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17 Comments
Hey Mrage – hear anything from WSU about your ideas? WSU playing in your Arena? How about from SMG about 18,000 seats?
Ben,
I get response, but its not my job to inform you about them immediately, because my own questions haven’t been fully answered.
Why don’t you spend time damning the Arena more. Yell at the County directly, leave Ron Holt some voice messages. Tell WSU they shouldn’t. Their number is in the phone book. Call KU and KSU some joker in Wichita wants them to play here. Remind those AD’s, their time spent in Wichita, at WSU didn’t matter.
Cackle like you do when no is around to hear it. Giddy your being being badly served by the County you live in.
Mrage – why should I? I’m not the one making all these outlandish claims about my influence with these people. YOU ARE!
I already know none of these people care about the fact that a clear majority of Sedgwick County residents have turned against their arena. I have made my detailed comments and my accounting analysis of the lies of record. That is all I can do … for now.
2010 will be interesting. NCAA regionals? MVC? Big 12?
Not a chance!
Ben,
2010 doesn’t matter right now! The next few months is more important, constructing the arena.
I know people who work for companies, you don’t? I can email and get responses from people, wow!
I’m not in position to demand anyone pay for increasing seats in the Arena.
I just keep the topic in front of people, the importance Wichita creates a regional arena.
Your excitedly hoping they fail!
The next few months? What can or should I be doing in the next few months?
An your BS claim that I somehow own “excitedly hoping they fail” is just that – pure BS! I do, however, own a prediction that this thing will not do the things you claim it will.
Ben?
You can stop ridiculing anyone who supports the Arena. Sit on your prediction, say nothing more.
County has moved on from that Arena vote, drop it.
Repeatedly you said, its not your job to improve the Arena idea.
It’s not mine either, but I’m supporting goals. I want it improved for our long term benefit.
Yes, without more seats, less chance for post season college basketball events. Less acknowledgment its an Arena Wichita can be proud of.
I reject your ideas that most of Sedgwick County turned against the Arena. This is a see it, believe it community.
People see some construction going on, now they understand what’s the Arena could be like.
The construction going on right now isn’t prohibiting improving the Arena capacity. There is still time to improve the design.
Using a borrowed computer – away from regular office. There have been several polls that have shown the opposition; the casino suffered as a result. You are correct that the County has ‘moved on’ from the vote – they also have moved on from their promises upon which the voters justifiably relied. That is fine; and I know there is nothing I can do about it. But forget about it? NOT LIKELY! The fact that they have demonstrated their lack of integrity tells me not to trust them on other things.
I hope you are right. I hope you guys make this thing work. I’d love to go see UCLA play in a basketball regional here. But I am realistic and know it ain’t gonna happen. Any more than your 18,000 seats.
Ben,
You and the govs are even. Future No’s on civic projects should be positive. Next sales tax is City, paying for Century II to be improved.
You participated helping the County lose the Casino vote. That development money loss will linger a long time.
Your “civic insurgency” is over.
Mrage – no, it is only just beginning.
Should the Kansas Dept. of Revenue really be auctioning off guns?
The have over 100 of them on purple wave auction online.
They should just destroy them.
“This is a see it, believe it community.”
Yup.
They SAW an arena. A generic, faceless, “do you want one?” arena. And they just BARELY supported that.
Now they know the truth. They were sold a lie. Unlikely they’ll believe in any big projects again for a very long time.
JR,
Why live here? Accept goals of Wichita prospering.
Twice the Park City location for projects was denied by voters, so it was proved that’s a bad Arena location.
Wild West World, Wink Hartman’s fake idea for a small Arena, both went up in smoke.
The Coliseum wasn’t supposed to last forever. Talk about bland, some called it the ugliest Arena in this region.
What was the alternative? There are sports to play in Arena’s, that people want to watch. There are gatherings that happen in Arenas, that need those seats.
Fans want concerts coming to town. Facility gets good reviews from musicians and concert promoters is a good thing.
Evidence exists, downtown arena’s prosper in other cities changing a part of town for the better.
It’s exactly what’s being attempted here.
Hating the govs benefits who? You JR? What’s the result of that distrust? Look at Wichita, what should it have? Look at what we don’t have.
We don’t have some things is why property tax rise!
Corporates bring workers from out of state here, what’s their experience realizing what Wichita doesn’t have. Corporates have left town because of costs at the Airport!
It’s going to take this village bringing WSU football back because its an event that gathers more people than any other sport.
Group participation fuels the viability of communities. 30,000 people and more gathering is a economically positive thing.
WSU can be improved as our most important University.
We aren’t doing a good job keeping City League High Schools facilties up to date. It took a long time for the State to provide funds.
Is it right for Senators to deny funds because of their bent politically? Court order has to demand legislators stop cheating communities in Topeka?
Where does your mistrust end? When your community is left out of progress?
Why the Library wanted to move, did you believe them? Do you see the necessity?
Century II must be improved internally. It’s more expensive than the Arena.
I don’t like Wingnuts for the baseball team, but I’m happy someone is playing ball in L-D. Someone is trying to market the stadium for positive things.
We had to break away from being a Royals farm team.
The Ice Rink is Olympic sized and people like going there. New management has made it work. We’re not a hockey town. Thunder does have 4,000 fans.
I’m pretty sure an outdoor rink would work somewhere. If its in a gathering place and used for roller skates in the warm months.
Bowlers didn’t attract the Bowling Tournament in 2011 and its not likely the Bowling Congress will choose Wichita as it new headquarters location.
We’re not attractive to some events and business. They understand we have Civic doubters who vote No.
Self defeatism makes a difference here.
Sorry Mirage: You’re all wrong. To say it again, I met you at one of the EAGLE’s blog meetups and found you to be a friendly conversationalist even though I disagreed with most everything you said.
Unfortunately when you blog, you apparently do not review your writing before entering so its very difficult to decipher. But here, I’m going to try to respond point by point.
I’m sure most serious residents of Wichita want it to prosper. But as such, they don’t want to follow a few so-called “leaders” who the citizens consider failures, “leaders” they no longer respect. The hold-over county commissioners need to resign and move on.
Citizen/taxpayers need to be
involved in what is going on … in order to get “buy-in.” But with the present county commissioners who don’t communicate with the people except hidden behind a high podium, no buy-in takes place. As a result, everything they do is destined to be a failure.
As far as your invitation to people who you don’t agree with you to “leave Wichita,” … since you are in the extreme minority in your views, I suggest you should get on your horse and ride off into the sunset.
Wild West World and Wink Hartman’s smaller arena were both great entrepreneurial ideas and would have been wonderful for the public. But an undercurrent of thought among the “Wichita Browderites” seemed to be that non-government funded projects could not be allowed to succeed in Wichita.
Regarding the Kansas Coliseum a few miles north of town … “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” as they say. Obviously everything is in place up there … immediate freeway access, 5,000 car free parking adacent to the facility, a beautiful R.V. park surrounding the property, the additional buildings for horse shows, gun shows, etc.
Yes, improvements to the Coliseum and surrounding properties were needed. A fresh exterior appearance, more restrooms, better ingress and egress to the freeway and surrounding roadways, perhaps direct access to the adjacent dog track property if possible.
I was told that the $65,000,000 would have turned the Coliseum into a superlative facility with all the amenities … something that won’t happen at the dangerous and ugly downtown $300,000,000.14 white elephant sports arena.
Frankly, the downtown white elephant arena albatross was a hic-cup by a few Wichita “big-cats” at a cocktail party that got out of control. Now those “big-cats” have turned into mussed up “alley cats” who are slinking away after seeing the damage they created to Wichita for many years into the future.
Talking about sports and the future … it appears to me that the public is tired of watching tired old men try to act like college boys when the play professional sports. The “future” is going to work against professional sports like ice hockey. Computers are going to draw away the audiences. For health reasons, it doesn’t make sense for overweight people to sit in the stands and watch sports rather than participate in them.
The future is going to favor more high school and college sports with bigger teams that are played by both men and women. I’m thinking of soccer for the younger and bowling for the older people.
Incidentally, I looked into bowling for Wichita several years ago. Wichita was the icon of round-the-clock bowling back in World War II days. It might even had some history of development in Wichita, I can’t recall that story now. National bowling tournaments are rotated and actually last for several months in the cities they go to. Bowling brings thousands of people in from all over the world. That’s why the national bowling tornament would have been such a plum to Wichita so much more so than a gambling casino. Too bad it was blown away by an inept, uninvolved city manager.
Mirage, you mentioned bringing concerts to town is a good thing. BUT I DON’T THINK WICHITA’S PROPOSED DOWNTOWN WHITE ELEPHANT ARENA WILL BE A GOOD PLACE FOR CONCERTS. WHY? BECAUSE IT IS DESIGNED AS A SPORTS FACILITY … NOT WITH THE ACCOUSTICS NOR LOADING AND PARKING FACILITIES FOR A MAJOR CONCERT. MIGHT WORK FOR A LOUD STEEL BAND AND SCREAMING VOCALS BUT NOT FOR A REFINED CONCERT WHERE SOUND QUALITY IS IMPORTANT.
As respect to baseball, I am a long-time baseball fan. I appreciated having the AA farm team of the Kansas City Royals located in the historic Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on the west bank of the Arkansas River. However, I am not interested in watching an independent baseball team, especially one called the “Wingnuts,” play the historic game. I suspect I will find myself in the Shockers stadium this spring.
In regard to the downtown library — it is too small, especially to combine homeless services with library services. Its dangerous to combine the two. School children nor the elderly should be put in range of the homeless people who are in the library without professional supervision.
However, moving to a new location in the downtown area is still going to have this problem … unless a new homeless 24/7 facility is built first.
Mirage … I know your dream is to build a football stadium in the downtown area that could be used by all levels. All of your remarks are really focused on what would make that stadium work. I don’t have any advice for you except don’t hold your breath.
In regard to the gambling casino, in my opinion, its still going to damage Wichita and its fragile economy. I predict it will cause divorces, bankruptcies and boarded up buildings. Remember every dollar that is put into the facility must be taken out of the Wichita economy ten-times over. There is no gift horse as Mirage likes to think. Mirage, you need to go back to college and take some economics classes.
Mirage, I think I have covered most of your misinformed points.
JWink,
You feel better being a fool misspelling my handle to make points?
I’d rather make phrasing mistakes and be truthful with my beliefs.
Your making up junk, like Wild West World was a great plan. It was terrible in image, that cowpoke culture died a long time ago.
Financially, it was a criminal fraud. Fraud is great entrepreneur spirit!
Wink Hartman fooled you. He was sure a small Arena could be built, but was hit with prohibitive price increases to construct.
Suggestions he kept hearing it could be placed in the wrong area.
Was free land offered by Park City? Whatever the politics, Hartman didn’t feel it was a good plan. It’s gone and not coming back.
No private owned Arena is going to challenge the County’s Arena.
What happens to the Coliseum, I don’t know. Voters rejected that area twice, no matter how much you love it!
Going to the Coliseum was gridlock on some concerts nights, getting to that parking lot or leaving.
Who told you $65 Million could fix the Coliseum and give it more seats? Their not cans where the top can be taken off and interior remodeled.
Arena’s are built from the floor, to bowl shape, outward to overhead.
To fix the Coliseum it would have likely been completely torn down.
This community needed more seats in the Arena to attract events.
Experts place Arena’s because they know what their talking about. County hired experts in HOK Sports.
Call them directly and tell the designers their plan is ugly! Their Kansas City located and in the phone book.
They will answer the phone and direct you to the persons who drew the Arena.
Know HOK is one of best design companies in the world.
They can make Arena’s with enough access for semi trucks and equipment. Acoustics will be fine for concerts in the Arena. It won’t alway be loud crashing noises either.
Musicians could love playing in the Arena, you have no idea.
I have no idea where RV’s will park downtown, but some place surely can be found within walking distance to the Arena.
Some concerts in farm fields are a good walk away from the concert stage. People will walk to a concert they want to see, longer distance than just going across a parking lot.
Homage was given to the aircraft industry in the Arena design.
Arena is in better location downtown whether you believe or not!
It’s closer to you than anybody and your not going to see events in the Arena.
L-D across the street is losing you as a supporter? Fine, go to WSU across town.
No L-D watching the WingNuts, don’t like Ice Sports, hate WaterWalk too!
That’s within walking distance and your rejecting the projects!
You don’t feel its going to be safe walking downtown.
The Royals stunk for too long and prospects coming through Wichita got traded away!
Frank White did nothing great being manager. It was time to break from the Royals. Ownership wanted to move and they did.
L-D needs refurbishing and possibly a different kind of baseball can work as entertainment.
I don’t particularly like Wichita in front of the WingNuts name.
Your points stink as a Wichita citizen. I haven’t told anyone to move. I asked JR why does he live here?
Why do you? I might be able to help you move if my stadium location is approved. My foot in your butt and whereever you choose to go. Take the check and be happy with the transaction.
Choose Park City if that location is perfect to you! Move out of Sedgwick County.
I don’t plan to be at the Sumner County Casino. I don’t fear the community will be harmed because the Casino exists.
One Casino in this region can be socially handle. Families finances might break down long before the Casino opens.
I’m telling people with small children, they shouldn’t be in a Casino often.
Believe in football, that’s purely American! Soccer is european created and less popular. Its always going to be that way.
College football packs more people and passion among college age, NFL is highly appreciated where the football teams are.
Some professional athletes aren’t so well liked.
It’s huge business and Super Bowls are watched in massive numbers around the world.
I’m old as the Super Bowls and that’s nice to me and friends.
I like football and hope to build two stadiums in Wichita.
I’m pro stadium more than Arena’s!
We needed a new Arena in a better location.
Snow and Ice Removal News Briefing
Date: December 7, 2007Contact: Pat PruittE-mail: PPruitt@wichita.govPhone: (316) 268-4091
Contact: Tony DeciccoE-mail: TDecicco@wichita.govPhone: (316) 268-4081
Contact: Aaron HenningE-mail: AHenning@wichita.govPhone: (316) 268-4087
With winter weather approaching, the City of Wichita Public Works Department held a 4 p.m. news conference at City Hall, to discuss snow and ice removal preparation.
“Snow and ice on city streets have a major impact on the safety of motorists and the mobility of the community,” Chris Carrier, Director of Public Works, said. “We need to ensure that we are fully prepared to quickly respond during any snow and ice emergency.”
Beginning at midnight, the Maintenance Division will pre-treat city streets, using brine materials. The division will dispatch 45 snow-and-ice removal trucks to treat streets throughout the city in three, eight-hour shifts. The crews will cover arterial streets.
“It gives us a chance to keep the roads from freezing and gives us a head start on any inclement weather,” Pat Pruitt, the Street Maintenance Division supervisor said.
In late October, the Maintenance Division staff conducted a snow and ice removal training session to prepare for the winter season. Employees learned details about assignments and work shifts and attended sessions on proper blade changing, plow mounting, spreader mounting and operation, vehicle inspections, and other procedures. Routes were also reviewed.
kansas – I like that pre-treatment bit they so with the solution. Quite frankly I have found the arterials to be in very good condiiton.
Date: December 10, 2007Contact: Communications TeamPhone: (316) 268-4351
Today’s ice storm news conference at City Hall will broadcast each hour on cable Channel 7, or City7, beginning at 6 p.m., courtesy of video from KSNW, Channel 3.
The 20-minute afternoon news conference included Sedgwick County and City of Wichita public safety officials, who provided information and safety tips regarding the ice storm warning for Sedgwick County and surrounding areas. The news conference included information about residential and driving safety tips, activation of the Emergency Accident Reporting Plan, snow and ice removal preparation, care for pets and appropriate use of the 911 emergency call system.
Randy Duncan, Director of Sedgwick County Emergency Management, said: “If you lose electricity, please call Westar Energy. Please reserve 9-1-1 for emergencies.” Westar’s power outage number is 1-800-544-4857 (1800-LIGHTKS).
The following tips help ensure safety during an ice storm.
*
Stay home*
Listen for updated information on local radio, TV or media and government Web sites*
Stock essential supplies such as a flashlight, radio, food and water*
Do not use gasoline-powered generators in the house or garage. They produce carbon monoxide poisoning that can lead to illness and potential death.*
Do not use cooking stoves or charcoal grills to heat the interior of the home. They also deplete the room of oxygen.*
Do not use candles as an alternative for household lighting.*
Use portable heaters on a temporary basis and keep them at least 36 inches away from any combustibles.*
Call 911 only in the event of an emergency.*
If traffic signals do not function, consider intersections as a four-way stop.*
Do not go near downed power lines.