More on the coming storm

Here is something Brian Stone, director of county emergency management is sending out. Also, the the NWS is calling for blizzard like conditions in oklahoma tomorrow. ..
Here is what Brian sent.

We recently completed a conference call with the NWS about the upcoming storm. Below is the graphic with current snowfall predictions:

The snow is anticipated to begin tomorrow morning (6am timeframe approximately) and last through tomorrow night. It is expected to be a fairly constant snow with accumulations as seen above.

High winds (30mph with gusts up to 40mph) can be expected in places. Wind chills will drop to dangerous levels Tuesday night into Wednesday. The snow is not expected to create major issues on power lines or trees (mainly due to high winds). Drifting snow is a concern and could be up to 4-6’ in southeast Kansas.

The good news is that this is not expected to be an icy event. The majority of liquid moisture is predicted in far southeast Kansas near the Kansas/Missouri/Oklahoma corner and then areas further east. While some icing is still possible, and elevated surfaces could be slick, a major ice storm is not predicted.

Winter storm coming

Looks like we will be getting some snow. National weather service is predicting a "significant" winter storm. They do tend to give out the maximum possibilities, and usually it is less than they say, but still it looks like it could get nasty out there.

Here is the winter storm warning from the NWS

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS... 9 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOW IS LIKELY ACROSS SOUTHEAST KANSAS THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT. ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 7 INCHES ARE FORECAST FOR THOSE PARTS OF CENTRAL AND SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS ALONG AND EAST OF I-135.

* ICE ACCUMULATIONS... A GLAZE OF ICE IS EXPECTED THIS MORNING... ESPECIALLY FOR LOCATIONS NORTH OF HIGHWAY 400.

* WINDS... NORTH WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE BETWEEN 25 AND 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH LATE TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING.

* IMPACTS... THE FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL RESULT IN LIGHT ICE ACCUMULATIONS ON EXPOSED SURFACES AND UNTREATED ROADS THIS MORNING. HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL MAKE DRIVING DANGEROUS FROM TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT. THE STRONG NORTH WINDS MAY RESULT IN BLIZZARD CONDITIONS TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT... ESPECIALLY OVER SOUTHEAST KANSAS... WITH NEAR ZERO VISIBILITIES POSSIBLE. DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS OF 15 BELOW TO 20 BELOW ARE LIKELY BY TUESDAY NIGHT.

Fox & Friends Segment Replaces SOTU Audience Laughter And Applause With Cricket Sound Effects

<em>Fox & Friends </em>Segment Replaces SOTU Audience Laughter And Applause With Cricket Sound Effects

Deadline for commission

The deadline for filing for city commission is in just a few minutes. at noon today.
I thought a lot about it, and talked with a lot of people, but in the end, decided to not throw my hat in the ring.
Real mixed feelings. I really wanted to. And now is a good time for a newcomer to make an effort.
It would have been fun, would have been a good experience win or lose.
There was just too much to overcome though.
And i really dont think i could make a four year commitment.
That was the biggest issue. If it were for a two year term, i would have done it.
Well ill just keep being an observer and maybe ill get more involved in some other way.
Be interesting to see how it shakes out.

Controversial ad

Here is a controversial video. Some thought it funny, some were offended. What do you think?
At one point it had a chance of being on during the super bowl, it wouldnt have been anyway, but it got pulled anyway, if that makes sense?

MLK celebration Sunday

The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration of unity ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday in the Brown Center at Cowley College.  This years’ theme is “Honoring the Past…Inspiring the Future”  and will feature performances from the Arkansas City Magic Voices Show Choir, the Cowley College Dance Theatre group, Delphia Jennings, and a special guest speaker, Rodney Worsham.     

The event will also include the presentation of the Joe B. Avery Community Spirit Award. This year’s award winner is Pastor James Watson, Jr. Cub Scout Pack #328 will present the flag and flag salute and Cowley College student Caleb Sherron will sing the Star Spangled Banner to start the celebration. 

The event is a gathering of song, praise, fellowship, and tribute. It is free and open to the public. The Celebration of Unity is sponsored by the Arkansas City Human Relations Commission whose mission is to promote good will in the community.  

A reception will follow in the Earle N. Wright Community Room and Gallery. Refreshments will be served by the Arkansas City Soroptimist Organization.   

Arizona Shooting

 In the wake of the Arizona shooting it's not surprise that some liberals are calling for more laws on guns. I think many of us agree that guns are not the problem. Here is a story in Politico about how there is not much of a chance of any anti gun laws passing now. It does take somewhat of a liberal bent, but it does show that the climate is not conducive to more gun laws now.

 This was the act of a crazy person, but he was likely influenced by what he heard in the media. His mental instability was a major factor, but ... how much impact did political radio and tv have? Here is an opinion piece that thinks it was a lot..

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/10/opinion/10krugman.html

And here is one that says the political rhetoric is not to blame.


http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1101/stewart_rhetoric_isnt_to_blame_.html

I am not saying at all that conservative radio - rush limbaugh, hannity , or Fox news - should be shut down or silenced. I am however, saying,  that they should take a long look at the stuff they promote and the hate they foster.
Of course the left has its own radio and media people, who foster their own brand of hate and fear mongering..
This time it was a crazy person going off the deep end. But  how far are we from more widespread violence?
I do think the conservatives are just a bit worse than the liberals, but thats like saying one hog has a little more mud on him than another..
The problem is not conservatives .. the problem is the fear and hate being pushed by radio talk shows, tv talk shows and political rhetoric in general.
Thus the price of freedom of speech.
But if the trend of pandering hate and fear continues ... we can expect more violence. If all you hear is how evil government is, then you are going to hate government .. and maybe you will eventually feel encouraged to take action in the form of some type of violence.

I think the side not in power makes the most noise. The viotrol against bush made the liberals louder during the bush administration, and now that the dems hold the presidency, the conservatives are spewing more hate and fear. Like I said, it isn't the republicans - or even the tea party - its the general political climate. This is my conspiracy theory i guess. This debate between left and right, is not a debate at all ... it is just part of the media making money selling fear.

The answer is to stop listening to them. To not buy into the polarization of our culture. If you are a conservative, you need to realize all liberals are not evil socialists, and if you are a liberal you need to realize that all conservatives are not evil fascists.
Also, you do not have to choose sides in this thing. That might be the best idea. A few in the media are making a fortune on this polarization - making us think we have to be one or the other and hating the other side.
This whole political debate in our culture is not about solving any problems or having any progress. The polarization is about making a buck selling fear and hate.

Now its a crazy man in arizona shooting a few people. What will be next? 

City direction

Ok, looks like the blog is working now. I am still in Tennessee, but should be home by the weekend. This area of the mountains is like a big city now. Traffic is awful. But then, im used to ark city traffic now...
Anyways, I saw in Brand-X that Lane Massey had a "secret" severance package drawn up even before Archer left. Im not so sure that is a real conspiracy though. The package was probably there in his contract just like it was for Archer.He would have gotten that money anyways.
The problem I have with all this is the total money being spent. Massey is getting around 40 grand and Archer is as well. With other expenses, paying a temporary CM, and costs involved with finding new people .. this thing could get to $100,000.
And for what reason?
is it worth $100,000 to change the leaders of administration?
All of this was in executive session, so other than the fact that commissioners were unhappy, we don't know what exactly they were unhappy about.
As a casual observer, it is hard to see how either of them were doing such an awful job...
We will see who replaces them, and whether it was worth it, but it will be a couple years before we know for sure.
Its going to be real interesting to see what happens there.

Whats up with the city