I am encouraged by the skateboard coalition. Just that they are organizing and trying to make something happen.
They tried a year or so ago and faded away. That's ok. Its cranking up again, and that is what matters.
It may take a few tries.
I think too often in Arkansas City, we are able to define problems, but do not do as well at finding solutions. Maybe we are not even defining the real problem. Maybe we don't even know what the real problem is.
It is similar to the rivers, which were also being discussed in yesterday's blog.
We all want more river access, and we all realize it is a problem. We just don't seem to know what to do about it.
Im seeing the skateboard "problem" as the same issue as the river "problem."
Both are real issues, but there may be underlying issues. We need to see that just complaining and further defining the problem - is not the answer.
We are starting to see some movement in searching for a solution to the skateboard issue.
That is encouraging.
Some people are taking charge and being leaders.
We need that to happen with the rivers as well.
The problem we have is one of leadership. Leaders are emerging on the skateboard issue. We are still waiting for river leaders to show up.
I believe that is te real problem regardless of the issue.
Who is willing to take a chance.
Who is willing to achieve great things?
I was reading about the history of Oklahoma City's downtown development. It is a very cool place now. It was terrible in the 70s. Here is the thing. This guy had a dream. His dream was to create trails for horseback riding in an otherwise dilapidated area.
There are no horse trails there now. His idea failed. Just never worked out.
But, he never dreamed there would be what is there now.
Something to think about?
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43 comments:
What ever happened to the Main Street Association?
http://mainstreetassociation.com/pdf/join.pdf
Link to Application
As far as I know, it it never got started.
I am not originally from here, but have been told many times by many people that the rivers are very polluted. How true is this? Any links to sites that report this kind of thing?
I don't think they are any more polluted than any other river.
I've heard that too, but have not seen any evidence.
There may be some runoff from farms using chemicals an so forth.
We don't have a major polluter in the area that I'm aware of, such as a chemical company or whatever.
I lived in NYC for a few years and boated on the east river many times. I also worked with an environmental company that tested the water once a week. If that water is safe I don't see how our rivers could have that much of a problem.
I have not tested the water here
Feb. 11
4:18pm,
waterdata.usgs.gov
or
ks.water.usgs.gov/Kansas/rtqw/
You may have to dig around these sites to find what you are looking for.
The Arkansas River is very safe from Oxford on south, Water cleans itself every 30 feet of flow in a sandy bottom river,
The Arkansas River is one of the cleanest natural rivers in the state of Kansas, those who constantly profess knowledge of pollution in the Arkansas River are spreading that cycle of rumors for their own personal vendetta.
If you are worried about pollution in a near by water, you need look no further than the Veterans Pond, why the Veterans would connect them selves to a toxic Superfund leaching field is beyond me, however it sits directly south of one of Kansas 2nd largest toxic Superfund sites, and is in direct correlation of under ground flow within the water table.
I assure you the Arkansas River at the Arkansas City location is very safe, one must be cautious from ingesting water within 300 feet below the Chestnut bridge as the Outfall line from the North Slaughter plant dumps its treated waste water at this location.
Fish and other aquatic life are safe to eat if washed and cleaned properly, the Arkansas River supplies five runs of Fish a year and is one of the very best Fishing rivers in the state of Kansas with many record catches to its name. soon to come are spoon bill making their run from Kaw lake up stream to spawn SHHHhhhhh this is a secret
first 2 weeks of March
White bass
Striped Bass
Wiper
2 week of April to late May
Walleye
Late may to late July
Channel cat
Blue cat
1st week of July - August
Flat Head
September brings the 2nd run of white bass
White bass
Stripe bass
here is the evaluation looks clean to me
http://www.kdheks.gov/tmdl/la/ArkCitySulf.pdf
Designated Uses:
Special Aquatic Life Support; Primary & Secondary Contact
Recreation; Domestic Water Supply; Food Procurement; Ground
Water Recharge; Industrial Water Supply Use; Irrigation Use;
Livestock Watering Use for Main Stem Segments
I can remember when Rodeo Meats used to dump in the Arkansas. It stank to high heaven.
Good fishing discussion there.
If any of you who are knowledgeable about hunting and fishing would like to write a regular column about hunting and fishing, get in touch with me.
jj
Feb. 11
7:06 pm,
When I was searching info on Arkansas City before moving here, I used USGS as a cursory search tool. It gives an overview of water quality in each state.
Good water, great rivers.
[especially compared to where I came from]
The EPA/Superfund/NPL site has changed since I used it last. I remember the refinery being listed and status as final. This time I did not see it listed. Only the Ark City dump issue [final listing as well].
I have found that the EPA site doesn't always list everything.
Is there another site that has the info you are speaking of? [leachate in the pond?]
All the searches I did before moving here didn't turn up anything major or bad, so I didn't look into anything further.
Nothing new though, there are things from where we lived before that should be listed somewhere, but isn't.
What sites would you suggest for someone looking to move here that might be interested in these things?
Thanks for the fish report as well!:}
People fish at the Veterans Lake Pond a lot.
I used to fish Veterans Lake a lot. Not so much lately. Are the fish safe to eat?
Maybe I'm glad I never caught anything there?
I've had the pleasure of catching white bass on the Grouse when they are running, but have never tried the Arkansas. Thanks for the tip!
I will write for you but I will need $40 per published article. and $25 for each published Photo.
I would like a weekly spot 3x6 to cover hunting and fishing as seasons occur.
I would cover all fishing and hunting seasons,the section would also have a facts portion along with license information, public hunting areas,fishing areas schools and programs for the sportsman/
would also like to do larger stories and articles when record catches and big game season occurs
may we read a sample? We can vote like American Idol
Would you have run-on sentences the length of paragraphs in all articles?
February 12, 2009 6:21 PM
A joke- It's normally good to put your name on a job application.
Joking aside I like your enthusiasm and self confidence.
Yea i like the confidence too.
Give me a call.
I need to at least know who you are :)
jj
442-4200
JJ
I challenge you to open your blog up to the posters tommarrow.
Valentines Day. Asked them to define "love" What is it to them?
On a day set aside to celebrate the virtues of "LOVE" with all its hype, money and advertising. What is it that keeps some couples together for a life time and others still searching? Why can some people love even when faced with evil?
What say you JJ?
Great idea
ill do it.
What if I let saturday be a "open" day .. meaning everyone write about whatever they want.
Or, You all could send me topics and i could pick one from what you all send.
What does everyone think?
Mel Kuhn for President. No wait we already have an idiot in that office.
Bush gave the citizens of the USA $600, and Obama's wifey pooh said it would only buy one pair of earrings. Now Obama wants to give me $15 to $20 per check. That is truely a slap in the face. Now my children get to pay for a socialist program that I feel most americans do not want. Almost 2 trillion dollars now since bailing out the banks and now giving away more money to stimulate the economy. How does $20 bucks stimulate anything but the stockholders of Wal-Mart or the indian casinos?
I really do not like Obama, I have tried to give him a fair shake, and he has already lied to the citizens. That only took 2 months in office...it's going to be a great 4 years!
Got to Time.com and click on the most e-mailed to see the following:
25 People to Blame for the Financial Crisis
The interesting thing is the timeline for the financial melt down started back in the early
1990's.
They have a place where people can vote 1-10 on the persons perceived guiltiness.
The results are rather interesting!
"That only took 2 months in office"
Wow you really gave him a fair shake, ay.
Inauguration was Jan. 20th today is Feb. 13th by my calculations that is less than 1 month. He inherited a gigantic mess and you write him off less than 1 month after he takes the oath... wow... yup... that is definitely a fair shake.
You can certainly be critical of him/his policy, (which hasn't even technically been put in effect BTW or that Bush put through the original stimulus) but don't pretend that you were ever going to give him a fair shake...
Why is everyone so caught up in the Dem vs. Rep battle? From what I see, it is tax payers vs. politicians, corporate greed AND non-tax payers. As more and more are sent over to the non-tax payers catagory, I see that we are greatly out-numbered. Sad thing is that I believe most tax payers do not give a damn, or are just now starting to wake up and realise what's going on. Too bad we are just a few hours from it being too late. I can not believe we are just sitting back as a nation and letting it happen. When are we going to take our country back?
Great point
I sure hope the outdoor sports guy gets THE JOB i really enjoy reading about stuff like that
is what he asking a reasonable amount or should he get more? $160 a month sounds kinda cheap
He has not called me yet.
Why do we assume it's a guy?
i will call monday, i have been busy the last few days looking for deer sheds, i found a nice 12 point today just west of the city, this is a great way to get the family interested in nature, Deer shed their antlers each late feb to mid March, we are even getting stories of sheds being found on north 8th street,, go figure urban deer, i will call jj monday
I don't consider killing helpless wildlife family entertainment. Although there is a lesson to be learned about people who do. Just my opinion, I'm sure I am in the minority.
finding deer sheds isn't killing animals, this happens naturally,
Without hunters and fishermen paying fees and for licenses there would be no protection for wild animals, Hunters do not necessarily enjoy killing either but it is one of the necessary evils of population control and is whither you agree or not a natural human instinct, we are hunters and meat eaters, if you chose to change do so for yourself and enjoy, but leave others the ability to practice cultural traditions
Better read better before complaining , he said finding deer sheds, this is when the male bucks antlers fall off in the forest, i do not see why this could not be family entertainment like hunting for mushrooms,,,, maybe we will have a save the mushroom foundation started LOL, don't pay any attention to that crack pot, its just someone wanting to start trouble normal Ark city mentality
Yeah, we have a hunter-gatherer history, but recently these things called grocery stores have started popping up. Our ancestor's ancestors were hunter-gatherers by nature. We are not. At one time people were all nomadic, so when are you leaving? Your logic, not mine. Ark City mentality indeed.
And although that particular post did not speak specifically to hunting (killing), his earlier one did. I cannot think of anything less challenging or more unfair than hiding quietly in an area where wildlife is known to flourish, and snuffing it out when the opportunity arises. Hopefully it will be not be placed in the sport section, more appropriately would be with the obits or crime column.
That kind of reminds me of a response I heard from someone regarding the hunting/killing of deer.
They were against it very vocally until they hit one with their car.
They were responsible for the deductable on their insurance.
How quickly they changed their mind. Those killed by hunters probably suffer less than the ones hit by vehicles. Except where they get put down by law enforcement at the accident scene.
BTW: Nature isn't very merciful when it comes to survival. But left to itself it is usually extremely efficient!
Deer don't have that many natural
predators in this area they can reproduce to the extent their is
plenty of food. The other issues are inbreeding, and disease.
The field mice will eat the sheds if their not picked up after they are dropped.
I suggest doing some research on "chronic waisting disease". This is what happens when deer are left to over-populate an area.
I liked your comment about "hunters-gathers". I heard a story once on the radio about Australian Aboriginees who were brought into modern civilization and given "fast food" and grocery store dining. Shortly after, they began experiencing heart problems and diabetes. When we as a people quit hunting and gathering, we lost the natural diet we were intended to eat and lost the exercise involved in retrieving our food. Hunting, fishing and farming was how we were intended to live. Sorry.
When we as a people quit hunting and gathering, we lost the natural diet we were intended to eat and lost the exercise involved in retrieving our food. >>>
...
Interesting point.
We have all the modern conveniences, but in some ways we are not nearly as healthy.
How crazy is that we have to pay to go somewhere to exercise instead of getting exercise naturally through work.
"Sometimes i think we have advanced,
but then i look at where we are... "
Quote from Larry Norman.
Its nice getting PAID to exercise! :}
My husband wishes he could get paid to hunt. :)
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