Time to turn this place around!!

larrybrixey · Newbie

Time to turn this place around!!

my 2 cents · Member

How about a YMCA? Is there one in town? I am not from there but I have friends there. I love the YMCA in my city.

Backintown · Member

I'd like to see Ark City become more walker friendly. Fix some side walks. I'd also like to see the community invest in the youth and build a good skate park. There are ways to make Ark City a place people want to live. Like opening up out door seating to the eateries downtown. Giving funding to locals that open new businesses. There is a lot Ark City can and should be doing. Things could get interesting here. We just need to work at it.

-- Edited by Backintown at 10:30, 2008-02-04

paddedroom · Member

It's hard to put a shine on a turd.

Patrick · Senior Member

paddedroom wrote:

It's hard to put a shine on a turd.

And we wonder why it's hard to turn things around...

Those of you who at least try, my hat's off to you!

Those who insist on being negative like this are definitely the majority, but fortunately they won't get up to get in our way, other than to voice their complaints as loudly as possible.

Patrick McDonald

motherof2 · Senior Member

I think we should open a comedy club. I think we could draw large crowds with the local talent. Ha-ha! Paddedroom, love ya man! You just made me laugh and I really needed that this morning.

Elee · Veteran Member

I too had to laugh when I read Paddedrooms post. Darn, paddedroom your funny. Pat lighten up buddy! It was a joke. I am so sure padded got up this morning specifically to sabatoge Arkcity's growth with his twisted sense of humor....twisted sense of humor?.....I have one too...it made me laugh!

Patrick · Senior Member

If calling our town a turd is funny I just don't get it.

I probably have a different perspective, but to me that is like saying burning the flag is funny.

Have we lost so much respect for our town and ourselves? No wonder it is hard to turn things around. The people that care don't mind making our town a joke. Maybe I'm just having a bad day, but if the people that care about our town think this is humor I think we have an underlying problem.

motherof2 · Senior Member

I don't care who you are that's funny, right there!

S23246G · Senior Member

Can we just stop with all the negativity? Jeez. biggrin

motherof2 · Senior Member

Pat, I do not think our town is a joke or a "turd". However, I somehow manage to get myself soo worked up over things going wrong that this just took me completely off guard. I couldn't help but laugh at myself and this post. You know what, it had a positive effect. I laughed and felt much better. Today I went out and removed gang graffiti from my neighbors garage and am thinking of my next mission. Perhaps every once in a while I just need to laugh to feel better. It really got my head out of the negative and put a bounce back in my step. Might not have been paddedroom's intention, but it was just the medicine I needed.
If I believed his comment was true, it would not have been funny to me at all. However, I think we CAN put a shine on our town.

paddedroom · Member

Patrick wrote:

If calling our town a turd is funny I just don't get it.

I probably have a different perspective, but to me that is like saying burning the flag is funny.

Have we lost so much respect for our town and ourselves? No wonder it is hard to turn things around. The people that care don't mind making our town a joke. Maybe I'm just having a bad day, but if the people that care about our town think this is humor I think we have an underlying problem.

Before I begin, let me say thank you, thank you, ohhh......thankyou.

Now Patrick, I think that comparing my comment to flag burning (I assume that you are talking about the American Flag?) is a more extreme comment than my turd-shining comment.
If you really believe that the citizens of Arkansas City are not laughing and/or loathing at the state that this city is in, then you are living in denile.
I really do appreciate your input to this bulletin board and I look for your comments because of your council status. However, I have become disenchanted with your opinion because you too are really not "in touch" with
the people who are trying to survive in this hole.
Personally, I have worked in Sumner County for over 10 years while living in A.C. Partially because I can't find a good paying job around here.
My children are exposed to more drugs and corruption here than they would be 10 miles down the road in any direction!
I guess I should probably go ahead and relocate my family closer to my job. Maybe we could find a home without all the heavy burdens and paper-thin politics of A.C.

One foot out the door. cry

dddfan · Veteran Member

Patrick
Take the starch out. Take it for what it's worth, smile and get on with things.
When we take everything so seriously that we can't take a minute to laugh and smile once and a while, we need to find a diffrent outlet.
Paddedroom..thanks for the smile, now we can look at some of these things with a diffrent perspective.

motherof2 · Senior Member

My children are exposed to more drugs and corruption here than they would be 10 miles down the road in any direction!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ok, I'm not laughing now. Paddedroom brings me back to reality.

In my opinion, this is the #1 problem of Ark City and has been for a long, long while. In a perfect world, we would conquer this problem before we even thought about anything else! Eliminating this one would wipe out many of the others. They are all tied together. Now, many Ark City citizens talk about the drug problem in this town. They will tell you that it starts at the top. They say there is no desire to clean up the problem as the people who help run this town are part of the problem. Elected officials, please prove this rumor wrong and make the drug war a huge priority. Show them that we can be tough on this issue! I am scared for my children and any parent who isn't is fooling themself.

Let's all keep an eye on the busted couple who made the papers yesterday. Let's see if they walk like everyone else. You know, everytime a cop makes a drug bust they are putting their life on the line. Why do we dishonor them by letting the perps off easy?

mc · Member

I agree with Patrick on this one!
I have watched as his has tried to give good information as best he can. It is obvious that some don't care what the facts are because they enjoy the drama of misinformation and comments that are strictly for the shock factor. I have also noticed the common reply is that you are ready to move, like it is some sort of threat!

I drove around the town the other day and noticed there are no chains, spike strips, gates, or armed guards at the exits of the City. Drive down the alleys uptown and there are free boxes for you to pack all your stuff in and move from our "turd" of a town. Stick your hand in a bucket of water and pull it out and watch. The ripples will quickly dissapate, as will your effect on our town. The sad thing is somebody will just take your place!

motherof2 · Senior Member

Patrick, I think this kind of negative attitude does start at the top. From my personal experiences some of the city officials and board members have been less than friendly in situations I would consider unwarranted. I have always tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, as I know it must be frustrating dealing with the public day in and day out. I'm sure they encounter their share of "bad attitudes" and it is hard to stay polite and professional. However, I believe that is their duty and they chose their positions or professions. I will not name names, but have been treated disrespectfully by a billing clerk, a city attourney, a judge and a school board member. Some of this treatment has come because they know a certain family member of mine who likes to get into trouble. However, I am not him and do not condone his actions. I believe that I deserve the benefit of the doubt, too. Another citizen just told me an awful story about her treatment by a school secretary. Trust me, it was completely uncalled for and she's probably lucky the school system was not sued on her account.
Anyway, this attitude continues downstream. The attitude of checkers and floor personnel in some of the local retail stores is horrible. It is almost like they forget we are the customer and it is their job to assist us.
I have heard the police department has taken measures (i.e. uniform changes) to improve their relations with the public. Hats off to them! Perhaps some of the others should take their example. They are our city leaders and set the example for the rest of our community. Even when they are treated with poor respect by a citizen, I believe they should turn the other cheek and stay professional. More times than not, this is in their and everyone else's best interest. While I'm at it, I'd like to give a hats off to the school superintendant. I think he sets a fine example. Thank you, thank you!

Patrick · Senior Member

Let me step out of my commissioner's shoes for a moment. Before working with the city, I worked as a local retailer trying to change the attitude. You're right, people in respected positions are a major cause for the negativity.

When I opened (or reopened) the bookstore, 3 of the neighbors on my block told me how silly it was. They explained to me that it was impossible for a business like mine to succeed and told me of all of the failures in the past. Hopefully my attitude in the business is what has kept customers coming in.

In the more than 5 years I have been in the same location I have watched how the other businesses treat customers. I watch the owners and employees park on the street even when most of the spaces are full. I have customers come in to complain about how (and exactly what) other retailers have done or treated them. I took a TV in for repair that was 3 days out of warranty and not only could not get the warranty, but the dealer said they no longer carry that brand so cannot fix it either. My first year on the commission I received numerous calls on the city, especially the utility billing department on not answering or returning calls. Yes, it was terrible customer service for everyone from everything.

The city has made great strides in trying to improve customer service. The new city manager noticed it immediately and started taking steps a year ago. Things are getting better every day. The latest is the ACCESS ARKANSAS CITY software where people can put in suggestions, complaints, and other communications and follow them through to the resolution. OK, OK, I'm not supposed to be in my commissioner's shoes. But as a citizen I appreciate this huge change.

Back to the local retailers. No change that I can see. They still don't think businesses can make it in this environment and don't hesitate to say so. Some laugh at me when I am open during Arkalalah, even during the parade. I still can't understand inviting 10,000 people to town then closing the doors.

Sorry, now I'm venting. But I agree. A good part of the negativity comes from some of our most respected people, and rolls downhill from there. There are many good people, but even though the others are few, they are the best remembered.

I think the city is moving quickly in the right direction. I'm hoping the Chamber of Commerce can help move the business owners in the right direction. As for what we as citizens can do? Let them know. Speak out about bad service. Speak with your dollars by taking them to where you are respected (and probably get a better deal). Speak with your votes by electing people that have the right attitude, not what they promise, but how they act.

I ramble and don't make much sense when it is something I am really emotional about (frustrated), but I believe you are right, it may well start at the top and drag us all down from there.

Patrick · Senior Member

paddedroom wrote:

It's hard to put a shine on a turd.

I'm sorry I took it personally. I work a LOT of hours for the city. It is more than a second job because I do it because I love it and I want our city to be better for my kids, not because I get paid for it (a whopping $75 per month). When I hear something like this, it feels almost like someone saying it about a member of my own family. Who would tolerate anything like that?

Do I take it too seriously? If I didn't, how good a job could I do for the people of Ark City? But as long as everyone else thinks it's humor, and doesn't mind the insult, it doesn't matter much what I think.

-- Edited by Patrick at 16:28, 2008-02-08

CALLUS · Veteran Member

Patrick enlighten me with just a little opinion from the chief since you are able to gather information from him. The question is are we winning ,gaining our losing the war on drugs here in town and can or are we really keeping up with all the suppose to be transfer gang member in this town? And if they know they are for sure why have they not just went out and talked to them and let them know he know they are here and what they do ? confused

Patrick · Senior Member

CALLUS wrote:

Patrick enlighten me with just a little opinion from the chief since you are able to gather information from him. The question is are we winning ,gaining our losing the war on drugs here in town and can or are we really keeping up with all the suppose to be transfer gang member in this town? And if they know they are for sure why have they not just went out and talked to them and let them know he know they are here and what they do ?

Nobody can tell you for sure what we don't know. If the police knew everything that was out there (they are learning to hide well) it would be easier to answer your question. The best we can do is say that we are putting a lot more pressure on them. The reason you see more arrests, and there are a lot more arrests than before, is because our PD is making a big push for it. One of the things that confuses most people is the number of DUI arrests. Most people want to believe this is about drinking, and it is to a degree, but a lot is about drugs. We have had a few officers specially trained to identify (legally for our attorneys) under the influence of drugs. There have also been several crackdowns on homes and sellers as you may have seen in some of the big stings in the past year or so.

Back to your question, are we winning, losing or holding our ground. I think we are doing a little better than holding our ground. Contrary to popular opinion we don't have as much of a drug problem here as other parts of the state. The biggest difference here is we make more arrests. It's harder to get away with it here. That means you hear more about it. That means the druggies hear more about it and tend to stay away or hide a lot better.

The time to worry is when you stop hearing about it. That means there is little being done about it. Let's keep hoping the paper sees fit to print everything the police send to them.

Backintown · Member

Back to the "turd" comment again, that form of negative discussion is exactly what causes the problem. This community raises it's children to believe that it's a turd town. It's time for that to stop. I've moved around a lot in the past few years and the one thing I've learned is it's not where you live it's what you do. Moving away from Ark City wont change anything. You will still be involved in the same activities in your new community. Every town has a drug problem. There is no winner to the war on drugs. The most you can hope for is containment. Until the city starts to except and profit from the sale of alcohol the citizens will still rebel. That is where the deep rooted drug problems begin. I think that the Beer Garden at Arkalalah was a great fundraiser. I would like to see a small jazz band play there next year. I also have never understood closing during Arkalalah. I'm happy to hear one business is smart enough to open.
This town needs a lot of help. The exciting thing is the people want it. We just need to get the proper people in the right places put a little work in, hold on and see what we can get done.

Elee · Veteran Member

Has anyone heard about a amusement park being built along with some hotels and restraunts south of the state line on indian land? With the two new casinos and the covienince store/gas station and the smoke shop they are really going places. I was told by an Oklahoma resident that these new places in question should be coming soon. I had thought if they would put in a water park for the summer and a 24 hour quality nanny service for those who want to gamble after a day out with the kids it could be a great tourist spot. With a movie theater and other entertainment possibilites it could be a gold mine. If this amusment park and ect is true, that would be something to base growth here in our area with. Similar to Kansas City Ks/Kansas City MO on a smaller scale of course. It is a proven fact that if you build it they will come. (a casino anyway). It could be a perfect opportunity for growth to the south. And money to be made from out of town spenders. I think it would just have to be projected to the outside public to let them know this is availible. It would be more of a tourisum ploy but none the less it could be good for growth...any thoughts on this idea? Motherof2 your dad would be in a great location for this already. On both sides of the line.....

motherof2 · Senior Member

I was hoping his business to the North would see improvement due to the casino's, but he really does not get that crowd. Evidently, we are just seeing people coming for an evening and then returning home. Perhaps the amusement park would bring people staying over night? We have heard rumors of motels and rv parks coming in with the new expansions, which could cut him out of these profits.
We have seen a much larger crowd at the track. I think this is due to increased traffic on 77. My only fear is that they will see a need to create a larger highway and force him to shut down as we sit so close to the road. One does have to admit this is a very dangerous highway now in its current condition.

CALLUS · Veteran Member

Patrick wrote:

CALLUS wrote:

Patrick enlighten me with just a little opinion from the chief since you are able to gather information from him. The question is are we winning ,gaining our losing the war on drugs here in town and can or are we really keeping up with all the suppose to be transfer gang member in this town? And if they know they are for sure why have they not just went out and talked to them and let them know he know they are here and what they do ?

Nobody can tell you for sure what we don't know. If the police knew everything that was out there (they are learning to hide well) it would be easier to answer your question. The best we can do is say that we are putting a lot more pressure on them. The reason you see more arrests, and there are a lot more arrests than before, is because our PD is making a big push for it. One of the things that confuses most people is the number of DUI arrests. Most people want to believe this is about drinking, and it is to a degree, but a lot is about drugs. We have had a few officers specially trained to identify (legally for our attorneys) under the influence of drugs. There have also been several crackdowns on homes and sellers as you may have seen in some of the big stings in the past year or so.

Back to your question, are we winning, losing or holding our ground. I think we are doing a little better than holding our ground. Contrary to popular opinion we don't have as much of a drug problem here as other parts of the state. The biggest difference here is we make more arrests. It's harder to get away with it here. That means you hear more about it. That means the druggies hear more about it and tend to stay away or hide a lot better.

The time to worry is when you stop hearing about it. That means there is little being done about it. Let's keep hoping the paper sees fit to print everything the police send to them.

So is the word of the chief or is this a thought you have on what ACPD is doing. I just want to make sure of what direction we are really going in not only by what you see here but how does the state say we are doing