City Primary Erection

[Detector]

Rick Sowers: 1,034
Kent Smoll: 965
Mike Boettcher: 931
Ed Kimminau: 897
Jim Lembright: 776
Connie Penic: 640
Mike Nelson: 584
Jose Vargas: 458
Mark Pingsterhaus: 305

11,576 registered voters
2,452(18.9%) voted

Congratulation/Condolences which ever you prefer. I think the voter turnout pretty much sums it up. So many important issues concerning the future of Dodge City and few bother to vote. Why? because a good majority probably feel it makes no difference. I happen to agree 100%

I realize these new candidates come in to this election with dreams of making a difference, but I believe they'll leave disappointed in the experience. I've known my share of commissioners and mayors that come and go and they all seem to have one thing in common. They have a new view of the inner workings of our city/county.

To quote a former mayor "It's nothing but a position as a puppet in a puppet show. There are no important decisions made by the puppets." or a former commissioner "We can make some simple decisions, but in reality we're there with targets on our backs to take the potshots of the public for the real decision makers in town."

Want to Axe a city manager or run a chief out of town? then vote for the candidate to do the job but don't piss and moan afterward because they screwup everything else. I really hope some of these candidates have the balls, sorry Connie just an expression, to address the real issue of putting decisions back in the voters hands and not the money people calling the shots today.

Tell me this. When was the last time a commissioner made a difference?

[gunnar1073]

Are there any facts availalbe as to how much money the "why not Dodge?" sales tax increase has allocated over the past 9 years?

I am curious to see if its in the hole or if there is a slight windfall there.

[Bronco-Fan]

Originally Posted by lurker

The top vote getter is the same guy that sits on the free money board and freely gave the race track manager all that money cuz he believes it will turn over and grow into 6 times the money.... rut-roo/// same fools, different faces.

Folks we can make a differents if you are against the Event Center get out and voice it. You have two candidates Mike Boettcher and Ed Kimminau that you can vote for and help them with your voices. It is time that the People speak and not the Money people as it was quoted in another post on this subject. Get the facts, ask questions attend meetings, use your voices to speak out that you don't want to have to bail out yet another none money making project. Surely we have learned in the last years that we can not afford this Project. Like Ed and Mike B said we need tax relief and our streets fixed. Oh by the way great post Detector. Here is to a great day. Let's be heard

[Bronco-Fan]

Originally Posted by Made in the USA

Well, I can't vote, cause I am outside of city limits, but it still affects me too. If I could vote, I would vote for the 2 that are against the new arena. We can't afford what they have gotten us into now! Let alone the upkeep for a "dinosaur"!! Use that money for lowering taxes, before everybody "gets the hell outta Dodge"!!

Sorry I didn't mention your post earlier, great one by the way, I am sorry that you can't vote for the city commission, but you sure can use your voice and your computer.
The Three S's...Sowers + Smoll + SHERER = SPENDING =Event Center

BUT.....................

Boettcher + Kimminau + LEE = NO Event Center and property tax relief.
Only takes two (2) votes folks Boettcher and Kimminau, Mr Lee is already there with them three we can get it done. None of these three are walking the fence. I know where they stand. Tax Relief, better streets, and NO EVENT CENTER... My it is a beautiful day, Let's enjoy it, Have a great one..

[sas88nak]

Just wandering if after the “Why not Dodge Campaign” was voted in then can it be changed/modified? I’ve not see it word for word but have wondered for the past 9 years if it was followed as it was written. Were all the projects all ready lined out or has the “Board” been making it up as they go? Must a Special Events Center be built at all? Can the money go toward other items in existance to be run by the city (old aqua slide, All For Fun Center, ect.)?

Also along that line, the last vote for the Special Events Center was poorly written. The question up for vote was if the community wanted it located in Wright Park. Not if they wanted it built or if they liked the design. With all the controversy the vote should have had two questions. 1) Would you like to see the SEC built? 2) If yes, then would Wright Park be an appropriate location?

In my opinion the city commissioners need to lay it all out on the table. Maybe the new candidates should push for this. There has been way to much talk and not enough action.

[Lone Gunman]

I don't think, but I could be wrong, that the commission has the power to just decide not to build the SEC since the people voted for it to be built. If they could then why did we have to vote it in back in 97 why didn't they just say we're going to build these things and then do it. I agree about the last vote all that did is say we didn't want it in Wright park not that it wasn't wanted at all. So when they say the people said they don't want it they are wrong just didn't want it there.

[Bronco-Fan]

Originally Posted by sas88nak

Just wandering if after the “Why not Dodge Campaign” was voted in then can it be changed/modified? I’ve not see it word for word but have wondered for the past 9 years if it was followed as it was written. Were all the projects all ready lined out or has the “Board” been making it up as they go? Must a Special Events Center be built at all? Can the money go toward other items in existance to be run by the city (old aqua slide, All For Fun Center, ect.)?

Also along that line, the last vote for the Special Events Center was poorly written. The question up for vote was if the community wanted it located in Wright Park. Not if they wanted it built or if they liked the design. With all the controversy the vote should have had two questions. 1) Would you like to see the SEC built? 2) If yes, then would Wright Park be an appropriate location?

In my opinion the city commissioners need to lay it all out on the table. Maybe the new candidates should push for this. There has been way to much talk and not enough action.

sas88nak: Great Post, I would say that question was handled very well with a Mike B post referance Amending sales tax on 01/07/2006.
NOw Folks I had to go back and read what Mike B said and I really thought two years ago after the 2004 election, Ed,Terry,Mark P, later as we all found out Mark P sorta changed his views. that there was three Commissioners that felt they had heard the voice of the public and it was "the public didn't want to build the event center" Now as for the bickering as of this election we got rid of the one on the left (viewing from the public viewing area) LOL. and as for Mark P you seen what happen to Him. I keep hearing people say lets pull together, OK Folks now is the time. Everyday I hear (We don't want the Event Center, times have changed) People have seen the yearly cost of the other projects, and those projects are not 25 million plus. anyways I thank everybody for their posts and opinions it only takes two (2) votes, well maybe a third one but we all have time to decide that.
As always Have yourself a great day/evening. Remember Today is a Gift

[Quietly]

Just a question: Our elected officials have shown they can't be trusted to follow directions (surely the long-running fight over the special events center has proven that.) So why should we trust them when they say we should repeal a portion of the current sales tax, then reinstate the tax and use the proceeds for other projects? Another question: If Kimminau is convinced that a special events center would not attract enough people to succeed, why does he believe that a convention center would work?

Kimminau and Boettcher are decent people, but they haven't convinced me yet that they deserve a seat on the commission. Their claims ought to be scrutinized with the same skepticism as the assertions from other candidates.

[Quietly]

Just a question: Our elected officials have shown they can't be trusted to follow directions (surely the long-running fight over the special events center has proven that.) So why should we trust them when they say we should repeal a portion of the current sales tax, then reinstate the tax and use the proceeds for other projects?

[Quietly]

Sorry, I posted twice by mistake. Please ignore second posting.