Leaders reacting to recession

It’s good to see local leaders taking significant steps to respond to the economic conditions. As each day’s news confirms, this is no time for government as usual. Mayor Carl Brewer (in photo), United Way of the Plains and others want to set up a one-stop assistance center for laid-off workers by late February, like the one that helped after Sept. 11. The hiring freeze at USD 259 and hiring slowdown at the city of Wichita also are appropriate, given the darkening clouds over the state budget process in Topeka. Might the school district’s freeze apply to the open superintendent job, especially since interim superintendent Martin Libhart is doing such a solid job?

10 Comments

  1. Maggotpunk
    Posted January 25, 2009 at 6:58 am | Permalink

    But we’ll have the arena and Bill Warren’s Old Town Theater providing all those good paying jobs and brings millions of dollars to Wichita. We don’t have anything to worry about so the City Council should give out more corporate welfare to pet projects.

  2. American_Way
    Posted January 25, 2009 at 7:22 am | Permalink

    If the Council really cared, they would provide a tax break to people who don’t pay any taxes. Renters should be provided a check from the City.
    You know, a tax cut.

  3. Boxlock20
    Posted January 25, 2009 at 8:22 am | Permalink

    I’m sure they will figure out someway to get another tax increase in with some lame excuse, they always have.
    The first thing that needs to be done is to chuck the latest school bond issue, especially if the state backs out on contributing, which looks like might happen.

  4. XXX
    Posted January 25, 2009 at 8:47 am | Permalink

    #
    Boxlock20
    Posted January 25, 2009 at 8:22 am | Permalink

    The first thing that needs to be done is to chuck the latest school bond issue, especially if the state backs out on contributing, which looks like might happen.
    __________________________________________________

    Boxlock, I can’t believe they got this pig passed in the first place. What were people thinking? The economy was obviously going to hell when the election was held.

    The bond issue needs to be canceled or at least put on hold until things get better (if they ever get better).

    Bad, bad timing on this one.

  5. Pleefer
    Posted January 25, 2009 at 9:25 am | Permalink

    I think people will really get a clue at how crazy things are and just how broke we are when that tax refund “ain’t what she used to be”.

    The States are merely ceremonial. We are the UCofA now. That United Corporations of America.

  6. Pleefer
    Posted January 25, 2009 at 9:27 am | Permalink

    Good luck undoing that one.

    We just UBER-funded them with this “bail-out”.

    We are now indentured servants. And I ain’t too happy about it either.

    Oh sorry, that’s a conspiracy theory and I should be full of realistic hope.

  7. Raptor
    Posted January 25, 2009 at 12:44 pm | Permalink

    The uncaring arrogance of the BOE is incomprehensible. People are losing jobs left and right, and they blithely say they will just raise taxes rather than cut back on the ambitious building project. This is inexcusable and every single member of USD259 BOE needs to be kicked out of office!

  8. lindainks55
    Posted January 25, 2009 at 1:06 pm | Permalink

    “This is inexcusable and every single member of USD259 BOE needs to be kicked out of office!”

    ——

    Well said, Raptor! How quickly can we get rid of the whole bunch?

    The minimum they need to do is spend only 75%! Even the narrowly passed bond issue gave them no more than that!

  9. Raptor
    Posted January 25, 2009 at 1:57 pm | Permalink

    4 of them are up for re-election this year, Lynn Rogers, Connie Dietz, Lenora Nolan and Betty Arnold.

    Amazing, isn’t it? This thread stated that local leaders are concerned and doing something about the economy–obviously the BOE is not concerned.

  10. Boxlock20
    Posted January 25, 2009 at 2:55 pm | Permalink

    Raptor and lindainks55,
    People need to remember, unfortunately most don’t. They are caught up with their day to day lives and don’t pay attentions and then vote on name recognition, and we continue to get screwed by these people.
    We need to dump them.
    Karl Peterjohn is not looking so bad now to a lot of people.