On the evening of Christmas Day, I thought about the big box flap and where we might go from here.
We can argue about who is at fault, who was right or wrong, until the cows come home and it wont matter much. Even if someone is proven wrong, they wont admit it anyways, so we might as well move on.
Now is the time to get something going. We have some energy going, it just needs to be channeled in a positive direction.
Sometimes i get off on some wild tangents on the internet, and sometimes it leads to ideas. Many ideas never see the light of day, but some do, like the music festival last fall.
I do have a dream for Arkansas City. It might be considered strange, but if you take into account our very early history, it isn't.
The first part of my dream started last fall with the music concert on the levee. The River of Life Music Festival was a great success thanks to help from a whole lot of people - nearly all Arkansas City people by the way, who just helped out as needed.
A lot of people also helped out with money.
We are already planning next year.
I would like to have a few more people on my inner committee to work from about the first of February on it.
I hope to build up the music festival, and perhaps to even add some other musical performances during the year. I hope to pull off something small in the Spring - just a basic indoor concert.
The festival itself will likely be the first weekend in October next year.
But thats not set. If you would like to get involved, get in touch with me.
The second part would be another type of entertainment - story telling.
I believe we could have a story telling festival here. This is a big trend that is growing nationwide.
There are festivals all around us - Oklahoma,Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa for goodness sakes, Colorado etc.,
But not many in Kansas.
Soooooo we have a chance to get in on the ground floor.
Some might laugh - some laughed at the music festival last fall., but consider ...
Branson, Missouri was a junky little town with nothing much going for it 20 years ago.
The Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield wasn't much 35 years ago.
The site of the International Story Telling Championship - Jonesboro, Tenn., was a town of 1,000 people with a bypass and nothing at all happening there 25 years ago.
So why can't we do that here ?
where will we be in 25 years ?
Thoughts anyone ?
james
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To the Stars with Conflict. 1958
Big city developers cause conflict in rural Kansas town with tempting land deal. In order to bring the town together, local editor puts on a Grand Ole Opry Hoedown in old man Johnson's barn. Town Commission makes New Years resolution to pay attention to townspeople and all is back to normal. Zany Danny Kaye plays Jimmy Joe, Leslie Caron as Jessie, Walter Brennan as old man Johnson. Jimmy Stewart in a special cameo performance as wizened southern newspaper editor. Also Benjy as adorable little dog nobody can resist.
Black and White. Fiction
Turner Movie Classics 3:00 AM Sunday.
was this on last sunday ?
or coming sunday?
Glad you can take a joke. ;)
Keep up the good work.
That was fiction. The reality is: people were disappointed because they were under the false impression that we live in a democracy. If they'd realized we live in a Republic, it might have been easier for them to accept the decision that was made. This might help you: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_was_the_Founding_Fathers'_position_on_direct_democracy
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_was_the_Founding_Fathers'_position_on_direct_democracy
http://wiki.answers.com/
Q/What_was_the_Founding_
Fathers'_position_on_
direct_democracy
http://www.laissez-fairerepublic.com/RepVsDem.htm
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Possibilities
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Possibilities
In order to have a recall, it will take three registered voters to do the paperwork. I am curious as to if anyone has picked up the appropriate form from Karen Brooks? I have read several times that individuals were willing to sign the paper but I did not read that anyone has actually started the paperwork. Furthermore, I would like to know what the crime is that these three have committed? Essentially, the recall brings legal charges against them. Do we have anything that would stand up in court? Please let me know if any of you have the form, what your intentions are, and if there are any other possibilities to resolving this issue with our city commissioners. It is not enough to just complain, if you don't like what is happening take action. Do something about it. Get involved in the City Commission Meetings, vote, attend local party meetings, support candidates, or run yourself for office. I know I do not plan to stay by watching. I plan to take action. Let me know if you are willing to go with me.
Posted by LaVeta at 1:41 PM 0 comments
Labels: big box, city, commisioners, Lowes, recall
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I like LaVita's call to action ...
I dont think a recall would work because none of their actions could be considered illegal.
but LaVita is right in that action needs to be taken if you want to make change
The debate between democracy and republic is a good one :)
You're right. A recall won't work. We just have to realize we are in for a downhill slide for the next 4 years. There is no hope folks. These commissioners don't know and don't care. We started to move forward and they put a screeching halt to it and made sure no developer would try that again. Tighten your belts. Nothing new is coming, nor is it welcome by our commissioners.
I'm still curious who these commissioners represented. Is it just 2 or 3 small businesses downtown? Or did they think they were saving us from ourselves? I'm still thinking about the polls, the petitions and the hearing. Who could yell loud enough to be heard over the majority? Somebody had to have some pull. Guess it's not us everyday people, is it?
My dream for Christmas would be to shop in Ark City. I can't afford the gas, and I can't find everything I need, though I do try.
Maybe some day the businesses downtown will let someone else in and we can all be a little better off.
Just not during this commission.
Curious, Mayor's quote in the paper tonight "An increase in sales tax and a TIF district -- we knew what that would bring; it would not be good for the city," she said.
It would harm small town merchants downtown, particularly hardware and lumber stores, she said. "I think it would increase the number of people coming to the north end of town, but not downtown."
I am curious if the Mayor and the other two would have voted the same way if it would have been a Barnes and Noble or a Borders. It is obvious to me that voted against a Lowes. I believe they voted this way because of pressure from a few downtown merchants.
Patrick is correct the tif and tdd were not for lowes! It was for the developer to develop the area to bring in other retail. I am sure it is frustrating Patrick, because nobody seems to be listning to the facts. Hang in there!
It is amazing how quickly our citizens forget about the general trustworthiness and good-nature of developers. Wasn't it only a couple of years ago that the wonderful fellows came looking to help improve the Dexter area? That would have been wonderful for Ark City. Maybe we should go back to the ones who were just here and let them know we have another project for them to look into. I bet they'd be interested. Or, maybe you can read about it here and see another example of how they tend to operate: http://www.opinionjournal.com/la/?id=110011006
How does the city of Freeport TX taking eminent domain of a private shrimp dock have anything to do with a TIF, Lowes, or anything about Ark City.
Were these developers involved? Or are you saying that all development is bad?
Does anyone remember that the new shopping center got a tax break? Why isn't that a problem to the building owners downtown?
I say again. I am not against Lowe's or any other company that wants to locate in Ark City.
I am against developers who want to profit from the people who live here with no guarantee of return on the monies they extract from us.
Show me a contract between Lowe's and the developers, which catagoricaly states that Lowes's will locate here and remain her until the monies fronted are recouped through property taxes or sales taxes or what ever means they are going to use to repay us.
Just my .02. fuel for the fire.
I have been trying very hard to stay out of this, but the last post is asking a question that has been answered over and over.
Lowe's was willing to sign the agreement and a formal proposal offered as the next step if the area was set as a redevelopment district. Part of the proposal in the next step was a signed contract with an opening date, contingent on approval of the negotiated TIF and or TDD. It didn't come out because we didn't get to the proposal. A second anchor tenant would have been named at the same time or shortly after.
This process takes several steps. The previous commission had been working on this for a year before the new commissioners came in and I don't know that they ever got up to speed on the details.
James Jordan has information from the first TIF work session back in March of this year. It also provides further details... if we can get him to share it. I know he has it because I gave him my copy just yesterday.
OK, I'm going back to just watching again.
Patrick McDonald
James Jordan has information from the first TIF work session back in March of this year. It also provides further details... if we can get him to share it. I know he has it because I gave him my copy just yesterday.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Patrick is right
ill try to get some of that on here. im not sure there is anything on there that hasnt already been out in the public.
Hope patrick keeps posting ..
j
You're right. A recall won't work. We just have to realize we are in for a downhill slide for the next 4 years. There is no hope folks.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
THIS is our real problem, the biggest problem we have.
naysaying, pessimism and negativity.
That atitude does kinda tick me off.
I challenge you, mr, or ms. naysayer, to get off your behind and do something :)
and dont give me any excuses.
For the record, I never said a recall would not work. I believe it is possible. All we have to do is get the right information and show how the commisions decision has adversley affected our community in a harmful manner. It can be done if enough people will stop being hot headed and start fact-finding. Do your reserch and prove legally that what they did was wrong. The majority of those who were at that meeting said they were for the City tqaking the next step in a five step process. The majority of the people want change and stated they wanted new business even if it competed with downtown merchants. For years, I have heard the Chamber and others talk about keeping our money local. The commissioners voted against this concept when they voted no. Furthermore, the city received a grant which is funded by tax payers for the downtown renovations. This was to make Ark City more attractive. Everyone said they wanted to attract new business but no one wants to pay the price to get new business. It takes money to make money. A recall is possible, we can get the information we need and we can make a difference.
Recall or not, where is the personal integrity of the Commissioners?
It's OK for them to make a mistake. Everyone is human. But in light of the controversy, they have individual responsibilities to make certain that what they did is what the residents of Ark City wanted. If this means a poll or a vote, then so what?
Those who would say that it is because of democracy versus the republic or that Ark Citians aren't smart enough to understand the bigger issues and the Commission is protecting them from themselves are totally wrong. If there are bigger issues, reveal them and let the residents decide if they are important or not. They are smart enough to know what they want for the future of their town.
If the support for the development is not the majority, then fine... let the chips fall where they will. But the Commissioners should find out conclusively, one way or the other.
They are neighbors who were elected to run the city as the residents want it. They should do their job.
James, I applaud you for trying to get people to move forward. Unfortuantely, it seems everyone is stuck in this name-calling, blame-placing state of mind. I was (and still am) for this development, but the vote was made, and it's done. From what everyone has said, there doesn't appear to be anyone making a move to try a recall.
Fine, let's move forward. We all want the same end results - a prosperous Ark City - and we all have different ideas about how to get there. Let's hear those ideas, let's talk about tomorrow and next year, and try to move forward from 2 weeks ago.
If we all took this negative energy and used it to generate ideas, and share our opinions with our elected officials, then maybe we could come together and make things happen. I, for one, want to hear what ideas my fellow citizens have. I also have been trying very hard to see what plans our commission has. So far, there isn't much.
Come on, Ark City, get up and get involved. Stop complaining and calling each other names, and blaming the Traveler for what has/has not happened. As long as there are people in this town who care about each other as well as the town itself, we aren't dead yet!!!
The negativity isn't from the people, it is about our commissioners. They could not see enough positive in this venture to work towards more information. They did not want it and they didn't care what it was.
The problem is, with that kind of mindset, how can we move forward? We have no way of determining what they may or may not approve of in the future. Right now it appears they are against progress, but possibly only specific types of progress.
How do you create a positive attitude when you know that leadership has no interest in (to avoid opinion) possible positive movement? Has no interest in finding out about possible positive movement.
Do something, do anything, but move ahead NOW. Hopefully before the commissioners find out about it and put a stop to it.
f we all took this negative energy and used it to generate ideas, and share our opinions with our elected officials, then maybe we could come together and make things happen. I, for one, want to hear what ideas my fellow citizens have. I also have been trying very hard to see what plans our commission has. So far, there isn't much.
Come on, Ark City, get up and get involved. Stop complaining and calling each other names, and blaming the Traveler for what has/has not happened. As long as there are people in this town who care about each other as well as the town itself, we aren't dead yet!!!
>>>>>>>>>>
me
AMEN,
there are lots of things we can do without the commission's approval.
This is what I want for Christmas. Read for yourself:
http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/elections/applications/ks_recall_petition.pdf
I'm sure there is a "failure to perform duties prescribed by law" in this mess somewhere, if just turning something down that could have been beneficial to the city and community.
You people on here have no ideas. Why should the commission have any better than your none? Heck, why would anyone share any ideas at all when all you do is ridicule the ideas of others but offer none of your own.
Uh... I think the idea is to approve the Lowes.
You people on here have no ideas. Why should the commission have any better than your none? Heck, why would anyone share any ideas at all when all you do is ridicule the ideas of others but offer none of your own.
>>>>>
I have ideas.
Maybe we should create a new blog for ideas.
The hard part is executing the ideas though.
Here are a few.
Music festivals.
Story telling festivals.
More festivals period.
Re-invent the city behind a theme.
Ex: Helen Georgia converted itself from a small southern hick town into a barvarian village which has become a major tourist attraction.
Jonesboro, Tenn., was an afterthought passed by a bypass until it became the center for story telling. now it hosts the international story telling festival which draws thousands. usually sold out 3-4 months in advance.
Ex: Branson, MO... what was it 20 years ago ..
We could become an entertainment center ... we already have casinos in the area, which can be used.
Work with oklahoma people there, as well as winfield with the walnut valley festival and country roundup ..
to make the AREA a regional entertainment center.
Ark City could have its own festivals ..
centered around music and other entertainment.
what do you think ?
You might be right, and it might help. That should be worked out through our Tourism department. I think one of the commissioners is in charge of that, but not sure.
On the other hand, when we do have a festival, all the shops downtown close up and put up signs turning people away. Ever try to find a restroom during Arkalalah? It would make no sense to have festivals unless we are all willing to work for it. Downtown stores have to change their ways. We can't let them keep us from the future and keep us from growing. Maybe that was what the big box idea was all about. Keep from turning people away....
That should be worked out through our Tourism department. I think one of the commissioners is in charge of that, but not sure.
>>>>
Scott (dont spend any money) Margolius is on the tourism board.
But ...
THIS shows a problem.
The tourism dept can help, but they need someone with an idea ...
we cant expect govt. to do it cause they wont.
the city provides basic services and that is it.
it is up to us to make it happen.
On the other hand, when we do have a festival, all the shops downtown close up and put up signs turning people away. Ever try to find a restroom during Arkalalah? It would make no sense to have festivals unless we are all willing to work for it. Downtown stores have to change their ways. We can't let them keep us from the future and keep us from growing. Maybe that was what the big box idea was all about. Keep from turning people away....
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