If you get Channel 10/KAKE TV (directly or on DISH/DIRECTV) out of Wichita, I hear Elk County might make the news at 6 PM tonight.
You might have to fill us in. I didn't read this until 6:15.
I don't get KAKE in Independence. What happened?
I suspect the piece will be up on their website before too long. When it is, I'll post the link.
Just tell me about it. I might not be able to open a link.
It made Elk county look like some people were making wise decisions . Told of how we are finally gonna get a tax break from the wind farm money. Way to go Doug and Gary.
Actually, it was a great economic development piece. And the best part.... didn't cost the county a dime. Makes handing out 500 flyers at the KC Boat & Travel Show at a cost of 300 or 400 bucks in mileage look amateurish, doesn't it?
I would like to thank channel 10 KAKE news and Chris Franks for the story that was done about the windfarm money to use on the mill levies and thank you Deanna for talking about the decrease in taxes. And a special thanks to Mr. Doug Ritz for his foresight and standing up for the taxpayers and respecting the trust that we the public have placed into you and Mr. Hebb. It is high time that we have respect and dignity restored to the county commission.--Robert L. Walker
P.S. I almost forgot, a special cameo appearance by Mickey Wunderlich. Remember the camera adds 10 pounds. ;D
Shouldn't the thanks include Liz and Ken, two of the county commissioners who actually worked on getting the wind farm in Elk county? Doug deserves the thanks, too, but what did Gary do to help?
Quote from: Wilma on February 06, 2013, 07:40:50 PM
Shouldn't the thanks include Liz and Ken, two of the county commissioners who actually worked on getting the wind farm in Elk county? Doug deserves the thanks, too, but what did Gary do to help?
Unlike Liz and RINO Liebau, Hebb & Ritz are the only two commissioners who cared enough to see that taxpayers deserve a break. And the only ones to take action.
I would like for someone to show me a document that shows any of the current commissioners names and signatures on it, enabling the county to receive these funds from the wind project.
On yeah, it doesn't exist.
But this one does - scroll to page nine of the document at this site, http://www.tva.com/environment/reports/caney/appendix_b.pdf (http://www.tva.com/environment/reports/caney/appendix_b.pdf) and tell me whose names are on it. Without this document and all the hard work put into it by those who signed it (along with Marla Foster Ware) there wouldn't be any wind farm money to put towards anything.
Chuck,
The KAKE news deal was not about who got the wind farm for the county---it was about our taxes are being lowered
Ok... how's this?
Thanks Liz, Jim, Lawrence, Rob at Tradewind. Oh, and let's thank the Kansas legislators who codified K.S.A. 79-201, and the foreign owned ENEL and your nemisis Governour Brownback without whose negotiations there would be no wind farms in the flint hills. While we're at it, let's thank the founding fathers who had the wisdom to recognize the power of individual effort and capitalism.
Now, back to the present reality. At least the majority of the current county commission realize that individual taxpayers can better decide how to spend their money than can a bunch of self-interested elitists in government.
Jar, that's fine. But there was discussion on this thread about who deserved credit for what, and I just wanted to make the point that no one would be getting recognized for any mill levy decrease, if those who went before hadn't done what they did.
Too often those in the here and now get credit or blame for things that happened years in the past. This happens at the local, state, and national levels.
Patriot -
Yes, the current commissioners have everything to do with the act of decreasing the mill levy, but they had absolutely nothing to do with what made it possible.
Quote from: flintauqua on February 06, 2013, 08:33:29 PM
Jar, that's fine. But there was discussion on this thread about who deserved credit for what, and I just wanted to make the point that no one would be getting recognized for any mill levy decrease, if those who went before hadn't done what they did.
Well, I have said it before if those Konnected Kounty Kommissioners you are speaking of had paid as much attention to what the county was receiving as they did to what they receive for their land leases, perhaps Elk County might have received the same $3 million a year that Enid, Oklahoma is receiving from the same company for the same size wind farm. So okay, thank you.
But the biggest thanks go to Mr. Hebb and Mr. Ritz for showing interest in the county as a whole and not just a certain portion of the county.
And for a few people to petition the commissioners for a job that has been abolished for just cause is just totally ridiculous and greedy in my opinion. These few people seem to have a problem with the word no, unless they are the ones using the word. Why is it these few people don't want to join the rest of the county citizens in enjoying the great and [positive changes in Elk County. Why?
Quote from: flintauqua on February 06, 2013, 08:33:29 PM
Patriot -
Yes, the current commissioners have everything to do with the act of decreasing the mill levy, but they had absolutely nothing to do with what made it possible.
Agreed. Now, in the interest of 'credit where credit is due', and to make sure everybody gets theirs, let's be sure we're clear on whose watch our spending and resulting mill levies rocketed to become the highest in Kansas over, say, the last 10 years.
Ultimately, I believe voters in the last two elections should get some positive strokes as well. I firmly believe that if it weren't for them, nothing would be changing.
Here's where you can find the KAKE links...
http://www.cascity.com/howard/forum/index.php/topic,14977.0.html (http://www.cascity.com/howard/forum/index.php/topic,14977.0.html)
::)
It's been said a hundred times, Liz and Ken had nothing to do with the wind farm choosing to build here, they just profited from it , and in doing so were more than happy to help facilitate their needs. Tradewind Energy pickied the spot based on profitability. To give them , or anyone locally , credit for it, is pure hogwash.
Quote from: Bullwinkle on February 07, 2013, 09:28:15 AM
It's been said a hundred times, Liz and Ken had nothing to do with the wind farm choosing to build here, they just profited from it , and in doing so were more than happy to help facilitate their needs. Tradewind Energy pickied the spot based on profitability. To give them , or anyone locally , credit for it, is pure hogwash.
Well stated.
Couldn't Elk Konnected, LLC get some of that Wind Farm money instead of wanting the County Wind Farm money?
I'd bet there is a lot more money on that side of the fence.
Quote from: Ross on February 07, 2013, 09:52:17 AM
I'd bet there is a lot more money on that side of the fence.
If the numerous statements by Tradewinds regarding their economic contributions to the area were accurate (why wouldn't they be), the ratio of 2 TO 1 stands out... $2 to landowners for every $1 to PILOT contribution.
Quote from: Patriot on February 07, 2013, 10:03:39 AM
If the numerous statements by Tradewinds regarding their economic contributions to the area were accurate (why wouldn't they be), the ratio of 2 TO 1 stands out... $2 to landowners for every $1 to PILOT contribution.
Wow! That would be $2 million with in control of some of those Konnected folks, can't they help themselves with
that wind farm money?
My oh my!
Shut my mouth!
I didn't say that did I?
Just ignore this old redneck hick, please.
I do know nothin. My math might be wrong. go figure.
Yuk, Yuk.
LOL
Quote from: Ross on February 07, 2013, 11:20:16 AM
Wow! That would be $2 million with in control of some of those Konnected folks, can't they help themselves with that wind farm money?
Honestly, I don't begrudge them their windfall at all. Class warfare isn't the answer. But when elitists operate through government in ways that usurp the best interests of the general citizenry, I take umbrage. Let the elitists use their wealth in any way they wish, but keep their 'we have all the answers, and crony methods out of government. Shameless background manipulations by an entitled few at the expense of taxpayers & voters at large are the height of arrogance IMO. Deserving of the widest exposure. Sunshine is the best disinfectant.
Beyond that, wasn't the KAKE story a positive presentation of our county and the challenges faced by rural communities? Refreshing.
It certainly was a plus for the county, and we didn't have to pay for it.
Mr Durbin, I don't think having your signature on a document entitles you to take credit for the work that went into it.
Take the Declaration of Independence for example, who did the work ? Who merely agreed with what was in it ?
Thqt's right if the company didn't want to be here, they wouldn't be here.
Pretty simple, huh !
What really helped was all that federal money (taxpayers money) and tax breaks (Corporate Welfare for a foreign company) they got to build it.
Without that it is extremely doubtful they would be here.