$145,000 home - taxes - $1,797
Obviously he forgot that he represents USD 353 (Wellington) when he donated his wages for the missing day. Not surprised. What does surprise me is that he even bothered to post his defense statement in a WELLINGTON news article. He seems to forget about Wellington every chance he gets.
I'm glad you already know,whatever that means. Because for the most part, I do not think the confederate flag is an issue here in Wellington. The people here for the most part are kind, considerate and hard-working. What is that comment supposed to mean? Are you insinuating the entire town is a bunch of insensitive rednecks? Nice. Very nice. Take a look at how many people support our locals in their time of need. The Jerry Blunk fundraiser being the most recent. Wellington is a town with many educated and hard working people living their lives and doing the right thing daily..living the golden rule. Shame of you for snarky comments about Wellington citizens. I'm proud to be one of them.
I agree. There are all types of shows on television that I don't particularly agree with the message or content. I chose to not watch them. It's my choice. Let me also say, I would never fly a confederate flag, just because I am respectful and sensitive enough to know that for some, it may cause hard feelings. Others are less respectful and insensitive and they also have that right. To me, this whole issue is a non-issue. We should be spending more time and effort on greater issues like terrorist crossing our borders and national security, the downgrading and pay issues of our military and locally our finances and taxation, rising costs of utilities and a realistic budget. A flag that's been around for years...get over it. Let's worry about the big stuff.
We have been told that Mr. Eckert is an experienced Administrator. Our City Council chose him based on his resume and experience. He needs to do his job as an experienced Administrator and review all department staffing and responsibilities based on City needs. A study or review of this type has been recommended by Kelly Green during Town Hall Meetings . Each department should justify their employee head count and equipment inventory to Mr. Eckert. With his experience and advisement he should be recommending to the City Council what cuts are appropriate. Facts and data will support staffing requirements or cuts. Some departments may not be able to cut any staff, while others may be able to cut 20% or more. An across the board 5% cut seems like the easy way out. We need facts and data to to make the best decisions. Regarding the ambulance: Advances in technology and lubricants reflect that obtaining 100,000 miles on a vehicle does not mean it is worn out. Most of us are learning to make do with less and live on a budget. The City and Council must understand a concept "most" taxpayers have learned = live within our means. Let's not allow our fine city to continue to even consider "Option 3" (bankruptcy). This is my home. I want to continue to "Live Well, Live Wellington".
Using what money? The school $$$$ funding is being cut by the State of Kansas. Another MIL increase or another bond issue or both? The point is this issue was addressed and ignored when the new school was built. Why wasn't there a plan in place for locker rooms at that time? It once again, is no foresight by the elected. It isn't like we haven't known for quite some time that the old Jr. High Building was in sad state of repair and something was going to have to be done with it. I agree, multipurpose locker rooms may be a good idea, but there is just no $$$ available at this point in time. I agree, we have Sellers and we have invested in it - we should use it. What should have been done, is within that 12Million we spent on the school, we should have had allocated some for a locker room facility. Instead, once again, some people will want to go back to the property owners in Wellington and "do it for the kids" asking for more money. There will eventually be even less people to tax in Wellington if we don't suck it up and start allocating funds more wisely.
Regarding the football field - one of the concerns about building the new school out East was the lack of a football field at the facility. Concerns were raised at the time. With the current financial issues the City and State is facing, building one at the high school is not an option (how much more taxation can Wellington public take?). So, a little walk over to the Middle School is better than sitting on the bus. It's a sporting event - exercise - it's not going hurt anyone to walk to the Middle School. The Wellington Recreation Center just expanded their footprint - maybe some organizations could utilize the WRC or the Memorial Auditorium for the events/organizations ousted by the sale of the old Wellington Junior High building? Just a few suggestions. Wellingtonians are resourceful. They will figure it out!
I would like to know how much of the money that has been pulled from the utility fund was specifically used to fund the hospital and the percentage the hospital support was of all the money pulled from the utility fund. This community in the past has indicated that they want a hospital by passing a sales tax that supports the hospital. Hindsight is 2020 but at the time I thought it was a mistake to not renew the hospital tax that expired. Also, we just passed a sales tax for the hospital so why did we not pass a sales tax high enough to support the hospital including utility bills. I think we should let the community decide again by passing another sales tax that this time is enough to support the hospital and not have to take out of the city general fund. Also, this would allow the entire community to support the hospital and not just property owners (through mill levy increases). This will then decide if we want a hospital by voting to fund it and it would be provide clear cut accounting on where the money is coming from and going to.
When was the last time a significant business was attracted to Wellington? The golf course and airport isn't bringing them in. Now or in years past. The cost of amenities vs. maintaining our infrastructure must be weighted in our budgets. The airport and golf course should be self-supporting by now. Raise their fees instead of raising my taxes. Maybe some of those fundraisers you mention should be for the golf course so the taxpayers who don't play golf or use the airport (very few of us use that airport!) don't have to continue to support them with taxes and increased utility rates.
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resident2014 
Opus