Well.......
Let's start with working up a 5 year plan for the future of Elk County. This idea was suggested by the county auditor during budget discussions as he had never seen any long term planning for our little corner of the world. WOW, what a concept Martha Stewart! Ships without rudders don't steer very well.
Please note that only one commissioner even mentioned the idea of reducing property taxes for our citizens as part of this planning. That would be Ritz.
The others were all about (in no particular order):
1 A new county shop
2 Courthouse repairs/upgrades
3 A county manager
4 Courthouse repairs/upgrades
3 Extension building work
4 Courthouse repairs/upgrades
5 Cemetery road repairs in Howard
6 Courthouse repairs/upgrades
7 Sheriff building & jail repairs
8 Courthouse repairs/upgrades
Looks like more and ongoing repairs to the county courthouse in Howard are pulling into first (and only) place. After tossing some really big numbers around, the realization hit home that the wind farm money for next year wasn't near enough... even if we don't continue with the RS/FAS road plan previously approved & underway. As a matter of fact, Commissioner Hendricks suggested the road plan we approved, reviewed & re-approved and started about 4 months ago be revisited to determine if it should be continued or changed in some way. Well, at least we got part of the first phase underway.
???
Not mentioned were future impacts of increasing employee benefit costs (health ins. etc.), stagnant wage issues, rising fuel costs, etc. on our 5 year planning.
In fairness, this 5 year plan for Elk County will be an ongoing discussion. To Be Continued...
Anyone ever bother telling the commissioners that THERES MORE TO THIS COUNTY THEN THE FREAKIN TOWN OF HOWARD!!!
Because near as I can tell every single one of those "suggestions" has to do with improving howard in some way. Frankly in my opinion the first step should be getting rid of two of the three commissioners, then regroup and come up with a new plan!!
V...
Unless you're talking about the cemetery road issues (Howard 3 fixes - Grenola 0 fixes), I appreciate your perspective, but this time it's less about Howard than it is about the county courthouse... which happens to be located in Howard. IMO the bigger issue is the massive amount of money already put into that 100 yr old facility, the massive amount that is still needed to make it safe & sound, and the ongoing cost of maintaining & operating it. Yes, it's a fascinating piece of history, but aren't there other pressing needs that exist to consume tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of dollars? And in this economy, should historical preservation be such a high priority with limited funds? How much do window air conditioners cost to run & regularly replace?
I was told that Longton and Grenola cemetery roads are going to be fixed. They were definitely on the the 5 year plan.
Quote from: proelkco on September 11, 2012, 07:25:46 AM
I was told that Longton and Grenola cemetery roads are going to be fixed. They were definitely on the the 5 year plan.
"You were told...". By a little birdie? In a dream? In a note on the outhouse wall? In line at Toots? Over the fence at the feeding trough? Sheesh! More washroom rumors.
How about some facts... As discussions about the Howard cemetery road advanced, Commissioner Liebau quietly complained, at least twice, that
if the Grenola cemetery road didn't get fixed people would "tar & feather" him. The Grenola cemetery road wasn't much more than an afterthought. The Howard cemetery road was discussed at length, to include trading use of some county/city equipment to get the job done. I don't believe the Longton cemetery road was even mentioned. How the heck would I know? I was there. If you need further proof, get the audio recording from the Clerk (if it hasn't been erased already).
Further, that road can't even be on
the 5 year plan... because
the 5 year plan doesn't even exist yet... the commission is only discussing a 5 year plan, and they tabled the matter for future study & discussion.
Were you also told that delinquent taxes are up to over $119,000 this year... up from about $93,000 last year at this time & up from $75,000 this time in years past? No, you probably weren't.... because those facts don't fit the positive "all is well" narrative that some incumbents want you to believe.
In case you missed it, even the long term 'road plan' that we agonized over a few months back is in jeopardy going forward. So even if we get a 5 year plan for the whole county, how can you trust that it will be fully implemented? You can't.
If your source wasn't at the meeting yesterday, they are misinformed & spreading rumors. If they were present, they weren't paying attention or you are being lied to. Simple as that.
I'm amazed to see how easily duped some folks are and how easily they believe every coffee shop BS rumor that comes down the pike. No wonder Elk has the money & management messes it has. Nobody seems to care much about fact... as long as the positive Hope n Change rumors are alive. If you & the rest of the taxpaying public choose to remain ignorant of the facts... so be it. Don't be disappointed when the reality hits.
You are quite rude. I got my information from a person at the meeting. The people in this county are not ignorant. If you are so concerned and have all the answers why did you not run for office? You could also talk to all the commissioners with your ideas, none are as stupid as you seem to believe.
Quote from: proelkco on September 11, 2012, 12:56:36 PM
You are quite rude. I got my information from a person at the meeting. The people in this county are not ignorant. If you are so concerned and have all the answers why did you not run for office? You could also talk to all the commissioners with your ideas, none are as stupid as you seem to believe.
If you think presentation of fact without some kind of sugar coating is rude, then so be it. You're entitled to your opinion.
As I said, perhaps your source misunderstood what ultimately took place. That's evidenced by your claim that those roads are already included in some unfinished master plan. Your assurances didn't come from an elected officer by chance, did they
I said nothing about anyone being stupid. There's a lot of inaccurate information on the street. After months of careful review, I've come to an opinion that a couple of our commissioners are capable of being misleading, less than transparent and operating in the art of omission. I've also concluded that they don't care enough about the law to operate within it as it relates to Kansas open meetings laws. That may make them politicians, or even enamored with power, but not stupid.
As for any answers I have... no, I don't have all the answers, but I try darned hard to deal in fact as opposed to conjecture or the latest gossip. If that makes my observations & reports accurate and therefore offensive to you, then that's too bad. You have every right to feel offended.
Concerned? You bet! Concerned enough as a voter & taxpayer to study, review & present information here for those who are open minded enough to review, verify and come to their own conclusions.
Run for office? You can't seriously believe that would be a solution to your complaints. Besides, I'm quite happy with the representation in my district, there were no openings here & I would never change parties or relocate for some political advantage... now
that would be disingenuous and rude.
Perhaps you misunderstood.
Quote from: proelkco on September 11, 2012, 02:23:02 PM
Perhaps you misunderstood.
I misunderstood nothing. Like I said earlier, listen to the audio. :)
Hey, Patriot. I just read your reply #4...There are 10 lines that add nothing to your "facts". What you call "lack of sugar coating" isn't, it's just poor composition. Taking the sugar off doesn't mean you can put the snarls on. As an educated person who wants your opinions to be respected, you should know that.
How about going back and trying to find out what you wrote that might seem rude to some. It adds nothing to what you write and is totally unnecessary to your "facts."
I notice you then back peddled and rewrote most of it. HMMM?
Quote from: Diane Amberg on September 11, 2012, 02:47:15 PM
I notice you then back peddled and rewrote most of it. HMMM?
Can you prove that claim?
And thanks for once again adding focus to the real issues in Elk County politics... not.
What Patriot is doing is keeping those who can't attend the meetings, INFORMED of THE FACTS. It seems all Diane is doing lately is trying to get back at those who hurt her little feelings. ::)
Aw, ya mean I can't have any fun at Pat's expense? ;D
At least he knows the proper use of "they're," which many don't. Read it yourself and tell me how comments about an outhouse wall add to "facts.'' How about "if you and the rest of the tax paying public choose to remain ignorant of the facts".... Really adds to the facts huh? Just think how much shorter and more fact meaty his post would be without the unnecessary extra remarks.
I did and still do editing and sometime I just can't help myself.
As far as "getting back," how would you feel if a skunk sprayed you, or a loose dog killed your chickens? If I really wanted to get even ...I'd print some interesting stuff. It wouldn't matter if it was true or not. Ross prints rumor and speculation without facts himself and has said so.
By the way, I had some extra time last night while I was waiting for something and I went back and reread the cover post and several hundred of the "hand out" posting. Very interesting to watch the characters develop their personalities and the finger pointing and decline of any sense of civil discourse.
Pat, I'm not sure what claim you want me to prove. Read both your long Posts to proelkco and compare them.
Diane,
After reading your most recent posts (here & elsewhere) and reviewing the topics of the threads where those posts are found, I can only opine that you must suffer some form of Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. Your perceived pathological inability to stay on topic and to avoid some distracting self-centered diversion into a 'me/my/I/Al/Delaware/bad grammar' tract has reached legendary proportions. My condolences, but you must realize that all the distraction and deflection you can muster will not silence those who present uncomfortable facts & ask valid questions about our government & elected officials.
In the interim, feel free to continue with all your prepubescent whimsy & adolescent fun at the expense of myself and others. Just take care to realize that my taxes, liberties, county & country are things that I take very seriously. No less seriously than did those who died to secure this nation at its founding. On careful observation, it would appear that I'm not alone.
Now... about the Elk County budget hearing we 'forgot' to have on Monday....
as long as we agree with patriot all will be good in elk co ...wow...i am just glad to see that we are doing less with more...and i think all the commisioners should be gone and a new group of small county corrupt people with personal agendas could lead us further into the crapper
Quote from: i can hide 2 cowards on September 12, 2012, 11:59:05 AM
as long as we agree with patriot all will be good in elk co ...wow...i am just glad to see that we are doing less with more...and i think all the commisioners should be gone and a new group of small county corrupt people with personal agendas could lead us further into the crapper
No need to agree with me... just review the facts, look at the county with open, honest eyes & make up your own minds.
As for new commissioners... get after those running, pick their brains and try to figure out if they have personal agendas & what they think is needed... before ya vote em in.
There he goes again....Patriot, it must be nice to have one of those store bought MDs so you can professionally evaluate people for medical problems. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Who do you think you are to judge me. Better check in that mirror again!
That is hysterical! You can "opine" all you want. Are you in that close contact with people with neurosis disorders, psychotic disorders, Bi polar disorders, MPD and dozens of others that you can recognize them?
You know the difference between you and me? My credentials are real! I assume you do have mental disorders in your family,many people do. You have SII disorder and Ross for sure has OCP disorder and I have S.A.D..and DSF disorder. Then you tied your post to vets who died? Ya missed apple pie and mother. My, oh my!
Perhaps you should write a hand book for Elk County Citizens so they will know how you want them to behave.
Yes, I'm being a smart Alec. Your ability to to criticize and ridicule has no end. You are the one who started this again. I was done. By the way, I just reread the post you wrote back to Proelk....You used 11 personal pronouns about you. About that pot and kettle? HA!
I'm off to a meeting. Enjoy ridiculing your neighbors directly and indirectly.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on September 12, 2012, 04:22:48 PM
You have SII disorder.
No, actually the only formal diagnosis was very mild Axis I dysthimia with a slight Axis II sadistic personality disorder.... maybe that's why I enjoy engaging with masochists like you. Enjoy your 12 step meeting.
Nope, wrong again as usual. I don't drink at all. It was a high school reunion meeting.
Stay on your fluoxetene and stop picking on me and you'll do better. So you can spell masochists but can't spell action? Now that is funny.
Uh, Rod Serling ? Is he any relation to Rod Sterling ? Now aint I being picky about people's spelling---I take it back .
Uh, who is Rod Sterling? seriously. I don't know of him.
ain't he the guy from outter limits?
Try the Twilight Zone. :o :o ::)
No, it as Rod Serling that hosted the Twilight Zone. I just thought that Diane with her vast knowledge of what's going on here in Kansas was talking about Rodney Sterling. Guess we were talking about a different person. Carry on .
Quote from: Diane Amberg on September 12, 2012, 04:22:48 PM
There he goes again....Patriot, it must be nice to have one of those store bought MDs so you can professionally evaluate people for medical problems. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Who do you think you are to judge me. Better check in that mirror again!
That is hysterical! You can "opine" all you want. Are you in that close contact with people with neurosis disorders, psychotic disorders, Bi polar disorders, MPD and dozens of others that you can recognize them?
You know the difference between you and me? My credentials are real! I assume you do have mental disorders in your family,many people do. You have SII disorder and Ross for sure has OCP disorder and I have S.A.D..and DSF disorder. Then you tied your post to vets who died? Ya missed apple pie and mother. My, oh my!
Perhaps you should write a hand book for Elk County Citizens so they will know how you want them to behave.
Yes, I'm being a smart Alec. Your ability to to criticize and ridicule has no end. You are the one who started this again. I was done. By the way, I just reread the post you wrote back to Proelk....You used 11 personal pronouns about you. About that pot and kettle? HA!
I'm off to a meeting. Enjoy ridiculing your neighbors directly and indirectly.
I tried being very kind to you Diane and that didn't work.
I flipped and behaved as badly as you and that didn't work.
So now you have my sympathy.
The fact that you can not concentrate and stay on subject
The fact that you believe you are the spelling teacher and grammer teacher on this forum
The fact that you think you are a teacher
The fact that you think are the head firefighter
The fact that you believe you have great leadershiop skills
The fact that you admit to being a socialist
The fact that you bully people by calling them bully's
And far to many other things to mention, are all red flags,
won't you please go seek professional help?
At least give it some thought.
I'll pray for you.