County Administrator Leroy Alsup is getting strong support in our online poll. This is unusual, considering that online feedback often trends negative. And of course these polls are not scientific and can be skewed by campaigns to vote one way or another. But doubt this is happening in this case. I think Alsup, and the commission in general, have done a solid job in the past several years. They certainly have avoided controversy, unlike the Ark City commission.
Do you approve of the county retaining Leroy Alsup as administrator?
Yes, he's done an excellent job.
(228 Votes, 61%)
Yes, but not the way it was handled.
(20 Votes, 5%)
No, it was time for him to retire.
(117 Votes, 31%)
I have no opinion.
(7 Votes, 2%)
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Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Failed AYP
This story runs counter to what we usually hear from Ark City schools — that they are winning awards for student achievement.
Could be wrong, but I get a sense that school officials are not confronting the issue head on. The comments that MOST kids are doing well kind of glosses over the whole reason No child left behind is in place — to ensure that those who are hard to teach - low-income, language barriers, minorities - get educated too.
Could be wrong, but I get a sense that school officials are not confronting the issue head on. The comments that MOST kids are doing well kind of glosses over the whole reason No child left behind is in place — to ensure that those who are hard to teach - low-income, language barriers, minorities - get educated too.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Lloyd Lisk
A good man passed away this weekend.
From what I could tell, Lloyd had a real heart for this community and was dedicated to serving it and improving it. He was also very kind and gentle.
It struck me yesterday that Lloyd is the third former council member from the first part of this decade who has passed away. Both Janet English and Wayne Short passed away from cancer in the last two-three years.
Gives you pause — time makes history of us all, sometimes quickly. But the world keeps rotating.
From what I could tell, Lloyd had a real heart for this community and was dedicated to serving it and improving it. He was also very kind and gentle.
It struck me yesterday that Lloyd is the third former council member from the first part of this decade who has passed away. Both Janet English and Wayne Short passed away from cancer in the last two-three years.
Gives you pause — time makes history of us all, sometimes quickly. But the world keeps rotating.
Monday, September 20, 2010
County raises mill levy
This story features Sid Regnier, the former Cowley College business administrator, urging the Cowley County commission not to raise the mill levy (tax levels) even if it is only slightly.
Regnier says that personnaly, he's cut out most all extraneous costs at his household, including cable and the newspaper (I'd call this an essential :)
He makes a compelling case. It's similar to the situation with the ark city school board earlier this summer - why approve a budget with a small mill levy increase that could come with big political consequences. People are mad at all levels of government now and want political leaders to behave like they are — cut expenses and live frugally, especially at the local level.
Practically speaking, if the need to raise $40,000 to $60,000 saves an important job or keeps an important program running, I think it's the right thing to do. Both the school district and county have been been efficient operations. In fact the USD 470 has earned national recognition for low administrative costs but quality education.
Still, I think Groom made the right move here. At least politically. He has the standing now to claim he's the protector of the taxpayer.
Regnier says that personnaly, he's cut out most all extraneous costs at his household, including cable and the newspaper (I'd call this an essential :)
He makes a compelling case. It's similar to the situation with the ark city school board earlier this summer - why approve a budget with a small mill levy increase that could come with big political consequences. People are mad at all levels of government now and want political leaders to behave like they are — cut expenses and live frugally, especially at the local level.
Practically speaking, if the need to raise $40,000 to $60,000 saves an important job or keeps an important program running, I think it's the right thing to do. Both the school district and county have been been efficient operations. In fact the USD 470 has earned national recognition for low administrative costs but quality education.
Still, I think Groom made the right move here. At least politically. He has the standing now to claim he's the protector of the taxpayer.
Gay marriage
Living on top of the Bible belt, it's hard to comprehend this new poll that suggest a majority of Americans support gay marriage. The overall trend is in support of gay marriage.
My guess is that in 20 year it will be law in every state.
My guess is that in 20 year it will be law in every state.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Hospital vision
Give credit to city mananger Steve Archer, hospital and city commission officials for creating some visioning on the land surrounding the new hospital. They got the community involved through focus groups, and now will put together some concepts that can lead to the orderly, logical development of that area. There are high hopes that the hospital will attract spin off businesses.
Personally, I think the area needs more rehabilitation facilities. The hotel and wellness facilities, along with a nice, meditative park area for families and patients, are great ideas, too.
As far as the design layouts, I think I like the town center concept because it connects things in a more pedestrian, grouped way. Imagine walking across a huge blacktop with no sidewalks trying to get from the hotel, or senior apartments to the hospital. That was be poor planning, in my opinion.
Personally, I think the area needs more rehabilitation facilities. The hotel and wellness facilities, along with a nice, meditative park area for families and patients, are great ideas, too.
As far as the design layouts, I think I like the town center concept because it connects things in a more pedestrian, grouped way. Imagine walking across a huge blacktop with no sidewalks trying to get from the hotel, or senior apartments to the hospital. That was be poor planning, in my opinion.
Illegal caught
This story, of course, raises the question that many folks have on their minds in Ark City area — just how many workers at Creekstone are illegal immigrants. Creekstone has said several times that they run documents through the proper channels. Guess the problem is that it's hard to know if they are fake.
The company appears to work with authorities to root out those who are non-citizens, but the assumption is that probably many workers there are. Nobody really knows.
The company appears to work with authorities to root out those who are non-citizens, but the assumption is that probably many workers there are. Nobody really knows.
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