It is interesting how a good idea, applied well, can end up profitable. Earlier this year, the Commission and I attended the annual conference of the League of Kansas Municipalities. While we were “networking,” Commissioner Joe Strecker met a lady he went to high school. She was one of the vendors – actually helping her son with his company.
His company is called Purple Wave. It is headquartered in Manhattan, KS. (The non Kansas readers should understand the school color of Kansas State University is Purple and KSU is in Manhattan.) Purple Wave is a company that auctions equipment using an e-bay model.
Last month, new Fire Chief Larry Eubanks identified two vehicles that were surplus and needed to be disposed of. They were an old rescue truck and an old Pumper truck.
During the League conference, Joe said to me “you need to check out that company.” After returning to work, I saw the value of the contact. When Eubanks told me of the condition of the two vehicles, remembering the contact spurred action. I found the vendor brochure and had Eubanks call Purple Wave. They put the vehicles on their web site and the bidding began.
Our expectation was that we would get some amount more money that we have in local bidding. Earlier this summer, we were asked to find potential bidders for the old ambulance slated for trade in. We ran several want-ads in major city markets and received no bids. We ended up trading it in for $2,000. Now that we know about Purple Wave, we can expect a better equipment disposal record.
Well, the best part is this. The sales price for the rescue was $9,600. The sale price for the old Pumper was $2,500. The bids from Monday morning rose from $3,500 to $9,600 by the Tuesday at 10:00 am closing. Needles to say, we are very happy with the result.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Getting back to writing again
It is time to get back into the swing of doing Blogs again. It is tough to just sit down and write. It gives me an appreciation for the editorial journalists that do this for a living.
I have a couple of items to write about today – both related to fire equipment.
Earlier this spring/summer we ordered a new ambulance. It was delivered today!
It doesn’t look too much different than the one the Department is using now. That is intentional. Having the two ambulances outfitted nearly the same will help the EMT’s find things quickly since the two units are manufactured by the same vendor – MedTech.
As I said above, it arrived today. Within minutes, firefighters and EMT’s started arriving to look the “new beauty over.” It was interesting to watch the folks touch the various cabinets and doors, check out new head-sets, and test out the horn and siren. There was a sense of watching sailors bring a ship to life. There was a display of reverence as they considered the work they would be doing together.
The new ambulance is coming to life. Thursday night, the Fire Department staff will be putting things in their place, loading cabinets with the various tools and supplies that will help keep someone alive.
This new ambulance is the product of a number of a number of people. What is remarkable is the time it took the Fire Department staff to prepare bid specifications. Our policy is to have the Commission review them prior to bid approval. The Commission has a chance to ask “why this?” for the various specifications before they approve letting us go out for bids. We then send the specifications to a number of vendors who prepare a cost estimate for us.
Before the Commission awarded bids, several vendors brought their demonstrators to Concordia. Commissioners came and viewed the ambulance demonstrator vehicles and crawled all over them with the EMT’s to get their views of what was good and what was better. In the end, this conversation between the EMT’s and the Commissioners produced a level of confidence ending in a purchase decision for the vehicle delivered today. Each group – the EMT’s and the Commission - had the confidence the best vehicle was being purchased for the community.
The EMT’s had a say in what the City purchased. That reverence I saw today reflected pride in their role in the purchase decision. They actually OWN the new ambulance.
I have a couple of items to write about today – both related to fire equipment.
Earlier this spring/summer we ordered a new ambulance. It was delivered today!
It doesn’t look too much different than the one the Department is using now. That is intentional. Having the two ambulances outfitted nearly the same will help the EMT’s find things quickly since the two units are manufactured by the same vendor – MedTech.
As I said above, it arrived today. Within minutes, firefighters and EMT’s started arriving to look the “new beauty over.” It was interesting to watch the folks touch the various cabinets and doors, check out new head-sets, and test out the horn and siren. There was a sense of watching sailors bring a ship to life. There was a display of reverence as they considered the work they would be doing together.
The new ambulance is coming to life. Thursday night, the Fire Department staff will be putting things in their place, loading cabinets with the various tools and supplies that will help keep someone alive.
This new ambulance is the product of a number of a number of people. What is remarkable is the time it took the Fire Department staff to prepare bid specifications. Our policy is to have the Commission review them prior to bid approval. The Commission has a chance to ask “why this?” for the various specifications before they approve letting us go out for bids. We then send the specifications to a number of vendors who prepare a cost estimate for us.
Before the Commission awarded bids, several vendors brought their demonstrators to Concordia. Commissioners came and viewed the ambulance demonstrator vehicles and crawled all over them with the EMT’s to get their views of what was good and what was better. In the end, this conversation between the EMT’s and the Commissioners produced a level of confidence ending in a purchase decision for the vehicle delivered today. Each group – the EMT’s and the Commission - had the confidence the best vehicle was being purchased for the community.
The EMT’s had a say in what the City purchased. That reverence I saw today reflected pride in their role in the purchase decision. They actually OWN the new ambulance.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Police Chief Recruitment Progresses
Police Chief Recruitment Progresses
One of the things that has kept me busy the past few weeks has been the Police Chief Recruitment. Friday, I interviewed three candidates – two from Kansas and one from Missouri.
Normally, job interviews are 30 to 60 minutes. The team of interviewers and I spent about 2 hours asking questions. I feel I have enough information now to make an offer. I see the end of the process leading to hiring a new Police Chief. We can then move toward making the necessary changes to change us from “Good to Great.”
By the way, “Good to Great” is the name of a great book by Jim Collins. I recommend reading it.
One of the things that has kept me busy the past few weeks has been the Police Chief Recruitment. Friday, I interviewed three candidates – two from Kansas and one from Missouri.
Normally, job interviews are 30 to 60 minutes. The team of interviewers and I spent about 2 hours asking questions. I feel I have enough information now to make an offer. I see the end of the process leading to hiring a new Police Chief. We can then move toward making the necessary changes to change us from “Good to Great.”
By the way, “Good to Great” is the name of a great book by Jim Collins. I recommend reading it.
Things to be thankful for!
Things have been quite busy at home and work the past few weeks. It has been busy enough to “think about” writing the next blog but that is about it. With Thanksgiving week before me, there is a break – Thankfully.
With that in mind, there is much to be thankful for. In his letter to the editor Friday, Jerry Burgess pointed out a number of good things about Concordia. You can’t list them all. However, Jerry did a very commendable job of reminding us of the value of this special place.
The past couple of weeks, my wife Susan has been involved in promoting a mission’s ministry of Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child. Susan and several others organized the local church memberships to prepare a Christmas present for children of Third World countries. Folks put a number of toys, hygiene necessities and school supplies in shoe boxes that will be sent to children, some who have never received a present before. Today, we took 701 shoe boxes to the Salina “relay point” from our area. The boxes will be shipped to Minneapolis, MN and processed to be sent overseas.
One of the things to add to Jerry’s list is our generosity.
With that in mind, there is much to be thankful for. In his letter to the editor Friday, Jerry Burgess pointed out a number of good things about Concordia. You can’t list them all. However, Jerry did a very commendable job of reminding us of the value of this special place.
The past couple of weeks, my wife Susan has been involved in promoting a mission’s ministry of Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child. Susan and several others organized the local church memberships to prepare a Christmas present for children of Third World countries. Folks put a number of toys, hygiene necessities and school supplies in shoe boxes that will be sent to children, some who have never received a present before. Today, we took 701 shoe boxes to the Salina “relay point” from our area. The boxes will be shipped to Minneapolis, MN and processed to be sent overseas.
One of the things to add to Jerry’s list is our generosity.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Police Shooting Report
Well, it is time to write about the Police shooting experience. Now that the County Attorney has issued his findings, we can express our feelings and opinions about the situation.
I remember the night of September 22. The back door was open and I could hear sirens – one after another. After hearing what seemed like four different series of sirens, I thought I ought to call dispatch and ask what was going on. As I moved to get out of my chair, I heard another siren. I knew that dispatch was still busy and I would be hearing from someone soon. I was right.
Detective Mike Copple called a few minutes later with the news that there had been an “officer involved shooting.” I am not sure whether I verbalized my thought or not but the first questions was the safety of our officers. At that point hundreds of crisis management questions begin to kick in.
My first action was calling Mayor Joe Jindra. I think one of the first rules of any city manager is that no matter how bad the situation, call the Mayor first and alert him/her to what is happening. There is nothing worse than finding out from someone else about a problem. As I called Joe, he was hearing about the event from his son who was listening on a scanner.
The next step was to pack up my laptop and head to the Police Station. I knew I would be in the Public Information Officer role as well as the City Manager role. Mike and I went to the scene. I didn’t see anything except for a large number of people standing about the police lines that were set up. After conferring with the other Sheriff Deputies we brought our officers back to the station. What I saw impressed me regarding the professionalism of these men.
The attention to detail that I heard and learned about in the military was evident. The weapons were cleared and placed in evidence cases. KBI was present, interviewed each officer and secured the weapons.
As we sat waiting for the KBI agent to arrive, we talked. Some of it was small talk other times it related to some of the cases they were working on. What was obvious was we didn’t talk about. As I watched and gathered my own impressions, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in the minds of these two guys. Moments earlier a gun was in their face, they responded as they had been trained, a man dying at the hospital.
After they were interviewed by KBI, the officers were taken home. They, more than likely, hugged their wife and kids a little tighter and wondered how the world would treat them when the sun came up.
I asked questions about their care in the next few days. We had been talking about it all night but now that the officers were on their way home, it was time to be frank. In these situations, crisis teams are brought in to work with the officers. We requested the State Highway Patrol team to come and assist.
In my next posting, I will talk about the press relations side of this event.
Before I sign off here, I did want to reflect upon an observation about the police profession. I think every officer joins a department with that vision of making a difference in the community where he or she works. From before they fill out their job application, through their time at the police academy and after they get out on the street, there is this understanding that someday they might have to use their firearm in a combat situation. I don’t think they want to use it. However, being trained and prepared is part of the toolkit.
Having to fire your weapon is a situation that all of us who are not in the law enforcement business will not understand. It is something you plan for but you hope never happens. Our Police Department puts their life on the line every day to protect our community. We need to pause and reflect upon that responsibility for awhile. I am pleased our department has people who are willing to put themselves in harms way as a means of providing community protection. Our thanks need to go out to those who provide our safety. If you are inclined, pray for their continued safety as they insure ours.
I remember the night of September 22. The back door was open and I could hear sirens – one after another. After hearing what seemed like four different series of sirens, I thought I ought to call dispatch and ask what was going on. As I moved to get out of my chair, I heard another siren. I knew that dispatch was still busy and I would be hearing from someone soon. I was right.
Detective Mike Copple called a few minutes later with the news that there had been an “officer involved shooting.” I am not sure whether I verbalized my thought or not but the first questions was the safety of our officers. At that point hundreds of crisis management questions begin to kick in.
My first action was calling Mayor Joe Jindra. I think one of the first rules of any city manager is that no matter how bad the situation, call the Mayor first and alert him/her to what is happening. There is nothing worse than finding out from someone else about a problem. As I called Joe, he was hearing about the event from his son who was listening on a scanner.
The next step was to pack up my laptop and head to the Police Station. I knew I would be in the Public Information Officer role as well as the City Manager role. Mike and I went to the scene. I didn’t see anything except for a large number of people standing about the police lines that were set up. After conferring with the other Sheriff Deputies we brought our officers back to the station. What I saw impressed me regarding the professionalism of these men.
The attention to detail that I heard and learned about in the military was evident. The weapons were cleared and placed in evidence cases. KBI was present, interviewed each officer and secured the weapons.
As we sat waiting for the KBI agent to arrive, we talked. Some of it was small talk other times it related to some of the cases they were working on. What was obvious was we didn’t talk about. As I watched and gathered my own impressions, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in the minds of these two guys. Moments earlier a gun was in their face, they responded as they had been trained, a man dying at the hospital.
After they were interviewed by KBI, the officers were taken home. They, more than likely, hugged their wife and kids a little tighter and wondered how the world would treat them when the sun came up.
I asked questions about their care in the next few days. We had been talking about it all night but now that the officers were on their way home, it was time to be frank. In these situations, crisis teams are brought in to work with the officers. We requested the State Highway Patrol team to come and assist.
In my next posting, I will talk about the press relations side of this event.
Before I sign off here, I did want to reflect upon an observation about the police profession. I think every officer joins a department with that vision of making a difference in the community where he or she works. From before they fill out their job application, through their time at the police academy and after they get out on the street, there is this understanding that someday they might have to use their firearm in a combat situation. I don’t think they want to use it. However, being trained and prepared is part of the toolkit.
Having to fire your weapon is a situation that all of us who are not in the law enforcement business will not understand. It is something you plan for but you hope never happens. Our Police Department puts their life on the line every day to protect our community. We need to pause and reflect upon that responsibility for awhile. I am pleased our department has people who are willing to put themselves in harms way as a means of providing community protection. Our thanks need to go out to those who provide our safety. If you are inclined, pray for their continued safety as they insure ours.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Fun with Blogging
Fun with Blogging
Last week, I attended the annual conference of the League of Kansas Municipalities. I was asked to be a presenter for one of the Sunday Roundtable discussions concerning my Blog. It was fun sharing what I have learned and the local benefits of getting out a story that the local press cannot cover the way I can in the Blog setting.
In the three sessions (30 minutes each), I talked to governing body members, City Clerks and City Managers. During the second session, I was urging the group to begin their own Blog and out of the blue, I said if they did that would make me a “Blog-father!” (My favorite type of humor is expressed in that last line.)
My friends at the League office have given me another opportunity to promote Concordia. Telling them the cost of doing promotion like this is well within the budget of the smallest community was enjoyable too. By the way, it is free. Most of the time, I write these while I am at home (all but three).
Last week, I attended the annual conference of the League of Kansas Municipalities. I was asked to be a presenter for one of the Sunday Roundtable discussions concerning my Blog. It was fun sharing what I have learned and the local benefits of getting out a story that the local press cannot cover the way I can in the Blog setting.
In the three sessions (30 minutes each), I talked to governing body members, City Clerks and City Managers. During the second session, I was urging the group to begin their own Blog and out of the blue, I said if they did that would make me a “Blog-father!” (My favorite type of humor is expressed in that last line.)
My friends at the League office have given me another opportunity to promote Concordia. Telling them the cost of doing promotion like this is well within the budget of the smallest community was enjoyable too. By the way, it is free. Most of the time, I write these while I am at home (all but three).
Boomtown Blog Recognition
You all need to go to the BoomTown USA Blog. http://boomtownusa.blogspot.com/ Concordia received what Mayor Jindra calls “National Attention.” As I was looking at the list of subscribers, I found the email address for Boomtown USA author Jack Schultz. I was amazed to see his address there.
I took the time to write a thank you. I also took the time to write about the good things happening in Concordia. (Part of the City Manager’s job is to promote his community!) I shared information about our Tuesday Morning Chamber Coffee and the entrepreneurial activity that I call “signs of life.”
He responded last week and said he would be writing about us.
Readers interested in economic development need to subscribe to Jack’s Blog and also read his book. I know there are several copies circulating in the community.
Thanks Jack for highlighting Concordia!
I took the time to write a thank you. I also took the time to write about the good things happening in Concordia. (Part of the City Manager’s job is to promote his community!) I shared information about our Tuesday Morning Chamber Coffee and the entrepreneurial activity that I call “signs of life.”
He responded last week and said he would be writing about us.
Readers interested in economic development need to subscribe to Jack’s Blog and also read his book. I know there are several copies circulating in the community.
Thanks Jack for highlighting Concordia!
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Police Chief Search Narrows
October 5th came and went. October 5th was the deadline for applications for Police Chief. 25 individuals expressed interest in the position. 17 filed both a resume and the City’s application form. It reminds me of the birthday boy sitting in the horse barn sifting straw saying “there’s got to be a pony in here somewhere!” In the list of 17 there is a new Police Chief. I do not know his/her name yet but I am confident the result will be positive.
The group included 8 from Kansas, Colorado (2), Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, Oregon and Pennsylvania (2). Some of the out of state candidates have worked in Kansas before. The qualifications are impressive.
The next step in the selection process is to review the resumes and applications in detail and develop a “short list.” For this step, I asked several people to help me. I have two police chiefs and two from the community reviewing the documents. I found the last time I selected a chief when I was employed in Baldwin City, having a law enforcement executive at the table was priceless. Being able to get a community perspective is just as valuable.
Once the “short list” is developed, we will be conducting interviews here in Concordia. I have tentatively set October 21st or October 24th for the interviews. Getting all the schedules coordinated will be the final factor there.
Following the interview will be the selection and negotiation phase. I am hoping to be finished by the end of the month. As usual, there will probably be something to change the schedule. The key point is to find an exceptional individual that is the perfect fit for Concordia. I am confident in the outcome.
In the last posting C. Morrison wrote “Larry, what do you mean we have places we do not want to acknowledge? I would think the city police chief would only be concerned with places that are a source of criminal activity. Of Course, the Chief of Police is really interested in the entire community. However, there are places that we are not proud to take visitors but I did anyway. A chief needs to see the good, the bad, and the ugly. The point was being made by my back seat driver that I shouldn’t be showing this part of the town as a means of impressing the spouse. A new Chief has to see all of it (and we didn’t show all of it due to the lack of time).
Over the weekend, I will be making a presentation to the League of Kansas Municipalities about Blogs. If you have any impressions, add them to the comments area for other Kansas community leaders to see.
The group included 8 from Kansas, Colorado (2), Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, Oregon and Pennsylvania (2). Some of the out of state candidates have worked in Kansas before. The qualifications are impressive.
The next step in the selection process is to review the resumes and applications in detail and develop a “short list.” For this step, I asked several people to help me. I have two police chiefs and two from the community reviewing the documents. I found the last time I selected a chief when I was employed in Baldwin City, having a law enforcement executive at the table was priceless. Being able to get a community perspective is just as valuable.
Once the “short list” is developed, we will be conducting interviews here in Concordia. I have tentatively set October 21st or October 24th for the interviews. Getting all the schedules coordinated will be the final factor there.
Following the interview will be the selection and negotiation phase. I am hoping to be finished by the end of the month. As usual, there will probably be something to change the schedule. The key point is to find an exceptional individual that is the perfect fit for Concordia. I am confident in the outcome.
In the last posting C. Morrison wrote “Larry, what do you mean we have places we do not want to acknowledge? I would think the city police chief would only be concerned with places that are a source of criminal activity. Of Course, the Chief of Police is really interested in the entire community. However, there are places that we are not proud to take visitors but I did anyway. A chief needs to see the good, the bad, and the ugly. The point was being made by my back seat driver that I shouldn’t be showing this part of the town as a means of impressing the spouse. A new Chief has to see all of it (and we didn’t show all of it due to the lack of time).
Over the weekend, I will be making a presentation to the League of Kansas Municipalities about Blogs. If you have any impressions, add them to the comments area for other Kansas community leaders to see.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Police Chief Update
Among all the activities of the past week, I have tried to focus on the process of finding a new Police Chief. Joe Strecker has a favorite saying that applies here. A dog that chases two rabbits catches neither one!
So, what does that have to do with the Police Chief? Everything!
As I mentioned in the last Blog posting, I had a number of outlets for finding the new chief. Even during the shooting incident, I had to focus on the process of getting a new Chief. Yes, it would have been easy to refocus on the officers and their plight but finding their leader is my responsibility.
The application process concludes Wednesday afternoon. There are a number of people who have expressed interest from all over the United States. This weekend, I played host to a visitor who wanted to see our community before submitting a resume/application.
It was an interesting tour around town. Susan accompanied me on the tour with our guest and spouse. Susan was amazed at the places I have not shown her in Concordia but are important for a Police Chief candidate to see. Even here, there are places we do not want to acknowledge. At the end of the tour, I received the resume/application as if to say we passed the test.
The next step in our chief selection process is a written assignment. It will give me an opportunity to see how the candidates can write – if you can’t write, you can’t teach an officer how to prepare a good police report. The other part of the task is to see how they think. This part will be the first indication of how the candidates will fit in our community.
My plan is to have interviews mid month and a selection before the end of October.
So, what does that have to do with the Police Chief? Everything!
As I mentioned in the last Blog posting, I had a number of outlets for finding the new chief. Even during the shooting incident, I had to focus on the process of getting a new Chief. Yes, it would have been easy to refocus on the officers and their plight but finding their leader is my responsibility.
The application process concludes Wednesday afternoon. There are a number of people who have expressed interest from all over the United States. This weekend, I played host to a visitor who wanted to see our community before submitting a resume/application.
It was an interesting tour around town. Susan accompanied me on the tour with our guest and spouse. Susan was amazed at the places I have not shown her in Concordia but are important for a Police Chief candidate to see. Even here, there are places we do not want to acknowledge. At the end of the tour, I received the resume/application as if to say we passed the test.
The next step in our chief selection process is a written assignment. It will give me an opportunity to see how the candidates can write – if you can’t write, you can’t teach an officer how to prepare a good police report. The other part of the task is to see how they think. This part will be the first indication of how the candidates will fit in our community.
My plan is to have interviews mid month and a selection before the end of October.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Police Chief Recruitment
The past few weeks have been frustrating as I attempt to secure a new Police Chief.
I had been trying to woo the Baldwin City Police Chief to Concordia. I hired Mike McKenna four months before I moved to Concordia. I recognized his professional caliber. I want that level of competence as I replace Chief Maley. For several weeks, we negotiated and I finally lost out to Baldwin City as they increased their contract with Mike. He had been in charge of the early BTK investigation. You might remember, law enforcement officials credited the early efforts and the preservation of evidence as one of the keys to capturing BTK. I watched his investigative methods secure a confession to an internal theft situation of one of the local businesses.
There has been a complete turnover in officers in Baldwin City since I moved from Baldwin City to here. It is a direct result of raising the bar – expecting police officers to do police work at the highest level. There is a difference in the quality of officers here compared to the department Mike McKenna assumed in Baldwin City. The fellows here are competent, honest, and professional. Yes, I do know there are folks that criticize our Police force. Our fellows do need fresh leadership and this is a good time to find that leadership.
Now that Mike McKenna is not a candidate, I do have a major problem related to expectations. I have those same high expectations for the individual we eventually hire. The pressure will be on both the candidates and the City Manager to bring out the best candidate.
I am doing a “national” search now. Using the International Association of Chiefs of Police website, I have placed a recruiting ad looking for a new chief. It is one of the tools I used when I found McKenna. One nice thing is that it was free. In comparison, the cost of recruiting within Kansas is not free.
I will be mailing an announcement to every chief in every community this week. Included with the announcement will be a tri-fold brochure I prepared. If anyone wants a copy, send me an email (citymanager@concordiaks.org) and I will forward a PDF version that you can read, print or send to a friend. (A comment won't work since some of you use an email alias.) I even added a reference to this Blog so potential candidates can see what I focus on here.
While I am recruiting, I am still looking for an Interim Chief. I am using the Kansas Police Chiefs Association, the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, the KBI, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and referrals from people I know in the Police world. It seems like I am asking everyone I know if they know someone in the police community that might be interested in an interim position.
Finding an interim chief has been one of the frustrating elements I mentioned in the lead paragraph. I am looking for someone that has had “command” experience from being a Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief or Chief. Usually, those folks do not want to get back into police work. Trying to get them back into law enforcement and the stress it produces is one reason they shy away from returning.
On the bright side, however, I have been able to secure administrative help in managing the Police Department. Former City Clerk/Commissioner Verna Ferguson will be watching the flock for me. Her many years of experience with the city provide her the skill to manage the administrative functions and it gives me peace of mind that someone who knows our system and is watching over things. (It really hasn’t changed that much in the 10 years since she retired.)
I had been trying to woo the Baldwin City Police Chief to Concordia. I hired Mike McKenna four months before I moved to Concordia. I recognized his professional caliber. I want that level of competence as I replace Chief Maley. For several weeks, we negotiated and I finally lost out to Baldwin City as they increased their contract with Mike. He had been in charge of the early BTK investigation. You might remember, law enforcement officials credited the early efforts and the preservation of evidence as one of the keys to capturing BTK. I watched his investigative methods secure a confession to an internal theft situation of one of the local businesses.
There has been a complete turnover in officers in Baldwin City since I moved from Baldwin City to here. It is a direct result of raising the bar – expecting police officers to do police work at the highest level. There is a difference in the quality of officers here compared to the department Mike McKenna assumed in Baldwin City. The fellows here are competent, honest, and professional. Yes, I do know there are folks that criticize our Police force. Our fellows do need fresh leadership and this is a good time to find that leadership.
Now that Mike McKenna is not a candidate, I do have a major problem related to expectations. I have those same high expectations for the individual we eventually hire. The pressure will be on both the candidates and the City Manager to bring out the best candidate.
I am doing a “national” search now. Using the International Association of Chiefs of Police website, I have placed a recruiting ad looking for a new chief. It is one of the tools I used when I found McKenna. One nice thing is that it was free. In comparison, the cost of recruiting within Kansas is not free.
I will be mailing an announcement to every chief in every community this week. Included with the announcement will be a tri-fold brochure I prepared. If anyone wants a copy, send me an email (citymanager@concordiaks.org) and I will forward a PDF version that you can read, print or send to a friend. (A comment won't work since some of you use an email alias.) I even added a reference to this Blog so potential candidates can see what I focus on here.
While I am recruiting, I am still looking for an Interim Chief. I am using the Kansas Police Chiefs Association, the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, the KBI, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and referrals from people I know in the Police world. It seems like I am asking everyone I know if they know someone in the police community that might be interested in an interim position.
Finding an interim chief has been one of the frustrating elements I mentioned in the lead paragraph. I am looking for someone that has had “command” experience from being a Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief or Chief. Usually, those folks do not want to get back into police work. Trying to get them back into law enforcement and the stress it produces is one reason they shy away from returning.
On the bright side, however, I have been able to secure administrative help in managing the Police Department. Former City Clerk/Commissioner Verna Ferguson will be watching the flock for me. Her many years of experience with the city provide her the skill to manage the administrative functions and it gives me peace of mind that someone who knows our system and is watching over things. (It really hasn’t changed that much in the 10 years since she retired.)
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
FEMA is not a First Responder
In an earlier Blog story this afternoon, I commented on an article I received from a City Manager friend who lives in New Mexico. He sent me the following article. Here it is as I received it.
Craig Martelle: FEMA is not a first responder (Craig Martelle, retired as a major in the U.S. Marine Corps, lives in North Huntingdon. He recently launched the Strategic Outlook Institute, a public-policy organization.)
Don't be so quick to pillory the federal response in New Orleans. Immediate emergency management is primarily a local and state responsibility
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
As one who has received training by FEMA in emergency management and also training by the Department of Defense in consequence management, I believe that the federal response in New Orleans needs clarification.
The key to emergency management starts at the local level and expands to the state level. Emergency planning generally does not include any federal guarantees, as there can only be limited ones from the federal level for any local plan. FEMA provides free training, education, assistance and respond in case of an emergency, but the local and state officials run their own emergency management program.
Prior development of an emergency plan, addressing all foreseeable contingencies, is the absolute requirement of the local government --and then they share that plan with the state emergency managers to ensure that the state authorities can provide necessary assets not available at the local level. Additionally, good planning will include applicable elements of the federal government (those located in the local area). These processes are well established, but are contingent upon the personal drive of both hired and elected officials at the local level.
I've reviewed the New Orleans emergency management plan. Here is an important section in the first paragraph.
"We coordinate all city departments and allied state and federal agencies which respond to citywide disasters and emergencies through the development and constant updating of an integrated multi-hazard plan. All requests for federal disaster assistance and federal funding subsequent to disaster declarations are also made through this office. Our authority is defined by the Louisiana Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act of 1993, Chapter 6 Section 709, Paragraph B, 'Each parish shall maintain a Disaster Agency which, except as otherwise provided under this act, has jurisdiction over and serves the entire parish.' "
Check the plan -- the "we" in this case is the office of the mayor, Ray Nagin who was very quick and vocal about blaming everyone but his own office. A telling picture, at left, taken by The Associated Press on Sept. 1 and widely circulated on the Internet shows a school bus park, apparently filled to capacity with buses, under about four feet of water. If a mandatory evacuation was ordered, why weren't all the taxpayer-purchased buses used in the effort?
Who could have predicted the anarchy resulting as a consequence? The individuals who devolved into lawless animals embarrass the entirety of America. (I worked in a U.S. Embassy overseas for a couple years and I can imagine what foreign diplomats are thinking.) What societal factors would ever lead people to believe that this behavior was even remotely acceptable?
The folks in New Orleans who are perpetrating the violence and lawlessness are not that way because of low income or of race, but because they personally do not have any honor or commitment to higher ideals. The civil-rights leaders should be ashamed at playing the blame game.
The blame is on the individuals. The blame is on the society that allowed these individuals to develop the ideal that the individual is greater than the national pride he is destroying. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was very clear in her comments that she was offended at those who suggested the suffering in New Orleans was prolonged because of race.
As a retired Marine, I hang my head in shame to see my fellow Americans degenerate so far. I spent so many years in the Corps helping the citizens of other countries rise to a higher level of personal responsibility to ensure that in case of emergency, anarchy did not necessarily follow. When people are held to a higher standard of personal responsibility and they accept that, then they will do the right thing when the time comes.
It seems that the mayor of New Orleans is leading the effort in not taking responsibility for his actions. The emergency managers for the state of Louisiana do not have much to say either. The failure in the first 48 hours to provide direction for survivors is theirs to live with. When FEMA was able to take over, it started out behind and had to develop its plan on the fly. Now the federal government has established priorities -- rescue the stranded, evacuate the city, flow in resources and fix the levee. It appears that now there is a plan and it is being systematically executed.
Hurricane Katrina was a national tragedy -- not just in the number of lives lost or the amount of physical damage, but also in the failure of people to do what is right when no one is looking.
Craig Martelle: FEMA is not a first responder (Craig Martelle, retired as a major in the U.S. Marine Corps, lives in North Huntingdon. He recently launched the Strategic Outlook Institute, a public-policy organization.)
Don't be so quick to pillory the federal response in New Orleans. Immediate emergency management is primarily a local and state responsibility
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
As one who has received training by FEMA in emergency management and also training by the Department of Defense in consequence management, I believe that the federal response in New Orleans needs clarification.
The key to emergency management starts at the local level and expands to the state level. Emergency planning generally does not include any federal guarantees, as there can only be limited ones from the federal level for any local plan. FEMA provides free training, education, assistance and respond in case of an emergency, but the local and state officials run their own emergency management program.
Prior development of an emergency plan, addressing all foreseeable contingencies, is the absolute requirement of the local government --and then they share that plan with the state emergency managers to ensure that the state authorities can provide necessary assets not available at the local level. Additionally, good planning will include applicable elements of the federal government (those located in the local area). These processes are well established, but are contingent upon the personal drive of both hired and elected officials at the local level.
I've reviewed the New Orleans emergency management plan. Here is an important section in the first paragraph.
"We coordinate all city departments and allied state and federal agencies which respond to citywide disasters and emergencies through the development and constant updating of an integrated multi-hazard plan. All requests for federal disaster assistance and federal funding subsequent to disaster declarations are also made through this office. Our authority is defined by the Louisiana Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act of 1993, Chapter 6 Section 709, Paragraph B, 'Each parish shall maintain a Disaster Agency which, except as otherwise provided under this act, has jurisdiction over and serves the entire parish.' "
Check the plan -- the "we" in this case is the office of the mayor, Ray Nagin who was very quick and vocal about blaming everyone but his own office. A telling picture, at left, taken by The Associated Press on Sept. 1 and widely circulated on the Internet shows a school bus park, apparently filled to capacity with buses, under about four feet of water. If a mandatory evacuation was ordered, why weren't all the taxpayer-purchased buses used in the effort?
Who could have predicted the anarchy resulting as a consequence? The individuals who devolved into lawless animals embarrass the entirety of America. (I worked in a U.S. Embassy overseas for a couple years and I can imagine what foreign diplomats are thinking.) What societal factors would ever lead people to believe that this behavior was even remotely acceptable?
The folks in New Orleans who are perpetrating the violence and lawlessness are not that way because of low income or of race, but because they personally do not have any honor or commitment to higher ideals. The civil-rights leaders should be ashamed at playing the blame game.
The blame is on the individuals. The blame is on the society that allowed these individuals to develop the ideal that the individual is greater than the national pride he is destroying. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was very clear in her comments that she was offended at those who suggested the suffering in New Orleans was prolonged because of race.
As a retired Marine, I hang my head in shame to see my fellow Americans degenerate so far. I spent so many years in the Corps helping the citizens of other countries rise to a higher level of personal responsibility to ensure that in case of emergency, anarchy did not necessarily follow. When people are held to a higher standard of personal responsibility and they accept that, then they will do the right thing when the time comes.
It seems that the mayor of New Orleans is leading the effort in not taking responsibility for his actions. The emergency managers for the state of Louisiana do not have much to say either. The failure in the first 48 hours to provide direction for survivors is theirs to live with. When FEMA was able to take over, it started out behind and had to develop its plan on the fly. Now the federal government has established priorities -- rescue the stranded, evacuate the city, flow in resources and fix the levee. It appears that now there is a plan and it is being systematically executed.
Hurricane Katrina was a national tragedy -- not just in the number of lives lost or the amount of physical damage, but also in the failure of people to do what is right when no one is looking.
Refugee Planning
There has been a lot of talk concerning hurricane refugees coming to Concordia. Much of what I have heard is they are coming, then they are not.
What continues to be important is the people of Concordia have a "heart" for these people. Everyone is grateful for that.
During the weekend, I was asked to have water turned on for the Beverly Health Center. Since it has not operated during the period I have been City Manager, it is not a place I have thought about. Well, some one did. It needed cleaning. I have heard there were large groups of church people donating time to get the facility ready to accept people.
I received an email today from one of my City Manager friends in New Mexico that put the past week's effort in perspective and it makes good sense with what these folks are doing here in Concordia.
The point of the email is that FEMA is not a first responder. It is not the responsibility of the Federal government to be first on the scene fixing things for communities that have endured the effects of a devastating storm like Hurricane Katrina. It is the responsibility of the local community to first assess the problem and, if necessary, call for state and Federal assistance.
There is a specific protocol for asking for aid. Locals assess the situation and ask the County Commissioners to declare an emergency. State aid can then be called in and if the damage can be valued high enough - something like a fixed percent of the statewide assessed value (I am fuzzy on this part) the Governor can ask for a Presidential declaration of emergency. All this is part of the community's emergency management plan.
I heard Larry Blochlinger say today at Chamber Coffee that when a tornado hit is ranch, there wasn't enough damage to declare an emergency where he could get government aid. What did happen is that neighbors came by the droves to help. In New Orleans, there are no neighbors to help - everyone was affected. Well, yes there are neighbors - they are called Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia....
So the response here is much like the Pharisee in the bible who asked "who is my neighbor?" In Concordia, these folks have names who are trying to express compassion for the losses our fellow Americans in Louisiana are suffering. They are trying to help by providing a little relief.
Now the hard part of really organizing local efforts is kicking in. Thursday evening, leaders of the various service providers will gather to develop a plan to assist our neighbors.
So, what if these refugees do not show up? The effort is not wasted, No not by a long shot. If we had a disaster here, we have just identified all the social service providers that will be important in responding to a local disaster. From the City side, we can clean up street of debris. I now have another element to our community disaster plan that wasn't available before.
This is a great opportunity we have to place Concordia on the "caring" map and demonstrate what it is like to live in a small rural community. The best part is we see the exercise of community in its best form.
What continues to be important is the people of Concordia have a "heart" for these people. Everyone is grateful for that.
During the weekend, I was asked to have water turned on for the Beverly Health Center. Since it has not operated during the period I have been City Manager, it is not a place I have thought about. Well, some one did. It needed cleaning. I have heard there were large groups of church people donating time to get the facility ready to accept people.
I received an email today from one of my City Manager friends in New Mexico that put the past week's effort in perspective and it makes good sense with what these folks are doing here in Concordia.
The point of the email is that FEMA is not a first responder. It is not the responsibility of the Federal government to be first on the scene fixing things for communities that have endured the effects of a devastating storm like Hurricane Katrina. It is the responsibility of the local community to first assess the problem and, if necessary, call for state and Federal assistance.
There is a specific protocol for asking for aid. Locals assess the situation and ask the County Commissioners to declare an emergency. State aid can then be called in and if the damage can be valued high enough - something like a fixed percent of the statewide assessed value (I am fuzzy on this part) the Governor can ask for a Presidential declaration of emergency. All this is part of the community's emergency management plan.
I heard Larry Blochlinger say today at Chamber Coffee that when a tornado hit is ranch, there wasn't enough damage to declare an emergency where he could get government aid. What did happen is that neighbors came by the droves to help. In New Orleans, there are no neighbors to help - everyone was affected. Well, yes there are neighbors - they are called Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia....
So the response here is much like the Pharisee in the bible who asked "who is my neighbor?" In Concordia, these folks have names who are trying to express compassion for the losses our fellow Americans in Louisiana are suffering. They are trying to help by providing a little relief.
Now the hard part of really organizing local efforts is kicking in. Thursday evening, leaders of the various service providers will gather to develop a plan to assist our neighbors.
So, what if these refugees do not show up? The effort is not wasted, No not by a long shot. If we had a disaster here, we have just identified all the social service providers that will be important in responding to a local disaster. From the City side, we can clean up street of debris. I now have another element to our community disaster plan that wasn't available before.
This is a great opportunity we have to place Concordia on the "caring" map and demonstrate what it is like to live in a small rural community. The best part is we see the exercise of community in its best form.
Comment Made About Travel
This past week, I received a comment from a reader about "official travel" and the experience of Ann Morris. I thought a response to the comment would be appropriate.
Part of my employment agreement with the City is that I get the "privilege" of attending the International City/County Management Association. To me, privilege means that it is not a "right" and therefore should not be abused.
When I travel to events like this, I try to share the room costs with another manager. That really means I have to find someone who will put up with me and I can put up with them. It is one way to split the cost of $199 per night rates down to tolerable.
In some of the other travel opportunities, I take advantage of Priceline or similar programs. One trip I recently made had room rates at the conference hotel at $105 (in Wichita). I found a room for $40 in El Dorado.
So, C. Morrison, there is my response. I am glad you chose to offer a comment. LP
Part of my employment agreement with the City is that I get the "privilege" of attending the International City/County Management Association. To me, privilege means that it is not a "right" and therefore should not be abused.
When I travel to events like this, I try to share the room costs with another manager. That really means I have to find someone who will put up with me and I can put up with them. It is one way to split the cost of $199 per night rates down to tolerable.
In some of the other travel opportunities, I take advantage of Priceline or similar programs. One trip I recently made had room rates at the conference hotel at $105 (in Wichita). I found a room for $40 in El Dorado.
So, C. Morrison, there is my response. I am glad you chose to offer a comment. LP
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Sales tax blip
I must have jinked the sales tax collection this month. Earlier I bragged that City sales tax revenue was continuing to rise. Our last report showed a small drop from the August 2004 report. So now we have 20 of the past 22 months with sales tax more than the year before.
Fortunately, we are still on target to receive $1.5 million for the year.
Fortunately, we are still on target to receive $1.5 million for the year.
Consumer Confidence
Today I read on CNN that the Consumer Confidence Index is unexpectedly up in August. Dispite the oil prices and the affects of the hurricane in the south, we still see positive things going on in the country.
Later this month, Linda Sutton at the Small Business Development Center is sponsoring an Entrepurnial seminar. Folks from the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship, the Department of Commerce and the Kansas Small Business Development Center are sponsoring a town meeting. It will be at CCCC on September 27th at 1:00 PM. Call Linda and get a reservation (785 243-1435).
I bring this up because when I saw the notice, I sent Steve Radley, Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship, an email and shared our "signs of life" story. His comment was: "Wow, that's exciting stuff and I would also agree that the number of companies is significant."
Consumer Confidence is a big part of a business owner's success. Now we are getting the word out regarding our success.
Later this month, Linda Sutton at the Small Business Development Center is sponsoring an Entrepurnial seminar. Folks from the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship, the Department of Commerce and the Kansas Small Business Development Center are sponsoring a town meeting. It will be at CCCC on September 27th at 1:00 PM. Call Linda and get a reservation (785 243-1435).
I bring this up because when I saw the notice, I sent Steve Radley, Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship, an email and shared our "signs of life" story. His comment was: "Wow, that's exciting stuff and I would also agree that the number of companies is significant."
Consumer Confidence is a big part of a business owner's success. Now we are getting the word out regarding our success.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Corps of Engineers visits with Concordia
Thursday was a great day for Concordia. The Corps of Engineers came to town to discuss the flood control project. The Corps is working on a 50/50 project with us to establish whether we qualify for funding in their Section 205 program. Section 205 is part of the flood mitigation authority. What makes this a great day is that we are one step closer to knowing if Corps funding is possible.
We spent the day discussing what we wanted out of the project. The obvious is a flood control structure on the 21st street alignment. Secondary is the ability to sell property for economic development purposes. I have to say secondarily because if we rated the flood structure on a scale of 1 to 100, the flood structure is 100. Making the balance of the property available for sale would rate a 98. Seeing sales of land is important in the long run. It will help us repay the cost of purchasing the land.
The Corps brought a team of six to Concordia to evaluate the project. We described the work that has been done to date. Campbell and Johnson finished doing the topographic work to provide our engineers with information to develop a preliminary plat. This will be the initial step in making the land available for sale.
Briefly, to subdivide property for sale, a developer must prepare a drawing showing how the lots will be laid out. That is called a preliminary plat. Once approved by the planning commission and the city commission, the division of land becomes a “final plat” and sale of property can occur.
Getting into the Corps of Engineers funding cycle is our objective at this point. The Section 205 program is a 65 Federal/35 local cost share. We learned that land costs can be applied to the local share. Doing the math, $500,000 of land purchase provides up to $1.4 million of project cost. What the real issue now is Congress is not funding the Section 205 program like it used to. We started the process of lobbying our congressional delegation – Senator Brownback is on the Appropriations Committee – to help us fund the project.
The question to be discussed by the City Commission is whether we want to wait on Federal money for a 2007 or 2008 construction or pay the cost of construction from a GO Bond today (meaning 2006 construction). Weighing the risk of waiting on the Federal money against using local tax funds will not be an easy decision.
One side bar to the discussions was the capacity of the existing storm sewer system. Most of the rain events in Concordia are handled by the existing storm sewer system. The reason two dams are proposed is the quantity of storm water exceeds the capacity of the storm sewer. I asked Campbell and Johnson to estimate the project cost of addressing the capacity of the probable storm. The price tag is $8.0 million. It didn’t take too long to it was not a viable solution.
The Corp project team will have their work done in October in time for us to get our request in the next federal budget process. We should know by then whether our project qualifies for Corps funding.
We spent the day discussing what we wanted out of the project. The obvious is a flood control structure on the 21st street alignment. Secondary is the ability to sell property for economic development purposes. I have to say secondarily because if we rated the flood structure on a scale of 1 to 100, the flood structure is 100. Making the balance of the property available for sale would rate a 98. Seeing sales of land is important in the long run. It will help us repay the cost of purchasing the land.
The Corps brought a team of six to Concordia to evaluate the project. We described the work that has been done to date. Campbell and Johnson finished doing the topographic work to provide our engineers with information to develop a preliminary plat. This will be the initial step in making the land available for sale.
Briefly, to subdivide property for sale, a developer must prepare a drawing showing how the lots will be laid out. That is called a preliminary plat. Once approved by the planning commission and the city commission, the division of land becomes a “final plat” and sale of property can occur.
Getting into the Corps of Engineers funding cycle is our objective at this point. The Section 205 program is a 65 Federal/35 local cost share. We learned that land costs can be applied to the local share. Doing the math, $500,000 of land purchase provides up to $1.4 million of project cost. What the real issue now is Congress is not funding the Section 205 program like it used to. We started the process of lobbying our congressional delegation – Senator Brownback is on the Appropriations Committee – to help us fund the project.
The question to be discussed by the City Commission is whether we want to wait on Federal money for a 2007 or 2008 construction or pay the cost of construction from a GO Bond today (meaning 2006 construction). Weighing the risk of waiting on the Federal money against using local tax funds will not be an easy decision.
One side bar to the discussions was the capacity of the existing storm sewer system. Most of the rain events in Concordia are handled by the existing storm sewer system. The reason two dams are proposed is the quantity of storm water exceeds the capacity of the storm sewer. I asked Campbell and Johnson to estimate the project cost of addressing the capacity of the probable storm. The price tag is $8.0 million. It didn’t take too long to it was not a viable solution.
The Corp project team will have their work done in October in time for us to get our request in the next federal budget process. We should know by then whether our project qualifies for Corps funding.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Increased readership
I am happy to report that there are now 31 folks who have subscribed to the City Hall Corner Bolg. It is a small but growing number.
If you like what you see, send this on to your friends.
Yesterday, the League of Kansas Municipalities asked me to make a presentation at their annual conference in October about Blogs. My teaching partner at the League pointed out several times in our recent Municipal Leadership Academy sessions that Blogs are becoming one of the "new trends" for communication to the public.
As you see, I have a unique forum from which to speak. Those who respond with comments get the opprtunity to share in the forum.
I am pleased that you choose to read my "rants."
If you like what you see, send this on to your friends.
Yesterday, the League of Kansas Municipalities asked me to make a presentation at their annual conference in October about Blogs. My teaching partner at the League pointed out several times in our recent Municipal Leadership Academy sessions that Blogs are becoming one of the "new trends" for communication to the public.
As you see, I have a unique forum from which to speak. Those who respond with comments get the opprtunity to share in the forum.
I am pleased that you choose to read my "rants."
Sales Tax benefits
Several years ago, voters of Cloud County chose to impose a 1% sales tax county wide. The tax revenues were divided between the County and the several cities in Cloud County. The added sales tax has been a boon to all the agencies. I recall hearing Jamestown Mayor Judy Hill thank Concordia numerous times for the added sales tax revenue that it produces for Jamestown.
It is helping Concordia too! In reviewing Concordia’s Sales Tax collections since 1995, collections have risen from $794,400 to $1,423,300 in 2004. In 2004, the added 1% sales tax contributed $476,700 to the city’s revenue stream. The new revenue is equal to about 21 mills.
The City Commission gets credit for establishing a number of funds that benefit from the additional cash. An Equipment Replacement Fund was established that provides for the replacement of vehicles and heavy equipment. Each year, money is set aside for each vehicle to be used for future replacement. This is not exact science yet, but it is working. Many of the newer vehicles we have now are the result of putting money aside from the sales tax revenue.
The Commission also created a Capital Improvement Projects fund (CIP). This fund is one where funds are set aside to fund big projects too. Some examples are the mill/overlay on 11th street. It is 100% local funded. The mill/overlay on Broadway and mill/overlay on 6th Streets are KDOT projects and we have a share of the total project. Later this summer, the airport runway will be getting a new surface courtesy of a FAA grant where we pay 5% of the total cost. In each of these projects, the City had put cash aside to see they are done. By setting money aside, we are able to pay cash for the projects.
In FY 2006, the Commission is again planning to set aside from the General Fund $613,000 for projects. These projects include street construction, storm sewer construction, setting reserves for future “slurry seal” on streets, rebuilding a salt storage structure at the City yard, and several other projects.
The best part of this story is the sales tax is contributing to the ongoing improvement of our community. It is helping us be attractive to both business and customers. The July 2005 sales tax payment tells an incredible story about Concordia. The difference in July 2004 ($121,528.51) and July 2005 ($135065.53) payments shows $13,537 more revenue. It amounts to about $150,000 to $170,000 more business in Concordia in 2005. If annualized that is nearly $2,000,000 more sales than the year before. If we have nothing else to brag about (and we do), we can point to the new retail sales that is making our community a nice place to live.
It is helping Concordia too! In reviewing Concordia’s Sales Tax collections since 1995, collections have risen from $794,400 to $1,423,300 in 2004. In 2004, the added 1% sales tax contributed $476,700 to the city’s revenue stream. The new revenue is equal to about 21 mills.
The City Commission gets credit for establishing a number of funds that benefit from the additional cash. An Equipment Replacement Fund was established that provides for the replacement of vehicles and heavy equipment. Each year, money is set aside for each vehicle to be used for future replacement. This is not exact science yet, but it is working. Many of the newer vehicles we have now are the result of putting money aside from the sales tax revenue.
The Commission also created a Capital Improvement Projects fund (CIP). This fund is one where funds are set aside to fund big projects too. Some examples are the mill/overlay on 11th street. It is 100% local funded. The mill/overlay on Broadway and mill/overlay on 6th Streets are KDOT projects and we have a share of the total project. Later this summer, the airport runway will be getting a new surface courtesy of a FAA grant where we pay 5% of the total cost. In each of these projects, the City had put cash aside to see they are done. By setting money aside, we are able to pay cash for the projects.
In FY 2006, the Commission is again planning to set aside from the General Fund $613,000 for projects. These projects include street construction, storm sewer construction, setting reserves for future “slurry seal” on streets, rebuilding a salt storage structure at the City yard, and several other projects.
The best part of this story is the sales tax is contributing to the ongoing improvement of our community. It is helping us be attractive to both business and customers. The July 2005 sales tax payment tells an incredible story about Concordia. The difference in July 2004 ($121,528.51) and July 2005 ($135065.53) payments shows $13,537 more revenue. It amounts to about $150,000 to $170,000 more business in Concordia in 2005. If annualized that is nearly $2,000,000 more sales than the year before. If we have nothing else to brag about (and we do), we can point to the new retail sales that is making our community a nice place to live.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
This weekend I have another opportunity to represent Concordia doing some teaching for the League of Kansas Municipalities. This will be my fourth year with the Guiding the Municipal Organization. My teaching partner is my friend Don Osenbaugh who works in the field office for the League. Don has a dream job. He works out of his home in Derby and manages the League Worker Compensation Insurance program. Don wouldn’t mind me bragging about him. Under his management, the pool premiums have doubled, not by raising rates but by doubling the Work-Comp business. It is impressive. It is also a good value for cities as we work toward cost containment.
The seminar will involve covering the state of Kansas again. We will be in Colby, Lyons and Chanute the next two weekends. I like the opportunity to visit other cities in Kansas and to see what they are doing. It is also fun to see elected and appointed officials (managers, clerks, various department heads) and hear what they are saying about their communities. I already know we will hear an earful in Lyons. CM John Sweet is caffeine on two legs. John and Lyons are always up to their eyeballs in projects.
The best part of our program is sharing what we know about managing communities. Don and I have an agreement – we must interrupt each other! It helps the audience stay awake and it helps us challenge one another’s thinking.
Every year (each of the four), I ask my city manager friends what they would like their elected officials to learn from this course. It is a basic introduction to municipal management. We cover such things as managing public meetings, how staff and the governing body members have to interact, and why they need to be prepared to do their work. One of my favorite parts has been dealing with the press. I have learned that broadcast media need a short story for their air time. In big business, it is like having a 20 second elevator speech ready when you meet the “Boss.” Most of the time, the press is not out to “get you.” They have a job to do and I help them do it by telling my story.
Since one of Don’s perks is getting around to many cities west of Topeka (that is where the legislature believes the dividing line is from eastern to western Kansas), he has been introduced to a number of good restaurants. So, despite the number of miles I will be putting on the car and the seriously good conversation and food we will have along the way, I will come back charged up from the opportunity to share the practical wisdom I have picked up from the graduate school of hard knocks. The conversations with our class members will be priceless. I will even learn something on the trip I can apply here in Concordia.
The seminar will involve covering the state of Kansas again. We will be in Colby, Lyons and Chanute the next two weekends. I like the opportunity to visit other cities in Kansas and to see what they are doing. It is also fun to see elected and appointed officials (managers, clerks, various department heads) and hear what they are saying about their communities. I already know we will hear an earful in Lyons. CM John Sweet is caffeine on two legs. John and Lyons are always up to their eyeballs in projects.
The best part of our program is sharing what we know about managing communities. Don and I have an agreement – we must interrupt each other! It helps the audience stay awake and it helps us challenge one another’s thinking.
Every year (each of the four), I ask my city manager friends what they would like their elected officials to learn from this course. It is a basic introduction to municipal management. We cover such things as managing public meetings, how staff and the governing body members have to interact, and why they need to be prepared to do their work. One of my favorite parts has been dealing with the press. I have learned that broadcast media need a short story for their air time. In big business, it is like having a 20 second elevator speech ready when you meet the “Boss.” Most of the time, the press is not out to “get you.” They have a job to do and I help them do it by telling my story.
Since one of Don’s perks is getting around to many cities west of Topeka (that is where the legislature believes the dividing line is from eastern to western Kansas), he has been introduced to a number of good restaurants. So, despite the number of miles I will be putting on the car and the seriously good conversation and food we will have along the way, I will come back charged up from the opportunity to share the practical wisdom I have picked up from the graduate school of hard knocks. The conversations with our class members will be priceless. I will even learn something on the trip I can apply here in Concordia.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Independence Day reflections
Earlier this week, I received an email from my friend David who lives in New Mexico. Just as the Iraq War was concluding, he was offered an opportunity to teach public administration principles to folks in Iraq. He made many friends, including a young man named Ahmed. David and Ahmed have kept in touch since David returned from Iraq.
Included in David's recent email was a copy of a note from Ahmed about our holiday. I wanted to share it with you since it reflects the personal impact two men from different countries can have on one another. Hopefully, Ahmed's views really reflect the majority of Iraqi citizens. There is the same spirit in Ahmed's words that I saw following the reading of our Revolutionary War documents. There is a need in the human spirit to demonstrate free living, the ability to make personal choices, and live without fear of a bully whether it be King George or Sadam. Here is Ahmed's letter:
My American Friends,
Happy Independence Day ! l ask the God to keep you safe, let your celebrations in this day more pleasant to you, and make America more powerful. We, Iraqis, ( if not all, but most ) are grateful for your great favor in liberating our country from the former monster. We, Iraqis hope one day to have such an nice day as yours, hoping love will dominate between the Americans and Iraqis forever. With all my regards to you as an Iraqi man, let me say, " God Bless You All and America".
Ahmed
Included in David's recent email was a copy of a note from Ahmed about our holiday. I wanted to share it with you since it reflects the personal impact two men from different countries can have on one another. Hopefully, Ahmed's views really reflect the majority of Iraqi citizens. There is the same spirit in Ahmed's words that I saw following the reading of our Revolutionary War documents. There is a need in the human spirit to demonstrate free living, the ability to make personal choices, and live without fear of a bully whether it be King George or Sadam. Here is Ahmed's letter:
My American Friends,
Happy Independence Day ! l ask the God to keep you safe, let your celebrations in this day more pleasant to you, and make America more powerful. We, Iraqis, ( if not all, but most ) are grateful for your great favor in liberating our country from the former monster. We, Iraqis hope one day to have such an nice day as yours, hoping love will dominate between the Americans and Iraqis forever. With all my regards to you as an Iraqi man, let me say, " God Bless You All and America".
Ahmed
Thursday, June 30, 2005
BoomTown USA Link
Everyone needs to look at the BoomTown USA blog http://boomtownusa.blogspot.com/. There are two stories where I want to draw your attention.
First is the story about the Association of Washington Cities report on the state of their cities. They see their rural communities the same as I see Concordia. There is optimism in the smaller communties compared to the urban centers. Look and see what I mean.
Tuesday's BoomTown post describes a report from Forbes Magazine about entrapreneurs and there success in smaller communties.
There are 25 of us now subscribed to the City Hall Corner. Thank you all for subscribing. Feel free to pass the word.
First is the story about the Association of Washington Cities report on the state of their cities. They see their rural communities the same as I see Concordia. There is optimism in the smaller communties compared to the urban centers. Look and see what I mean.
Tuesday's BoomTown post describes a report from Forbes Magazine about entrapreneurs and there success in smaller communties.
There are 25 of us now subscribed to the City Hall Corner. Thank you all for subscribing. Feel free to pass the word.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Road Openings
OK Everyone, get ready!
Ron Copple is busy getting Hill Street AND Valley Street ready. After the Fourth, we will do a grand opening/ribbon cutting (tough going trying to hit double keys).
The Street Crew is doing a great job getting our roads into shape.
Look forward to the week after the Fourth. We will start the mill and overlay on 11th Street. We have Hill Brothers doing that work by contract.
Here's the deal. Where you drive, we are there. I should do a list of roads we have overlayed or rebuilt in the past few years. Yes I will.
Take note again folks, we're getting things done!
Ron Copple is busy getting Hill Street AND Valley Street ready. After the Fourth, we will do a grand opening/ribbon cutting (tough going trying to hit double keys).
The Street Crew is doing a great job getting our roads into shape.
Look forward to the week after the Fourth. We will start the mill and overlay on 11th Street. We have Hill Brothers doing that work by contract.
Here's the deal. Where you drive, we are there. I should do a list of roads we have overlayed or rebuilt in the past few years. Yes I will.
Take note again folks, we're getting things done!
Challenge my thinking – Part 1
My dad bought a very thought provoking book (actually he sent the money) for my birthday this year. It is Tom Peters’ Re-imagine. He starts the book ranting about the Dean of the Stanford University Business School, Robert Jaedicke. When Peters attended Stanford, Jaedicke was his accounting professor. In 2003, Jaedike was the chairman of the Enron Audit Committee and confessed to being clueless about “the truckload of peculiar transactions that brought the company down.” What strikes Peters is that his old “Prof” is “the last bastion of bean counting” and didn’t (or pretended to) see the poor practices within the firm.
Reading Peters book has me thinking again about the impact of similar activity in the public sector. First of all, I do not mean to convey concern about the accounting practices of the City of Concordia. I do continue to ask myself the question about what happens to local governments when people make stupid mistakes – planned or unplanned – that cause the question of bankruptcy to be discussed.
In the business world, bad decision making causes the businesses to go away or be purchased by other firms. Since different governments provide services that cannot or will not be performed by the private sector, these local governments more than likely won’t go away or be purchased by another local government with more efficient management controls and procedures. A more likely scenario would be a court appointing a custodian or “special master” to administer until things were straightened out.
My first job in Kansas, Baldwin City, was headed toward bankruptcy. The City Clerk had been using city fund for her personal benefit and was fired before I interview for the job. (She was later convicted and sentenced to 6 months probation.) My first eighteen months there were very stressful as we straightened up procedures and put financial affairs back in order. Every day we looked at the cash balance in the bank and every Council appropriation ordinance meant sending checks out as cash came in over the next two weeks until the next Council meeting.
Governments are not like private sector companies. Who would stand for the doors of the police or fire department to be chained shut? Who would stand for the water or waste water utility to stop working if the “parent company” closed? What more efficient organization would come in to “right the ship?” There is an expectation of continued service.
So what do you think?
Reading Peters book has me thinking again about the impact of similar activity in the public sector. First of all, I do not mean to convey concern about the accounting practices of the City of Concordia. I do continue to ask myself the question about what happens to local governments when people make stupid mistakes – planned or unplanned – that cause the question of bankruptcy to be discussed.
In the business world, bad decision making causes the businesses to go away or be purchased by other firms. Since different governments provide services that cannot or will not be performed by the private sector, these local governments more than likely won’t go away or be purchased by another local government with more efficient management controls and procedures. A more likely scenario would be a court appointing a custodian or “special master” to administer until things were straightened out.
My first job in Kansas, Baldwin City, was headed toward bankruptcy. The City Clerk had been using city fund for her personal benefit and was fired before I interview for the job. (She was later convicted and sentenced to 6 months probation.) My first eighteen months there were very stressful as we straightened up procedures and put financial affairs back in order. Every day we looked at the cash balance in the bank and every Council appropriation ordinance meant sending checks out as cash came in over the next two weeks until the next Council meeting.
Governments are not like private sector companies. Who would stand for the doors of the police or fire department to be chained shut? Who would stand for the water or waste water utility to stop working if the “parent company” closed? What more efficient organization would come in to “right the ship?” There is an expectation of continued service.
So what do you think?
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Sign up options are now available
After several attempts to find a way for people to get an email when a new posting is available, I finally found a way.
Now you can subscribe to the City Hall Corner using the "subscribe box" in the panel on the left side of the Blog site.
By signing up, you will receive an email everytime I post to the "City Hall Corner" as a reminder to go look.
I have a subscription to another Bolg that works that way. It is great. I get a short teaser of the content and a short URL to click that will send you here to see what wisdom I try to empart.
Now you can subscribe to the City Hall Corner using the "subscribe box" in the panel on the left side of the Blog site.
By signing up, you will receive an email everytime I post to the "City Hall Corner" as a reminder to go look.
I have a subscription to another Bolg that works that way. It is great. I get a short teaser of the content and a short URL to click that will send you here to see what wisdom I try to empart.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Highway 81 Corridor Study
The City Commission and the Planning Commission have been working on a project to evaluate whether rezoning of some residential properties along Highway 81 is needed.
After a joint work session, we advertised for a planning consultant that would give the City an unbiased professional opinion about the potential of rezoning. LandPlan Engineering of Lawrence (and Tom Phillips and Associates of Manhattan, a sub contractor) reviewed the rezoning question.
Following the widening of Highway 81 to a four lane highway, a number of new businesses have been started along the corridor. Several years ago, there was a contentious rezoning when the Short Stop was proposed. The rezoning led to a development that led to poor design and inefficient land use.
With Highway 81 gaining in traffic counts due to the completion of the four lane between I-70 and I-80, commercial development pressure is growing. With the commercial pressure comes pressure on the existing residential properties. Competition for commercial space will have a negative impact on existing residential uses.
The city’s General Plan or Comprehensive Land Use Plan describes the future zoning along Highway 81 as Commercial. So both City Commission and Planning Commission raised the question: Can we rezone the entire corridor to Commercial and provide protection for the residential uses at the same time.
The Planners have proposed the use of an “overlay” zoning that would allow both uses to peacefully coexist. Before the Planning Commission and the City Commission consider the issue, they directed that we have a public forum where the public can comment about the development procedures.
The meeting will be held the City Commission Chamber at City Hall on Monday, June 27th at 7:00 PM. This will be an open forum where residents and commercial property owners will have opportunity to comment on the proposal. If you have property in the area, you should plan on attending.
After a joint work session, we advertised for a planning consultant that would give the City an unbiased professional opinion about the potential of rezoning. LandPlan Engineering of Lawrence (and Tom Phillips and Associates of Manhattan, a sub contractor) reviewed the rezoning question.
Following the widening of Highway 81 to a four lane highway, a number of new businesses have been started along the corridor. Several years ago, there was a contentious rezoning when the Short Stop was proposed. The rezoning led to a development that led to poor design and inefficient land use.
With Highway 81 gaining in traffic counts due to the completion of the four lane between I-70 and I-80, commercial development pressure is growing. With the commercial pressure comes pressure on the existing residential properties. Competition for commercial space will have a negative impact on existing residential uses.
The city’s General Plan or Comprehensive Land Use Plan describes the future zoning along Highway 81 as Commercial. So both City Commission and Planning Commission raised the question: Can we rezone the entire corridor to Commercial and provide protection for the residential uses at the same time.
The Planners have proposed the use of an “overlay” zoning that would allow both uses to peacefully coexist. Before the Planning Commission and the City Commission consider the issue, they directed that we have a public forum where the public can comment about the development procedures.
The meeting will be held the City Commission Chamber at City Hall on Monday, June 27th at 7:00 PM. This will be an open forum where residents and commercial property owners will have opportunity to comment on the proposal. If you have property in the area, you should plan on attending.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
We are a Big Deal
It might not look like it from the outside but Concordia is a big deal town. The point was made again Tuesday at the Chamber Coffee. Jim and Becky Higgins (Becky is National Director of the Orphan Train Heritage Society) are in Concordia for the annual Orphan Train Reunion. Concordia is home to their group.
This weekend, Orphan Train Riders and their descendents will spend time in Concordia celebrating this portion of our nation’s history and our heritage. A full schedule of the weekend’s activities can be picked up at the chamber office.
More information about the Orphan Train movement can be found at either of the two websites: http://orphantrainriders.com/ http://orphantraindepot.com/.
What is interesting about Concordia and the Orphan Train Heritage society is the seamless integration of two affiliated groups. The national group and the local museum are operating under different purposes to achieve a greater understanding of the Orphan Train Movement.
The accomplishments of the local museum are significant. They acquired the old BNSF Depot. They raised money to refurbish the roof and the exterior. They were just awarded a KDOT grant to refurbish the depot’s interior. One of the Orphan Train Rider descendants donated a clock which will be unveiled this week end too. They are about to name a curator for the museum as well.
So it is a big deal. From operating out of a back office at Century 21 and Radio Shack to moving into a new museum. Bringing folks to town and sharing the attributes of our community is a BIG DEAL.
This weekend, Orphan Train Riders and their descendents will spend time in Concordia celebrating this portion of our nation’s history and our heritage. A full schedule of the weekend’s activities can be picked up at the chamber office.
More information about the Orphan Train movement can be found at either of the two websites: http://orphantrainriders.com/ http://orphantraindepot.com/.
What is interesting about Concordia and the Orphan Train Heritage society is the seamless integration of two affiliated groups. The national group and the local museum are operating under different purposes to achieve a greater understanding of the Orphan Train Movement.
The accomplishments of the local museum are significant. They acquired the old BNSF Depot. They raised money to refurbish the roof and the exterior. They were just awarded a KDOT grant to refurbish the depot’s interior. One of the Orphan Train Rider descendants donated a clock which will be unveiled this week end too. They are about to name a curator for the museum as well.
So it is a big deal. From operating out of a back office at Century 21 and Radio Shack to moving into a new museum. Bringing folks to town and sharing the attributes of our community is a BIG DEAL.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Theater Project
The theater project is moving ahead. The rush coming from the demolition process seems to have mellowed down to what is happening at the site. Of course, rain has slowed things down. I noticed piles of dirt behind the hole left by the lumber yard building. The plan is to fill the hole to 95% compaction (a standard measure) for the eventual construction.
The walls of the Dumbbells building and Monique’s are to be cleaned and restored. Monique’s will be covered with stucco. The reason is the brick used for that building is very soft and prone to deterioration. The wall on the Dumbbells side will be stripped of the plaster, cleaned and repainted. Yes, repainted. Take a quick walk to the porch of the building. You will see the building was painted at some time in the past.
Campbell & Johnson will be sending out bids for building restoration soon.
Several weeks ago, Kirk Lowell showed a concept drawing of the building. What I saw was encouraging. The building front will keep the historic feel of the downtown. The architecture will keep the “rhythm” of the existing buildings. While you are on our walk to see the painted brick, look at the north side of the street. There are second story windows in each of the buildings. This “rhythm” will continue in the design of the theater.
We hope to see the site plan at City Hall next week- Planning Commission reviews such things. By then, we ought to have something in the Blade-Empire that will show how nice it will look.
Hill Street
We were supposed to see work start on Hill Street today. The owners of the rental machine were to be here to show the crew how to operate the equipment. Well, they didn't arrive and we, therefore, didn't start paving. Some things you can't plan for. Stay tuned. I will report it as we actually get started.
The walls of the Dumbbells building and Monique’s are to be cleaned and restored. Monique’s will be covered with stucco. The reason is the brick used for that building is very soft and prone to deterioration. The wall on the Dumbbells side will be stripped of the plaster, cleaned and repainted. Yes, repainted. Take a quick walk to the porch of the building. You will see the building was painted at some time in the past.
Campbell & Johnson will be sending out bids for building restoration soon.
Several weeks ago, Kirk Lowell showed a concept drawing of the building. What I saw was encouraging. The building front will keep the historic feel of the downtown. The architecture will keep the “rhythm” of the existing buildings. While you are on our walk to see the painted brick, look at the north side of the street. There are second story windows in each of the buildings. This “rhythm” will continue in the design of the theater.
We hope to see the site plan at City Hall next week- Planning Commission reviews such things. By then, we ought to have something in the Blade-Empire that will show how nice it will look.
Hill Street
We were supposed to see work start on Hill Street today. The owners of the rental machine were to be here to show the crew how to operate the equipment. Well, they didn't arrive and we, therefore, didn't start paving. Some things you can't plan for. Stay tuned. I will report it as we actually get started.
Friday, June 03, 2005
High Expectations
I read a Blog written by Jack Schultz. He wrote the book BoomTown USA. It describes the economic development activities of a number of communities across the country. His chief point in all his writings that community attitude is very important in communities economic vitality. Today he writes about an article written by NY Times Columnist David Brooks (June 2, 2005) about Europe. http://boomtownusa.blogspot.com/ Brooks describes unemployment rates between 8 and 11% and growth rates that haven’t seen 3% in the past 14 years.
Schults writes: “One of his more interesting thoughts in the column was Brooks’s observations about momentum for countries. “It is happier to live in a poor country that is moving forward—where expectations are high—than it is to live in an affluent country that is moving backwards.”
One of the reasons we support economic development in Concordia is that business development is to influence our attitude as a community. When we prosper, we feel good about Concordia.
In February 2004, I had a brainstorm where I identified several businesses that had new owners, built new facilities, expanded or were new startups. The first list totaled 60 businesses that fit the pattern for the past five years. That list has grown in the past year because we have looked even closer to what is happening here. (You can get a copy of the current version at the Chamber office.)
Being in this fame of mind also allows us to stand and celebrate when good things happen in the community. Last weekend, the Concordia High School girls track team won the state 4A Championship. In a way, their success reflects what is going on in the community too. One event nearly cost them to loose all because of a fall. So, did they mope? No, they got up and finished the meet like the champions they were before the meet started.
They are reflecting what is happening in the Concordia business community. Everyday folks are going to work to do the very best they can. We have seen some fall but we are getting back up and getting back to the job. We are now doing what Brooks cited in his article – moving forward and enjoying the high expectations.
Schults writes: “One of his more interesting thoughts in the column was Brooks’s observations about momentum for countries. “It is happier to live in a poor country that is moving forward—where expectations are high—than it is to live in an affluent country that is moving backwards.”
One of the reasons we support economic development in Concordia is that business development is to influence our attitude as a community. When we prosper, we feel good about Concordia.
In February 2004, I had a brainstorm where I identified several businesses that had new owners, built new facilities, expanded or were new startups. The first list totaled 60 businesses that fit the pattern for the past five years. That list has grown in the past year because we have looked even closer to what is happening here. (You can get a copy of the current version at the Chamber office.)
Being in this fame of mind also allows us to stand and celebrate when good things happen in the community. Last weekend, the Concordia High School girls track team won the state 4A Championship. In a way, their success reflects what is going on in the community too. One event nearly cost them to loose all because of a fall. So, did they mope? No, they got up and finished the meet like the champions they were before the meet started.
They are reflecting what is happening in the Concordia business community. Everyday folks are going to work to do the very best they can. We have seen some fall but we are getting back up and getting back to the job. We are now doing what Brooks cited in his article – moving forward and enjoying the high expectations.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Initial Story
I have been encouraged to prepare short stories about what is going on at the City.
Just like many managers in many business areas, the blogging process has become a way to meet customers and discuss issues that are relevant to their businesses. I will be using this as a means to share my thoughts on the issues facing the City of Concordia as an organization and Concordia as a community.
I will take responsibility for the facts and opinions in this Blog. Just as I said as a younster doing a radio show, my opinion is not necessarily the official opinion of the management; in this case, City of Concordia.
Many folks will wonder first "What is a Blog?" A blog is a combination of two words: weB and LOG. That results in the shortened version of Blog.
I will be writing to a number of audiances. I have learned that different folks look at these things for different reasons. So I will be writing to people in the City of Concordia as a political subdivision, the greater community of Concordia, employees of the City, and to folks who live other places who are still interested in where they used to live. I know the latter is true because of getting email messages from them asking about what is going on. It has caused me to check up on some of the places I have lived and worked to see what is going on.
The one rule I know I will be using here is one I learned several years ago. The community where I worked was planning to purchase some ground for a business and recreation park. I was encouraged to write several OP/ED pieces about why the City Council wanted to pursue this development. The problem that occured was that one person from the community turned the process into a campaign platform to run for mayor. I stopped my writing because I became the issue not the property aquisition.
So, if someone wants to run for office, I won't use this to debate issues.
So, the rule is this:I won't be naming names or making references to folks who do and say dumb things.
I won't be having any conversations with any animals either.
So here we go. Issue number 1. I hope folks enjoy reading and provide honest and tasteful feedback. I will be the measure of tasteful too. Larry
Just like many managers in many business areas, the blogging process has become a way to meet customers and discuss issues that are relevant to their businesses. I will be using this as a means to share my thoughts on the issues facing the City of Concordia as an organization and Concordia as a community.
I will take responsibility for the facts and opinions in this Blog. Just as I said as a younster doing a radio show, my opinion is not necessarily the official opinion of the management; in this case, City of Concordia.
Many folks will wonder first "What is a Blog?" A blog is a combination of two words: weB and LOG. That results in the shortened version of Blog.
I will be writing to a number of audiances. I have learned that different folks look at these things for different reasons. So I will be writing to people in the City of Concordia as a political subdivision, the greater community of Concordia, employees of the City, and to folks who live other places who are still interested in where they used to live. I know the latter is true because of getting email messages from them asking about what is going on. It has caused me to check up on some of the places I have lived and worked to see what is going on.
The one rule I know I will be using here is one I learned several years ago. The community where I worked was planning to purchase some ground for a business and recreation park. I was encouraged to write several OP/ED pieces about why the City Council wanted to pursue this development. The problem that occured was that one person from the community turned the process into a campaign platform to run for mayor. I stopped my writing because I became the issue not the property aquisition.
So, if someone wants to run for office, I won't use this to debate issues.
So, the rule is this:I won't be naming names or making references to folks who do and say dumb things.
I won't be having any conversations with any animals either.
So here we go. Issue number 1. I hope folks enjoy reading and provide honest and tasteful feedback. I will be the measure of tasteful too. Larry
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