I vote for BOTH. Take a look at Winfield as an example. I remember when Ark City used consider itself equal to Winfield, but they have since pulled away from us in the areas of activities (such as their new ball park, island park, etc), dining (Neives', Bedermans, etc). They have many many more downtown shops, and even a J.C. Penny's, which we used to have here as well. Why is that? Lower taxes? Lower utilities? I'm asking. I really don't know.
I never thought I'd be saying this, but Winfield is definitely a better place to live now than Ark City. Why is that? Has our past leadership led us to this? Then it's up to our present and future leadership to lead us out of it. A decent start would be to make the town more attractive to people passing through. A hike/bike trail and nice park (think Island park but without the river) at the South entrance to town would be nice.
I like the idea of having the Bike/Walking trail, as you said it will also have a chance to clean up some areas throughout town. People have said they wanted a trail and in their minds have moved on to other things knowing they will get the trail. If we don't get the trail. please try to limit the lag time between applying for the money and building. Thanks for listening, were the other commissioners?
I vote for BOTH. Take a look at Winfield as an example. I remember when Ark City used consider itself equal to Winfield, but they have since pulled away from us in the areas of activities (such as their new ball park, island park, etc), dining (Neives', Bedermans, etc). They have many many more downtown shops, and even a J.C. Penny's, which we used to have here as well. Why is that? Lower taxes? Lower utilities? I'm asking. I really don't know.
I'm not sure I agree on the many more downtown shops. I drove through Winfield last week and noticed they have many more empty storefronts than Ark City does. They also look more run down, though there is a lot more glass in their windows. It might be just my perspective as I was looking specifically for empty buildings.
As for parks, you are already aware the commission is contemplating the new levee hike bike trail. Are you also aware of the improvements to 6th St pond, now Veteran's Lake? There is a new trail being put in around it, and a new picnic shelter going up in front of it. It is not in the class of Island park yet, but it's getting there. There is very little money being spent, but a whole lot of work. The Lion's and Leo's did a lot of clean up and building. A grant for materials and the labor from the parks department to complete the trail. Between Veteran's Lake and the hike/bike trail the southwest corner of town should show a lot of improvements. Though the hike/bike trail is still in the consideration stage. We have a grant but need a very large sum to match it.
I never thought I'd be saying this, but Winfield is definitely a better place to live now than Ark City. Why is that? Has our past leadership led us to this? Then it's up to our present and future leadership to lead us out of it. A decent start would be to make the town more attractive to people passing through. A hike/bike trail and nice park (think Island park but without the river) at the South entrance to town would be nice.
Winfield is nice, but I wouldn't say it is any better than Ark City. They have lower utilities and an 18 hole public golf course. They have the same good and not as nice parts of town just like Ark City. They do have a few more local restaurants at the moment, but we are catching up fast. We are about to take the lead in large retail stores, and I'd put the quality of our local shops and service up against anywhere. Winfield may have a bit of an advantage, but I don't believe it is all that much, and we are making some great strides in catching up and hopefully surpassing them. Not in competition, but because we are working hard to have these things for ourselves.
Patrick said: "We are about to take the lead in large retail stores, and I'd put the quality of our local shops and service up against anywhere."
You say that as if it's a good thing. I see the new trend of giving tax breaks to big business, while charging our local merchants through the nose, to be more destructive that productive. Sure, it brings lower cost merchandise to town, but at the cost of driving out the merchants who we have all grown up with. How long did it take before Wal-Mart ran Village Market out of business? How long will it be before Walgreens runs Graves, or Taylor's, out of business. I for one think that the tax breaks should be given to local long-standing businesses who wish to upgrade, or improve their appearance/size/etc.
My point is that bringing in the large retail stores will lead to our local shops, that you speak so highly of, being forced out of business because they cannot compete with the cutthroat business tactics of the large chains. Why not give the locals some incentive to expand?
And for the record, It's my opinion that bringing the packing house here was one of the biggest all time bonehead moves I have ever seen. And what bothers me is that they knew what it would bring when they did it, and did it anyway. Has it benefited the town more than it has divided and hurt it.. in fact hurt our very way of life?? My taxes sure haven't gone down.
And though my tone may sound argumentative at times, I do thank you for taking an interest in what we have to say.
Hike and Bike trails are not the anwser, first off we must look at what we have as a basis for recreaton,,,, We live on a sand delta between two navagtable rivers, we have unused forest and river boarder lands. Wanna look toward winfield, go ahead, Tunnel mill dam,, Pecan Grove,, Fair grounds,, unlimited river access.
We have one park left for river access and I challenge any member of the city council to go to Walnut park and find a place to fish,, the banks by the boat dock have been filled intentionaly so citizens cannot get close to the river, The City has permanently closed the old Cottonwood park access just west of the arkansas river on madison, due to claims of dike misstreatment, Why must we close down a recreation provided by nature with very little expence to maintain, if you were to financialy try to provide such a place it would cost millions,, and now all you need to do is fill in a few ruts once in a while with free dirt to keep what you had. The park on west chestnut has been givein to a special intrest group of air boaters who can have access with city provied keys,, most of these airboaters do not even live in city limits,, Its time to end this favortism, if older people who cannot hike a half mile to the river cannot have access it is not fair to provide access via old chestnut to the out of city limits airboaters at city tax dollar expence!!!!!! ( city mows and provides use of the facilities ie boat ramp)
I agree with Saveacity, not every one in the city is sports minded and would use a ball park (very expensive to build and maintain). The hike and bike trails are great but not knowing what the route would be, it would be hard to say whether I am for that. It would be great if you could mix the hike and bike trails with near the waters edge so that you can satisfy the hikers and bikers and the many citizens that love to spend afternoons fishing and camping. I for one have taken my children to Island park in Winfield many times fishing in the afternoon. It is shady, and quiet, the ducks and the geese are entertaining. Some times it was just fun to take the kids to feed the geese. There is also playground equipment for them to play on if they decide they are tired of fishing. It too is a family place to spend time. Like Saveacity states. cleaning up the bank line of the Walnut river would be very inexpensive to do other than a few hours with a city crew or two cutting and maintaining the trail. Along the river would be lots of wildlife that could be considered a nature trail as well. With families with children and many older citizens this would be an excellent idea to use the resources we already have and enrich our environment. True the cost of maintaining the trails after the floods we have may get expensive for the bike trails but it would cost nothing but maintainance for easy clear access to the river for camping and fishing.
Patrick said: "We are about to take the lead in large retail stores, and I'd put the quality of our local shops and service up against anywhere."
You say that as if it's a good thing. I see the new trend of giving tax breaks to big business, while charging our local merchants through the nose,
If you could let me know what retail businesses the city has given ANY tax break to I would appreciate it. I am aware of none. The only one that comes close is the owner of the new shopping center where the Crestview Motel used to be. The owner is not a retailer, just a builder, and did get the revitalization rebate that anyone else would get building or renovating a home. NOTE we are collecting much more taxes on that property than we did before the new shopping center was built.
to be more destructive that productive. Sure, it brings lower cost merchandise to town, but at the cost of driving out the merchants who we have all grown up with. How long did it take before Wal-Mart ran Village Market out of business?
Did Wal-Mart run Village Market out of business or were they losing ground over the years anyway? Village Market definitely had the best meat, but were they still drawing the number of customers they needed before Wal-Mart started handling food? Or did Wal-Mart just hurry the inevitable a bit? I do not know the answers to these questions and I'm not sure anyone else has either. I would not accept information from anyone but the owners of Village Market as anything else is just rumor.
How long will it be before Walgreens runs Graves, or Taylor's, out of business. I for one think that the tax breaks should be given to local long-standing businesses who wish to upgrade, or improve their appearance/size/etc.
My point is that bringing in the large retail stores will lead to our local shops, that you speak so highly of, being forced out of business because they cannot compete with the cutthroat business tactics of the large chains. Why not give the locals some incentive to expand?
The city is very limited as to who it can help. The state prevents retail businesses from getting much of anything in the way tax incentives. About the only incentives the city can provide is construction or renovation such as our neighborhood revitalization or historic district tax rebates available to everyone.
And for the record, It's my opinion that bringing the packing house here was one of the biggest all time bonehead moves I have ever seen. And what bothers me is that they knew what it would bring when they did it, and did it anyway. Has it benefited the town more than it has divided and hurt it.. in fact hurt our very way of life?? My taxes sure haven't gone down.
There are definitely pros and cons to bringing ANY industry to town. The biggest pro is more jobs. As far as what it brought, I have seen almost all pros in the longrun and very few cons. I'm not sure how it has hurt our way of life, but I am willing to listen to your point of view. Perhaps you might even start a new thread on it.
And though my tone may sound argumentative at times, I do thank you for taking an interest in what we have to say.
Please believe me when I say I understand when we sound argumentative. I must seem that way quite often. I don't mean to be. I am just very passionate about what I believe in. The most important thing to me are facts not rumors. There is no way I could make a decision if I didn't have good facts to work with. I can't say I have all (or even most) of the answers, but I'm good at finding them. If you need information to be verified I would be glad to help find the source and get reliable information.
I remember when the walking loop was first paved (not too long after the bypass opened). It wasn't that great with it's low spots that flood and at first no benches. But the use it gets shows the pent up desire for "safe" places to get out and exercise. Bike riders need their proposed trail away from the traffic of our streets.
Hike and Bike trails are not the anwser, first off we must look at what we have as a basis for recreaton,,,, We live on a sand delta between two navagtable rivers, we have unused forest and river boarder lands. Wanna look toward winfield, go ahead, Tunnel mill dam,, Pecan Grove,, Fair grounds,, unlimited river access.
We have one park left for river access and I challenge any member of the city council to go to Walnut park and find a place to fish,, the banks by the boat dock have been filled intentionaly so citizens cannot get close to the river, The City has permanently closed the old Cottonwood park access just west of the arkansas river on madison, due to claims of dike misstreatment, Why must we close down a recreation provided by nature with very little expence to maintain, if you were to financialy try to provide such a place it would cost millions,, and now all you need to do is fill in a few ruts once in a while with free dirt to keep what you had. The park on west chestnut has been givein to a special intrest group of air boaters who can have access with city provied keys,, most of these airboaters do not even live in city limits,, Its time to end this favortism, if older people who cannot hike a half mile to the river cannot have access it is not fair to provide access via old chestnut to the out of city limits airboaters at city tax dollar expence!!!!!! ( city mows and provides use of the facilities ie boat ramp)
Wow, this is a tough one. Some of these things have been going on for a long time and others are quite new.
Let me first say that I have been trying to expand on our river access for years. There is an old saying amongst the tourism crowd that you must have Mountains or Beaches to draw people. I disagree. I think we have 2 great rivers with a lot of potential. I think the city should provide it and business should develop it and care for it. For instance a bait shop, boat rentals (canoes and paddle boats), tube rentals, maybe even some kind of sandwich shop or restaurant. I think it could be a great draw, but the city can't do it, the business must come from entrepreneurs.
Back to the points. The first mentioned was Cottonwood Park on West Madison. The biggest problems were people driving on the levee leaving ruts that make it easier for high water to cause damage. It happened so often that the city wasn't able to keep up with the damage. Even after it was closed off, people have cut off the lock to go in anyway. The levee is not natural, but was built to protect the city and we must keep it in good shape for it to continue to serve us. Another issue is that the levee itself is controled by the Corps. of Engineers. They dictate the conditions we must keep the levee in, and inspect the levees on a regular basis. It is still open as a park, but until the 4-wheelers learn not to use it, people will have to walk in and the drive will have to remain closed.
As a side note, the west bank of the river on west chestnut (across the river from the city) is already well developed for 4-wheeler use with trails already in. I haven't found out yet if that is city property or not, but I'll try to let people know soon. I know for certain it is not maintained by the city.
Next is Walnut Park and the banks near the boat ramp. Those banks were built up many years ago to protect the park and ramp from erosion. The ramp itself would not have lasted long, and the surrounding banks would have had severe damage each year. The remainder of the banks are in a natural condition which seems to suit most folks, and would be extremely difficult and very expensive to maintain any other way.
As far as the Air Boats on West Chestnut, the dock and ramp are leased to the Air Boat Association. The association is responsible for maintaining the gate, the dock, the ramp, and even for mowing the grass. The city does not provide any equipment or service for that area. The city does have keys to get in there should the need arise, including launching of the Fire Department's air boat. Even though it is gated off from vehicles, anyone can still walk down in there to picnic or fish.
I would really like to see more use of our rivers. To do that we will need a lot of suggestions and some private involvement. I have no idea what it might take or how it could be done, but it would be nice to find more people interested in developing this natural resource.
For more details and information on the status and use of our river access you can contact Gary Baugher at the city public services department.
I agree with Saveacity, not every one in the city is sports minded and would use a ball park (very expensive to build and maintain). The hike and bike trails are great but not knowing what the route would be, it would be hard to say whether I am for that. It would be great if you could mix the hike and bike trails with near the waters edge so that you can satisfy the hikers and bikers and the many citizens that love to spend afternoons fishing and camping.
The area for the hike/bike trail in question is the levee from West Chestnut to the South Summit Bridge. Or look at it this way, along the levee around the whole southwest quarter of town. It will actually start at Paris Park westward to the levee, then along the levee to South Summit. It was supposed to be the first section of a trail to run around the entire city. It might work out that way some day, but for now I think it is a great area. Besides walking there are opportunities for many other things. The main thing will be to continue with the improvements and involve local businesses and entrepreneurs.
I for one have taken my children to Island park in Winfield many times fishing in the afternoon. It is shady, and quiet, the ducks and the geese are entertaining. Some times it was just fun to take the kids to feed the geese. There is also playground equipment for them to play on if they decide they are tired of fishing. It too is a family place to spend time.
We are working hard towards bringing 6th Street Pond, now Veteran's Lake, up to being a park similar to Island Park. It will take time and work, and probably a little money. It will also take a lot of input from citizens about what you want and perhaps involvement in making it happen. It has begun, now we just need to keep working at it until it becomes what we all want.
Like Saveacity states. cleaning up the bank line of the Walnut river would be very inexpensive to do other than a few hours with a city crew or two cutting and maintaining the trail. Along the river would be lots of wildlife that could be considered a nature trail as well. With families with children and many older citizens this would be an excellent idea to use the resources we already have and enrich our environment. True the cost of maintaining the trails after the floods we have may get expensive for the bike trails but it would cost nothing but maintainance for easy clear access to the river for camping and fishing.
The hike bike trails will be above the floods at the top of the levees for the most part. Keeping the banks clean along the bottom of the levee would be a lot of work and not just once a year. Cleaning up after high water would be a pretty big job. Keeping the greenery cut back would be another job. I can think of several other obstacles, but not sure how difficult they would be. On the bright side some of them might be routine and easily handled. Safety issues, litter, erosion of the banks, etc... I'll pass it along for someone with more experience in this situation to see what can be done.
If you could let me know what retail businesses the city has given ANY tax break to I would appreciate it. I am aware of none. The only one that comes close is the owner of the new shopping center where the Crestview Motel used to be. The owner is not a retailer, just a builder, and did get the revitalization rebate that anyone else would get building or renovating a home. NOTE we are collecting much more taxes on that property than we did before the new shopping center was built.
So, businesses AREN'T given tax breaks? I thought that there property taxes were deferred (sp?) for several years because the city wanted them here. You mean they just came here because of all the opportunity our town has to offer? Your saying that no businesses (including the packing house) were given a tax deferment?
Did Wal-Mart run Village Market out of business or were they losing ground over the years anyway? Village Market definitely had the best meat, but were they still drawing the number of customers they needed before Wal-Mart started handling food? Or did Wal-Mart just hurry the inevitable a bit? I do not know the answers to these questions and I'm not sure anyone else has either. I would not accept information from anyone but the owners of Village Market as anything else is just rumor.
Coincidence? really? What about the drop in business at Dillons and Country Mart. All those people I see shopping on the North side of Wal Mart had to have gotten their groceries somewhere else before it opened.
The city is very limited as to who it can help. The state prevents retail businesses from getting much of anything in the way tax incentives. About the only incentives the city can provide is construction or renovation such as our neighborhood revitalization or historic district tax rebates available to everyone.
There are definitely pros and cons to bringing ANY industry to town. The biggest pro is more jobs. As far as what it (The packing house) brought, I have seen almost all pros in the longrun and very few cons. I'm not sure how it has hurt our way of life, but I am willing to listen to your point of view. Perhaps you might even start a new thread on it.
You can't possibly be serious. You can't see how our lives have been effected? Do you live in the same Ark City that I do? You run a business, right? Have you learned to speak Spanish yet? It is becoming impossible to do business here in town without knowing Spanish.
And while we're on the subject, let me put you on the spot and ask you this: What is the city's stance on illegal aliens, and what, if anything has the Police Dept. been instructed to do when they come in contact with illegals. Because the last thing I want to here is the words "Sanctuary City" mentioned in the same breath as "Arkansas City". How many illegals has the PD been in contact with, and what is being done about it. And what, if anything, is done to employers who hire illegals?
I can't imagine that with the recent article about how Creekstone was preparing it's workers for raids by ICE, and the article that stated that Colwey County now ranks among the top counties for identity theft, that you should have any doubt in your mind that many of it's workers are illegal, yet a blind eye is turned to it. Why is that? What if anything, is being done about it?
If you could let me know what retail businesses the city has given ANY tax break to I would appreciate it. I am aware of none. The only one that comes close is the owner of the new shopping center where the Crestview Motel used to be. The owner is not a retailer, just a builder, and did get the revitalization rebate that anyone else would get building or renovating a home. NOTE we are collecting much more taxes on that property than we did before the new shopping center was built.
So, businesses AREN'T given tax breaks? I thought that there property taxes were deferred (sp?) for several years because the city wanted them here. You mean they just came here because of all the opportunity our town has to offer?
As far as retailers coming to town, yes. Wal-Mart Supercenter and Walgreens both made the decision to expand or move to Arkansas City on their own. We have a good retail environment and a great potential for drawing retail business from the surrounding area. The Buxton report that the city paid for shows a number of retail areas where HUGE amounts of money are going out of town. It would be great for our whole community to businesses to provide the products and services we have to go out of town for.
Your saying that no businesses (including the packing house) were given a tax deferment?
I specifically stated RETAIL business. I do see a great value in tax abatement or deferment to attract industry that may hire a large number of people.
Did Wal-Mart run Village Market out of business or were they losing ground over the years anyway? Village Market definitely had the best meat, but were they still drawing the number of customers they needed before Wal-Mart started handling food? Or did Wal-Mart just hurry the inevitable a bit? I do not know the answers to these questions and I'm not sure anyone else has either. I would not accept information from anyone but the owners of Village Market as anything else is just rumor.
Coincidence? really? What about the drop in business at Dillons and Country Mart. All those people I see shopping on the North side of Wal Mart had to have gotten their groceries somewhere else before it opened.
Before you decide which business is doing well or poorly I suggest you talk to the business owner or management. Perhaps the Traveler could do some research and write a proper story on how local stores are doing and the affects of Wal-mart. I did notice that Wal-Mart parking lot has a large number of Oklahoma tags and tags from outside of the county, though I cannot say as a fact that this makes the difference.
The city is very limited as to who it can help. The state prevents retail businesses from getting much of anything in the way tax incentives. About the only incentives the city can provide is construction or renovation such as our neighborhood revitalization or historic district tax rebates available to everyone.
There are definitely pros and cons to bringing ANY industry to town. The biggest pro is more jobs. As far as what it (The packing house) brought, I have seen almost all pros in the longrun and very few cons. I'm not sure how it has hurt our way of life, but I am willing to listen to your point of view. Perhaps you might even start a new thread on it.
You can't possibly be serious. You can't see how our lives have been effected? Do you live in the same Ark City that I do? You run a business, right? Have you learned to speak Spanish yet? It is becoming impossible to do business here in town without knowing Spanish.
I'm not sure which business you own, but I am very happy with more customers. I have not found a need to speak spanish, but I have found that their money is as acceptable as anyone elses.
And while we're on the subject, let me put you on the spot and ask you this: What is the city's stance on illegal aliens, and what, if anything has the Police Dept. been instructed to do when they come in contact with illegals. Because the last thing I want to here is the words "Sanctuary City" mentioned in the same breath as "Arkansas City". How many illegals has the PD been in contact with, and what is being done about it. And what, if anything, is done to employers who hire illegals?
As far as "illegal" aliens, I completely understand the term "illegal". Any illegal activity should be prosecuted by the law and penalty imposed. I'm not sure how you identify an "Illegal" alien. If they have a valid ID how far does a company go to prove it? How far does a police officer go to proving an ID which comes back valid is actually not? Racial profiling is a very hot issue right now and we would very much want to protect legal immigrants and citizens. It is a very tough issue and I honestly haven't heard any good answers to the problem.
As far as what the police do if they catch an "illegal" alien, I would hope that they are detained and turned over to the proper authorities. I would assume there are Federal people who take responsibility from there. I'll contact the police department and find out how they handle that type of situation.
I have heard of companies that intentionally hire "illegal" aliens. As an illegal activity I hope that they are properly prosecuted. I've only heard of 2 companies in Kansas in the last few years with any evidence of intentionally hiring illegals. Though there may be rumor or gossip, I have heard no evidence at all that any company in Cowley County or Arkansas City has been hiring "illegal" aliens.
I can't imagine that with the recent article about how Creekstone was preparing it's workers for raids by ICE, and the article that stated that Colwey County now ranks among the top counties for identity theft,
I haven't heard that. Could you please tell me where you read the article? I would like to do a little research and verify the facts. I don't doubt that you read it, but I'm having a lot of trouble trusting media lately. Besides, if it is true, I would have thought the city and county would have been properly informed so we could address the matter.
that you should have any doubt in your mind that many of it's workers are illegal, yet a blind eye is turned to it. Why is that? What if anything, is being done about it?
If it is true I'm not sure how to go about resolving it. But I don't mind looking for the answers. If there were any evidence of illegal activity I would be very interested in cracking down on it. But on the reverse, it must be handled in such a way that the legal workers and citizens enjoy their full rights without suspicion. It is quite a dilemma, and I am glad that people with much more training and experience are trying to find a solution.
Some of these things really deserve their own thread. I truly hope that there is more discussion as that is the way we find out all of the facts and search for solutions.
Again, my apologies if I get off point. I get interrupted quite often when I am trying to reply to these posts. I rarely have all of the information and the more I find, the more I find that I need. I hope it helps.
This was in the Wichita Eagle a year ago. I posted it. Please don't speak for local law enforcement till you know what they have done in the past with illegals. I know what the county level does with them in the past. NOTHING! I can't say what the city does with them but I don't ever remember reading in the police notes anyone ever being arrested for being illegal. Please, Mr McDonald, check into it. Then let us know what you find.
Workers at meatpacking towns preparing for raids By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) -- Frightened by raids last year at six Swift & Co. plants, illegal immigrants in the nation's meatpacking towns are preparing for their possible arrest.For years, immigrant rights groups had been confident the meatpacking giants were so powerful that immigration agents would never raid them.But since the Dec. 12 sweeps at Swift plants in six states, immigrant advocacy groups have been holding workshops, teaching undocumented workers how to prepare for their arrests by doing such things as drawing up legal documents so someone could care for their children and handle their financial affairs.In addition, the United Food and Commercial Workers union has printed a bilingual immigration rights kit it plans to distribute nationwide to workers in the coming weeks. The kit includes practical information, legal documents and sample letters.''We want to make sure they (immigration officials) don't take advantage of our people,'' said Martin Rosas, secretary-treasurer for UFCW in Dodge City.Take advantage of their people??? Like their people aren't taking advantage of our system? Like they are taking advantage of the working class people of our state? Among those making preparations since attending a workshop is the family of a 43-year-old man who works under a false identity at the National Beef plant in Liberal. Two of his four children, ranging in age from 4 to 18, were born in the United States, where he has lived on an off for 21 years.His wife, a 39-year-old illegal immigrant, asked not to be identified for fear the family would be arrested. The family is writing documents so her brother, a legal resident, would have custody of the children if the parents are deported. They have put their few possessions in another person's name and are trying to save what little money they can. So get legal and live in peace, I will never understand this.'
'It is the expected response of people that are terrified, that have to keep working in order to live,'' said James Austin, a Kansas City, Mo., immigration attorney who has taught at such workshops in Kansas.Ed Hayes, Kansas director of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, a group opposed to illegal immigration, said he was dismayed by those who are helping illegal immigrants.''Those people ought to be arrested because they are helping people break the law,'' Hayes said. ''We have churches that are aiding and abetting people breaking the law. We have chambers of commerce who want them to do it, politicians who want them to do it. What happened to our nation of laws?''
Immigration informational meetings are not new, Austin said, but only recently have organizers begun distributing and discussing power of attorney documents at them. He said that's a direct response by Hispanic advocacy agencies to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, including last year's arrests of 1,282 Swift workers at plants in Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Iowa and Minnesota.''I don't know what else to do, other than have people prepare as much as they can in case that happens here,'' said the Rev. John Fahey of St. Anthony Catholic Church in the southwestern Kansas town of Liberal, where a recent workshop drew 250 workers from meatpacking plants in southwest Kansas.The Hispanic advocacy group Hispanos Unidos of Liberal and United Methodist Mexican American Ministries helped organize the meeting, said Arturo Ponce, a former meatpacking plant worker who helped found Hispanos Unidos of Liberal.Immigrant families are also being urged to set up a savings accounts with $3,000 to $10,000 per family to pay bail bonds and other costs.''They are putting aside a little money as often as they can for such a situation,'' Ponce said. ''It is a heavy burden, but it is realistic.''Other legal advice included warnings not to sign a voluntary deportation form and to demand an immigration attorney, Ponce said.Rosas said UFCW's bilingual kit will explain workers' rights and offer practical advice for dealing with immigration problems. Among the documents in the kit are sample letters immigrants can use to better respond to the federal government's inquiries about problems with Social Security numbers.''There is always the same fear now -- everywhere you go,'' said Rosas.The extent of family preparations by undocumented workers surprised officials at Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as the meatpacking industry's trade group, the American Meat Institute. Both groups told The Associated Press they were unaware of them.''I haven't heard of any companies actively trying to prepare workers, because if a company knows they are undocumented, they are not supposed to be hiring them anyway,'' Austin said.Employers can face charges if they knowingly hire illegal workers.Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson noted that about half of immigration-related cases in Kansas -- which has massive slaughterhouses in Dodge City, Liberal, Garden City and Emporia-- are associated with the food-processing industry. Anderson said the ''hot area now'' in the state for identity theft is in Cowley County, where Creekstone Farms Premium Beef opened a plant in 2003. He said illegal immigrants sometimes steal identities to get past the government's ''Basic Pilot'' program, which screens Social Security numbers to make sure they're real and that they match up with the person's name. Don Stull, a University of Kansas anthropology professor and industry expert, said it's estimated about 25 percent of people working at the nation's meatpacking plants are in the country illegally. In the Swift raids, about 10 percent of the company's work force was arrested.The industry says it is doing everything it can to make sure it does not hire illegal immigrants.''Hiring illegal workers just doesn't make good business sense. Employee turnover is very disruptive,'' said Dave Ray, spokesman for the American Meat Institute.Ray noted the meatpacking industry was a pioneer in the early use of Basic Pilot, which he called a valuable, but not foolproof, tool.At the National Beef plant in Dodge City, general manager Carey Hoskinson said if he could convey any message to his employees, it would be to not worry about a raid. He noted his company uses government identity-verification programs as well as its own internal personnel audits.''I don't think ICE has its cross hairs on us,'' he said.
The new poll is interesting, and so far it is hard to tell what people want.
The city has been trying to bring in more activities and their is some disagreement about what the people more or better of, hike/bike trails, ball fields, both or neither.
There was a grant from about 7 years ago towards a ball field. The grant was for $200,000 and city would have had to come up with about $2,000,000 to complete the project. About 3 years ago the city won a grant to pay for 70% of a hike/bike trail along the levee.
In both cases the grants were written to provide for what people were asking for at the time (or about a year and a half before each grant was won). Both require for the city to come up with a considerable amount of money to complete. In both cases it would be an improvement to the city and might bring in other things from new housing to other recreational uses to possibly new businesses. There is no guarantee as to what these facilities would provide, but they would clean up a portion of our town and open up new opportunities.
The question today is do we want more new or improved ball fields, more hike/bike trails, both, or neither. The poll will give a rough idea, but we can learn more from input. What ideas the people have. What ways we can get a return on our investment in these facilities.
Here is the article I referred to in my post. It is a few months old, but I don't have the exact date of publication. I could do some digging if I had to. I can't believe that this is the first you've heard of it, but I trust that you are telling the truth. Now that you are aware, maybe it will get some attention, as you said in your post.
I will emphasize the areas I mentioned, but the whole article is worth the read.
Thanks.
Workers at meatpacking towns preparing for raids By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSDODGE CITY, Kan. (AP)
-- Frightened by raids last year at six Swift & Co. plants, illegal immigrants in the nation's meatpacking towns are preparing for their possible arrest.For years, immigrant rights groups had been confident the meatpacking giants were so powerful that immigration agents would never raid them.But since the Dec. 12 sweeps at Swift plants in six states, immigrant advocacy groups have been holding workshops, teaching undocumented workers how to prepare for their arrests by doing such things as drawing up legal documents so someone could care for their children and handle their financial affairs.In addition, the United Food and Commercial Workers union has printed a bilingual immigration rights kit it plans to distribute nationwide to workers in the coming weeks. The kit includes practical information, legal documents and sample letters.''We want to make sure they (immigration officials) don't take advantage of our people,'' said Martin Rosas, secretary-treasurer for UFCW in Dodge City. Among those making preparations since attending a workshop is the family of a 43-year-old man who works under a false identity at the National Beef plant in Liberal. Two of his four children, ranging in age from 4 to 18, were born in the United States, where he has lived on an off for 21 years.His wife, a 39-year-old illegal immigrant, asked not to be identified for fear the family would be arrested. The family is writing documents so her brother, a legal resident, would have custody of the children if the parents are deported. They have put their few possessions in another person's name and are trying to save what little money they can. "It is the expected response of people that are terrified, that have to keep working in order to live,'' said James Austin, a Kansas City, Mo., immigration attorney who has taught at such workshops in Kansas.Ed Hayes, Kansas director of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, a group opposed to illegal immigration, said he was dismayed by those who are helping illegal immigrants.''Those people ought to be arrested because they are helping people break the law,'' Hayes said. ''We have churches that are aiding and abetting people breaking the law. We have chambers of commerce who want them to do it, politicians who want them to do it. What happened to our nation of laws?''
Immigration informational meetings are not new, Austin said, but only recently have organizers begun distributing and discussing power of attorney documents at them. He said that's a direct response by Hispanic advocacy agencies to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, including last year's arrests of 1,282 Swift workers at plants in Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Iowa and Minnesota.''I don't know what else to do, other than have people prepare as much as they can in case that happens here,'' said the Rev. John Fahey of St. Anthony Catholic Church in the southwestern Kansas town of Liberal, where a recent workshop drew 250 workers from meatpacking plants in southwest Kansas.The Hispanic advocacy group Hispanos Unidos of Liberal and United Methodist Mexican American Ministries helped organize the meeting, said Arturo Ponce, a former meatpacking plant worker who helped found Hispanos Unidos of Liberal.Immigrant families are also being urged to set up a savings accounts with $3,000 to $10,000 per family to pay bail bonds and other costs.''They are putting aside a little money as often as they can for such a situation,'' Ponce said. ''It is a heavy burden, but it is realistic.''Other legal advice included warnings not to sign a voluntary deportation form and to demand an immigration attorney, Ponce said.Rosas said UFCW's bilingual kit will explain workers' rights and offer practical advice for dealing with immigration problems. Among the documents in the kit are sample letters immigrants can use to better respond to the federal government's inquiries about problems with Social Security numbers.''There is always the same fear now -- everywhere you go,'' said Rosas.The extent of family preparations by undocumented workers surprised officials at Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as the meatpacking industry's trade group, the American Meat Institute. Both groups told The Associated Press they were unaware of them.''I haven't heard of any companies actively trying to prepare workers, because if a company knows they are undocumented, they are not supposed to be hiring them anyway,'' Austin said.Employers can face charges if they knowingly hire illegal workers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson noted that about half of immigration-related cases in Kansas -- which has massive slaughterhouses in Dodge City, Liberal, Garden City and Emporia-- are associated with the food-processing industry. Anderson said the ''hot area now'' in the state for identity theft is in Cowley County, where Creekstone Farms Premium Beef opened a plant in 2003. He said illegal immigrants sometimes steal identities to get past the government's ''Basic Pilot'' program, which screens Social Security numbers to make sure they're real and that they match up with the person's name.
Don Stull, a University of Kansas anthropology professor and industry expert, said it's estimated about 25 percent of people working at the nation's meatpacking plants are in the country illegally. In the Swift raids, about 10 percent of the company's work force was arrested.The industry says it is doing everything it can to make sure it does not hire illegal immigrants.''Hiring illegal workers just doesn't make good business sense. Employee turnover is very disruptive,'' said Dave Ray, spokesman for the American Meat Institute.Ray noted the meatpacking industry was a pioneer in the early use of Basic Pilot, which he called a valuable, but not foolproof, tool.At the National Beef plant in Dodge City, general manager Carey Hoskinson said if he could convey any message to his employees, it would be to not worry about a raid. He noted his company uses government identity-verification programs as well as its own internal personnel audits. ''I don't think ICE has its cross hairs on us,'' he said.
End of Article
My opinion: I would LOVE to see ICE raid Creekstone.
