Did you see the story in the Traveler this week about the tourist group from Wichita that came to Arkansas City for a day trip?
With all the Thurber trial coverage, it might have gotten lost, but it was on the front this week.
They had a good time and enjoyed their day here.
All those naysayers who are always running the city down should pay attention to this.
The tour group is interesting. Its called a "mystery" tour. A couple in Wichita runs the group, and takes people on a "mystery" tour 3-4 times a year. You go somewhere in Kansas for the day.
We have made a lot of daytrips in Kansas, and there is a lot to see and do.
Some of the people said they would like to come back. They were given schedules of events coming up, such as festivals.
Also, yesterday I was meeting someone for lunch downtown. I was running late. It was only 2 blocks, but since I was late I took my car. Here is the weird thing. There was not a single parking spot available on that block - were Bricks is - or on either side street of the block.
So I ended up parking almost as far away as I would have if I had just walked to start with.
The downtown does get busy at times.
Hardly sounds like the ghost town some want to make it out to be.
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The mystery tour thing is interesting. A good way to bring visitors to Ark City.
As for parking, it has been gotten progressively worse since the overhaul of downtown, and the city not putting the limited parking (2-3 hour) signs back up. I work downtown, and I still park behind the buildings along First street where I am suppose to, but I know many of the spots are being taken up by people who work downtown. You see the same cars there everyday, day in, day out. We use to have a metermaid. Maybe we should bring her back. Before downtown was fixed up, any time she came around, half the staff would disappear for awhile, moving their cars along A Street or First Street.
We can't have people shop downtown when all the street parking is used for employee parking. I can see the whole length of Downtown Summit from where I work, and the amount of parked cars is not consistent with the number of people walking around.
LOL!
"I have been saying since the beginning. And the chief has been saying.
This is a request for payment it is not a bill.
The city is basically sending it to the insurance companies (The company is sending it for the city) to see if they will pay it. Some do. Some send the bill on to the customer to see if they will pay it.
It is the insurance company that sends it on to people.
No one wants to accept the fact that they do not have to pay for it.
It will not go on your credit report and cant be taken out of your taxes.
Those are the facts."
Yes. Those are the facts.
But billing people for something they don't have to pay and representing it as something the "collection agency" will take further action on is a violation of federal laws. It is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, title VII of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C. sec 1692, et seq).
Specifically it is a violation of sec 1692(e)" False or Misleading Representations" which prohibits debt collection while misrepresenting the nature of a debt, ie.: that it is a "bill" to be collected, but in "fact... they do not have to pay for it".
There is plenty of indication from other cities and from bills that have been received from our neighbors that CRC does very aggressive and threatening collections on these "bills" and in no way represents it as a voluntary payment or indicates the billed person has the right to respond or dispute the bill (also a violation of FDCPA).
This is a "strict liability" law that doesn't require actual damages to be shown, but if the collector is shown to violate the law (which is each and every time that CRC sends out a bill), the complainant can receive damages of $1000 plus attorney fees from the violators.
Ark City is aware of the fraudulent billing. Remember the Police Chief said (and it was published, a matter of public record) that it would be billed but wasn't something that needed to be paid, and that CRC would be sending out 2 or 3 collection letters and that he was reviewing a bill because he thought it was too much (even though he says it didn't need to be paid). All a matter of public record.
Because Ark City is aware of what is going on and is in fact a part of the process, they can be sued just as if it was the City that was sending the fraudulent bills.
That is why Stowe, Ohio had an emergency session to return all of the money. In the form for refund they have a waiver requiring the release of liability for the city of Stowe.
There have been 55 bills sent out. AC has collected $3,500. It appears that all anyone needs to do to prove a violation of the FDCPA is present one of these "bills" that doesn't disclose that it does not need to be paid, whether they paid it or not.
Bang. That gets you $1000 plus attorney's fees. Now that people know about it, it may actually happen.
It seems at this point Ark City could be liable for much more than their collections from CRC.
Why did Stowe react? The first person filed a suit and they realized they were sitting ducks, not only for those who had paid, but also for all those who had not paid, but were just billed.
If the paper would quit being an apologist for the ACPD and City, you would see what Ark City is doing.
It is time to stop it before it blows up. The first thing is to make certain everyone who gets "billed" also receives a letter from the police department informing them that the bills are voluntary. Then make nice with the people who have been billed in the past. It's not too late.
The attorney general should be giving us an opinion very soon.
2 blocks and you drove your car?? Sheesh.... It never ceases to amaze me how people jump in their car no matter how short the distance.
And apparently people are too lazy to walk around a block, too. Unbelievable.
Downtown isn't even that large... you don't even need a metermaid with a little car just someone who walks the beat.....
Yea i know, There's no excuse for that.
Thought it would be faster.
It’s never faster to walk to blocks when you have to stop at three stop lights. Businesses owners downtown need to get their employees in check. Most of the cars on summit are workers. I know the girls at the Haiport park on the street. The Gambino’s delivery driver parks their truck on summit; I've even seen the owners. My favorite is when the owners of Gambino's park in the Handicap loading zone. They aren't handicap nor is that a legal parking spot. Do they get a ticket? I've also seen the Sparks park on summit. They own a parking lot in back, with an entrance in back.
The city needs to put the 2 hour parking signs back up. I also agree that they do not need someone driving a little car to check. Walking is alot cheaper and since it cost the city $600 for a police car to work an accident for 15 minutes. It sounds alot more economical.
If the AG says it is unlawful will he too be a boo bird?
Off topic: Downtown does has its own nice amenities and unique culture. Coworkers in Kay County used to speak of driving to AC and going to Bricks to graba bite and say hello to friends.
I used to talk up Browns but kind of backed of since their talk of leaving town. Graves offers a nice and diverse inventory and cheap dining.
Grinder Man is an underutilized overlooked but neat and cozy place with reasonable fare for their menu.
Everyone loves pizza. And, if the passion wins out, wait til the theatre becomes more functional.
It's a pretty nice downtown for a second class Kansas city.
(no spell check on this one)
Well, there's a certain delivery van with trailer that parks in the lot behind 200 S. Summit that takes up several spaces because he parks sideways! There are usually several available spaces on 1st St. where they could park. There's really no way for them to get out of that position if people park in front of the van & behind the trailer. So its not just weird parking in front of businesses.
Curious, what did they do when they were in AC? Shop, eat?
I am assuming it was that big white travel bus that was downtown earlier this week. Saw it parked in front of the Italian Restaurant at noon, and then later on 5th Ave across from HNB. Probably roaming around downtown somewhere.
urious, what did they do when they were in AC? Shop, eat?
It was in the paper, and you can find it in our archives.
They went to mozittis, graves, browns,
not sure of the order.
had music at browns.
went riding around some
walked around some with a guide talking about historical buildings.
If any of those people were under 60, I'll eat your hat.
there was one.
You can come get my hat Monday morning. :)
You know, people over 60 spend money just like anyone else.
And they make great tourists.
I know i'm crazy, but if i lived in wichita. i wouldn't mind taking one of those mystery tours.
over 60 , have time and money and know what they like , and dont mind spending $ on it
agreed
and they are less trouble than them darn skateboarding 40 year olds JUST KIDDING
use your buckskin joe hat james
The bus driver doesn't count James.
"The attorney general should be giving us an opinion very soon."
Now you be sure to ask that there big city Atterney General feller that question that other guy asked.
We wouldn't want that nice feller from up in Topeka to misunderstand the problems we have in this fine little comunity down here.
No room to get it backwards, ya hear?
Shore do preciate it.
Sherif(f),
You are so brave and inspirational for signing your own name! It is my understanding you don't carry a gun. I appreciate that. This is not the old west, and it is refreshing to see someone living in this century. Look out though, there is more than 1 'Otis' in this town.
Oh, yeah...almost forgot- For an interesting Google search, look up the good Dr. Ed Zimmerman (he's in Wyoming). He's up to some interesting activity. On an unrelated note; today's vocabulary words are enabler, dysfunctional, self-inflicted, and dilaudid.
Zonk:
Today is brought to you by the letter Z and the number 9.
The phrase of the day is "passive-aggressive"
The word of the day is "fey"
The animal of the day is the dodo.
My search shows a physician who moved from Ark City to Worland. I wish him well.
One of the many business owners and professionals who have ditched Ark City in the last few years.
And your point is? (no, just wait, I think I can read your mind)
I'm guessing you might dig deeper about the doc. Some people only care about the dirt.
"Look out though, there is more than 1 'Otis' in this town."
I know. Maybe Otis and Tamara could get together and keep this town from shooting itself in the foot with its own police service revolver.
Ark City is in bad need of someone with brains and direction.
On the tour, the man running it came in my store and looked around a few weeks before it came. He said due to the fact that the participants are all over 60 normally they don't spend any money. In fact they just look for what is free. It was decided that a hardware store and gun shop would not be the place to take them. Did they spend money anywhere?
"Did they spend money anywhere?"
It was probably paid for by the retirement home where they lived. Ark City does it too. You see it every day. It was probably not the "tour bus" like you might think of going to Vegas or whatever. The only one making any money was probably the driver.
I've been getting awesome feedback on the skate park. A lot of people in the community seem to want to help. Glad the kids didn't give up.
"Some people only care about the dirt."
Let's see, I'm channeling something right now.....
I see animals, a woman, divisive employees, a set-up, pissed off family packing clothes and belongings, a moving van, happiness and then peace.
These mind readings don't always work, but that is what I'm getting.
Is that it?
I know. Maybe Otis and Tamara could get together and keep this town from shooting itself in the foot with its own police service revolver.
Hahahhahahaha.... now that's funny. One of them is probly lodin' the revolver....
So when is the paper going to start writing about the skaters? When and where can I send my suport?
We are currently setting up a board and working towards getting associated with the rec center. Both myself and Nici Nelson at KSOK are active on the board at this time. Contact either of us with any support or ideas. We would really like to see the children of Arkansas City involved in designing the new skate park we are working towards.
Feb 7 @ 10:14
Close. I see an enabling MD abusing his scrip pad to feed his pain-killer addicted wife's habit (shame on her for asking, on him for doing it) getting caught and moving where this might not follow. The Worland paper shows he set up shop, asked for some rezoning (after promising to keep on-site meds to a minimum, for some reason)then annoncing he would be the 8th doc in 6 years to leave that town. He also wrote a letter to the editor to "clarify" some of his comments, but you have to subscribe to read it. But-Feb 7 @ 10:14, as you say, I'm sure it's another "set-up." Tiny rural communities live to purge qualified docs from their area.
A set up huh? You really give our local law enforcement too much credit.
Good riddance to them.
Zach,
Could Curry Field be converted to a skate park?
Has the team considered an exhibition show for the public [I'd pay to see and also if you could get the pork burger stand to come]?
Or a city competition between Winfield and whatever other city wanted to do this? [I'd pay to see that as well]
If Ace could give up its parking lot for the carnival, why not for a skate comp.? I'm sure the fast food places would appreciate the business from people coming.
Orlando Florida's skate complex started from a Dad, his son and their back yard.
Just some thoughts.
Are those parking lots smooth enough to skate
"Close. I see an enabling MD abusing his scrip pad to feed his pain-killer addicted wife's habit (shame on her for asking, on him for doing it) getting caught and moving where this might not follow."
Now you see there, that's how you're supposed to do it.
We're finally getting to the meat and potatoes. When you beat around the bush you just come across as passive-aggressive (sneaky with a motive), and nobody likes that.
But when you bring these issues out, then people can really see just where you're coming from.
Let's see now. What is the score?
They are guilty, so they are in prison?
No they were not found guilty. Hmmmm....
But you have people who would make it impossible to live here, now wouldn't you, I mean you.
I'll stick to the original channeling... I think it is more accurate.
It's the people that make Ark City so special.
Not wonderful, just special.
Like special education.
So what, you're stalking them in Wyoming? What do you care?
I personally wish them well. They were always very good to me and my family.
Feb. 7,
9:19pm,
I'm not sure, but the kids would know.
Not passive-aggressive (thanks for the explanation, I'd never heard that term!), just substantiating rumors I have heard about someone who screwed me and many others. I didn't want to come right out with it because those who the post was for know what I was talking about. Had I come out and said "Zim is up to his old tricks, tried to screw another podunk burg, screwed around w/ a nurse, caused his wife to shoot herself and further mess up his kids life," then I am a rumor-monger. I know dozens of people tossing this rumor around, and the cryptic nature of the post was to give them answers in which I know they are interested. I know he had many supporters, Tamara chief among them, and if you miss him that much there is a doc in Wichita that might interest you. Not stalking, just following the story with interest until I see that he gets what's coming to him. Oh, and I noticed that there were posts backing me. I have very inside info, and whether or not he was found guilty, there was more going on than you or the populus at large will ever know. Agree to disagree I guess.
We are thinking Last Run time for a skate comp. We have several teams in town already and there are some sponsored skaters in Oxford. The rec center is thinking build it out of concrete due to the damages aquired on the last park. Location is an issue right now but I'm told the city has some different land ideas. The kids are submitting ideas to me and as soon as I have a form of size to draw it up I will start the blueprints. Westlakes lot is a bit rough and we would have to buy equiptment to bring in for an exhibition, but it is a good idea. Maybe we could work out a deal with the city of Winfield to hold a fundraiser show on their park to help us get our own.
What are the kids thining in terms of type of skatepark? Are they wanting a park for street skating or are they intrested in a bowl? Would it be open to bikes too or just to skateboards? Have they investigated the different types of parks that some other cities have? I hope the locations the cities have in mind are better than the location where the Wichita skate park is located. It needs to be in an area where there will be people around besides just the skaters.
Hopefully, if one does get built, the city will require helments and pads. I know that won't be popular with the kids, but as the mother of a skateboarder who has made a few trips to the hospital, I know that requiring helmets and pads is important.
I too would pay to see an exhibition. My kids are grown now and would not use the park, but when we lived in a town with a nice skate park, the parents used to go on weekends and watch the kids. There were even a number of parents brave enough to try skateboarding.
Passive-aggressive is:
Where people say they will do something, but as soon as you count on them, they will do everything they possibly can to see that the task they are given will fail and cause as much harm to the person assigning the task as possible.
When questioned about it they will act like they are "trying real hard" when in fact they are trying real hard to screw it up. The reply is the passive, their actions are the aggressive.
Generally they will say they just aren't smart enough to do the job, or they needed better training or that they just "forgot" how to something they have done 100 times, but it is their deliberate attempt to screw things up.
If pressed, they will call the person inquiring a name, like liberal, right wing nutcase or naysayer, or say they are suffering from some "disability" that they have no choice but to screw you up. It doesn't change the question though.
It is spreading little white lies and rumors as part of "information" when in fact the perp is really trying to make a deliberate smear campaign against someone.
If they just came out and said they hated the other person and said why, supporting it with true facts, then it would be honest. But most of these P/A "rumors" are based on half truths and smears, rather than facts. The friendly "rumor" is the passive, the deliberate distortion is the aggressive.
Passive aggressives are master manipulators who get tied up into their grand schemes and have great plans for screwing people up and follow them around just like stalkers do. Many times they cross the legal line.
You see it all the time in Ark City. The town is completely ate up with passive aggressive.
Example:
400 people sign a petition. It is not considered and then it is "lost". Nobody can "find" it. It is nobody's fault. Bulls**t. Intentional plan.
Building owner who sees a regulation coming and hurries up to circumvent the regulation, but instead of being honest and saying "screw the city" I beat the regulation, says "we had planned this all along and I had contractors coming and I had no choice".
The fact you can't ever merge in traffic in Ark City because people act like they can't "see you". BS. They intend to cut you off.
The PD saying a bill doesn't have to be paid while siccing a bulldog collection agency on you to threaten and intimidate. Pathetic. The PD really intends to collect the bill. They have planned for the revenue. The "don't have to pay" story to the public is the passive, the aggressive collection is , well..., the aggressive. It is also illegal.
I know of 2 industries who left town that privately said it was because of the workers' passive aggressive attitudes that they couldn't make it.
In order to get away with it the perp has to act like they are really incompetent, disabled or stupid. I'm sorry. Nobody in Ark City is that stupid.
If there is a zeitgeist to Ark City, it is passive aggression.
Ark City would be so much better off if people would recognize this BS and not let their neighbors get away with it.
I won't. How about you?
From what I have researched skate laws don't require helmets and pads but most parks suggest them. We are going to have a meeting soon to discuss these types of issues and to try and get some parental feed back. I honestly do not skate board. In fact when my son and myself take the kids to other parks we normally watch and say oh nice loopty loo only to be laughed at then told the proper term for the trick. Honestly I can't explain to you why I am a part of this but I am proud that I am. I believe they want a street style coarse with a halfpipe or maybe half bowl, we are still in the developmental stages so I'm getting a lot of ideas thrown at me fast. Keep them coming, I honestly think this is a project the town can be proud of and it has a great chance of bringing others to town.
Lagonda,
I agree.
Bring more skaters to our town? Wow!! What a selling point.
I watch skaters spend money every weekend out of town on food, drink, and clothing. Sounds like their money would be usefull here too. Plus in most cases a parent is with the skater. Don't you think mom and dad might spend a bit in town? The people of this town need to quit worrying who is spending money and start accepting that any extra money spent in Ark City is a good thing.
The people of this town need to quit worrying who is spending money and start accepting that any extra money spent in Ark City is a good thing.
That's the kind of thinking we need at City Hall.
Yeah, first it was the illegals whoes money is the same color as ours, and now you want to cater to skaters?
Jeez. Why didn't you just tell us good people that you want us out? We can take a hint.
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