Who is running for commission

From a poster ....

Progress for next year. Who would you like to see run for city commissioner. I'ts just around the corner, lets throw some names out there, maybe even a little encouragement. Might even offer some hope for change or would be satisfied with the status quo..
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The deadline is not far away.
Scott and Joel have not said publicly if they are running.
I know Patrick is really undecided.

Who are some people who would be good but whose names have never surfaced in such talk?

years top stories

In tomorrow's paper we will have our top-10 stories of the year. Below is the list from which we made our choices. Which stories would be in your top-10, and which would be the top story?

Justin Thurber ruled competent to stand trial for the murder of Jodi Sanderholm. Along with year's developments on the case.
Voters pass half-cent sales tax to improve streets
Voters pass half-cent sales tax to help fund a new hospital. Along with controversy over the location.
Voters pass bond issue for school improvement, raising property taxes.
City passes standards for windows in the city, in an effort to clean up the city. Also rezones downtown area to get better enforcement.
City passes dog tethering ordinance, also limits on number of animals.
Union State Bank named small business of the year
Safety issues at the high school
Passage of Jodis law . anti stalking law
43 people victim of tire slashing spree
Walgreens opens
New meat market opens downtown, first new building downtown in many years.
City manager Doug Russell resigns, replaced by Steve Archer
City avoids tax increase with big budget cuts, including large cuts to the museum and big brothers big sisters.
Ark City hospital gets a surgeon
Schools increase taxes, increase property taxes on a $100,000 home by $71.30.
Six businesses hit in burglary spree Aug. 21
Home National Bank robbed, north branch
Country Mart robbed
Mayor Kuhn apologizes after performance
Arkansas City schools win 32 standards of excellence banners from the state.
Ark City High School wins national award
Record turnout for the election.
Gary Wilson wins reelection to county commission by 12 votes
City turns over historic site to local church
City turns over city ballpark to cowley
Mattress company closes after 85 years
100 pit bulls found near newkirk

Former mayor, city commissioner Janet English passed away Saturday

Just heard that Janet English, former mayor and city commissioner, died Saturday.

Janet Lynn (Ross) English, 62, of Arkansas City, died Saturday, December 27, 2008, at her residence. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2008, at the First Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at Parker Cemetery. The Reverend Danny Daniel and the Reverend Joyce Daniel will officiate.
The family will greet friends at the funeral home 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening.

Traditions

Was just wondering what everyone will be doing for Christmas.
Some people are more into Christmas Eve than Christmas Day, and vice versa.
We like to go to a church service on Christmas Eve. Then maybe driving around and looking at the lights. Living in a small town has made that not as easy.
We might go to OKC tonight.
We dont even have a christmas tree up, but we do have lights up.
So what will you all be doing?
What traditions do you have?

politically correct

Merry Christmas everybody.
Also, happy solstice, happy hannakuh, happy kwanzai.
and good buddha to you all.

I had the politically correct debate again yesterday. Sheesh. the thought police are everywhere.
Just because I want to celebrate Christmas, and because it has meaning, that does not make me intolerant.
If we say Christmas we are being intolerant of others, yet it is not intolerant to say the other holidays. Hmmmmm.
I think the real deal is that people are offended by the word "Christ."
But Christmas is about love and giving.
I see no reason to not have all the holidays.Mention them all. Celebrate them all.
I appreciate all the other holidays as well.

I dont really object to the word "holidays", but you need to realize that even that word comes from "HOLY" days and has a definite religious connotation.
Some say its more inclusive, I say it just homogenizes everything and takes away the character of all of the holidays, and all the different religions.

Christmas has been a religious celebration for a long time. It has become secularized. But, to say we should not even use the word in public is intolerant.
There is such a thing as tyranny of the minority.

Id rather celebrate all holidays. Give everyone their moment. I don't celebrate solstice, but why should it offend me if my pagan friends want to celebrate it? And if they want to say the word solstice?
Wouldnt it be more tolerant to try to learn why the celebrate it?
And to just enjoy the fact that they are enjoying it?
Why should I object if pagans wanted to put up some sign or something?
Why should I be offended?

thurber

Just got it confirmed from County Attorney Chris Smith.

Thurber is competent to stand trial.

Further motions will continue today and the trial could start very soon.

keep an eye on the web site for details.

small fire at high school

Before the rumor mill gets out of hand.

There was a small fire in a dryer at the high school this morning.

The fire was put out by the fire dept., Kids were evacuated to another building until the smoke was removed from the building.

It was mostly smoke, not sure if there were ever any actual flames.

Parents were notified via an email from the school.

Details in todays paper