[Arkansaspm]

Ford County Commission
Now are you happy about today?


Today is a sad day for Dodge City. Over 950 people that have signed a petition to vote on Repealing Ford County Share of Why Not Dodge Sales tax have been manipulated. We have Commissioners and City/County Attorneys screwing the voters with FEAR talk. They are so afraid of losing these votes they can not stand on the ground and tell the truth, but would rather climb a tree and tell a lie. John Swayze made the statement to several people that he would make a motion to place both ballots on the same day election. He did not. Some one got to him. Kim Goodnight made the statements to several people if the motion was made to place both ballots on the some day, he would vote for it. Well he did not. Did some one get to him? Terry Williams has been against placing both ballots on the same day.

Can’t you see what is happening. It is a very powerful bunch that will be making all of the calls. The Voters do not have a chance. The Commissioners are puppets.

As you know there has been a lot of confusion about Senate Bill No 66. It appears they have been given information that is not true. Checking with various State Officials and from the replies that we have received, you can have more than 1 ballot in this Election. It appears that when “WE”, the voters of Ford County want to do something that is legal, all kind of road blocks are placed in our way.

A very good example is the petition for Repeal of County Share of Sales Tax. This was approved and certified legal LONG before Senate Bill No 66 was approved at the state level. The next things we know you have set a date for the election on the Gaming Issue. Now you have moved the Repeal to a much latter date. Is that fair? Pay for 2 elections, and then have people vote on two separate days. Don’t you know Gasoline is getting very expensive. The Voter can not afford these trips. Maybe that is why you made it on 2 different days.

It seems to me that our City/County Administration make decisions on Political issue from a certain group of people, rather than listing to the voters.

To start with, you need to have the issue settled first about the Repeal ballot. You have signed an agreement with Global. Upon approval and signing of that agreement, you will agree to pay $100,000.00 as Earnest Money. Then you will pay another $100,000.00 for Project Management Agreement. Now within 30 days of that agreement, you will be asked to pay another $500,000.00 .

Now can you see why the Ballot should come first? What the hurry? If this was your money I bet anything you would not sign a contract like that. Remember fellows this is general public money. I’m sure you people have a copy of the agreement so I will not talk about the Earnest Money.

About 2 years ago you turned down an offer to build an Event Center that was approved by FAB board in the neighborhood of 17 million dollars. This project was a Design Built and Dodge City/Ford County Commission did not like the design. You did not loose or pay any money for this project. But now you want a 33-million dollar project, another Design Built building, and by the way it does not tell you how many square feet of area on the main floor. They only state it will have 10,000 square feet of meeting/conference room space. See you do not know what you voted on.

What you people are doing is buying a pig in a poke. Wake up. You people have made so many mistakes with Why Not Dodge Money it’s a shame. Just because they can make a beautiful color drawing doesn’t tell you anything about the building. Also this company wants you to give them a 5year contract plus a $155,000.00 yearly management fee. What happens if they design the building, stay 5 years and then walk away because it did not work out? Then the next party that would want to lease the Event Center would ask why did you build it like this. Remember what YOU told the people, build it and they will come to our wonderful Racetrack. Sounds like we have been down this road before.

I was told of a meeting when a CFAB report was discussed. One board member was treated very rude, and yes Commissioner Williams and Ed our County Administratorwere present. This person asked why Park City could build an Event Center about the same in area size and seating for 10 million dollars less. Very good question. She had some very good points that she wanted to ask and have answers before any votes were taken. This board could or would not answer. They used, lets move on, you can ask them latter, it has been talked about before,

Before you get carried away, you need to settle the location of this project. Remember about 2 years ago the Voters told you they did not want the Event Center in the Wright Park area. 73 per cent said forget this location. Now some one is trying to walk over the people again. I would like to ask Mr Goodnight what would happen to his business if it were on Minneola Road east of his present location. Would you have as much drive by customers? As the old saying goes, Location, Location, Location. The general public has a right to know.