For those of you who live in Elk County (and the surrounding area) and didn't attend the Elk Konnected Conversation meeting in Longton last night...YOU MISSED OUT. This was an AMAZING event put on by a steering committee of local people who want to turn Elk County into a place of of the future; not a dying county of the past.
The evening started out with a free chili supper served by both FFA clubs from West Elk and Elk Valley High schools. Child care was provided by the same group, along with other high schoolers from both schools. They did a great job keeping the kids entertained so the parents could enjoy the conversations.
The first instructions we received from the conversation leader, Terry Woodbury, was that we have to start expelling all the negative thoughts and perceptions of the past. We also have to think like a COUNTY COMMUNITY, instead of each city. Because; if we don't work together, ALL the cities will fade away. Our second instructions were that we were not there to point out the problems or to point fingers... we were there to start thinking about SOLUTIONS.
Before the conversation, the steering committee sent out surveys to people from the county (and Severy). They were asked to rate their city and the county as a whole on 20 clues to building community. On a scale from 1 to 4 (1 = excellent), they were asked to rate statements like "Evidence of community pride: our community is a show place of care, attention, history, and heritage". The results of this survey were given out at the meeting. As an example, for the statement above, only 27% of the people rated Elk County has having Excellent or Good ratings (1 or 2). Individual cities were below 50%, actually below 40% (except Moline; they were at 58%). Of the 20 points, there were only 4 that 50% or more of the people ranked the county as being Excellent or Good. These points were 1) Strong support for education, 2) Strong presence of traditional institutions, 3) Acceptance of women leaders, and 4) Strong multi-generational family orientation (the leader was impressed with this last one, as not many counties he's worked with has ranked this one highly).
Our goals throughout the night were to take these 4 strengths of the county, and focus on the lower ranked points. We started working with people at our table. Then we grouped together by cities. Then we grouped together having at least one person from each city at the table. Some of the lower ranked points that we discussed were active econonmic development program (2nd to last); sound, well-maintained infrastructure (3rd to last); evidence of community pride (6th to last); and cooperative community spirit. We also talked about improving the youth quality of life, and how to get citizen engagement in some of the activities and events that already go on within the community.
The interesting thing about this conversation... we didn't leave with any action items or a need to go out and "save the county". Just our thoughts and the thoughts of others in the county. This will be a long-term investment of people power, time, and eventually money. Again, this was a FREE supper. Not even a "free-will donation". Just county neighbors getting together on a Friday night to look to the future of the county... and how we will have to work TOGETHER. YOU MISSED OUT.
A few years ago I would have probably attended such an event. Alas, I had to work, so thank you, Tobina, for letting us know what the meeting was all about and what occurred. I say, good job, to those who put the meeting on and to those who attended.
Well, keep your eyes and ears open about this group and future meetings. At the end of the meeting, everyone was to nominate 1 person in each of the 4 "town square" areas of the community: Government, Education, Heath & Human Services, and Business. I think the plan is to take at least the top 35 names to attend a retreat in January where these people will use the ideas that were created at the meeting on Friday and work with the steering committee and Terry to start planning a road map for the county.
The biggest obstacle that will be faced is the "naysayers" and people who can't get over rifts from years gone by between all the cities within the county. If the future of the county is to move in a postive direction, so must attitudes.
Here's another couple tidbits from the survey:
"Strong Support for Education" (ranked in 1st place on the list)
% of people who rated 1-excellent or 2-good:
Elk county: 74%
Grenola: 74%
Elk Falls: 45%
Longton 87%
Moline: 77%
Howard: 88%
Severy: 100%
"Willingness to invest in the future" (ranked in last place on the list)
% of people who rated 1-excellent or 2-good:
Elk County: 21%
Grenola: 21%
Elk falls: 27%
Longton: 13%
Moline: 27%
Howard: 26%
Severy: 43%
I'm glad you're reporting and passing on the information.
I didn't attend, but know several who did. Everyone is positive in their comments.
I'm such a behind-the-scenes person, though. I'll support the supporters (people like you!).
Is the next step the retreat in January?
Yes, that's what one of the steering committee members said; they'll go through the list of nominees to pick people for the retreat. Due to the busy season of Nov and Dec, the retreat will probably be in Jan. I think the goal is 35 people, but they'd love to have more like 50! We also had the opportunity to volunteer to be involved in future conversations or break-out meetings. If any of you would like to lend your expertise in any of the 4 areas of the "Town Square" (education, business, government, health & human services)... or even just your opinions for the future of the county... don't hesitate to contact one of the steering committee members. They are: Andrea Arbuckle, David Brace, Vic Donahey, Richard Fish, Larry Galvan, Chris Haag, Liz Hendricks, David Sanchez, David Whetstone.
Another tidbit from the survey:
In the Youth Quality of Life section, people rated the county's Top Resources for Youth (interview of 57 adults):
Caring Adults 77%
Healthy Start 47%
Marketable Skills 33%
Safe Places after School 26%
Volunteer Service 17%
One of our activities was to take the top ranked point (Caring Adults) and figure out how to improve one of the bottom four points. At our table, we proposed that we use our caring adults in the county to help create and staff an after-school location for the youth, and at the same time, the youth would volunteer their time to help keep the facility clean.
Hi - Finally had a chance to write about an amazing 1 day event that 5 of us from Elk Konnected attended. Larry Galvan, Tyson Wilson, Dana Denton, Bo Downing, Lonnie Stieben (SKT) and myself attended the 3rd annual Ks Communities Conf in Salina at the Rolling Hills Refuge & Conference Center. We were one of the 15 communities Terry Woodberry is working with. Heard about the Nebraska Comm Foundation which helps communities keep the wealth in their communities versus it leaving when the resident dies and leaves his/her estate to his kids in another area. Heard from Greeley Co who has been working with Terry for 3 years - their county has put 100K in a countywide rec commission to fund activities for all, plus another 75K in a "Comm Development Director". She was dynamic - recent grad from Southwestern - who heads up econ develop, chamber activities, real estate development, to whatever... Greeley Co also brought 2 HS Srs who helped run the tech side of the conference. Visited with representatives from Hodgeman Co (one of our own lives there - Harmon Bliss - Ag Teacher), Sherman Co - just hired an econ development dir from Canada, Ft Scott - started a young prof group that meets regularly ie the 40 and under group, Humboldt - just buillt a $1+ million rec/hs gym that is open to the public - with an indoor walking track above the gym... and so many more examples - it is just amazing that these communities are so similar to ours in population and valuation and what can be done when we all strive for the same goals... The Vision retreat is coming up in January and from that 4-6 goals with action teams and leaders will be established and then the action teams go to work... It should be exciting... oh the other interesting thing about Greeley co 1500 pop. they have seen a 10% increase in population just in the last 3 years - basically striving for a better quality of life. The other amazing thing about this conf is that 100% of it was paid for - through partnership ie Ks Dept of Commerce, KS Research and Ext, Ks Dept of Ag, Frontier Farm Credit, and the Finnup Foundation... another concept Terry strives to instill.... Partnership between the 4 sectors - Biz, Ed, Govt, and Health/Human services... Well thanks for letting me share. Later
Thanks for letting us in on all of that ..
It is something that we all need to stay on top of.
This is such a good thing.
I think the greatest surprise I've found over the past six years that we've owned the Flint Hills Express is the number of people who have moved to Elk County recent years. They all tell the same story --- they were seeking a better quality of life, and they have found it.
I'm sometimes asked to speak to local clubs (I can't imagine why, because I'm the most boring human on earth) and invariably I spend more time talking about the audience than I do about the newspaper business or writing a book.
It fascinates me to find people like Tobina and many others who earn their living in the "bigger world" yet maintain their homes in the rural setting. If people would just stop dying, we'd be increasing the population of Elk County! It's that way in all our small counties in southeast Kansas. We have exactly what the world is looking for --- a peaceful setting for raising children, a low crime rate, a slow pace, friendly neighbors, a wonderful place to retire, inexpensive housing when compared to urban areas, and the most beautiful landscape in the world!
There are two major constraints that I see in Elk County --- and believe me, they're not unique to this county. The same holds true in Chautauqua, Labette and Montgomery Counties where we also run newspapers:
1. Small towns are being trashed by a few uncaring people. How dare anyone stack trash in their yard when they are so fortunate to living in such a delightful community? How dare anyone park 8 to 10 old cars in their yard? How dare anyone allow their weeds to grow higher than their house? How dare anyone keep 3 to 5 big dogs tied up on chains in their yard?
Yes, it's nice to live in a small town where there aren't too many regulations. But that same freedom will suffocate us if we don't use some self discipline.
There are many, many wonderful exceptions to these trashers, but I'm telling you --- it's a real turnoff to anyone contemplating a move to a small town.
2. Cross-county rivalries continue to be community killers. Good grief, folks. All of us who reside in these small towns are fighting for survival ... not the Civil War! We're all neighbors. Our kids go to the same schools. We attend the same summer fairs. We join the same 4-H clubs. We shop in the same stores. We need to reach out to one another. We need to support local bond issues for education so our children will continue to have schools to attend. And we need to look at ourselves as one big community rather than four our five separate ones.
OK, I'm on the stump here, so I'll quit gabbing. I just wanted you know how supportive I am of the Elk Konnected project. Count me in.
Yeah,Rudy! What will it take to make the Howard city council to get some back b one and establish some standards?
Jody, I think if you would talk to the Mayor and the council members and even the city clerk of Howard, you would find that they have tried---VERY HARD -- to reach these people and get them to clean up their trashy places, but it is hard to chip through a granite, non caring attitude. Some people just do not care what kind of mess they create. Small communities like Elk County, are no different than cities like Wichita...you find those messes everywhere. Fred and I have traveled through many, many towns and cities in the past 15 years, and it is the same everywhere you go. It makes you angry that lazy dominates some people. Makes you wonder what the inside of the home looks like, doesn't it?
MAKE RULES AND FINES FOR NOT DOING IT.. i. ADD THE FINES TO TAXES AND SEND IN CITY WORKERS TO CLEAN UP OR TEAR DOWN. iN OTHER WORDS, THE CITY HAS TO HAVE SOME CONTROL NOT THE PROPERTY OWNER.
Having been married to city council member for 20 plus years, I know the headache that it gives those who are elected in that position. It is a sticky situation.
People can set back and 'say' what they think needs to be done, but is a whole lot easier said than done.
I talked to Mark about this and The Council is actually working on it. They have hired a "public officer" from out of town to come in and do an inspection on the properties..
But... it is a touchy situation.. Or it can be if they are not careful.
Yes, there are some properties that are very much in need of cleaning up.. but how much control do you want a public city officer to have over what you can and can not do on your own property?
I take extra care of my place. I too would like for people to take pride in their home and area, BUT just because I go the extra mile with mine, doesn't mean that everyone has to have that standard and be fined if they don't. There are some places that make mine look bad..
If that person was on the council and made it his "standard" should I have to have mine like that too?
(example) ... Someone doesn't like you parking your vehicles on the street in front of your house... or they don't like the fact that you don't mow as often as "they" think that you should...or your back yard has a big dumpster setting in it.( which some people despise) and all around your house and garage is full of 'stuff'.. *the list and examples can go on and on*.
Who sets the standard?
I know that is examples of the extreme.. but if we start dictating what can and can not be in your yard..driveway..etc.. then you can open a can of worms that might not be too pleasant if the shoe is on the other foot.
What is acceptable to some is not acceptable to others. And unless the property has been vacated... I personally believe that it is no one's business how I have my yard or area.
And should the city do a condemnation? If so... the people of Howard has to pay for the clean up.. and the property owners get their property cleaned up for free.
Or they try to get a demolition... in which the people of Howard pay for that too.. THEN listen to the uproar about that.
Ask the people what they think about paying for all the clean ups. Not many want to foot the bill for that...and the property owners don't care. Most won't pay it if it is charged to them..
You get some who say "Well what about so and so.. THEY aren't cleaning up their mess in their back yard, but you are wanting me too."
" And what about so and so .. ( who might be an upstanding citizen of Howard)
" Why aren't you getting on him about his stuff? You are only picking on me.."
It is a nightmare...
So the council has their hands full trying to do something without taxing the people to death and without putting too much into law that will bring the state in with their rules and laws, which take it out of the hands of the property owners like me and others who DO keep their places neat.
I don't know the answer... but I agree that something needs to be done....as the council members do... That is why they are working on it.
Well said, Teresa. I would be concerned if there were too much control of private property by government (city). The freedoms we have in this town are unimaginable in other places, and I enjoy them to the maximum. I have friends & relatives who own property in places where it is dictated what color they can paint their house, or that they have to bag their lawn clippings. I can't imagine living like that.
Then there is the trade-off. I also agree that there should be a limit to what neighbors & citizens should have to tolerate from abandoned or just junky properties. The hoops that the city has to jump through to deal with those issues are a big pain, but are there to protect other property owners down the line. I sure don't have the magic answer. I wish I did!
I would like to note that the Lions Club here is putting a lot of time & effort into improving some pretty messy places. Sometimes a big cleanup effort will spur others into action as well. I hope that is the case here, and actually have seen some cleanup just since we moved in last year.
I do know that people are best motivated with compliments & encouragement when they are doing something positive. And I sincerely appreciate all the friendly comments we've received! ;D
With the 'independent' people in this community (loveable but stubborn, obstinate, ornery & bull-headed ;)) ; Hearing only complaints & derision for the mountain of work ahead of them is most likely to make them dig in their heels & refuse to do anything.
Remember that Elk Konnected was designed to have POSITIVE communication and not finger-pointing. The best way to help forward progress is to be a part of it yourself. So, rather than stand in your front yard and point your finger at your neighbor's house... try standing in your neighbor's front yard and look at your own property first. Then volunteer to help someone else who might not be able to clean up their own yard (elderly, etc).
I know there will always be people who go against the grain to just be that way, but think of it like this... one neighbor mows their lawn first thing in the Spring... the next neighbor thinks it makes his lawn look bad, so they mow theirs, and so on and so on. Having a junk house next to yours makes your life easier because your house looks good no matter what, but if someone were to come in and fix up that house, then you'd really have to make an effort to clean up your house, too.
Negativity catches like wildfire; destroying all in it's path. But positive efforts are like a well-tended fire that starts slow but has the ability to burn for a long, long time with each of us just adding a piece of wood to the flames every so often.
Even though we live in the city of Newark, our community of Fairfield Crest has a civic association that watches over that kind of thing. If a place really starts to slip, they will check on it. Usually they find there has been a long term illness or a death. If things really fall behind, volunteers help cleanup, paint and make simple repairs. The city has a similar program for areas and neighborhoods that don't have civic associations. We also have laws about long term outdoor storage, piles of tires and the like. A city inspector will checkout complaints, give them time to make other arrangements and even offer to help find some clean up help for them. We can't do any outdoor burning here and the city picks up leaves at the curb with a big "sucker truck" once a week during leaf season. A new problem we are facing, the city will no longer take other yard waste, such as twigs and pruned branches. They are going to start a big compost pile of several acres about 3 miles from us, but people who don't have pickups will have a problem. We have a small chipper and will get a bigger one, so what we have will go on my compost pile behind my garden shed. The city picks up Christmas trees and chips them to use as mulch on the city's landscape plantings. We also have "Clean Up Newark" days and the schools, scouts, etc. do a great job all over the area. It is a fine line between the person who grabs every leaf as it falls off the tree and the one who has pokeweed, poision ivy and ragweed hiding their house. Sometimes health and public safety issues can help solve problems.
We can still burn all our leaves and sticks right out in the ditches and front streets, alleys etc.
THAT is so nice to have the freedom of being able to do that. I agree that we have to be positive.. and I always also try to understand that things are usually NOT black and white.
To be honest.. I DO stand back sometimes and to myself grumble and gripe and say 'not too kind" things about the way someone has let their property go to pot. I say..." How in the world can people live in that mess, walk by it every day and NOT do something about it?"
Always have had the benefit of growing up and living in a clean house and nicely kept yard ( thank you Mama and Daddy) :-* that instilled in me the pride that I have for my possessions and property today.
But really~~~ living in a junk pile and filthy place just doesn't seem to bother some people. They don't "see" it! They were (sometimes and sometimes not) raised in that environment so it just doesn't bother them in the least.
Does it drive me absolutely crazy? YES! But then again.. how much can a group dictate over another............. :-\
This is a good discussion actually.. and it will be interesting to see in the future how a solution from those in charge will hold up.
How much can a group dicate.. well, I guess it depends on where you live. I live in a swim-tennis community just south of Atlanta, Georgia, and the community totally dictates EVERYTHING about the community. I can not change the color of my house or any portion of it, without written approval. I had a new front door installed last year. It took two months to get the approval to have it done, and then another month to have the color of the paint I selected approved. Also, I can not make any changes to the yard, such as cutting down a tree in the front yard that is dying, without getting approval.
While sometimes these rules and regulations can drive me crazy, what is nice is that the property values of our community have remained high. The community just down the road from mine, that was built the same year has no covenants and conditons, and it's not nearly as nice now. When I start to whine about our rules, all I have to do is drive a short distance and then I'm thankful that my neighborhood has remained a showplace.
Howard is a very pretty community... it would be great if everybody took pride in it and worked to keep it that way.
Quote from: Teresa on November 27, 2007, 09:45:42 AM
...To be honest.. I DO stand back sometimes and to myself grumble and gripe and say 'not too kind" things about the way someone has let their property go to pot. I say..." How in the world can people live in that mess, walk by it every day and NOT do something about it?"
I didn't mean to imply that I don't do the same thing... a lot...
I am working to improve myself, be more understanding and tolerant. I don't manage that real well yet, and I have a long way to go. ::) A very long way.
Joanna, I really like your profile picture. You are as cute as a bug. I wish everyone would put a profile photo on here, then we could "talk" to a person.
No. I want you to talk to the butt of my buffalo.
You ornery kid !!!1
Me No Talk to Buffalo Butt !!!
Why, Thank You, Jo. That's very nice! There aren't many bugs I consider cute, but I'll accept it as a compliment. Much better than a buffalo butt though, no doubt there. I suppose it's not so bad to talk to them, but you have to hope the answer comes out the other end!
Now we'd better be good or Ms. Monitor will have to get all over us 'cause I think I helped lead things off topic a while back somewhere. :-[
Wow - haven't been on for a few days and interested to see what has been posted - thank you Tobina for your positive comments and Rudy for your frankness. I personally think the unique aspect of the Elk Konnected process is the fact it is "grassroots" meaning coming from the citizens, not a govt entity. I am hopeful that from the Vision retreat some creative ways will come forward to deal with some of these issues. Teresa - you are right on about the city council having a tough job - it is a lot easier to sit on the outside and say what needs to be done then get in there and do something - we have some many regs already constricting us - I think the key is "community involvement and citizen engagement". Joanna is right that the Lions club has made strides to cleaning up some property. There is also a group of members from ea of the 5 city councils and the county govt working together to help with the abandoned houses, etc. The Elk Co Comm and Ed Fdn is also working on a project to help people paint their houses. Again the key is Citizen engagement - which I would like to see getting our school kids out to help - we have a lot of energy out there and if we and the kids can get together - we can turn this community around... Keep it positive....
I like Tobina's approach of "neighbor helping neighbor"...with their consent, of course. Many times people accumulate stuff because it's just too difficult (and sometimes expensive) to haul away, or they think "Oh, I'll use that for something later," etc. Terrell and I are packrats/scavengers too, but we do try to keep our "mess" under wraps. But there are some folks, especially the elderly or incapacitated, who simply don't have the energy or will to clean up the mess. It's probably as depressing to them as it is to everyone else. It's a mountain-high chore that is daunting, which is why it rarely gets done.
I agree that run-down homes and yard accumulation aren't the most attractive "welcome to the community" sights, but I don't think anyone visiting or passing through judges the whole town based on a few "bad apples." The two places that bothered me most on our first visit to Howard were the bank building and the old school -- neither of them on the highway through town. And as bad as they are, I still find the town to be one of the finest places in Kansas to call home....because of the PEOPLE.
Many kudos to the Howard Lions Club and any other group that works to improve the quality of life in Elk County. Once we get settled in as full-time residents, I intend to get involved in some volunteer activities, especially those that make life more pleasant for everyone. Anyone who knows me knows I"m not afraid of a little hard work...especially when the end result is so gratifying.
If the worst we can say about our community is that it's got some junky places, then we're blessed. Junk is a lot easier to handle than dope dealers, turf wars, etc. And I certainly DON'T want to ever live anywhere that I have to get someone else's approval for my property improvements.
Do you have clean up week and offer help to remove junk from the yards?
Howard has clean-up weekends twice a year - once in the spring and once in the fall.
For the last two events, people could call the city offices and say they had stuff to dispose of.
The Howard Area Lions Club helped the city workers and they picked up and disposed of people's stuff,
sometimes going into the houses and hauling it out for them.
What about a large item removal day? Refridges, sinks, etc that the trash pickup usually doesn't take? When I lived in KC, they had a day like that once a year (each part of town had it once every 2 years), and it was funny to watch people drive around neighborhoods and take what they wanted from curbs before the trash people came! Almost like a free garage sale, but large items!
I know the Lions picked up at least one refrigerator or freezer this last go-around.
It was in someone's basement, and they talked about the difficulty getting it up the stairs.
So they do take large items, but they were from a list from the city office.
Longton too has a pick up day or two,............I know there is one in the spring
that goes along with the Apprieciation Day that the school kids and their sponsors
donate to the town.
If I had to pick out a favorite time of year, it is when the school kids from preschool to senior class and any and
all adults who want to help....paint and fix up the town and cemetary and they go to Oak Valley and Elk City, too.
I do admit we are very lax when it comes to keeping streets and sidewalks swept off and there are a few places here that
the city is trying to get fixed up or condemned.........but, as with a few other problem this is just another one that
takes time and will be fixed in time.
A few times a year they park a huge dumpster up on main street and any who can bring all their heavy duty trash up there
and if you just call city hall, they will send someone to help you. (most of the time for free)
One of the reasons I love living here is that we can holler for help and we will get it some way and any who do help, don't mind at
all........isn't that nice.....!! and yes we have our pills, but that is just it, It (or they) are our pills and we
will deal with them when it is time.
If you don't like the looks of something just keep on driving by and ignore it. We all would get along better if that
happened.
God bless America (and us)
We have a city truck that will come pick up anything you can get to the curb. We just call the city and make arrangements. We've had a very nice change in how our trash is handled. The city provided big wheeled lidded cans that a "one man truck" picks up at the curb twice a week. The driver doesn't even have to step out of the truck. There is a clever grabber arm that encircles the can and flips the contents into the truck. I was skepitical at first but it has worked out very well. Isn't it nice when kids and adults come together to clean up and paint?
i HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT IF YOU WANT TO PARK A LOT OF CARS IN YOUR YARD, YOU SHOUD MOVE INTO A NEIGHBORHOODTHAT DOES THIS OR MOVE TO THE COUNTRY.
Just an update on where the Elk Konnected group has been - The vision retreat was held in Jan from people nominated at the community conversation (held in Oct). 50 people attended from the Elk Konnected area (which includes all of Elk Co and Severy). Those people were from all 6 towns and all 4 sides of the public square (Ed, Biz, Health & Human Services, Govt). That group came up with the 2018 vision and 5 action team assignments. The vision is Strong Families, Solid Education, Superior Lifestyle - STAY WITH US AS WE GROW!!! . The 5 action team goals came from the ideas generated at the community conversation and the interviews held. The action teams are:
+ Youth Development - establish a coordinated program in the Elk Konnected community
+ Physical Image - set up a community appreciation day to clean up our physical image (inc biz, city/co govt, civic groups, schools) that work together for each community and then grow so that each community can help other communities.
+ Community Wellness: Create the infrasture for a community wellness and enrichment network.
+ Community Standards: Establish standards in each community
+ Communication: Get a community wide publication of all activities and events to patrons.
Several of the forum's members are on these action teams. As of to date, I believe the actions teams have all met and the wheels are turning. I know that the Community appreciation day as tentatively been set for April 30 - hope all the locals can jump on this bandwagon - would be a great time to get our area cleaned up. Some of the topics discussed on this forum will hopefully be addressed by these action teams.
The steering committee is now tasked with raising another $7500 by July to fund the rest of this program. Any donors out there?????????
Liz, the Elk Konnected project offers hope for the future of Elk County. I truly believe that.
I'm supposed to meet with Barbara Clubine in the next few days to see how best our newspaper can fit into the picture. We are eager to help out.
Myself and Andrea Arbuckle are co-conveners for the Community Wellness group. Our inital goals are these:
Step 1) Create a small community center for each town - leading to the centralization of facilities.
Step 2) Research design, location, and funding for a centrally located facility in a rural location.
Step 3) Effectively communicate plans for the wellness & enrichment facility & fundraising activities.
We have people on our Action Team (notice, it's not a "committee") from local businesses, schools, health and human services, and government. Having opinions, educations, and skills from each of the "4 Town Squares" of the community will really help keep the goals in perspective, and will hopefully keep us moving forward.
I'm sure we will be having community discussions in the future to help guide us on our goals, but I'm inviting our Forum Friends to post with ideas, advice, and positive encouragement. Negativists, please steer clear.
Pam and Catwoman; I'm posting on this old thread so you can find it easier. This is the original thread about Elk Konnected that explains a lot about the program and what's going on.
Thanx :) Sounds like there are a lot of people interested in this. Are a lot of people from Severy involved? I sure hope so, Severy used to be such a good place to live and could be again with some involvement. We've been gone for about 9 years, there was still a grocery store and Knights was still in business when we left. Ervins was still a convenience store and Melvins was still open. I think Cobles was even still open. We haven't been back much the last few years, do you know what kind of stuff they are gonna try to do ?
Pam; there were quite a few people from Severy at the update meeting on Tuesday night. There are also many people on the Action Teams from all the towns, including Severy and surrounding area. We even had a couple members of the city council who joined after the CC meeting!
I don't want to speak for Severy, as I'm not as involved in there, but they did announce they are planning a very good Labor Day celebration this year! Also, the Elk Konnected community improvement group is going to be doing a cleanup day the weekend before, so everything should be looking in tip-top condition! It would be a great time to head back and visit the old stomping grounds, it sounds like!
What an interesting concept! I hope it continues to blossom and bear fruit.
That's really cool, Labor day used to be a VERY big deal. Everybody in town would be out mowin and cleanin their yards, makin things look nice because of all the people that would be comin to town. I'm glad they are tryin to get that back :)
This thread is also recommended reading for people interested in Elk Konnected.
Thank you, Wilma...We'll hope this answers the questions being asked currently.
Quote from: Catwoman on June 13, 2011, 07:43:56 PM
Thank you, Wilma...We'll hope this answers the questions being asked currently.
Like who actually owns & controls the Kansas state registered Elk Konnected, Limited Liability Company?
Don't think so. Sorry.
While this thread is interesting, it doesn't really answer the tough questions about taxpayer monies, private company uses of government resources, etc.
For interested residents, taxpayers & voters, the rest of the unanswered questions & 'conversation' are here:
http://www.cascity.com/howard/forum/index.php/topic,11780.0.html (http://www.cascity.com/howard/forum/index.php/topic,11780.0.html)
Over 9000 post in the last 48 days and counting. Why not be where the action is?
Quote from: Patriot on June 13, 2011, 08:26:52 PM
Like who actually owns & controls the Kansas state registered Elk Konnected, Limited Liability Company?
Don't think so. Sorry.
While this thread is interesting, it doesn't really answer the tough questions about taxpayer monies, private company uses of government resources, etc.
For interested residents, taxpayers & voters, the rest of the unanswered questions & 'conversation' are here:
http://www.cascity.com/howard/forum/index.php/topic,11780.0.html (http://www.cascity.com/howard/forum/index.php/topic,11780.0.html)
Over 9000 post in the last 48 days and counting. Why not be where the action is?
Yep, that would be the thread with the questions that haven't been answered the way you and Ross want them to be answered, if you want answers at all. After all, under-achieving zealots can't continue a fervent witch-hunt without a myriad of unanswered questions.
Quote from: flintauqua on June 13, 2011, 08:44:24 PM
Yep, that would be the thread with the questions that haven't been answered the way you and Ross want them to be answered....
Answered factually, truthfully and in plain sight? I'm for letting people make up their own minds.
Quote from: Patriot on June 13, 2011, 08:57:51 PM
Answered factually, truthfully and in plain sight? I'm for letting people make up their own minds.
And you won't be happy until they agree with your mind!