters will get the real facts, provable on paper, and will do the same.  This isn't a popularity contest for the high school prom!  This is for your future and that of your children and grandchildren.  Please get your facts straight and VOTE for your future... not a return to past failings.

Elk County is a great place and has been improving in the last three years.  Perhaps more slowly than we might like, but moving forward is far better than going into reverse!  As Grandpa used to say, "Rome wasn't built in a day."

I would like to see Elk County continue its recent turn around and become an example to our Kansas neighbors.  I believe that a solid write-in vote for Doug Ritz for District 1 County Commissioner is a solid step in that direction.

Out of the Ashes