Curious about your thoughts on the impact of Tuesday night’s election on Wichita business.
Any plumbing entrepreneurs – real or imagined – out there devastated by Obama’s landslide victory? What will Karl Peterjohn’s impact on business be on the Sedgwick County Commission?
Let’s talk about it.
11 Comments
When Mr. Peterjohn finds out what is actually the process required to make decisions best for Wichitans, he will find those he criticized so liberally were in fact doing a good job. As long as he doesn’t let emotion govern his decisions, he will probably agree more with the majority than not. If he goes in with the idea that he has “a point to prove” he will be deaf to any other’s ideas. Of course, he might glorify the position of “hold out.” If so, Wichita will end up with a four person commission. Good luck.
Okay, I have to wonder — if you live in County Commission District 3, please chime in. Do the voters out there really understand who they elected or did they just vote Republican? Do they understand that they elected someone who does not support using Sedgwick County funds to partner with private businesses in funding GWEDC, the region’s effort to create and retain jobs? Do they understand that they elected someone who does not support partnership in funding for the zoo and who is tentative about continuing our mill levy support for WSU? Do they understand they elected someone who, on more than one occasion, misrepresented the Sedgwick County budget? Was it an election for a Republican or do you guys really agree with Peterjohn on these positions?
progress – I live in District 3. I think the answer is “they just vote Republican.” That is what kept spendthrift Tom Winters in for so long.
He is only one commissioner. But I’ve notice that Gwen and Parks is sort of on his side.
He will be ok. Just thank god we didn’t get Mr. Gable in.
The County Commission is going to be evry interesting to watch. Parks and Peterjohn on one side; Norton and Unruh on the other. Gwin as swing vote.
While I do sometimes favor public spending in support of private development I believe it must be scrutinized VERY carefully. That has not been the case in the past; however I think it will be now.
There will be a LOT of 3-2 votes in the upcoming term.
Interesting to watch? Gwen as a swing vote? Nope. Count on a Parks, Welshimer, Peterjohn majority shutting down incentives for development, public funds for quality of life (zoo etc.), support for aviation and lots of other things we have come to know and enjoy. The Eagle was wrong today suggesting otherwise.
‘progress’ – those of us who know Gwen know that she will carefully examine such proposals. And, if she finds that they make sense, she will vote FOR them. This will, however, place a bit of a burden on proponents of such things to clearly demonstrate their worth.
My candidate (Gragory) did not win in District 3. However, I still think we can move forward. We will just have to be a bit better in our planning to get things approved.
Would like to believe you, bth, but can’t do it. Hope, however, that you’re right.
The big thing is that the boosters cannot be as arrogant as they have been. They might even have to pay some attention to those they arrogantly and derisively call CAVE people.
They will need allies now to get things through. That will require a big change in their modus operendi.
I will comment that the boosters dodged a bullet. As Joe noted, if Gabel had gotten things would be even more “interesting”
I know Gwen – she is open-minded and can be convinced. However, the burden will be on the boosters to do so.
The GOBN needs to take heed – why have they lost three and almost four seats on the Commission? What big spending projects have so alienated the voters?
There’s nothing at all wrong with a little dose of fiscal conservatism, so I don’t think the county commission deserves to be branded – yet – as anti-progress as some of you seem to imply.
If it swings to some of the anti-nonsense we read on Kansas.com about the arena and other subjects, then maybe. A consistent no answer isn’t any more acceptable than a consistent yes answer.
But I don’t think it’s fair to Peterjohn – or any other commissioner – to judge him on supposition alone.