All 4 Fun Poll

[Made in the USA]

Originally Posted by Zeb

to KC - Opps My Bad. I do appologize. I must of mis-read along the way. I know you (I Think your last name starts with a B?) and you have been very nice in past emails.

to MIT - It hasn't been WPRH since 1998 (I think). It has never been WPRH in my stay.

Just to clearify "Traveling Tech's" I think I mis-understood whom you refered. I was not talking about MT's. MT's I can only get an idea of their grasp of technology by how they understand something simple , like a telephone lets say.

I will let it drop here.

No problemo Zeb! Humana, WPRH, WPMC, whatever you wanna call it, same ol' same ol'!! I am sure that you know they cannot get any "local" people to work there, thus they hire traveling help to fill the spots. It's amazing that they pay these traveling people "big bucks" yet the local people get zilch! I have personal contact with "the establishment" for over the past 30 years. Have known many of the people that have come and gone. The situation there just keeps getting worse as time progresses. At least they are building on a new ICU, as the old one was pretty much a joke. I don't know too many people that have been treated very will there. In addition, all of our older and better Doctors have left or retired. I think I have been to every Doctor in Dodge City at one time or another, and the latest crop has alot to be desired.
Let's just say from my knowledge and experience, you won't catch me there. It's a shame, but that's what they deserve. I have given them many chances, and have always been sorry!

Kinda like the whole "business attitude" in this area. Too bad really!

[K C Muffin]

Originally Posted by Zeb

to KC - Opps My Bad. I do appologize. I must of mis-read along the way. I know you (I Think your last name starts with a B?) and you have been very nice in past emails.

You're cool, Zeb - no problem here. Just setting the record straight. Yeah, the last name starts with a 'b', but now I'm havin' a hard time figuring out how you know? No worries, my secrets are safe with ya'all!!!!

[lurker]

Originally Posted by Bubba

All-4-Fun is already in existance. Like I have tried to say before, if it wouldn't have been for the very high taxes, it would have made money, since the city doesn't pay taxes, I would say that it has a very good chance of breaking even if not making a little money for the city.

Today's Globe features a front page story about Dodge City's attempt at Business 101. The City's expurts' blame 'higher than anticipated' startup costs; such as re-landscaping (hint: lurk at the landscaping. It wasn't hiding behind that chain link fence.) They also blame maintenance costs on the main building.

The story goes on to say that weekday afternoon attendence figures were anemic, with only a slight increase in the evening.....

Methinks we should give it back to its owner.

[Mike B.]

From what I read in the Globe this A.M. landscaping and higher than normal start-up cost are just two reason why All 4 Fun is having financial difficulties.

Paul Lewis also said that the City does not have the people with specialize skills to work on the video arcade games and a qualified mechanic to work on the go-carts. The mechanic at the golf course is pulling double duty working on both the golf carts and go-carts.

I wonder why our commission did not think of these two needs before entering into the agreement to "rent to own" this facility.

I'm also concerned about attendance. According to the Globe its really down.

The attraction has incurred 44% of its budgeted expenses but only brought in 26% of the expected revenues half way through the peak attendance year.

I believe the city has committed itself to three year of this fiascal. I really hope things change. After all, its our property tax dollars keeping this place open.

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by Mike B.

I believe the city has committed itself to three year of this fiascal. I really hope things change. After all, its our property tax dollars keeping this place open.

Then they should shut it down like yesterday...it's a losing proposition. I'm surprised people in the city let it go on...

[Mike B.]

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

Then they should shut it down like yesterday...it's a losing proposition. I'm surprised people in the city let it go on...

It will continue untill people vote these tax and spend commissioners out!

Our commissioners have made the decision to keep spending our property tax dollars on this venture.

They are more than happy to spend property tax dollars!

That's just one more reason why I can not support the SEC. The longer the WND projects continue, with no sunset on the tax, the higher our property taxes will grow.

The Commission continues to spend property tax dollars on projects that should be funded by sales tax dollars. They feel the need to save WND sales tax $ for the SEC.

Our streets are a major concern to me. We (Dodge City) is one of the few cities of our size that has no sales tax to improve and maintain our streets. We gave that 1/4% to WND in 1997. Now we have to pay for street repair and improvement solely with property taxes. (which keep going up and up, at a rate higher than inflation) Maybe I'll have to check that statement.

Now we have All 4 Fun to support also! Yet another project that should not have been paid for with property taxes.

This insane type of thinking has not and will never create growth in Dodge City.

I've been told that I'm a negitive person because I don't get behind and support the SEC. I am not negitive! I'm realistic. I can see what works and doesn't work! I have even been told that the reason All 4 Fun is not working is because to many people have a negitive concept of the facility. Well, Go figure!!!

The people who say we must be positive are the same individuals who throw money down the drain on projects that have no chance of working. To me that is a negitive attribute! When did it become positive to not give account for tax payers money? Their attitude is just think positive and spend more money (taxpayers money) and everything will work out just fine. My answer is: Try being realistic!

Well, I've gone on long enough! I do hope that All 4 Fun does turn around.
Only time will tell.

[sunny beach]

Originally Posted by Mike B.

It will continue untill people vote these tax and spend commissioners out!

Our commissioners have made the decision to keep spending our property tax dollars on this venture.

They are more than happy to spend property tax dollars!

That's just one more reason why I can not support the SEC. The longer the WND projects continue, with no sunset on the tax, the higher our property taxes will grow.

How do you come up with that??? WND projects are funded with a sales tax with no sunset. How does that correlate to higher property taxes?

The Commission continues to spend property tax dollars on projects that should be funded by sales tax dollars. They feel the need to save WND sales tax $ for the SEC.

What projects should be funded by WND money that are being funded by property tax dollars?

Our streets are a major concern to me. We (Dodge City) is one of the few cities of our size that has no sales tax to improve and maintain our streets. We gave that 1/4% to WND in 1997. Now we have to pay for street repair and improvement solely with property taxes. (which keep going up and up, at a rate higher than inflation) Maybe I'll have to check that statement.

Now we have All 4 Fun to support also! Yet another project that should not have been paid for with property taxes.

This insane type of thinking has not and will never create growth in Dodge City.

I've been told that I'm a negitive person because I don't get behind and support the SEC. I am not negitive! I'm realistic. I can see what works and doesn't work! I have even been told that the reason All 4 Fun is not working is because to many people have a negitive concept of the facility. Well, Go figure!!!

The people who say we must be positive are the same individuals who throw money down the drain on projects that have no chance of working. To me that is a negitive attribute! When did it become positive to not give account for tax payers money? Their attitude is just think positive and spend more money (taxpayers money) and everything will work out just fine. My answer is: Try being realistic!

Well, I've gone on long enough! I do hope that All 4 Fun does turn around.
Only time will tell.

We should shut All-4-Fun down because it doesn't make money....hmmmm, maybe we should shut down the City swimming pool because it doesn't make money, while we are at it we better shut down the Sheridan Center and Mariah Hills because they don't make money. We wouldn't want to put a drain on the city budget. Did I forget anything? Maybe the Library, I would guess that we spend more money keeping it open than it brings in.

So, it hasn't made what they hoped, I have still gone by it of an evening and on weekends and seen quite a few people there. There are plenty of things in Dodge that don't make money, but are good community service places that keep children occupied in ways other than joining a gang and plastering graffiti in the neighborhoods!

[Made in the USA]

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

Then they should shut it down like yesterday...it's a losing proposition. I'm surprised people in the city let it go on...

From the City track record, that will be a cold day in hell!!

[Arkansaspm]

How about getting Excel and National Beef to take over the payments and purchase. Give it to the employee as perks, then let their kids tear it up.

We taxpayer are doing exactly the same thing. Making payments, and letting their kids tear it up.

Right.

[Mike B.]

Originally Posted by sunny beach

How do you come up with that??? WND projects are funded with a sales tax with no sunset. How does that correlate to higher property taxes?


What projects should be funded by WND money that are being funded by property tax dollars?


We should shut All-4-Fun down because it doesn't make money....hmmmm, maybe we should shut down the City swimming pool because it doesn't make money, while we are at it we better shut down the Sheridan Center and Mariah Hills because they don't make money. We wouldn't want to put a drain on the city budget. Did I forget anything? Maybe the Library, I would guess that we spend more money keeping it open than it brings in.

So, it hasn't made what they hoped, I have still gone by it of an evening and on weekends and seen quite a few people there. There are plenty of things in Dodge that don't make money, but are good community service places that keep children occupied in ways other than joining a gang and plastering graffiti in the neighborhoods!

Projects that have been funded with property taxes that should be funded with WND taxes:

The concrete poured around the Civic Center to the tune of $375,000. The Civic Center and improvements there are considered, even by city commissioners, a WND project. They even said that the next time concrete is to used at the C.C. WND money should be used. (a good deal)

All 4 Fun would certainly qualify as another WND project under "other related projects" as voted on June 10th, 1997. The only reason property taxes were used on this project is because the city commission thought it would take to much work to bring the County on board, so they settled by using property tax dollars.

Those are just two example of how WND is causing our property taxes to increase.

I fear more are to follow!

All 4 Fun should never have been operated by the city in the first place. It is wrong, IMO, for the city to put itself into competition with the private sector for recreational revenues. Besides that Gov't. is inept at operating a business.

As far as your comparison with the pool, library, golf course: Those have been traditionally accepted ,not only by Dodge but other communities as well as quality of life services.

As far as kids going there at tax payers expense to keep them out of trouble: I agree, but when did I become their babysitter? We have the Alley which is not supported w/tax dollars, which I choose to support because it is a great example of concerned citizens who care about our youth.

It has become to easy for Government to take over the responsibility that ought to be that of parents and community. Gov't programs have created more messes and abuses than we'll ever be able to striaghten out!

Less Government involvement is what we need! Including their taxes!

sunny beach,

In no way am I attacking our city/county commissioners on a personal basis. They are honest, hard working men who care about our community. What I object to is their priorities. Nothing personal towards them (or you) at all!