One adult in the room

Obama is very popular right now, with economy still sluggish and gas prices high. But his finally releasing his long form birth certificate and proving that the wackos on the right were being wacky, is another example that he rises above the petty personality politics that has sickened our political system.

Most GOPers wanted nothing to do with the "birther" issue, but some keep it out front and NONE really condemned it out loud and stood up to the childish, and racist elements that drove it.

Obama should have done this a while ago, but it does prove that those questioning his legitimacy are off their rocker, and/or driven by cultural fears that a black man with an Arabic name is president.

Probationers

Probation and parole programs are among the first to be cut when the budget ax swings. But is it short sighted, in that unmonitored people released from jail/prison or criminal charges need some life skills, support services to get back on their feet.

You see it a lot — people have to pay fines, they lose driving privaledges, they have a record and have trouble finding a job, and they sink back into criminal or destructive behavior.

Not an excuse, but a helping hand helps society as a whole.

I would hope the county can find money in its general fund to shore up community corrections if possible. Tough choices when there isn't a lot to go around

School grant

Kind of ironic that while the state cuts education funding for local schools, our local high school can get $72,000 in federal grant money to fund a new program for criminal justice instruction.

There are those who will say we can't afford it, like the bike path, but this is money already made available through grant applications and we would be silly not to go after it, especially has other sources of funding are being cut.

Congrats to the schools for winning these funds. Sounds like an innovative program.

Land buy more likely

ACI apparently wants some changes made to the contract the city commission improved in Oct. to buy land in Goff Industrial Park for development purposes.

It seems with the new commissioners coming on board the elected body will be more favorable as a group to working with ACI and making economic development deals that might benefit commercial, not just industrial, development.

At the time, I thought the overall strategy made sense but questioned some of the particulars of the deal. ACI unfairly has an image problem and the contract seemed to give them lots of power over what the city did with the land. Perhaps the perception problem isn't as big a deal as I think, but it would be nice if ACI could win more support of the town.

Kuhn bankruptcy withdraw

Mell called to say that his request to withdraw his bankruptcy petition had been approved. Indeed the motion to withdraw has been filed in court. Looks like the companies listed as creditors have a few weeks to protest before the withdraw is final. Mell says those people have or are being paid because the only thing he really needed help with was the IRS taxes, which he said are almost taken care of.

Truthiness

Wichita Eagle fact checks Congressman Pompeo's claim that half of small business owners would get a tax increase if tax cuts for wealthy expire, as Obama has called for.

But Pompeo's claim doesn't check out, according to the IRS. I wondered about this when I read it. Sure would be nice if half of small businesses owners make $250,000 a year in taxable income. Looking around these parts, you know that's not the case. But the federal government definition of small business, I think, is 500 employees or less. So that's actually big business to us!

Pompeo is a pretty reasonable, knowledgeable guy not prone to overblown sloganeering. But it seems like in this political culture politicians can find a fact to support their cause because partisan interests slice and dice information to win an argument, not necessarily find the facts.

Makes it hard to compromise or come together when people can't agree on the basic facts.

Kuhn Mechanical

Many of you won't believe this but I sincerely hope Mell gets this straightened out so he and his business can continue.

He said he is relieved to be off the commission, but wishes people would focus on some of the good he did - pushing for design build concept on hospital that saved the project millions, fixing the lid on the sewer plant instead of costing the city a complete overhaul, and helping the WB Meats building historical design restrictions, to name a few.

He said it doesn't seem like people are grateful for anything, but instead accused him of kick backs and using his influence to get projects for his company.

Cleaning house ...

My attempt at a story to explain the results of Tuesday's elections, and see what lies ahead for city leadership.

Creekstone lawsuit

This is interesting. Also be interesting to hear Creekstone's defense if they offer one. I suppose the class action means anybody who worked there and was subject to this alleged practice could be awarded back pay, if the lawsuit is settled or the plaintiffs win.

Another wave election

Voters threw out the incumbents again in last night's election. Seems like each election, at least one incumbent goes down. This time I wonder if it wasn't the personnel issues that basically tainted Smith and Snell. It did make the city look inept, and even corrupt, in some people's minds.

With Hockenbury and Tweedy, teaming up with Warren and McDonald, you probably have the four votes needed to get TIF bonds passed, depending on what Tweedy eventually decides. It is a bit of a paradox, because even though incumbents lost, two former commissioners were the top two vote getters.

With Smith not winning, the last of the 3 amigos that shook up the status quo are gone. Be interesting to see how things shake out. Is this the restoration of the old guard that trusted their city manager and found partnerships with business interests?

Giles had an impressive showing, considering he seemed to be the most green as far as community involvement.

The biggest decision on the horizon the new board will have will be picking a city manager. I hope they take some time, and get the community involved, like the in case of Doug Russell.

VOTE!

It's voting day.
Turnout expected to by 15 percent. Pretty pathetic. It's an important local election, but they all are, really.

Here are Traveler's endorsements for Ark City commission. You'll have to read the paper to get the full argument.

I really do think that all the candidates are qualified, just some more than others. But there are differences in style and vision for the future, or priorities is maybe a better word.

If past is prologue, voters will vote out one or two of the current incumbents, Jean Snell and Dottie Smith.

If this election is seen through the TIF prism by voters, it could see another shift in power from pro-tiffers to less-than prof tiffers. If Smith, Giles and Hirst get elected, that cooperation and partnership with ACI and growth toward the north end of town could be put on hold.

But if Snell, Hockenbury and Tweedy get elected, there's more probability that things will advance in that direction.

If a combination of the above get elected, we'll continue with a split commission on that issue. And I'll bet that happens.

I think what will be interesting will be whether voters will decide to hold the incumbents accountable for the personnel/severance agreements at City Hall. If so, both Smith and Snell could go down.

But, voters could see that commissioners have moved past that, with Steve Archer gone, and credit them for real progress being made in recent years (streets, hospital, overpass, new businesses openings)

Or perhaps all this is way too much over analyizing and people will just vote on who they like.

Good luck to all the candidates. I admire anybody who throws there hat into the ring. Takes courage and sacrifice.