Here is my column that was in Saturday's paper.
I would appreciate any comments.
Now we have an opportunity.
Half the town is up in arms about the city's rejection of the TIF district that killed the Lowe's proposal before it got off the ground.
The response has been overwhelming on my blog. I've been doing the blog for six months. I have had more visitors, page views and comments, over the past three days than I have had the previous six months.
At first, the outrage against the "three amigos" was overwhelming, but lately the other side is starting to post.
"Three amigos" is a phrase that has been attached to the three who killed the proposal, Mayor Dotty Smith and commissioners Mell Kuhn and Scott Margolius.
Of course, proponents of the project are angry. And of course, the opponents are furiously defending the amigos.
The discussion has been good, though heated, and at times perhaps a bit beyond the boundaries of good taste.
But I still think it is a good procedure and a debate that needs to happen.
I do believe that all the commissioners were sincere. The "three amigos," as well as proponents Joel Hockenbury and Patrick McDonald, all did what they thought was right.
Only history will tell who is right, and I'll not be surprised if both sides are partly right and partly wrong.
But I have not seen this type of public outcry since I have been here. The annexation and foundation of Parkerfield, and the yard-parking fiasco don't even come close.
You can talk about who is at fault and who was right or wrong forever, but the big question is: Where do we go from here?
It's time to look beyond who is to blame and who knew what and when they knew it.
Now that we are all talking, it is time to get down to some serious debate - and find some solutions along the way.
Key to the debate is what kind of town we want. Another key is how to get there.
I'll be the first to admit I don't have any answers. I do think we need to be more creative and try new things. But beyond that and a music festival, I don't have any solid answers.
But that is OK.
But what I do have is a positive outlook and a belief that we as a city can solve most of our problems.
This latest controversy might just be the thing that could bring us together. It could also tear us apart and take us back 50 years.
That choice is up to us.
What we need now is to realize that there are good people on both sides, and assume that your worst enemy is at least sincere in his or her beliefs, however misguided.
Beyond that, we need to talk - and talk and talk.
That is where solutions are found. We also need to be willing to do whatever we need to do to make things happen.
The City Commission can do a lot, but they cannot make Arkansas City prosperous. That job is up to us, the citizens.
They have given us a spark. What will we do with it?
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37 comments:
You know, I have to wonder. If Lowe's or somebody else comes in any way, which is highly doubtful, did the commissioners possibly do right. I think not. Against the will of the people the commission voted down the opportunity to see what the possibilities are. There was no commitment necessary. This would have just opened the door to listen to the proposal. Whether or not we get another opportunity we know that the three amigos would not even take a chance to look. Or was it they didn't want us to see what the possibilities were? I hope we get another chance, but if any one else sees or hears how we treated this people they would think twice about even approaching Ark City.
James I think you and your paper are tearing this town apart with your political agenda, I understand your the editor of the paper, but for you to personaly use this media to spread your propaganda and own wishes is not what God had planed for you to do with your wizdom,,,,
I will not say which choice would have been correct in this delima of the BOx store, but i do say you and Satan are behind the destruction of brotherhood in this city.
I hope God is watching you as you continue to spread fire in this community,,,, WE do not belong to the same church
It is very apparent that James is in favore of the Box store and is useing his paper as a media to upset and confuse the citizens
I'm trying to figure out how trying to put out what few facts there are will tear the people apart. I have not seen james take a side. He has told about both sides. Now, on the other hand, if the only few facts out there don't suit your view, then maybe you should gather some more facts. Oh wait, the commission closed the door on hearing the rest of the facts. Nevermind.
hope God is watching you as you continue to spread fire in this community,,,, WE do not belong to the same church
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which column did you read ?
i am the one saying we need to all come together, and i have repeatedly said that i dont know which side is right.
i have noticed that when i dont present "facts" with a certain side's spin, they accuse me of not presenting the facts... and thats true for both sides.
a wise old editor once told me that if you make both sides mad, you're doing your job.
:)
thanks for the comments
j
Thanks James. I hope cooler heads prevail.
knightrules1
You state that the "key to the debate is what kind of town we want. This latest controversy might just be the thing that could bring us together. It could also tear us apart and take us back 50 years."
The vote by the city commission already took us back 50 years. They are clinging to the nostalgia of 1950's Mayberry. Whether they like it or not, the world has changed. For the same reason that we no longer have toaster repair shops, we cannot base our future on an outdated retail model.
I am sure that if you needed a buggy whip or a plow yoke for your mule, you really could find it at Bryant's Hardware. It is fun to go in there and remember simplier times. However, young people and outsiders will not view it that way. They will view it as old and backwards.
Many entities follow the lead of companies like Walmart, Lowe's, and McDonalds. It is as if they provide a "seal of approval" that the community has a future. If these multi-billion dollar companies see it as a good market, others will follow. This is how you generate growth.
To wait for industry jobs first is a sure way to die. We are not only competing with the hundreds of thousands of other small towns just like us, we are now competing with the Chinese and other growing economies. The only way to distinguish yourself is through a strong, talented work force.
The nostalgia of Byrant's Hardware and a downtown of similar stores is not going to carry much weight with workers who grew up with a multitasking mentality that want a myriad of options and instant gratification.
You might pine for those simplier times, but they are not coming back.
Pull your head out,, we are not saying we do not want lowes,, we do,, the fact is we do not want to pay 8 million to a delveloper to say OK lowes now you can build a store in ark city...
you are not set back 50 years, your mentality may be but the town isnt,, wake up people and understand that its not Lowes that is bad for Arkansas City,, it is the way that the deal was to be accomplished,, that is all that the commisioners voted on,, they did not say lowes is not welcome here and they did not say the door is shut, they just said if you want to rape our citizens go somewhere else,, be thankful that you have some good minds working for you
Lowe's had nothing to do with the $8 million. The Developer was looking to that to create a whole shopping center. Lowe's would have had to buy the property from the developer then pay full taxes with no return to them. Lowe's taxes (property and sale) were what was going to be used to develop the whole shopping center. A good part of that would have also paid for road improvements that YOU will now have to pay for without any help. Too bad all the facts didn't come out. Too bad people didn't pay more attention to the specific facts that did come out. Lowe's may or may not still come, but now we can't have a shopping center and we will have to pay for some of the improvements. Instead of hoping for a win/win, or even a partial win, we have now settled for a lose/lose. How excited will you be to hear that Lowe's comes to Winfield? We had an advantage, have we given it away?
You are naive to believe that any major business (and industries are going to be worse than retailers) will come to our city without a major INCENTIVE. If it costs $8 million dollars to develop a $40 million dollar shopping complex, that looks like a good deal to me.
I think it is wonderful that the community has this blog to express their opinions without being edited and "approved" before posting. There has been no name calling between posters, and no cussing and the only attacking I see is those attacking the editor, and you need to leave this blog. We don't need personal attackers here. So if you are going to be an attacker of the posters and editor, please leave this blog.
This is for mature people of the community that can debate and be civil. Just because people debate and have opinions doesn't mean they are being "torn apart as a community".
Many people do not come forward and express their opinions publicly, and being able to post anon. is wonderful.
If the commissioners would read the postings they would get a true insite of what people really think.
I praise you (editor James) for not editing this blog and "approve" listings first. It is refreshing to express my opinion.
I believe this debate is very helpful for all involved - both for and against the topic. I think both sides have probably learned a few things that they either never considered, or statistics that they didn't know about.
If you can't handle the debate, or want to personally attack posters or the editor please leave the board.
I understand your post and agree, i am sorry if it looked like an attack on James personally.
I was mearly addressing his profession as a christian in causeing such a deliberate chaotic chalice of our city leaders.
This paper must take responsibility for its malice in the community, simply provideing a outlet for debate dose not make you immune to cause and effect
I was mearly addressing his profession as a christian in causeing such a deliberate chaotic chalice of our city leaders.
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the cause of the malice is the vote, not us.
the malice would be there if there was no newspaper.
some people just like to shoot the messenger.
i believe what we are doing is good for the community.
would you rather everyone just stayed at home and never said anything ...
:)
Why do I have this feeling that those who are spewing venom on this blog are also smiling at others and wishing them a Merry Christmas? Don't you think God hears it all. Please folks, tone it down a bit. Our extremism, as in "It's gonna be the death of..." refences to someone being Satan, and the insistence that there is only one answer make us appear rather hillbillyish.
It is tragic that this small town can't get its act together and work together towards a common goal. Hey, we all voted for our commissioners and frankly, I think the best ones won. They are not stupid and they do not work in isolation. They studied the whole situation in great depth and then made their decision. Was it the right one? Only time will tell. But hey town, let's stop crabbing about all this and begin to work together on creative ways to help our town grow. And to those who are proposing a recall - if you think our town is split apart now, a recall vote will be much more destructive and with much more far-reaching implications. Folks, that's a dumb idea. Imagine recalling our leadership for every thing they do that some people disagree with. If that were to happen, we would never get anything done. Let's grow up, act like adults, and see what the alternatives are. Let's not allow this issue to fracture us any more than we already are.
There was a semi-serious comment from an employee at Bryant's saying they wanted a TIF. If these things are for blighted areas, then why not have them for the central business district?
Maybe we could get the corrugated metal off of the windows, the patio cover fiberglass off the facades, and make it where it would be easier to be a downtown merchant and more attractive for customers?
Maybe we could get the corrugated metal off of the windows, the patio cover fiberglass off the facades, and make it where it would be easier to be a downtown merchant and more attractive for customers?
>>>>
The downtown buildings have been talked about a lot by the commission at work session meetings.
A huge problem is that many are owned by people out of town who just plain dont want to spend any money fixing them.
But they do all get a huge tax break for any repairs they do make. So essentially, any improvement they make, they get as good of a deal as the developer would have gotten, but it would be called something other than a TIF.
Many of the people doing business do not own the building they are in. I dont know about Bryants.
But something does have to be done about the downtown area or we will be tearing down buildings in a few years.
The commission does plan to take up the issue "after the first of the year."
I would expect maybe by February.
People need to show up for that.
The commission will need lots of community support, because they will get plenty of opposition from property owners..
I'm not sure that the downtown qualifies for a TIF becuase all they need are improvements. Wear and tear on their own buildings that they should have kept up with.
They do qualify for the historic redevelopment. It is only a rebate on the improvements, just like a TIF. It is only 95% for 10 years and not 100%. They can put all of the rebate into their pocket, unlike the TIF which had to go back into the development.
That was the "level playing field" they were talking about.
The commissioners knew this. They just didn't want competition to affect this "level playing field"
The commissioners knew this. They just didn't want competition to affect this "level playing field"
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Commissioner Joel Hockenbury said this at a few meetings, and at the hearing i believe. If he didnt, he said it at the work session Monday night and it was in the paper Tuesday.
before the meeting
So most of the downtown buildings are owned by out of town developers?
Speaking as a very interested outsider who WAS about to relocate to Ark City, I'm quite appalled at the lack of forward thinking on the part of the local commissioners. Any city has choices in how to go about its future, to preserve the past, to embrace the future or to try and balance both.
Here, Ark City, by refusing to completely evaluate the future has chosen instead to be stagnant. It also has chosen to give Winfield tax money and jobs that could have been theirs instead. The situation is quite frankly one of, there WILL be a Lowes and it will be put in this general area. Along with that Lowes, will come jobs and tax revenue and other retail industry. No matter which city that Lowes goes to, local hardware stores in both cities will experience a reduction in business.
That is similar to what happened when Wal-Mart moved into the area. And while it is not something anyone looks forward to, it is a part of progress. Smaller businesses stay in business with the big discounters in their area by offering specialty items and services that are not a part of the standard Box store fare.
So, by choosing to not fully examining the situation from all aspects, the Ark City commission has given the Lowes' project to Winfield. I sincerely hope that other proposals for new business will continue to be brought to the area despite the treatment that the Lowes' project received.
In my opinion, an item of this magnitude should have been brought to the voters, not to those who might have a very vested interest in spinning the project one way or the other or those who have been insulated from the public's real perception by the cold weather and one sided propaganda. It is the voter's that put these commissioners in office, it is the voter's tax dollars, it is the voter's city, and it is the voter's future. The situation is not one of do we wish to offer a TIF to a business, that will be in our area, but one of, do we want this business in our area or in Winfield. If the desire is to get the business in Ark City and not Winfield, then everything else just falls into place.
Merry Christmas Winfield.
You are right, but Ark City has spent way too many years playing steal the flag with Winfield and vice versa.
It stands in the way of progress. Cowley County hasn't had any growth in the last 110 years and the "rivalry" may be one of the reasons.
Economic decisions should stand on their own merit and not on "what is/was Winfield doing".
Winfield already turned down this offer two years ago, what makes you think they are ready to pull their shorts down now!
My point is it shouldn't matter. If it is good for Ark City then do it, if not then don't. Winfield can take care of itself.
They studied the whole situation in great depth and then made their decision. Was it the right one? Only time will tell. But hey town, let's stop crabbing about all this and begin to work together on creative ways to help our town grow.
>>>>>>>
Excellent point.
wish you had put your name on it, its probably the best post so far.
where DO we go from here ?
it's up to us.
It would be nice to have a place to go, but our only offer was totally and completely rejected and humiliated. Another will come along in another 10 years or so I'm sure. Don't forget there are hundreds of other towns in Kansas alone fighting for these opportunities.
i really dont think lowes is the end - all.
If it had come it would not have been the savior, and it not coming is not the end of the world either.
What are your ideas ?
what can we do to make them happen ?
The issue is more about missed opportunities, representation and credibility than it is about Lowes.
Here is an idea.
How about we call up Mr. Rumree from Chillocothe. He stated that he was riding around with an Industrial developer when that developer asked, "where do you shop?". Simply ask Mr. Rumree for the name of this Industrial developer. Give that Industrial Developer the TIF and TDD and we will all be happy.
Now quit fighting with each other and have a Merry Christmas. Peace and Love to you all
TIF's are being used all over the nation for retail development!! It is the way of the future, and most communities are more than glad to give the TIF and receive the benefits. Why not Ark City?? Are our city commissioners not up on times enough to see what is happening nation wide? I agree, James that we need to move forward, but I don't see how we can while we have three on our commission who are NOT representing us. Get the recall vote going and then LET'S move forward! IF these three are allowed to dictate how TIF's will be used in our city, it will set us back so far, it will take years to get into a position where we can compete with other towns for any type of retail development!
Apparently these three commissioners run in different circles than the rest of the community. I don't know how they can be representing the people when it appears that the people were 3 to 1 in favor of it. Makes me wonder who had their ear. Not that it had to be anything improper, just that maybe they don't have a connection with all of the people of Ark City. The worst part is we found out much to late.
The issue is more about missed opportunities, representation and credibility than it is about Lowes.
>>>>
me:
thats an interesting point, and one that should be debated.
I am not sure that other developers will view it that way though.
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December 23, 2007 8:18 PM
Hometown Girl said...
Get the recall vote going and then LET'S move forward! IF these three are allowed to dictate how TIF's will be used in our city, it will set us back so far, it will take years to get into a position where we can compete with other towns for any type of retail development!
>>>>>
Me:
The call for a recall was interesting to me at first, just to see the dynamics at work.
I really dont think its a good idea though, it might fracture the community even more.
I believe you will have your chance at the ballot box...
in the meantime, start showing up at every meeting. and every worksession.
THey will move the worksession into the larger chamber room if people show up.
Its hard to say whether they represented the majority or not ... but if you show up at meetings and are heard , that will influence them in the long run.
>>>>>
Anonymous said...
Apparently these three commissioners run in different circles than the rest of the community. I don't know how they can be representing the people when it appears that the people were 3 to 1 in favor of it.
>>>>>
me:
I posted today the results of an earlier poll, late in november, with interesting results.
Then people were against the TIF...
Mr. Green,
May you have a most unpleasant New year. You helped to ruined ours.
ok, lets no get to bickering.
:)
its christmas, at least for a few more hours..
I am shocked by the vote against the TIF. A yes vote would not have sealed any deals but it would have given us a chance to move forward a really see what was going to be put on the table. As far as the arguments of the city commissioners they just really don't hold water. Dotty Smith's comments that it would bring people to the North of town but not down town is quite true but the reasoning behind her thoughts doesn't make sense. Do I go to down town Ponca when I go shopping or do I go to down town Wichita when shopping? Well of course I don't because there is nothing in there down town areas that attracts me on a regular shopping day. I go shopping with a purpose and I only go where there are merchants that can meet my needs (value, price, selection, and quality). Now I have on occasion visited the down town areas of both of the cities she mentioned but not while shopping. I visited because whatever business I was on during a given business day took me there. I also frequent down town Ark City for the same reason. When the course of personal or professional business takes me there I go. If I need expert advice on fixing something at home I go to Bryant's, if I want personal service and need expertise in medical supplies I go to Olen's. Why? Not because they are downtown but because they offer the type of service and product expertise I need at a value I can appreciate and a cost I can afford. If Mayor Smith wants people down town then she should not embrace the age old Ark City tradition of obstructionism, which has already crippled our community over the years, she should instead embrace the concept of bringing in business to the downtown area that offer the service, product, and value tailored to their local consumer base.
I also, want to address Mel Kuhn's comments about a monopoly. I want to compliment the good commissioner. I wish he would have been teaching while I was getting a Masters Degree is Business Law. Instead of studying government regulation of anticompetitive practices, reading over hours of antitrust cases, and trying to grasp the economic concepts Adam Smith brought forth in The Wealth of nations I just could have simply listened to a few moments of Commissioner Kuhn commenting on the effectiveness of regulating monopolies by shutting any business which has aggressive strategies for growth based on sound business principles out of your community. The arrogance of a City Commissioner asserting that he is preventing a monopoly by denying an avenue of entry for any business is dumbfounding. Running for congress anytime soon Commissioner?
And it would be remiss not to mention that while there is all of the fuss over voting down the TIF the infinitely wise city commissioners are missing the the holy grail of economic development in any rural community and that is the development of a manufacturing and service base consisting of home grown small business. Where is this all important part of the Commission's so called "economic strategy"? If it exist I would like to here about it. What have they been doing to grow small businesses in the city other than engage in a practice of protectionism?
I concede that it is not attractive to offer incentives to bring business to town but let's all check into reality that's the way business is done today or it is rarely done at all and unfortunately the less you have to offer in the way of social, economic, and recreational amenities to attract businesses the more you have to put up to get the businesses to come to your community. The Commission needs to grab a clue in a hurry the next election is in 2009.
Has anyone checked to see how PONCA got their Lowe's? I'd be interested to find out what kind of incentives they may have give. Doesn't really matter. They went to Ponca first so our Commissioners wouldn't want them anyway.
John... you had me right up until you used "here" instead of "hear". But then again, I don't have a Masters Degree. I agree totally with what you said, it's just funny that in an editorial where you speak of your high education, you made a fifth grade grammatical error.
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