Dodge City Commission Candidates Forum, Sat. March 15, 10 a.m.

[old timer]

Dodge City Commission Candidates Forum, Sat. March 15, 10 a.m., High Plains Journal Conference Room

Questions that might be useful to tax payers:

1) Should the Events Center be next to a for-profit privately managed, state owned casino?
2) If yes, why should the tax payers provide the cost of the $34 million dollar infrasturcture for the casino?
3) How should the cost be divided between the casino and the tax payers? (given that it is illegal to provide tax money for the casino at all)
4) If no, where should the Events Center go?
5) What basis do the candidates have for either yes or no?
6) Why should the tax payers be paying for years hundreds of thousands of dollars to a management group, Global Entertainment, that will have nothing to do?
7) Should a second events center (ie., Expo Center) be paid for by tax payers ? Under what legal basis would that second center be built?
8) Given the huge water usage planned for the casino, should 'green' architecture be required for the casino and for the Events Center?
9) What city/county rule allows the Chair of CFAB, G. Starks to remain a member but take a 'leave' due to ethical issues of his being a member of Boot Hill Gaming Inc.'s board when he decided the Events Center must be next to his casino applicate? There is no other example of this in city/county history of boards.

[Army_of_One]

They won't be asked questions like this...lol It will be more like..."what's your favorite color"....

[Made in the USA]

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

They won't be asked questions like this...lol It will be more like..."what's your favorite color"....

Or, "Who's your Daddy"??

[OLDHAG]

I hear there is another person going to run for a seat on commish board.

[Mike B.]

Originally Posted by OLDHAG

I hear there is another person going to run for a seat on commish board.

OLDHAG,

I haven't heard that. The deadline to File was back in Jan. If a person were to run now they would have to be a write-in. I don't see that happening, but then again, stranger things have happened!

[OLDHAG]

I think that is what it is going to be. A write in. His name is Bill Avritt. Got a phone call the other day and ask to write him in. Don't know yet but just might do that. He would be better then a few that are running. Anyway thats what I think.

[old timer]

The cpa Monte wants financially responsibility from groups receiving Why Not Dodge ? funds (his wife works for Chamber)

Dorothy wants -- 'they' -- immigrants to be following the law (not that any of 'them' were at the meeting)

Sherer likes everyone

Weber wants God to guide him


They all like the sales tax because it treats the rich and poor alike.

Then they all hugged and sang:

"Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah: Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah: Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah: Oh Lord, kum ba yah. Hear me crying, Lord, kum ba yah "

(just joking folks -- they didn't sing that really --)

Just glad there are no problems in Dodge City.

[Made in the USA]

That is about what I expected-------

[old timer]

I'll leave Mr. Sherer out of this discussion -- his four years on the DC Commission and his support or non-support of various issues, from getting the Events Center built and giving endless money to Global Entertainment for doing nothing, to enforcement of driving laws and rules, et al. are public record. He liked everyone.


Monte: Smart CPA in private agri related business; probably more critical of numbers and review of spending than others. Quiet. Wife works for Chamber which might be an issue. Seems he would demand better follow-up to mass amounts of money given groups, such as Boot Hill Museum, etc. and audits of same.

Dorothy: Long serving county employee, knows area, has critical view of immigrant issues, would probably be a good replacement for better aspects of Mr. Lee. Well read on issues.

Brian: Bright, well-spoken and very well informed. Was most clear on tax issues. Does wear religion to much for my taste, but sincere. Question on the consulting fee received from Mr. Huelskamp was not asked. Probably, in the end, would be subject to established political pressures since he wants a future in Republican politics.

Weakness of the forum was the moderator only asking certain questions and the audience not being allowed follow-up questions. Audience was limited to one written question passed to moderator. Hard to believe that there were NO questions asked about illegals issues, etc. [Correction added: Mike B. is right -- sorry, answers were so short I forgot it was asked. Mike B.'s statements are correct.] Not a debate.

[Mike B.]

Originally Posted by old timer

I'll leave Mr. Sherer out of this discussion -- his four years on the DC Commission and his support or non-support of various issues, from getting the Events Center built and giving endless money to Global Entertainment for doing nothing, to enforcement of driving laws and rules, et al. are public record. He liked everyone.


Monte: Smart CPA in private agri related business; probably more critical of numbers and review of spending than others. Quiet. Wife works for Chamber which might be an issue. Seems he would demand better follow-up to mass amounts of money given groups, such as Boot Hill Museum, etc. and audits of same.

Dorothy: Long serving county employee, knows area, has critical view of immigrant issues, would probably be a good replacement for better aspects of Mr. Lee. Well read on issues.

Brian: Bright, well-spoken and very well informed. Was most clear on tax issues. Does wear religion to much for my taste, but sincere. Question on the consulting fee received from Mr. Huelskamp was not asked. Probably, in the end, would be subject to established political pressures since he wants a future in Republican politics.

Weakness of the forum was the moderator only asking certain questions and the audience not being allowed follow-up questions. Audience was limited to one written question passed to moderator. Hard to believe that there were NO questions asked about illegals issues, etc. Not a debate.

OT,

I disagree with you.

There was one question that was asked for all the canidates: "In light of the possibility of a watered down State immigration reform law, would you support tougher immigration laws in our sanctuary city?"

Mr. Webber said he would not support tougher laws. Stating that it was a State and Federal issue.

Mr. Sherer side stepped the question as did Dorothy Faulker. Claiming the same lame excuse as Mr. Webber.

Mr. Monty Brockleman, stood up and said, "to answer the question, Yes!" He then explained his answer, baiscally saying, if he and others are expected to obey our laws so should the immigrants.

Brockleman gave the best answers to most all the questions.

OT, you're right, not much of a debate. However, I don't think it was designed or intended to be one. (for obvious reason) all the canidate are basically on the same page as far as property taxes, sales taxes, the sec, the casino, city sevices, distribution of wnd funds, etc.

In other words, Everthing is going as planned and scheduled.