Reasonable Repubicans

Be nice if GOP leaders took some advice from New York Times columnist David Brooks. While is one of the liberals' favorite Republican (he often takes moderate stances) he makes oodles of sense in this column about the debt ceiling impasse.

Hernandez in Osage

To me, this story doesn't diminish Hernandez' reputation or credibility. It is window on how he handles controversy and criticism. Sounds like he did OK, not cow-towing but also making changes that responded to legitimate concerns. The credit card usage policy was apparently there before he became city manager, and there are no claims that the cards were misused or used illegally.

I'm told by the newspaper editor in Osage City that the main complainer, Michael Capra, has very little if any credibility in Osage City. And it could be that the Topeka Capital Journal gave Capra too much weight in their story. Capra sunk to a racist insult of Hernandez, which tells you a lot.

What sounds like did happen is that new commissioners were elected that wanted a different direction and created some tension on the commission - a scenario we are very familiar with here in Ark City. Whether that pushed Hernandez toward applying elsewhere is unclear. But it sounds like he handled things well in Osage City, all things considered.

Let there be light

That's what some downtown merchants say after the city installed low-wattage, energy saving bulbs in downtown street lamps.

I have to admit that the yellow, dimmer glow of the lamps took me by surprise when they were first installed a few weeks ago. I can see the businesses people's concern about lighting for safety reasons, although I disagree with some that the lighting isn't attractive or is dingy.

There are urban areas that tout their "gas lamp" district that creates a certain historical feel. I would say the lighting fits with our historic downtown architecture and street scape, although the safety concern has to come first.

UPDATE: I should have said earlier that the city should have consulted the downtown property owners/merchants. Or at least let the public know what was going to happen. It's not unsimiliar to the truck reg ordinance -- anything that might affect people those people should be consulted or the public should have time to weigh in. The political radar at City Hall might need some tuning.

No strike!

Thanks goodness for this.


I've asked some GE workers whey they think a segment of the population is so critical of them. They think its jealousy -- lots of folks have applied out there but its hard to get on.

Its a bit baffling to me. GE is one of the last places in our area with high paying manufacturing jobs that you can support a family on and retire comfortably. Should we value and support this type of employment, not snipe at it? Whether you like or dislike unions, or don't really care, the $50 million payroll out there is the boulder upon which our economy stands.

And, GE workers seem to get along well with local managers. I frankly think the positive relationship between executives and workers is admirable.

Abortion regs illegal

It seems crystal clear that the new regulations over clinics that perform abortion are unconstitutional - they impose rules over the clinics that even hospitals and surgical centers aren't subject to for more invasive procedures.

As expected, somebody has sued over them and we'll find out.

A woman's right to chose suffered a real onslaught last year, with an anti-abortion Gov. now in place. The state even has limits on private insurers ability to cover abortion. The anti-abortion crowd, most of them, are government conservatives expect when it comes to this topic they want government all over the place

Cornerbank vs. Home National

Cornerbank is out from under the thumb of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, after reducing its percentage of commercial loans and increasing its capital. Both Home National Bank and Cornerbank entered letters of agreement with the OCC about the same time, one didn't survive and one says they are stronger than ever.

Home National had huge losses in 2009 and could never recover. Cornerbank, which went after growth areas in Lawrence and Kansas City during the boom times, was not nearly in that bad of shape and has apparently weathered the storm.

It is, in a way, a tale of two banks. And a lesson to not get too bullish in the good times.

New manager

This sounds like a good hire. Nick Hernandez is young, motivated and sees the strengths Ark City has and the possibilities.

He comes into a town with some fairly heavy municipal baggage, but with the benefit of a new commission and some breathing room created by the interim city manager.

This story shows his optimism about Ark City, and that the commission hired somebody who believes in retail TIF.