Housing rehabs

This story could signify that the Neighborhood Housing Revitalization program is working as planned, although some of the property owners Foss Farrar spoke with weren't aware of the program, which provides a tax rebate on increased taxes if you improve your house.

There was a bit of controversy a couple years ago when the commission extended the program to nearly the whole city. We'll see if we can get the stats on how many people have taken advantage of the program. In any case, it's nice to see some of these blighted properties getting a make over. Delapidated housing is a big problem in Ark City.

Kuhn vs. McDonald, Wallace

Mell lashed out at Patrick McDonald as a commission workshop yesterday for telling the press about emails Mell sent to city officials criticizing a gun purchase in the police department. There's long standing static between these two. We've got the email exchange online, or at least part of it. What's interesting but hasn't really been reported is a broadside critique of Police Chief Sean Wallace for, Kuhn says, being egotistical and trying to turn the police department into a SWAT team.

Beer garden is back

Check today's Traveler or Web site later. Chamber asking permission to host an outdoor beer garden, like they did in 2007. As I recall, there weren't any problems associated with it, and many people enjoyed it. But I think at least one church boycotted the parade due to it.

Stimulus working?

Lots of criticism about federal spending right now, but the stimulus package is protecting jobs and creating work, including here locally. City of Ark City, County have received money for infrastructure projects. Sheriff has applied to fund two deputies. Cowley College and of course the local school districts have benefited. The local arts council received a stimulus funded grant to make up for funding cuts to keep positions. I know of several small businesses taking advantage of no-interest Small Business Administration loans to help pay of debt.

Could it be that, in the end, the deficit spendingwill have keep us out of a deeper recession and saved people's livelihoods?

Hill resigns

This was expected. Too bad to see Heidi go. Public probably will never know what happened. The question for the public again is, what happens to Cowley First?

Smoke Free? or Free to Smoke?

This is a good letter by Ralph McDonald. It does seem that business owners should have the right to allow smoking, but there are waiters, cooks, delivery people to consider, and the occasional non-smoking customer who finds him or herself in a smoking establishment due to appointments, or trying to accommodate a friend. Seems like when you look at it from a public health standpoint, smoking bans over ride the choice issue.

Boon or boondoogle?

Cash for clunkers is getting cars sold including here in Cowley County but car dealers are still skeptical
Is this the stimulus at work boosting the economy or is this government waste and interference?