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Chalk It Up To Big Government

Only top-down centralized control of marketplaces creates this scenario.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/largest-trucking-capacity-purge-history-coming

Expect bare shelves and higher prices, but what's new?

The solution is local and regional markets that supply fresher food, lower costs, AND less dependency on transportation.

Libertarians need to let go of arguing for change in DC. Instead we need to learn to nullify DC, and act through changes to State governments to re-invigorate local markets.

Our biggest problem is very, very few of the talking head Libertarian pundits speak about specific solutions. All they do is criticize the status quo National Fascists in power, and the Democratic Communists who will regain control of DC in the next election, if a next election is allowed.

It is beyond time to think and act locally.

[But the biggest savings would be to abandon the sewer system entirely, and install septic tanks and drain fields for all 155 current users.]

Fixin' What's Wrong Post Three; What The Election Won't Change

7) Here we are, mid-October 2025, with talk of a new sewer fee rising from $26.00 a month to $50.00, or potentially $100.00 a month, to help pay for a high-priced, inflation-driven $5,000,000 sewer repair that will develop problems within half a dozen years after it is completed. Just like the million dollar chip seal on half our roads a few years back. You know, the chip seal that started deteriorating in its third year.
Yes, we have an opportunity to save half that five million dollars, maybe more, and still meet State standards for effluent collection and treatment. Shouldn't we find the least cost alternative that meets State standards, instead of accepting the spoon-fed option the State and Industry want us to eat?
Hopefully the planning phase will acknowledge that three lift stations can economically be eliminated with the users of those lift stations converted to septic tanks and drain fields. That can save $450,000+. Hopefully planning will also identify the 1150 feet of sewer on 5th, west of Douglas, that should be abandoned, and have three properties convert to septic and drain fields. That can save $150,000+. And there may be three or four other ares where similar actions can be taken. Planning phase must be encouraged to complete an Alternatives Analyses. Just those options I mentioned would save $600,000+ of the projected $5,000,000 project.
But the biggest savings would be to abandon the sewer system entirely, and install septic tanks and drain fields for all 155 current users. Septic tanks and drain fields would run about $7500 for a family of four. Septic tanks and mounded drain fields for soils that will not 'perc' would run about $14,000 each. Given the extent of clayey soils with poor drainage we will need mounded drain fields in many areas. As a worst case, assume we require a mound system for everyone in town; that would cost $2.17 million. That is significantly less than half the project the State wants to feed us. It is a lowest cost, practical alternative. AND, IF 1/5 of our residents (for example) do not need a mounded drain field the cost falls to ((155*.2)*7500)+((155*.*14000) = $1.97 million as the least case alternative. (ASK CASCITY why a smiley face with shades replaces a point eight!!) Isn't that a significant enough savings to fight for?
The debt pay-off reality is that our socialist government will write off 75% of the costs to us, and charge that 75% amount to other taxpayers. That seems like a big freebie to locals with their hands out to do as little as possible, falsely believing things are free.

That 75% cost diversion would mean a $1.25 million liability for our residents for the full blown repair project. BUT, it would mean only a $500,000+/- liability for the lowest cost alternative of septic tanks and drain fields. Which would you prefer as a basis for monthly sewage payments; a $500,000 debt, or a $1.25 million debt?
Oh, remember at $1.25 million, the repaired and lined sewer system will still require an additional monthly charge for continued maintenance of it. The conversion to septic tanks and drain fields will not have a monthly maintenance charge because there will not be a need for city maintenance of them, they become landowner responsibility.
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Fixin' What's Wrong Post Two; What The Election Won't Change

5) I think most town folks know we have a new owner of the old bank building. His intention appears to be to make something of it. I admit to being worried when I heard someone was squatting in the old building. That changed when I learned someone had invested their wealth in the building and intends on living there. The squatter is the owner. I say now, 'more power to him'. And here is the classical example of why the City's off-again, on-again urge to remove old buildings is so ridiculous. Demolition is a cost to the taxpayer, it is a loss of salvageable, reusable materials, and it is a loss of opportunity for prospective land owners. The City needs more opportunity than it needs additional fiscal liability.
Look at this development, and consider the waste of money the City wants to spend on a $3,000.00 or so grapple for its Skidster to help demolish old buildings. Consider the opportunity that is lost when old structures are demolished. See the positive side of old buildings, see the opportunity. Do not spend taxpayer money frivolously.
I heard two years ago that the brick walls of the old bank building were not stable enough to support a roof structure. The intention back then was to construct weight-bearing walls immediately inside the brick walls, and support a new roof on the new walls. Then the brick walls would somehow be anchored to the new walls to stabilize the brick.
That sounds relatively expensive. Here is a less expensive option, without even knowing what the new owner may, or may not, want. This town must have six or so people who know how to work with brick and mortar. Voluntary help was a force behind the growth of this country from the 1780's through the 1850's, maybe into the 1890's. Six people, with the experience, could voluntarily disassemble those old brick walls, clean the brick, and rebuild the walls. That would be the maximum use of the resource at hand, the minimum cost to the landowner, and no cost to taxpayers. It is win-win-win, and it reflects the folly of subsidies and public funds. This is how Americans built our culture. It is the only way our town might recover.

6) About 2012 I looked for and found a listing for a Small Business Incubator in Elk County. I found a phone number and called one evening. The man on the other end did not want to talk about the business incubator. The group of people directing its efforts were at a cross road and were no longer meeting, according to a less than two minute conversation I had.
What a shame. This is another area where public funds may be wisely spent. I had just moved here from another State, from a rural County of 30,000 folks with a County seat of 5,500. There, the small business incubator was busy every day of the year. Space for some activities were reserved two to three weeks ahead. Evening seminars about business opportunities, new products, marketing techniques, and government requirements for retailing were held monthly. It had a kitchen busy with canned and baked products for the regional retail market. It provided catalog resources for equipment a family may need for a start-up. And it provided contacts to lending institutions to assist start-ups. It was wildly successful and the small business growth in the county easily paid for the public funding, in this case.
The demographics there were much different than here. On demographics alone, an incubator may be too expensive to develop and operate as a City entity. It may need to cover four or five counties. But finding a small business incubator nearby, and having someone from it visit us to discuss how it works and who benefits may be fruitful.
There is one other source of potential help/advice on how to aid our community. Winfield has a several block area of its downtown being developed by "Farm to Table" businesses. Take a drive to see what is going on, talk to the people taking responsibility with their own investments. Maybe some of them would like to visit our town and lay out some steps that would add business opportunity.

Fixin' What's Wrong Post One; What The Election Won't Change

I've posed most of these suggestions to three folks in town, who have all lived here over 40 years. They agreed with the assessments, and said they would like to see these changes made. Then they added, "But most people in town don't give a sh!te, don't waste your breath trying, no one cares." I'm learning the truth to that, unfortunately, not enough care.
Nonetheless, residents have the Right to manage their own town and their own property as they choose. In that vein, here are seven suggestions in three posts that the residents of our dying town in the fifth poorest County in the State might consider doing to improve their lives.

1) Merge the City fire department with the County fire department, AND eliminate the ridiculous duplicity that costs residents money they do not have. Funnel those savings into reduced taxation.

2) If lawyers and government authorities tell you laws require both City and County jurisdictions to have fire departments, then look seriously into disincorporation now. In light of all the bankruptcies, lay-offs, closing businesses, government debt, and price inflation mixed with our town's vacant business district, disincorporation is probably the town's fate. America's destiny is now a third world country. Two hundred and eighty town folks cannot change the latter. But we can be proactive, disincorporating to simplify life significantly, reduce taxes, and place more choice and control in the hands of landowners. BUT, it needs to be done before it is no longer allowed.

3) Organize a city-wide volunteer transportation system to take sick neighbors to the hospital when it is urgently needed. A ambulance located 19 miles away is never the first responder, a neighbor is. The ambulance is 25 to 30 minutes away, then another 20 minutes to a hospital. A neighbor can take a sick neighbor to the hospital from our town in 20 minutes, with less delay and less bureaucracy.
This would require a voluntary commitment of a dozen adults, licensed to drive, and a registered private vehicle to use. It might work like this; two drivers on call 24/7 for 5 days, followed by 2 more drivers for another 5 days, etc. That would mean being on call every 30 days. Volunteer drivers would not be paid for their time. The sick neighbor would have to sit like a normal passenger. If sick neighbors needed oxygen, they would need to transport it and use it themselves. The driver could not perform anything resembling a medical or nursing procedure.
When this all-volunteer system is functioning, it would be time to lean real hard on the County Commissioners to reduce funding of the EMS, and reduce property taxes for all residents. Replace the Commissioners if they are not co-operative. Their sworn duty is to serve the public. And that means that they are our servants, not the masters they act like. The goal is two-fold, improve transportation of sick neighbors needing medical care, AND reduce taxation.

4) Regardless of the outcome of the fire department's duplicity, the town's fire department needs to do this, and this will cost some taxpayer money. It is well spent, however. Once again the fire department(s), like the EMS, is/are not the first responder(s) to a fire. The home owner, if at home, is. And a neighbor could very well also be. This is especially true where volunteer fire fighters must come from home to the fire station before reaching the fire. It is a critical issue of timing to catch fires before they spread.
The fire department needs to purchase a fire extinguisher for every occupied home and apartment in town, and two for larger, multi-story homes with larger families. Once a year the fire department needs to offer a week of open-house when residents come with their extinguishers, have them checked and recharged as necessary, and have lessons in using them properly. Other than servicing our water line, this is the best bang for the buck that our City's so-called public funds can be spent for. As a side, it may also develop additional interest in becoming volunteer firemen and firewomen.

Lawless America

Nationally, more than 70% of individuals rounded up by ICE have no criminal convictions. Many have lived in the U.S. for decades, raised families, paid taxes, contributed to the economy, and worked the jobs most Americans refuse to do.

Here is the rest of the story;  https://www.rutherford.org/publications_resources/john_whiteheads_commentary/police_state_bounty_hunters_the_rise_of_ices_unconstitutional_war_on_america

Sewer System Schedule: The Cart Before The Horse

The following was sent to Longton's council members on 28Sep25.

I received the following September 24th, in response to a query I made to Lamp Rynearson regarding a source for quantitative soil moisture guidelines to implement smoke testing of the City's sewer system.

Thank you for reaching out and for the detailed background on your community's soils and groundwater conditions. You're asking a great question—smoke testing is most reliable when groundwater is at its lowest and soils are as dry as possible. If the soil is saturated or the lines are under groundwater pressure, the smoke can't escape through defects as intended, which may lead to false negatives.

Unfortunately, there aren't published "quantitative soil moisture guidelines" for smoke testing. Industry best practice is to schedule testing during the driest time of year—typically July and August in Kansas—when hot weather, low rainfall, and plant transpiration combine to reduce soil moisture and lower the water table. Ideally, there should be at least 30 days of relatively dry weather prior to testing.

For your community, I'd recommend:
 - Avoiding winter months since groundwater tends to rise and vegetation isn't pulling moisture from the soil.
 - Targeting late summer when conditions are hottest and driest, even if that means delaying the test to ensure accuracy.
 - Discussing with your testing provider whether sections of line that remain in groundwater year-round are likely to produce reliable results, or if alternative inspection methods (like CCTV) may be better suited. (suited to the 'in groundwater' areas).

I hope this helps give you and your community some direction as you plan. While our team won't be directly involved in this project, we're glad to point you toward best practices so you can get meaningful results.

FYI, the Lamp Rynearson team has experience with smoke testing, manhole inspections, CCTV review and analysis, and construction administration for sewer rehab projects.

I hope the collective IQ of the Council realizes from this information that the Smoke Test, at this point, should be scheduled for the late summer of 2026. I doubt the Mayor has a clue, or cares at this point.

Until the Smoke Test can be reliably completed, there is no need for any additional pre-planning, design work, or sourcing funding at this time. The Smoke test is essential, augmented by CCTV footage (not replaced with it) to determine the scope of work needed. Once a Scope has been defined from, funding and initial planning should follow. To do otherwise is to put the cart before the horse, and waste taxpayers monies.

Will We Ever Know The Truth??

Is This the Truth About the Kirk Murder?

https://www.lewrockwell.com/political-theatre/former-assistant-secretary-of-hud-catherine-fitts-the-kirk-assassination-is-a-psyop/

A former Secretary for HUD thinks this video suggests the Truth. Fun, clever tune. Pause the video to understand the headlines.

Watch Government Jackboots Criminally Assault A Store Owner While Detaining An Immigrant Accused Of Criminal Activity

https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/u-citizen-files-claim-50-004049876.html

Is it any wonder people in these 50 States are so divided? No one is above the law. That includes Officers, Agents, and Enforcers of the Law.

Is It Rumor . . Or Do "They" Begin To Arrive?

Received this email late Friday; "�Some guy just moved into the old bank in Longton. He is from New York, just got out of jail, he is dressed in black, no transportation. He said if he didn't get that place he was going to kill himself. He came with nothing I think.
Could be a not good guy or really needed to get out of New York. Please be careful."

[Hey, ECF Moderator, where did the weird diamond/question mark come from?]

The sender of that is not a member of the town rumor mill. In fact, the rumor mill usually irritates the sender. So I take the email seriously, and think folks in town should be aware.

As you know, the old bank is at 502 Kansas, the brick carcass with a wooden addition, on the corner with 5th. Only the wooden addition has a roof, and there are no utilities. The property has been for sale, realtor.com says 'sale pending', but I heard the property has been sold.

How should Longton's Welcome Wagon respond? Could the person "in black" be the new owner, be homeless, be the newest thief in town, be in need of emotional/mental support, be an advance scout for a horde of city escapees to follow?

1) Will flowers, candles, welcome cards, and food gifts soften what the rumor mill suggests could be a hard heart?
2) Should Baptist Pastor, Methodist Minister and Christian Preacher invite the person "in black" to services, bible studies, and dinners; risking a welcoming invitation to prey on the local religious, as has happened before?
3) Should the Sheriff act dutifully to protect county residents, and clear the old bank?
4) Should a few residents head over to exercise Castle Law with automatic weapons at hand?

May as well think over the situation and responses now, regardless of "in black's" intentions . . . we can all expect more of the same as society further fractures.

Kirk's Death Is Not The Take-Home Story
The Divisive Blame-Game Is

The link; https://www.lewrockwell.com/2025/09/doug-casey/whether-charlie-kirks-death-could-be-americas-franz-ferdinand-moment/

Here are two quick quotes from Doug Casey:
1) "It's been obvious to me for the last 10 years—maybe much more, I'll have to check past letters—that the US is heading towards a breakup. It's uncertain whether it will be peaceful or violent. But one thing is for sure: the Red and the Blue people increasingly hate each other. And people with very different philosophical and moral beliefs can't, and shouldn't, inhabit the same political entity, especially when a powerful government is bankrupt, corrupt, and untethered.

One takeaway is that you can forget calls for "unity." They're nonsensical and impossible. The other takeaway is that "democracy", now more than ever, is just a charade. I've always felt that modern democracy was just mob rule dressed up in a coat and tie. But at this point, so-called democracy is about grabbing as much of the trillions of dollars of spoils that the US government dispenses every year as possible—and gaining control of the apparatus of the State to oppress the other guy. Forget about the "loyal opposition." These people hate each other.

2) It's impossible to have 330 million people under the same political umbrella. Especially when the government controls 40% of the economy and has regulations for everything, it wouldn't work even if the US were still homogeneous, as it was before the 1960s. But now it's made up of many radically different ethnic, racial, linguistic, and religious groups who have nothing in common. Worse, strapped taxpayers are forced to carry 100 million non-producers.

As I mentioned to a friend bound for college, Number 2 is all society needs to understand about economics and sociology. That is exactly the reason government schools will not teach the consequence of government interference/regulation.