work session meeting

City work session

The Arkansas City City Commission has its work session meeting today at 5:30 p.m.
Talk is likely to revolve around the budget for the coming year. The budget is not much different than last year, but this would be a good chance to voice your opinions on the matter. The regular meeting will be Monday at 5 p.m. to accommodate the National Night Out event.
Here is what is on the agenda

• Hold public hearing on the budget for 2011
• Consider adopting the budget
• Adopting the budgeted pay plan, and an ordinance amending that plan.
• Consider a request for an extension to continue operating a tavern at 521 South Summit.
• A resolution closing Harrison Avenue from Summit Street to First Avenue for an event to be held Sept. 24 and 25 at the Alumni Bar and Grill.
• Set a date for a hearing to consider an appeal by Bruce Pendley, owner of Land Rush Leather, on his plan to have an illuminated sign.
• Consider a proposal from Pendley for a motorcycle event in Arkansas City
• Consider changing the August 12 work session meeting time to 4 p.m. to review customer service and IT areas of the city audit report.

Judge blocks Arizona immigration law

A judge has blocked most of the Arizona immigration law, giving a win to opponents of the law.
This is typical liberal modus apperandi, find a judge to make a ruling that lets you have what you want, circumventing the normal legal process and the will of the people.
Another blow to states rights.
See, i can trash liberal ways of doing stuff too :)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_arizona_immigration

Just for fun

I got this in the email and just thought you might enjoy it ... whichever way you lean. I dont know how i got on the democrat mailing list, but before you get to wisecracking too much, i get lots of republican emails too. Though it is VERY depressing to realize that I am older than the President of the United States. This is the first time.


Friend --

Every year, our family tries to come up with a fun way to wish Barack a happy birthday.

And this August 4th, when he turns 49, I have something new in mind.

This has been a big -- and hectic -- year for him. After signing the Affordable Care Act and Wall Street reform into law -- and completing his first year as president -- I think it's safe to say we will remember it for a long time.

And I know full well how much he credits this movement, and the work of supporters like you, for the change that we've accomplished.

So I'm putting together a birthday card that I would like you to sign. Together with other Organizing for America supporters -- and me, Malia, Sasha, and Bo -- we'll wish him a happy birthday and let him know that we're ready to take on the year ahead alongside him.

Will you wish Barack a happy birthday with me?

This year also brought a lot of surprises -- some good and some bad.

Supporters like you have helped him make the best of it -- by contacting Congress to help push stalled legislation forward, by re-engaging supporters in the political process, by giving back with service projects across the country, and so much more.

And while we can't know what the coming year will bring, all of us, working together, will continue pushing forward for change.

Will you help make this a memorable birthday for Barack and wish him a happy 49th?

http://my.barackobama.com/birthday

Thanks so much,

Michelle Obama

Big 12 Football

Big 12 Media. Days are going on now. You may watch it live at the Big-12 link, which is here
Coaches and some players will be interviewed.
 Oklahoma State is on today at 9:45 and Kansas State is on at 10:30
Tomorrow, Kansas is on at 9 a.m., and Oklahoma is on at 9:45

Practice starts about the first of August and the season starts September 4.
Anyone want to talk Big-12 football?

Area woman dies in Wichita auto wreck

http://www.newscow.net/story.php?StoryID=4219

City's audit report

The Audit report came out a couple weeks ago. There were no bombshells or amazing revelations in it. But there were some suggestions where the city can save money and be more efficient.
Be careful for what you wish for though. One of the recommendations was fixing the water meters, which currently do not measure all the water being used. So if they fix it they could have an increase in revenue, but that also means your water bill will go up because you are not currently paying for all the water you are using.

When they were deciding on whether to do this audit, there was some discussion on whether or not they would actually do what it said. At that time Mell Kuhn suggested the city commit to do whatever the audit said. Other commissioners agreed that the city should do what the audit says, but they didnt want to tie their own hands just in case there were some bad ideas.

But What I hope for is that this report will not suffer the same fate as other reports. Remember the 20-20 surveys of a few years ago, that has some great information and is gathering dust as usual. Then there was the 77 corridor study. And more studies.

So I hope the city will take action on this one, and actually do something with it. Serious consideration should be given to the recommendations. Long term views need to be taken, not just knee jerk emotional reactions that feel good at the moment. As they consider the recommendations, they should also be thinking about what the city needs to be 20 years, 30 years from now, and let that weigh heavily on any decisions.

In light of that, the company that did the audit is offereing to come back and work with the city on implementing ideas, and finding ways to actually do things. Of course, they are not offering to do this for free. It will cost the city another 8 grand or so, but if it helps them save 80 grand, it will be worth it. I think they should do it. They have already spent 30 grand on the study, and we do not want the study to suffer the same fate as other studies have suffered.

You do have to spend money to save money sometimes. Strange how that works, but ... it does. Its like spending $100 on more insulation for your house so you can spend 500 less on energy bills. The city needs to be forward thinking here. Should be interesting to see what happens.

The report is on the city's website
Here are some links

http://arkcity.org/DocumentView.aspx?DID=3040http://arkcity.org/DocumentView.aspx?DID=3040

SEC football coaches take on sports agents

SEC football coaches take on sports agents

Saturday

Shakespeare in the park will be held again tonight - Saturday - at 8 p.m. at Wilson Park.
It is a good show. And it is free.

Shakespeare in the park

People associated with the Ark City Arts Center are putting on Shakespeare in the park. They had a performance last night at Wilson Park. Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Im ready to take a break from the politics. Sure gets nasty. Just seems we cant talk about ideas. There are other viewpoints than conservative and liberal. Those are not the only two choices. Both sides have strengths and weaknesses, and they are both just philosophies, not truth in themselves.

Also posted some cop notes. Look for the link on the left side.

Interesting take on the racism thing

Here is an interesting column on the racism thing. I still think the conservative website and FOX need to eat some crow over this. Hopefully she will get a few million out of them for defamation, slander, emotional distress and a couple other things. They did blatantly do this to this woman, intentionally without regard to her life or safety. Its criminal to me, plain and simple.
But, this writer here takes all that in, and blames the obama administration people for having such a knee jerk reaction. Here is the link. Point taken, but still, the people who broadcast the edited, rigged, video should be held accountable.

Racism goes both ways

Just to show it goes both ways. A usda worker resigns after she says she did not do all she could to help a person of a different color because people her own color needed help.
Here is the link

City Commission live blog tonight

Abortion not covered by Obama's health care plan

Remember opponents of health care for everyone were saying it would pay for abortions, as a way of trying to get people to be against it.
Well it doesnt. And even pro choice people are made about it.
Here is the story.

Tea Party gets it right, finally.

The Tea Party is struggling to find its identity, and that is a good thing. Today it was announced that national officials have ousted Tea Party Express chief Mark Williams, and have distanced themselves from the Express over its refusal to oust Williams
Williams is the radio talk show host who posted the letter to President Lincoln, as though it were from a slave. It was patently offensive and racist. He did take the letter down off his website, but offered no apology.
The national party today said they were ousting him and that particular tea party.
Here is the story.

And here is a story about Joe Biden who had some interesting things to say about them.

A few paragraphs from the story.

In defending the National Tea Party Federation, spokesman David Webb said Sunday the coalition of local and regional tea party groups has expelled the Tea Party Express from its ranks for refusing to remove its spokesman, conservative talk radio host Mark Williams, after he posted a blog that satirized the NAACP and referred to its president, Benjamin Jealous, as "Tom's nephew and NAACP head colored person."
The blog post was "clearly offensive," Webb said.
"Self-policing is the right and the responsibility of any movement or organization," Webb said on "Face the Nation" on CBS. "I denounce any acts that I see many leaders do."

This is good. This is exactly what they needed to do.  This gives them some credibility. It will take time for the tea party to define itself. Distancing itself from unwanted groups is a good thing. Williams does have a right to say what he wants, and the party has a right to define who it is and who it keeps company with.

AC Changes: Graves may be sold

Seems to be a lot of changes happening in the city. Several business have closed lately in downtown.
I had heard that Graves was closing, but looks like the real deal is they are selling to another company out of Oklahoma.
Here is a story in Newscow

I also saw a sign on Home National, that it is now RCB bank.

Times change. With the economy, it is harder, but there may be some recovery coming. What will the  future look like in Arkansas City? Now is the time for leadership and vision. We will get what we want ultimately.

Tea Party and racism charges

 Here is an interesting blog I ran across about the Tea Party. This is a "liberal" post, but truth is truth is truth. You can read the whole thing here.

The thing I thought was interesting is the quote below. This is the point I was making - that if they do not agree with racist remarks, they should say so.. I would like for Tea Partiers to tell me what is wrong with this request?  It is a quote from the article I linked to above.


"The resolution was amended during the debate to specifically ask the Tea Party itself to repudiate the racist elements and activities of the Tea Party." As NAACP President and CEO Ben Jealous said, "We're simply asking them to repudiate racist acts and bigotry in their ranks or accept responsibility."

Arkansas City City Commission could tweak its meetings

The Arkansas City City Commission's move to adjust an ordinance relating to animals is not that big of a deal at all. Someone was commenting on it recently.
Over time things need to be adjusted as they come to light. The current ordinance does not differentiate between pets and livestock, so they are going to fix that.
There really isnt that much interesting on the agenda for next Tuesday.
Something coming down the pike though, that I that I think is interesting is how the public is allowed to talk at meetings. I have been around a lot of city commissions in different places, and I have to say the Arkansas City City Commission is pretty open.
They have traditionally let people speak in the middle of a regular meeting while they are discussing an issue. There is also the period at the beginning where you can talk about things not on the agenda. To me this is confusing and not orderly. I know there was a recent meeting where the mayor did not let people talk - he said later that they had an opportunity earlier and did not speak. That is the problem with the current system I believe, it is not orderly and so there can be abuse on either side. An opponent  of something could block it forever by filibustering in essence.
The city attorney has given the commission a set of guidelines or recommendations from the state municipal league. It would change the process a bit and make it more streamlined. They are still discussing this at worksession meetings. Not sure when it will come up for a vote.
There are many solutions. You could let people speak at the beginning about items on the agenda, or even at the beginning of discussion of the issue. You could even have a public hearing.
In South Carolina, for instance, you have to have 3 meetings to pass anything. You announce the ordinance at the first meeting and vote on whether or not to move ahead. The second meeting is a public hearing, and the third meeting is the final vote. Takes a lot longer but there is more public discussion usually.
Not advocating that here, but maybe tweaking the system a bit would be a good thing.

New pages

Good Saturday morning.
Ive added a new element. At the left of this post you will see PAGES. There is a cop notes page. You will have to do some scrolling, but I wanted to see how it works. I will be adding AC and Winfield.
I will be adding some more side pages like that.

Tempest in a tea party

Here is a good story about the Tea Party versus NAACP and the little skirmish this week.
Its a pretty good story, not really slanted to either side
Looks like they both were a bit on the race card playing game this week.

Friday, Arkansas City, City Commission

Ok, I missed the Arkansas City commission meeting yesterday. It was a pretty short agenda, but im sure there were some interesting things discussed.
I was chastised by one reader for missing it. Actually I kinda appreciated that, seeing that someone was actually expecting me to be there.

I am pretty sure I will be there Tuesday night. On the agenda for Tuesday is rearranging the schedules for the National Night Out festivities, that always conflict with the first meeting in August.
They should also soon be setting a date for a public hearing on the budget. The current budget proposal keeps everything at the current levels and no tax increases.

Another item is adjusting the ordinance on the number of animals you can keep on your property. Its a minimum per area kind of thing.

Also a contract concerning the Kansas Avenue overpass will be discussed.

New design

What do you think of the new design?
Google has provided some new tools, templates and other things that make a lot of new things possible. It will be real easy to change now.
Just let me know what you think of this.
I might go back to the old color scheme?

Immigration

Ok, this one is for you folks who call me a liberal. Im going on a conservative rant here. :)

Today a federal court is hearing arguments on whether Arizona can enforce the law it passed. Here is the link Now, you know I am all for immigration, and all for having as many Mexicans as we can get :) . Im not even really against open borders. But, so many illegals here is a problem and since the feds wont do anything .. the states have to ..
Some other states are joining up with Arizona in defending the law. Here is the link

 I am against the states having their rights denied, the immigration mess we do have, and this means that the liberals often use. There needs to be some common sense applied here.

As open to immigration as  i am, I still cannot see what the problem is with the Arizona law. Im sure we have all been pulled over from time to time. Cops ask things like, where are you from, do you own this car, do you have any drugs etc., ... so what would be the problem with asking are you in this country legally?
The law only says they are to ASK, .. why is that a problem? To follow this to its logical conclusion, why should a police officer be allowed to ask if you have a drivers license? Why should a police officer be allowed to ask you anything?

Ok, some guy who does not look hispanic and has a drivers license is not going to get asked most likely, but that isn't what racism is about.

I also object to the Democrat - liberal - ploy of always trying to get a judge to rule in their favor. You look hard enough, you can find a judge that will say the wordage you want ... and if some favors are passed under the table ... wellllll

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Did you see the story about the Utah group that is passing out a list of illegal immigrants names and such. There is something wrong there though, because the list includes social security numbers. If you are illegal you cannot get a social security number ....

Anyways, be interesting to see how it pans out...

couple stories for discussion

A court has struck down the FCC's ban on the F word, meaning there are not now restrictions on language on TV, Radio etc., Wait ... there were restrictions ???? guess judges don't watch MTV too much.
But it is an interesting ruling, with more to come im sure.
Im no conspiracy theorist, but out culture is clearly on the decline ... i dont think there is anything that can be done though, and certainly don't think any political party can - or even wants to - do anything to stop the decline.

Every culture declines. From the ancient world until now. The Mayans had a great civilization in Mexico way before the Europeans showed up. When the Spanish invaded the Yucatan the Maya  were well into decline. The Spanish would probably have defeated them anyway, but just saying. the Mayans would have put up a better fight around 1200 a.d., than they were able to muster in 1500 a.d.
Same goes for the Aztecs.

Here is another story. This could be a hoax, but it claims someone is developing software to protect kids from religious type websites. Because "of the violent nature of religion "
Just could not resist putting these two together as it illustrates our decline. Whether its true or not, you have to admit that it is believable that it could happen.

Now, if we could just develop software that would shield us from politicians of all stripes.

There's some fodder for you all.

day trips

Here are a couple things ive posted involving local travel.

Rained out 4th of July held tonight in Peabody


Rhinos of Marion

Roosters of Burns

Interesting story about bailouts

Here is an interesting story from Reuters about the bank bailouts.
Now I was against the bailouts as much as anyone, I will admit The story says the bailouts of the banks is working and that the government is actually making money off interest from the loans.
I have mixed feelings. But Im sure the Republicans will show us how its all a lie and that we are still all going to die in the economic  crash that obama caused. And then the Dems will explain how its all Bush's fault.

It is interesting to read and or hear other news sources. When I was in Holland I watched the news. News about the U.S. was different than what we get here. There really wasnt any political spin, it was just an observer telling a story.
Truth is truth.

city

Live blog tonight

Just a reminder that I will try to have the live blog going for the city commission meeting tongiht.
7 p.m.

Political challenged

On my political challenge last week, i wanted people to talk about specific issues. I wanted to see how many people are willing to think outside their political party. Do people who are conservative have some liberal ideas, and do liberals have some conservative ideas?

Anyways here is my answer to the question: What have you changed your mind on in the last five years?

I have changed on gay marriage. Im not against it anymore. Im not necessarily for it either, but just not opposed.
I kept asking myself why it mattered whether or not the government recognizes it. My answer to that question now is that it does not matter.
The argument that it tears down traditional marriages just seemed hollow after awhile.
I read some columnist saying that it had not hurt his traditional marriage. Had to face the logic of that. It hasnt hurt mine either to tell the truth.
I still don't approve of the gay lifestyle, but i really can't see a reason to legislate what they do.

I have become even stronger in thinking drugs should be legalized, taxed and regulated. The drug war isnt working. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Again, not approving of drugs, but we need to be realistic.
More than half the people in prison are there for drugs, and our prisons are over crowded. Just think if we took that money - not to mention money spent on cops and such - and put it to a good use? Lower taxes maybe?
I really dont think making drugs legal would result in many more people using drugs. That they are illegal doesnt seem to be stopping anyone.
Also, the blatant hypocrisy of our society in this area is almost humorous --- can you say Beer Garden .. :)
I wonder how many legislators who want to give drug tests to welfare recipients had wine with dinner after they finish the day's session...or a cigarette?
Ive not really changed on that, but just become even stronger in my thoughts on that issue.

Worksession

Political challenge

Here is a political challenge.
Name an issue where you have changed your mind in the last five years, where you have gone from one side to the other because you have become convinced of "truth" in the matter. What made you change your mind?
Second challenge: If you are a conservative, name one issue where the liberals might be right, and why . Or, if you are a liberal, name an issue where the conservatives might be right and why.

Any takers?
If some of you will answer that, I will give my answers tomorrow.

City meeting tonight

The city worksession tonight - 5:30 - should be interesting. This would be a good meeting to attend to become more knowledgeable about city stuff. The work sessions are more interesting because that is where stuff gets talked about.
Here is what is on the agenda:

• Beautification award presentation
• Appeal by 4 states exteriors on revocation of their contractors license
• Hearing on giving dangerous structure designations to properties at 303 South D; 407 North 6th St.; 1409 West Oklahoma St.; 1411 North Fourth; 617 North 7th St.; 624 North 7th St.; 508 South Second.
• Receive final report from David Evertson with Municipal Solutions on the city efficiency audit
• Review bids for water main cleaning project
• Change order for Bryant Standpipe redundant water line
• Receive initial 2011 Budget presentation
• Mayors appointments.
• Several other items for discussion, one being order of meeting, or how meetings are conducted.

I will try to have the live blog going.

from the right and left

Here are a couple stories from both sides ..


Kathleen Parker says Obama is a girlie-president

Former congressman says republicans can win control of the house - and senate maybe - but they wont know what to do when they get there.