I voted for Shari because she is an old family friend. I had read the post about the candidate forum at the fair, but did not believe it until earlier today. I was having coffee with my grandmother and her friend and they were talking about some comments made at the fair...
Finally, a 'revitalization plan' that makes sense!
If voters would take the time to inform themselves, the whole country might be better off. I've watched the county commission up close for over 3 years. Since Mr. Hebb (a fiscal conservative, it seems) was elected, he and Mr. Ritz have managed to accomplish a few things of significant import....
1. The county property tax mill levy has been reduced from 124+ (the highest rate in Kansas) to just over 103 mills... a REDUCTION of almost 17%. All while surrounding counties are burdening their residents with higher taxes.
2. A reduction in long term county debt from over $800,000 to just over $200,000.
3. The procurement of hundreds of thousands of dollars in FEMA road money.
4. Substantial cost controls.
5. A much needed and PAID FOR handicap parking area on the west side of the courthouse (near the elevator).
6. An almost complete stop to the expenditure of taxpayer funds to support the private programs run by community organizers... who have, by the way created only two (2) FAILED businesses in the county.
7. Completion of substantial road improvements and bridge repairs that contribute greatly to the safety of those traveling county roads.
8. The reallocation of liquor tax receipts out of the hands of county 'officials' and into the control of city governments for the explicit (required by state law) purpose of creating and supporting recreational activities/programs/facilities (mostly for the youth). These funds are distributed quarterly and will amount to significant amounts over time.
9. The elimination of county tax dollars used to perform accounting & disbursal of payments to a private trash service for residents inside city limits only (a function of city government).
10. The reversal of a Revitalization Plan that declared the ENTIRE county as blighted (even lands with really nice facilities already in place) resulting in substantial property tax breaks for substantial new construction. Can you say 'tax breaks for the wealthy'? And did you know that a 'special' few of those who were to benefit were allowed to apply for the program BEFORE it was initially enacted in violation of state law. Level playing field, my foot.
11. A common sense (and less expensive) correction of deficiencies in water supplies to the courthouse.
12. Changes in internal courthouse operations/processes that have resulted in a higher moral among many county employees an thus likely better customer service.
13. Honest reviews of employee performance that forces substantial under-performers to be more accountable.
14. A reduction of 'executive sessions' held by the county commission (many of which we regarding matters that were required by state law to be open to the public. This achieves a more transparent government, and greater accountability to the voters and taxpayers. Unlike Mr Ritz' 'opposition' who as a private citizen actually asked for a secret executive session during the public forum of a recent commission meeting... in absolute violation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act. And THIS is a would be commissioner??? Talk about thinking one is 'privileged!
15. Repeated solicitation of and action on valid legal advice from the County Counselor resulting in sound decision making. As opposed to previous commissions who 'did things blindly' and wasted time & money fixing it later.
16. Controlled use of the wind farm PILOT proceeds. Taking time to develop planned use of those funds as opposed to filling the whimsical desires of a few for special interests or to solve the poor management problems of a few city government officials. It's noteworthy to observe that only PART of the PILOT funds have been used to obtain the tax rate reductions that are being seen.
All this in just three years. A darned good start to reversing the negative trends caused by years of poor or ineffective management by former spendthrift or special interest driven commissions.
And, after hearing & seeing first hand, Ms Canon/Kominska's non-specific return to the failed policies of faux 'economic development', wasteful spending of taxpayer monies and uninformed position of lawful county operations, I, too, will be lending my support to a write-in vote for Mr. Douglas C. Ritz for District 1 County Commissioner seat on November 4th.
I hope many other District 1 voters will get the
real facts, provable on paper, and will do the same. This isn't a popularity contest for the high school prom! This is for your future and that of your children and grandchildren. Please get your facts straight and VOTE for your future... not a return to past failings.
Elk County is a great place and has been improving in the last three years. Perhaps more slowly than we might like, but moving forward is far better than going into reverse! As Grandpa used to say,
"Rome wasn't built in a day."I would like to see Elk County continue its recent turn around and become an example to our Kansas neighbors. I believe that a solid write-in vote for Doug Ritz for District 1 County Commissioner is a solid step in that direction.
Out of the Ashes
