Elk KonnectedSuccess Stories
Elk County provide ideas on how to use wind dollars
Better roads and local tax relief are top suggestions
By Rudy Taylor
PRAIRIE STAR
Twenty-five circles of chairs, all occupied by excited Elk County residents, filled the Moline School gymnasium Tuesday night. The county residents stood in line to get into the meeting because they knew the topic of discussion would have multi-million dollar ramifications.
The meeting was held because Elk County's three commissioners in December 2008 negotiated an agreement with Trade Wind Energy Corp. to receive approximately $1 million per year over the next 20 years as payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT).
A huge 150-200 mega-watt wind generation farm will be constructed, starting later this year, approximately 10 miles west of Howard. Trade Wind Energy has said more than $450 million will be invested in the wind-generation facility and the first payment to the county could come as early as December 2011 or the same month in 2012.
The PILOT payments will be calculated according to $4,500 multiplied by gross megawatt output of the wind farm (150 to 200 megawatts) with a two percent annual increase.
Commissioners Liz Hendricks, Ken Liebau and Doug Ritz then called for public input to determine how those PILOT funds would be spent. That's why the Elk Konnected organization called Tuesday's meeting --- to allow local people to express their own priorities.
They talked within their circles about roads, schools, community centers, youth facilities, incentives for job-producing industries and a big list of other ideas.
Leading the meeting was consultant Terry Woodbury of Public Square Communities. With him were associates Angie Baur and Lance Woodbury.
At the end of the evening, each circle was asked for a spokesperson to serve on an action team to compile the data gathered at the community conversation and report to the Elk County Commissioners by their April 11 meeting, if possible.
While no specific recommendations were determined, Woodbury was able to make several conclusions from the groups which were composed of eight to ten in each circle. The top two suggestions that came forward from a large percentage of those attending were property tax relief and repair/improvements of local roads.
Other ideas submitted by those in attendance included the following:
More affordable drinking water for all residents
Putting the first $1 million in the bank then starting to spend in the second year
School improvements
Fund higher education for local students who will contract to return to Elk County some day
Create more jobs
Assisted living for all towns in the county
Airport improvements
Courthouse improvements
Golf course
Retire all public debt
Safe shelters
Scholarships
Tourism
Local YMCA, YWCA
At the beginning of the meeting, local civic leader Richard Fish said Elk Konnected was organized to pull citizens together to discuss the future of the communities comprising Elk County.
On behalf of Elk Konnected, David Whetstone said, "We feel like we've been afforded an incredible opportunity in this county. The amount of money being offered to us from a wind farm is unprecedented."
Woodbury works with 16 communities in area states, including 37 towns.
"Our dream is to turn rural America around, and make it work again," said Woodbury.
"Every time I come here, I find encouragement," Woodbury said. "Elk County has a great opportunity --- one million dollars per year for twenty years!"
"We have a possibility to take twenty years and do it right, so let's listen to each other, and take the opportunity to do something great."
Baur noted in her comments that positive conversation and big ideas will always move you forward --- and that's what Elk Konnected is all about.
When Elk Konnected was first organized, it took a survey which showed local residents believed their top three strengths were: Strong families, solid educational system, and superior lifestyle in local communities.
Community conversations have been held in Longton, Severy (included in Elk Konnected even though in Greenwood County), Howard and Moline.
The Caney River Project is managed by Trade Wind Energy of Lenexa, Kan., and the project owner is Enel North America, Inc.
More than 15 landowners will share in royalties at the wind farm in Elk County, and they already have begun receiving their checks.
Power produced at the Caney River Project is being sold to the Tennessee Valley Authority, the nation's largest public power company. The power will be delivered to TVA's customers in the southeast United States.
The Caney River project is believed to be one of the most energetic sites of any wind project in the development in eastern Kansas, outside of the designated Heart of the Flint Hills area.
The project will interconnect to the Westar 345 kV transmission line in Elk County.
When completed, the wind farm in Elk County will generate enough power to supply the needs of approximately 60,000 households.
Prairie Star will cooperate with Elk Konnected and the Elk County Commission to print questions and answers about the wind project and PILOT money in future editions.
http://www.publicsquarecommunities.com/community/elk/news.php
Does anyone know how many people use their exercise room?
I've been told maybe 8 people. If that's true is that a good investment?
I suppose building a YMCA might make sense for a few people.
Where would they build it? How about Grenola or Longton?
Surely not in Howard? Howard already has the exercise room.
I just got another idea --- buy back the Moline Grade School and re-open it get the kids out of the portable buildings.
That way Howard won't need to ask for another election to build a $5 1/2 million dollar school. No, my kid does not go to grade school.
Do you understand why they went with the portables? Many, many discussions preceded that move.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on April 26, 2011, 03:57:57 PM
Do you understand why they went with the portables? Many, many discussions preceded that move.
Sure, if you look past the smoke. Howard wants a Tajmahal type of campus. And that's why they want to move their city limits out beyound the high school so they can claim it as theirs. Oh, and Howard didn't want to continue busing their children to Moline. Sure the argument about money sounds good, but it awasn't true. The school board has handed out some outrageous pay raises. And the roof on the school was still partly covered by warranty and a bond issue could have been used to repair the other part. The building is a fine looking building inside and out.
Oh yea, FYI the ball games agendas lit the school as Howard West Elk not West Elk. The school Supt. wants the school board to purchase a new marque for West Elk when all it needs is a new piece of plywood on the back and some fresh paint. I can only guess why an expensive new sign, to have it say Howard West Elk. Because I believe the school has maintenance personel that could clean up the present sign just fine.
The school supt. is wanting to spend money like there is no tomorrow. I don't think he realizes that the nation and the state are in a financial crises. Except when it came to closing our for local schools someone's benefit when he kept saying the state was cutting school budgets. Now it's like there is no financial problem.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Just so everyone remembers - out of 87 people that voted last month for the school board seat that Ross ran for, 81 of them voted for someone other than Ross.
Did they ever get the gym roof fixed? Last I remember there was a bucket hanging up there on the ceiling to catch the leaks! ;D Your alumni should be taking care of your new marquee if one is needed. That's very common here. By the way, I don't know why your portables aren't satisfactory. I taught in one for 3 years when the district had a surge in population. It was a big room, air conditioned and nice carpet, plenty of wall, board and project space. I liked it fine.
More people use the fitness center than 8. I am one that renews my monthly dues. I am not trying to step on anyones toes, but to tell you the truth LOTS of people are out for number one in Elk County. Do you ever think that the people with parents feel that there needs to be more positive things around the county for the younger people? We are raising young adults, not just kids. I don't think that everyone is looking at the big picture of things. As for what Elk Konnect wants to build, those were just ideas that were tossed around, nothing set in stone. Many of the people also want lower taxes and better roads. Why worry yet about what the money is going to be used for, it's like your spending the money before we getting it.
Quote from: flintauqua on April 26, 2011, 04:33:00 PM
Just so everyone remembers - out of 87 people that voted last month for the school board seat that Ross ran for, 81 of them voted for someone other than Ross.
Just so you know flintauqua I placed a letter in the newspaper asking my friends and neighbors not to vote for me but I did ask them to vote for someone else. I chose to withdraw because I didn't have enough time to study everything that a school board member should know to do their job properly. The more I studied the more I learned that I needed to learn more. So I shall continue to study. Education of our children is not about how large or how new the school building is. It's also not about how much money you spend or sports. Education takes place in the class room.
You can try all you want to hurt my feelings but it wont work. You have earned my pity for trying, hatefulness is self debaseing and I shall say a prayer for you.
May I ask what part of in Elk County do you live in? North, Eatst, South, West, Central? I'm nothing asking for any thing specific just general. Thanks.
Great point Ross...If I lived in your district, I would have still voted for you because I think YOU are on the right track! Some people just don't get it! --Jennifer
Quote from: Diane Amberg on April 26, 2011, 04:35:43 PM
Did they ever get the gym roof fixed? Last I remember there was a bucket hanging up there on the ceiling to catch the leaks! ;D Your alumni should be taking care of your new marquee if one is needed. That's very common here. By the way, I don't know why your portables aren't satisfactory. I taught in one for 3 years when the district had a surge in population. It was a big room, air conditioned and nice carpet, plenty of wall, board and project space. I liked it fine.
No, they didn't fix the roof they shut the building down.
I keep hearing remarks that it is such a hassle to move the children from the portables to the main building to go to the library or whatever they need to do. Perhaps your building was a lot nicer. These are four small trailers divided into two sections each.
No. I haven't been inside them, I'm just repeating what I have heard said about the circumstances.
All the marque needs is a minor amount of repair by a maqintenance person. No great skill required.
Quote from: kshillbillys on April 26, 2011, 05:31:10 PM
Great point Ross...If I lived in your district, I would have still voted for you because I think YOU are on the right track! Some people just don't get it! --Jennifer
I sincerely thank you for the compliment.
I love hillbilly's, they are down to earth people.
Ross ,my classroom portable was one big single with no bathrooms or water so we had to go inside the main building about 15 feet away. On the far side of the building there was also a big quad of 4 rooms. It had bathrooms and water fountains. It just wasn't a problem moving the kids. We changed for reading and math and of course lunch, library, music and gym.The art teacher came to us. I'm sorry it hasn't worked out well for you all.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on April 26, 2011, 06:05:14 PM
Ross ,my classroom portable was one big single with no bathrooms or water so we had to go inside the main building about 15 feet away. On the far side of the building there was also a big quad of 4 rooms. It had bathrooms and water fountains. It just wasn't a problem moving the kids. We changed for reading and math and of course lunch, library, music and gym.The art teacher came to us. I'm sorry it hasn't worked out well for you all.
Ehhh kids these days are too pampered. They don't like walking out in a bit of cold to the main building. Shoot in my day, i walked barefoot........
through a patch of sandburs to get to school. Sure you did, Steve. How about two miles on a very hot September day when the sand on the road burned through the soles of your shoes? Oh, I forgot, you didn't have shoes.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on April 26, 2011, 06:05:14 PM
I'm sorry it hasn't worked out well for you all.
It's not me that it bothers. But even the school board appears to be bothered by the situation.
i expect they will sometime in the near future aks the voters to go for the $5 1/5 million building with a storm shelter for Howard.
And I expect the voters will again tell them no. That kind of money for less than 150 kids and less than 3000 taxpayers just doesn't make sense. But once again that is just my opinion and only time will tell.
I am so happy for you that it tthat the portable's worked well for you.
Quote from: Ross on April 26, 2011, 05:25:29 PM
Just so you know flintauqua I placed a letter in the newspaper asking my friends and neighbors not to vote for me but I did ask them to vote for someone else. I chose to withdraw because I didn't have enough time to study everything that a school board member should know to do their job properly. The more I studied the more I learned that I needed to learn more. So I shall continue to study. Education of our children is not about how large or how new the school building is. It's also not about how much money you spend or sports. Education takes place in the class room.
You can try all you want to hurt my feelings but it wont work. You have earned my pity for trying, hatefulness is self debaseing and I shall say a prayer for you.
May I ask what part of in Elk County do you live in? North, Eatst, South, West, Central? I'm nothing asking for any thing specific just general. Thanks.
My humble apologies. I fully admit to not being aware that you had taken yourself out of the running.
I have been the subject of so many direct and indirect personal attacks here on the forum that I thought that had become part of the rules of engagement.
Quote from: flintauqua on April 26, 2011, 06:30:49 PM
My humble apologies. I fully admit to not being aware that you had taken yourself out of the running.
I have been the subject of so many direct and indirect personal attacks here on the forum that I thought that had become part of the rules of engagement.
Your apology is very respectfully accepted.
I am sorry to hear about the attacks. That shouldn't happen.
I fully believe everyone is entitled to their opinion and have a right to voice them.
Even if I disagree. I have agreements with a couple of friends that ww agree to disagree.
That way we can get in heated discussions and remain friends. Arguments can be fun and educational with the right mind set.
Have a great evening.
Quote from: Wilma on April 26, 2011, 06:21:24 PM
through a patch of sandburs to get to school. Sure you did, Steve. How about two miles on a very hot September day when the sand on the road burned through the soles of your shoes? Oh, I forgot, you didn't have shoes.
Actually on a hot Georgia August day with 110 deg on hot pavement barefoot. I ran barefoot everywhere, had shoes but hated to wear them.
In the Washburn Rural High School they have using portables for the last 15 years and they work just fine. I have been in one of the portables in Howard and they are set up real nice. There is a little lack of room but they are quite and warm. I am sure going to lunch in the high school is has its draw backs in the winter but win a few lose a few. ;D
Quote from: Diane Amberg on April 26, 2011, 06:05:14 PM
I'm sorry it hasn't worked out well for you all.
Diane, I'm afraid you are only hearing one opinion on the modulars. I have 2 children in them and they are working fine. They are no more crowded than the children were crammed into the Moline and Severy schools once the classes were combined. My children both like the modulars and have had no problems or difficulties moving from one building to the other. They are not a final solution however. They will not last 50+ years like a permanent building would. Every year that passes, the building material costs rise. The school board did the best they could with what they had to work with. I commend them for making some really tough decisions under the severe financial cuts that we have endured. Again, they are not a permanent fix!
Thank you.