8-man
Linn 48, Pike Valley 12
Hanover 62, Thunder Ridge 32
Clifton-Clyde 38, Blue Valley 20
B&B 66, Axtell 20
Bern 40, SE Consolidated 22
Frankfort 66, Southern Cloud 20
11-man
Valley Heights 30, Onaga 6
Silver Lake 35, Centralia 12
St. Mary's 37, Washington County 6
Friday, September 5, 2008
WCHS homecoming
Washington County High School's homecoming game is Sept. 19 vs. Immaculata (which is a Catholic high school in Leavenworth). Their mascot is the Raiders and their colors are green and white, so I hope downtown businesses can dress up their windows in support of the Tigers. I'm sure the cheerleaders will have their contest again so we need some clever decorations.
Oprah doesn't like Palin?
Evidently Oprah doesn't want to have Governor Sarah Palin on her show. Never mind she is the first female GOP vice presidential candidate. If you thought Oprah would give her some credit, you'd be mistaken. Evidently, if a person is in politics but isn't a liberal and isn't African American, she has no place on Oprah's show.
I was just shocked when Oprah came out in support of Obama... NOT! How much do you want to bet Oprah will have Michelle Obama on soon????
I was just shocked when Oprah came out in support of Obama... NOT! How much do you want to bet Oprah will have Michelle Obama on soon????
New record set again
The Backroads Newsroom blog set another record yesterday with 130 unique readers checking us out. Of those, 71 were brand new first time readers. The blog was also three page loads shy of breaking that record.
I'm short on commentary today, though, so I don't think we'll be hitting the record again.
Thanks for checking us out!
I'm short on commentary today, though, so I don't think we'll be hitting the record again.
Thanks for checking us out!
More downtown Washington bits
Leon is serving lunch now over at The Horn. I've heard lots of complimentary comments of their renovation efforts since they took over. The place looks nice and clean and ready to attract more customers. They had Swedish meatballs over noodles today which was a nice change of pace for me. I can only eat so many burgers or pizza slices... though I do still enjoy that too.
I also talked to Bob Dusin yesterday as he was overseeing some work in the two buildings he recently purchased on the square - the former Schooky's Deli buildings. He is renovating the buildings and they are up for rent now. He said he has had interest in the space. He also has the former laundromat up for sale.
It will be nice to see some of these places full again. A couple years ago we had almost no empty spaces and now we have a few.
I also talked to Bob Dusin yesterday as he was overseeing some work in the two buildings he recently purchased on the square - the former Schooky's Deli buildings. He is renovating the buildings and they are up for rent now. He said he has had interest in the space. He also has the former laundromat up for sale.
It will be nice to see some of these places full again. A couple years ago we had almost no empty spaces and now we have a few.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Basic instructions on how to post comments
You are encouraged to post your feelings on anything in this blog. To post, all you have to do is:
1. Click on the headline of the story on which you want to comment
2. Below the story and any other comments, click on “post a comment.”
3. If you have a Google account, make sure you’re signed in and then type your comment in the upper right box.
4. If you do not have a Google account, there is a “Choose an identity” section at the lower right side - click on “sign up here.” Then follow the directions to create an account (it’s super easy and takes less than a minute.)
Once signed in, you can post comments.
1. Click on the headline of the story on which you want to comment
2. Below the story and any other comments, click on “post a comment.”
3. If you have a Google account, make sure you’re signed in and then type your comment in the upper right box.
4. If you do not have a Google account, there is a “Choose an identity” section at the lower right side - click on “sign up here.” Then follow the directions to create an account (it’s super easy and takes less than a minute.)
Once signed in, you can post comments.
Pool vote may be on spring ballot
A downsized version of a new swimming pool for Washington may be offered to voters through a 1 percent sales tax. The Washington City Council discussed the recent failed sales tax vote and the future of the pool project at their Sept. 2 meeting.
The Aug. 5 vote on a 1.2 percent sales tax to fund a new pool failed by 12 votes and council members said the most common concern they heard about the proposed pool was that it was too fancy.
City administrator Kurt Hassler said the pool committee met to discuss what they heard about the project and the consensus was the majority of the public wanted a pool, but that the $1.3 million proposal was too much. The committee decided to scale back the plan to go with a $1 million pool by taking out the water slide and the wet deck and a few other minor things to save costs. They may also downsize the dimensions of the pool slightly. Hassler said the changes would bring the price down.
Financial advisor Rick Enz had told him the retail sales tax intake was higher than expected for the last 12 months, so if a vote was approved with the changes, the city would be capable of making the payments, plus the extra could be used for any other infrastructure improvements or to pay down the debt faster.
The council debated whether to put a question on the November ballot or on the spring election ballot. Hassler said if the vote passed on the November ballot, no money would be collected until May or June and construction would begin in September, 2009. However, that timeline might cause trouble trying to make the first payment and to cover origination fees. There would also not be enough time for a bid process.
The second option, going with a spring vote, would allow for a bid process and construction would start in September, 2010. Hassler said constructions costs would go up, but they’d also have more cash to pay for it. Nobody could guess if the existing pool would last two more seasons.
The council agreed that having a price and design before the vote was put on the ballot would be in their best interest, so the action on a new sales tax question was tabled and Hassler and staff were directed to continue working on the project with the intent of putting it on the spring ballot.
Hassler said he could start the selection process for a contractor and a concept drawing could be ready to go by the December or January meeting.
The Aug. 5 vote on a 1.2 percent sales tax to fund a new pool failed by 12 votes and council members said the most common concern they heard about the proposed pool was that it was too fancy.
City administrator Kurt Hassler said the pool committee met to discuss what they heard about the project and the consensus was the majority of the public wanted a pool, but that the $1.3 million proposal was too much. The committee decided to scale back the plan to go with a $1 million pool by taking out the water slide and the wet deck and a few other minor things to save costs. They may also downsize the dimensions of the pool slightly. Hassler said the changes would bring the price down.
Financial advisor Rick Enz had told him the retail sales tax intake was higher than expected for the last 12 months, so if a vote was approved with the changes, the city would be capable of making the payments, plus the extra could be used for any other infrastructure improvements or to pay down the debt faster.
The council debated whether to put a question on the November ballot or on the spring election ballot. Hassler said if the vote passed on the November ballot, no money would be collected until May or June and construction would begin in September, 2009. However, that timeline might cause trouble trying to make the first payment and to cover origination fees. There would also not be enough time for a bid process.
The second option, going with a spring vote, would allow for a bid process and construction would start in September, 2010. Hassler said constructions costs would go up, but they’d also have more cash to pay for it. Nobody could guess if the existing pool would last two more seasons.
The council agreed that having a price and design before the vote was put on the ballot would be in their best interest, so the action on a new sales tax question was tabled and Hassler and staff were directed to continue working on the project with the intent of putting it on the spring ballot.
Hassler said he could start the selection process for a contractor and a concept drawing could be ready to go by the December or January meeting.
Proud of our country
I count eight American flags on the sidewalk in downtown Washington right now. Five on the 200 block of C Street and three on the 300 block. It looks very nice along with the red, white and blue Welcome to Washington banners. People must be inspired about Palin's speech last night. Or maybe it is just a beautiful day.
High school football kickoff predictions
The high school football season kicks off tomorrow night for the local teams. I imagine Hanover and Clifton-Clyde will both be strong again tomorrow and should win their games.
Shane Ohlde will have his debut tomorrow night as coach of the Linn Bulldogs in a home matchup vs. Pike Valley. This game should show a lot about what sort of season the Bulldogs will have. They should have won this game last year, but didn’t. The team lost a lot of senior starters, but I believe Ohlde will have the program ready for this test. I’m giving Linn the edge on the shoulders of Ohlde as coach. No pressure ;-)
Phil Wilson will re-debut as coach of the Washington County Tigers with a game at St. Mary’s. The Tigers are short on numbers this year, but I believe the program was undergoing major improvements when he was their coach the last time around and I’m sure he will re-start that trend.
However, St. Mary’s has been a perennial power and I think the Tigers may come up short against them tomorrow.
What do you think?
Shane Ohlde will have his debut tomorrow night as coach of the Linn Bulldogs in a home matchup vs. Pike Valley. This game should show a lot about what sort of season the Bulldogs will have. They should have won this game last year, but didn’t. The team lost a lot of senior starters, but I believe Ohlde will have the program ready for this test. I’m giving Linn the edge on the shoulders of Ohlde as coach. No pressure ;-)
Phil Wilson will re-debut as coach of the Washington County Tigers with a game at St. Mary’s. The Tigers are short on numbers this year, but I believe the program was undergoing major improvements when he was their coach the last time around and I’m sure he will re-start that trend.
However, St. Mary’s has been a perennial power and I think the Tigers may come up short against them tomorrow.
What do you think?
Nyes are new Swirly Top managers
Rick and Cindy Nye are the new managers of Swirly Top restaurant in Washington. The Nyes are the former managers of Mayberry’s. Swirly Top is now open for breakfast, but Rick said no other major changes are planned at this time.
I ate their lasagna special for an early lunch today and it was delicious.
I ate their lasagna special for an early lunch today and it was delicious.
Washington Monument proposed to council
The Washington City Council will look into the physical impact of a proposed “Washington Monument” that could be erected in the middle of the intersection of 3rd and C Streets in downtown Washington. Derek Bruna, representing the Washington Rotary Club, said the club originally proposed a similar idea as their 2005 Rotary Centennial project, but the project was delayed.
Now, he said funds have grown for the project as has membership in the club, and along with it the size of the project has grown from a center island with a sign board to a monument with a sign board.
The monument itself would be an approximately 20-foot tall obelisk – basically a downsized version of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.
According to the National Park Service web site, the Washington Monument is the most prominent, as well as one of the older, attractions in Washington, D.C. It was built in honor of George Washington, who led the country to independence, and then became its first President. The Monument is shaped like an Egyptian obelisk, 555’ 5/8” high, and averages 30 to 40 miles visibility in clear weather. It was finished on December 6, 1884.
The local monument would follow the design specifications of a proper obelisk, which is 10 feet of height for every foot of width and topped with a small pyramid.
Bruna said the club was figuring on a $20,000 price tag for the project, which would include the electronic sign, the monument structure and labor. But they already have around $6,000 in advertising (which would appear on the base) and they have been seeking corporate support too.
“(The club) doesn’t feel like money will be a problem,” said Bruna.
Bruna said Bradford Built was contacted about making the actual obelisk structure, which would be hollow and covered with stucco. They’ve also talked to Charlie Walters about the base and Clinton Stamm about the bricks or pavers.
The base would be about five feet tall, with a 20-foot obelisk on top of that. The base would be covered by bricks or pavers, but that has not yet been finalized. The electronic sign would be about 3-feet by 4-feet and would be black with red lettering viewable from both the north and the south.
Bruna said the city could generate some revenue by posting appropriate messages on the sign, like birthday or anniversary announcements like some businesses in other communities do with sign boards. Calendar items would likely be a free service on the sign.
The council decided it would need to get a visual idea of what sort of impact the structure would have on the intersection before they decide whether or not to approved the project. The plan is to set a date to draw out a circle and put up some palettes or another temporary structure to see if a five foot tall base would be a problem and if traffic flow would be affected.
Bruna said the club would be willing to work with the design to accommodate any issues that might arise. Originally an 8-foot base with vegetation was proposed in the middle of a roundabout, but the plan has been changed.
City administrator Kurt Hassler said this intersection would technically be considered a “traffic circle,” rather than a roundabout, since the stop signs would stay. He said he wasn’t concerned about cars and pickups getting around the intersection, but a semi might have a problem… but he still thought there would be enough room.
Vehicles would decide for themselves whether they go around the structure when turning or pass in front of it.
Hassler said the city would also have to put together policies on what is put on the sign or what fees to charge for messages and a separate fund could be set up dedicated to the sign. A memo of understanding was also suggested for who would take care of what on the initial construction of the project, since it would be turned over to the city when complete.
Bruna concluded that the project was originally an idea to replace the sign that used to be wheeled out into the intersection to announce special events. That sign was ruined a couple years ago, and now people use saw horses or barrels in the intersection on occasion.
Now, he said funds have grown for the project as has membership in the club, and along with it the size of the project has grown from a center island with a sign board to a monument with a sign board.
The monument itself would be an approximately 20-foot tall obelisk – basically a downsized version of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.
According to the National Park Service web site, the Washington Monument is the most prominent, as well as one of the older, attractions in Washington, D.C. It was built in honor of George Washington, who led the country to independence, and then became its first President. The Monument is shaped like an Egyptian obelisk, 555’ 5/8” high, and averages 30 to 40 miles visibility in clear weather. It was finished on December 6, 1884.
The local monument would follow the design specifications of a proper obelisk, which is 10 feet of height for every foot of width and topped with a small pyramid.
Bruna said the club was figuring on a $20,000 price tag for the project, which would include the electronic sign, the monument structure and labor. But they already have around $6,000 in advertising (which would appear on the base) and they have been seeking corporate support too.
“(The club) doesn’t feel like money will be a problem,” said Bruna.
Bruna said Bradford Built was contacted about making the actual obelisk structure, which would be hollow and covered with stucco. They’ve also talked to Charlie Walters about the base and Clinton Stamm about the bricks or pavers.
The base would be about five feet tall, with a 20-foot obelisk on top of that. The base would be covered by bricks or pavers, but that has not yet been finalized. The electronic sign would be about 3-feet by 4-feet and would be black with red lettering viewable from both the north and the south.
Bruna said the city could generate some revenue by posting appropriate messages on the sign, like birthday or anniversary announcements like some businesses in other communities do with sign boards. Calendar items would likely be a free service on the sign.
The council decided it would need to get a visual idea of what sort of impact the structure would have on the intersection before they decide whether or not to approved the project. The plan is to set a date to draw out a circle and put up some palettes or another temporary structure to see if a five foot tall base would be a problem and if traffic flow would be affected.
Bruna said the club would be willing to work with the design to accommodate any issues that might arise. Originally an 8-foot base with vegetation was proposed in the middle of a roundabout, but the plan has been changed.
City administrator Kurt Hassler said this intersection would technically be considered a “traffic circle,” rather than a roundabout, since the stop signs would stay. He said he wasn’t concerned about cars and pickups getting around the intersection, but a semi might have a problem… but he still thought there would be enough room.
Vehicles would decide for themselves whether they go around the structure when turning or pass in front of it.
Hassler said the city would also have to put together policies on what is put on the sign or what fees to charge for messages and a separate fund could be set up dedicated to the sign. A memo of understanding was also suggested for who would take care of what on the initial construction of the project, since it would be turned over to the city when complete.
Bruna concluded that the project was originally an idea to replace the sign that used to be wheeled out into the intersection to announce special events. That sign was ruined a couple years ago, and now people use saw horses or barrels in the intersection on occasion.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
"Other business" of Washington City Council
Since I couldn't fit the Washington City Council story into this week's paper, I promised I would post it here first and fit it into the paper next week. Here is the first of three parts. The other two parts are the story about the council's next move on the swimming pool project and a story on the proposed Washington Monument project by the Rotary Club. I'll work on those tonight yet and hopefully post them tomorrow. --Dan
In other business:
• The council discussed the Washington Chamber of Commerce’s request for assistance in purchasing new Christmas decorations for the power poles along the highway. The Chamber has purchased eight decorations already, but was hoping more could be purchased to fill in the gaps.
Four-foot diameter wreath decorations cost $193 while a six-foot wreath costs $215. Because of the time and materials expense the city would incur by putting up the wiring for the new decorations, the council decided to decline the request for thi syear, but may consider purchasing new decorations next year.
The council approved spending $1,050 to purchase the necessary materials to put up the Chamber decorations.
• First National Bank of Washington received approval to block off the stretch of C Street form old city hall to new city hall and 2nd Street from C Street to Ballard for the Fall Fest from morning until 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.
City staff will also provide assistance in delivering benches for the event.
• The council approved having Cohorst surveying service plat the industrial park for $2,400.
• The city recently received a proposed agreement for power purchase, but since no other cities have acted on it yet, Hassler and power plant superintendent Mary Leck recommended not acting on the agreement yet until some contract wording was worked out.
• The council approved purchasing autocad electronic mapping software for $1,145 and an annual fee of $185 to show the city’s sewer, water and other utility items in detail.
• A free lot program property located southwest of the Washington County Hospital across the street that was given to John Hanson has been abandoned. The property owner had 18 months to construct a house on it, but attempts to contact Hanson have been fruitless, even though early on he did a minimal amount of foundation work at the lot.
The council authorized the city attorney to file papers in court to obtain clear title to the property.
• The city administrator and city clerk were given permission to travel to the League of Kansas Municipalities annual meeting on Oct. 11-14 in Wichita, including one night stay for Denise Powell and two nights for Hassler.
• 100 tons of 1.5-inch rock was approved for the bid price of $1,200 from Orval Jueneman. Hassler said the city is out of rock and it is used for road work, back fill for water/sewer repairs and for other uses.
• Hassler reported he had met with Clinton Stamm about old city hall. Hassler said Stamm felt the building could be salvaged and was good structurally, but a lot of plaster would need to be replaced.
“The biggest concern is access, maintaining ADA access,” said Hassler. “There will be a massive amount of work.”
A ramp could be built but is not always popular. Stamm suggested looking at the community hall in Cuba as an idea for accessibility.
Hassler recommended holding a couple public meetings about the building to see what the community’s interest is. There is also the possibility that the individual interested in bringing a movie theater to Washington could renovate the building for that use.
• The council held an executive session for non-elected personnel. After coming out of session, they went back in with assistant city attorney Libby Hiltgen. No action was taken.
• Hassler said he received a general quote from Cohorst on platting the fairgrounds. He thought the project would cost around $3-4,000 but could be up to $7,000. A plat map would show the locations of all the buildings, property lines and the city and fair board could swap property back and forth to line things up better.
Hassler requested permission to sit down with the fair board and talk about their long term project plans and look at the property issues. He said the fair board said they might be able to participate with some funds too. Hassler was approved to talk to the board to see if it was worth going forward with plat mapping.
• Hassler said he and Powell have spent a lot of time going over the 2008 and 2009 budgets and they were better off than he thought they might be. On streets, however, the city is spending more than they are taking in. He said the biggest revenue source for streets is gas tax money, which is getting to be less and less.
The tax has a formula based on population and the city gets a percentage per gallon. However, with prices up, people are buying less, which means less taxes coming in. Plus, the cost of road oil is up.
“The street fund is one we’ll have to look at and get a long term goal,” said Hassler. In the meantime, he said the city has some cash reserves to fund the work.
• An ambulance rate increase was approved to $11 per loaded mile effective on Sept. 1. The rate has to be higher than Medicare, which recently went up.
• Late payment penalties could be added to water and sewer bills in Washington, administrative charges on delinquent accounts and changes to the deposit fee structure for owners of multiple buildings will be worked into new policies for the next meeting.
• Court fees will be raised to match the increase on the District Court level which occurred on July 1.
• The fire department requested the use of the emergency services building for a chili cookoff on Saturday, Oct. 4, along with an open house. The request was approved.
In other business:
• The council discussed the Washington Chamber of Commerce’s request for assistance in purchasing new Christmas decorations for the power poles along the highway. The Chamber has purchased eight decorations already, but was hoping more could be purchased to fill in the gaps.
Four-foot diameter wreath decorations cost $193 while a six-foot wreath costs $215. Because of the time and materials expense the city would incur by putting up the wiring for the new decorations, the council decided to decline the request for thi syear, but may consider purchasing new decorations next year.
The council approved spending $1,050 to purchase the necessary materials to put up the Chamber decorations.
• First National Bank of Washington received approval to block off the stretch of C Street form old city hall to new city hall and 2nd Street from C Street to Ballard for the Fall Fest from morning until 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.
City staff will also provide assistance in delivering benches for the event.
• The council approved having Cohorst surveying service plat the industrial park for $2,400.
• The city recently received a proposed agreement for power purchase, but since no other cities have acted on it yet, Hassler and power plant superintendent Mary Leck recommended not acting on the agreement yet until some contract wording was worked out.
• The council approved purchasing autocad electronic mapping software for $1,145 and an annual fee of $185 to show the city’s sewer, water and other utility items in detail.
• A free lot program property located southwest of the Washington County Hospital across the street that was given to John Hanson has been abandoned. The property owner had 18 months to construct a house on it, but attempts to contact Hanson have been fruitless, even though early on he did a minimal amount of foundation work at the lot.
The council authorized the city attorney to file papers in court to obtain clear title to the property.
• The city administrator and city clerk were given permission to travel to the League of Kansas Municipalities annual meeting on Oct. 11-14 in Wichita, including one night stay for Denise Powell and two nights for Hassler.
• 100 tons of 1.5-inch rock was approved for the bid price of $1,200 from Orval Jueneman. Hassler said the city is out of rock and it is used for road work, back fill for water/sewer repairs and for other uses.
• Hassler reported he had met with Clinton Stamm about old city hall. Hassler said Stamm felt the building could be salvaged and was good structurally, but a lot of plaster would need to be replaced.
“The biggest concern is access, maintaining ADA access,” said Hassler. “There will be a massive amount of work.”
A ramp could be built but is not always popular. Stamm suggested looking at the community hall in Cuba as an idea for accessibility.
Hassler recommended holding a couple public meetings about the building to see what the community’s interest is. There is also the possibility that the individual interested in bringing a movie theater to Washington could renovate the building for that use.
• The council held an executive session for non-elected personnel. After coming out of session, they went back in with assistant city attorney Libby Hiltgen. No action was taken.
• Hassler said he received a general quote from Cohorst on platting the fairgrounds. He thought the project would cost around $3-4,000 but could be up to $7,000. A plat map would show the locations of all the buildings, property lines and the city and fair board could swap property back and forth to line things up better.
Hassler requested permission to sit down with the fair board and talk about their long term project plans and look at the property issues. He said the fair board said they might be able to participate with some funds too. Hassler was approved to talk to the board to see if it was worth going forward with plat mapping.
• Hassler said he and Powell have spent a lot of time going over the 2008 and 2009 budgets and they were better off than he thought they might be. On streets, however, the city is spending more than they are taking in. He said the biggest revenue source for streets is gas tax money, which is getting to be less and less.
The tax has a formula based on population and the city gets a percentage per gallon. However, with prices up, people are buying less, which means less taxes coming in. Plus, the cost of road oil is up.
“The street fund is one we’ll have to look at and get a long term goal,” said Hassler. In the meantime, he said the city has some cash reserves to fund the work.
• An ambulance rate increase was approved to $11 per loaded mile effective on Sept. 1. The rate has to be higher than Medicare, which recently went up.
• Late payment penalties could be added to water and sewer bills in Washington, administrative charges on delinquent accounts and changes to the deposit fee structure for owners of multiple buildings will be worked into new policies for the next meeting.
• Court fees will be raised to match the increase on the District Court level which occurred on July 1.
• The fire department requested the use of the emergency services building for a chili cookoff on Saturday, Oct. 4, along with an open house. The request was approved.
Backroads Newsroom blog records broken
I just checked my Accumeter counter and the Backroads Newsroom blog broke records today in both page loads and unique viewers (55 of them were first time viewers too!)
I will try very hard to keep feeding this monster, but I definitely think it is more fun when you all throw your comments into the mix too.
Plus, I'm not a grump every day so I'm not going to be able to give TD and HFH fodder to go after.
Keep it up!
I will try very hard to keep feeding this monster, but I definitely think it is more fun when you all throw your comments into the mix too.
Plus, I'm not a grump every day so I'm not going to be able to give TD and HFH fodder to go after.
Keep it up!
Palin speech
Wow. I'm just getting done watching the post Palin speech commentary.
Palin rocks! I haven't been so excited about politics since Huckabee was on the rise. She threw zinger after zinger, but they were based on substantive issues. And she makes a strong case for the McCain candidacy.
I'm hoping our local political commentator Josh Zenger will write a column about the impact of this historic speech. Okay Josh?
Palin rocks! I haven't been so excited about politics since Huckabee was on the rise. She threw zinger after zinger, but they were based on substantive issues. And she makes a strong case for the McCain candidacy.
I'm hoping our local political commentator Josh Zenger will write a column about the impact of this historic speech. Okay Josh?
Morrowville udpate
The State Attorney General's office is now investigating the situation in Morrowville. No charges have been filed, however, so I won't be publishing anything else until any new information arises.
City council story
I'll try to get the city council story posted tonight some time. There was quite a bit of activity at the meeting, but I can't say there was anything that would send earthquakes through the village. It was adjourned by 9:17 p.m., making two months in a row of meetings that were less than 2.5 hours. Awesome job Kurt, Denise and council!
I should also try to post something nice and controversial tonight so I can try to break this blog's page load record. Right now today, this is the third most active this blog has ever been (as determined by page loads and unique visitors). I guess getting a couple nuts and a bitter/tired editor posting back and forth can garner some interest.
Later.
I should also try to post something nice and controversial tonight so I can try to break this blog's page load record. Right now today, this is the third most active this blog has ever been (as determined by page loads and unique visitors). I guess getting a couple nuts and a bitter/tired editor posting back and forth can garner some interest.
Later.
Greenlinton takes root
Evidently someone put a sign up by the county airport sign that said "Greenlinton" in response to Brian Shaw's smart-alec letter to the editor last week. I drive by their twice a day every day but I didn't see one. Bunch of smart-alecs out there.
Another sign of interest would be the billboard at the east edge of Washington proclaiming a Super 8 Hotel 18 miles west of Washington. I guess that would put it somewhere between Haddam and Cuba? Oops. I'm glad I'm not the only one who does typos.
Another sign of interest would be the billboard at the east edge of Washington proclaiming a Super 8 Hotel 18 miles west of Washington. I guess that would put it somewhere between Haddam and Cuba? Oops. I'm glad I'm not the only one who does typos.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Washington pool
FACT – The Washington City Council (who met tonight) will consider another attempt at passing a sales tax increase to fund a new pool, but this time they are likely considering a 1% tax instead of a 1.2% tax and for a million dollar basic pool instead of a pool with a waterslide and amenities. A vote will likely happen next spring and construction (if approved) would happen in September, 2010.
The pool committee suggested removing the splash grounds/wet deck and the water slide and possibly downsizing the pool a bit. They said the main thing they heard form citizens who were against the original design of the new pool was that it was too fancy.
BITTER OPINION – I guess we're not good enough to have nice things here in good ol' Washington County. I mean, who do we think we are, a progressive city? We should be happy with a basic pool instead of a swimmin' hole in Mill Creek, gosh darnit!
I've always wondered why people do fancy things like wash their cars or mow their lawn. Who do they think they are? City slickers!?
What the hell good is a new pool if all we are doing is adding a zero degree entry and an umbrella splash feature (which hardly anyone uses at the new swimming pools I've been to.)
THEORY – I bet we could cut the price much further if we just dug out the current pool, redid the plumbing and replaced the pool as it is.
MY NEW OPINION – As a retail establishment in Washington, I can't justify making my customers pay 1% more for a zero degree entry. What's the difference between 1% and 1.2%? How about everything that was fun about the original proposal. For $1.20 more per $100, we could have had something really cool in Washington. Now for $1 per $100, we'll have what we have now with a zero degree entry. Big deal. Screw the new pool. Vote no on the 1% sales tax unless they put the slide back in.
And while we're at it, you should all quit mowing your lawns. Too damn fancy. Get over yourselves.
Geez, I should really get a good night's sleep before I post these things! :-(
The pool committee suggested removing the splash grounds/wet deck and the water slide and possibly downsizing the pool a bit. They said the main thing they heard form citizens who were against the original design of the new pool was that it was too fancy.
BITTER OPINION – I guess we're not good enough to have nice things here in good ol' Washington County. I mean, who do we think we are, a progressive city? We should be happy with a basic pool instead of a swimmin' hole in Mill Creek, gosh darnit!
I've always wondered why people do fancy things like wash their cars or mow their lawn. Who do they think they are? City slickers!?
What the hell good is a new pool if all we are doing is adding a zero degree entry and an umbrella splash feature (which hardly anyone uses at the new swimming pools I've been to.)
THEORY – I bet we could cut the price much further if we just dug out the current pool, redid the plumbing and replaced the pool as it is.
MY NEW OPINION – As a retail establishment in Washington, I can't justify making my customers pay 1% more for a zero degree entry. What's the difference between 1% and 1.2%? How about everything that was fun about the original proposal. For $1.20 more per $100, we could have had something really cool in Washington. Now for $1 per $100, we'll have what we have now with a zero degree entry. Big deal. Screw the new pool. Vote no on the 1% sales tax unless they put the slide back in.
And while we're at it, you should all quit mowing your lawns. Too damn fancy. Get over yourselves.
Geez, I should really get a good night's sleep before I post these things! :-(
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