Wind: 11/9/2008
you all need to get your facts together about that wind farm. Its a darn good thing it didnt go up, the placement wasn't thought out AT ALL if you want to put up wind energy put it out south of cedar bluff where there isn't houses every 1/2 mile. If you think this wind farm would bring revenue to this hays your sadly mistaken. I tell you what instead of putting something stupid up like a wind farm that is so unpredictable and hope it makes money, lets put up a strip club or get hooters i guarantee that would bring some money in. I guarantee it would make more money than that Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau "WHAT A JOKE"
(Posted by: grow up hays)

---

: 11/5/2008
Geez...quit your complaining...the sports complex will be a great asset to Hays!!
(Posted by: not originally from Hays)

---

Sports Complex: 11/5/2008
My sons played youth football in this town for years. Every time we went to a tournament we dropped at least $200, this included hotel, fuel, meals and entertainment. We are a low-middle income family and saved for months in order to allow our sons to participate. We would pack picnic lunches stay at hotels with free breakfasts and eat out one meal a day. Do the math, $200 per family – Football team consisting of an average of 20 players, that’s $4000 per team. Looking at the tournament brackets this year, the Western Kansas Football League (WKFL) brought in 19 teams that were not based out of Hays. Assuming that half of the teams stayed in Hays that weekend, they had the potential to bring in $32,000 in one weekend. With the Sports Complex in place, we will be able to expand the area that teams come from for tournaments, at least doubling the amount of teams drawn -- not to mention Hays could sponsor more than one tournament per year. You can apply the same theory to the traveling soccer, baseball and softball leagues in town. I foresee that the sports complex will pay for itself. I understand that not every child is involved in sports in this town, but a large number are. They deserve to practice and play on quality fields. My children have outgrown the opportunity to utilize complex, but I am glad that I voted for it. I see it as something that will enhance the already great community that I live in.
(Posted by: football mom)

---

The Real Recruitment Tool...: 11/5/2008
The real tool to recruiting (and retaining) young families, the lifeblood of the future community, is wage improvement. You can have all these wonderful additions to the community (sports complex, pool, downtown revitalization, etc.), but without more career-level salaries, you'll continue to see an exodus of young families from the area. I've kind of been on the fence about his sports complex. I think it will be an energizing facility when you have events taking place and you see all of the activity. But with the lack of $40k+ jobs for young professionals, you'll typically only have locals and a rare move-in become 'lifers' in the area. Why would we want to subject our young families to a career of making lower middle class wages when they can enjoy all of these wonderful amenities in a larger market, earning 200-300% more, and paying 50% of the property taxes! Would this type of movement and government capital raising been better applied towards drawing a better mass employer that pays real wages instead of the N.E.W. style of near minimum wage?
(Posted by: )

---

Sports Complex: 11/5/2008
So why is it that some people think the sports complex is going to create jobs. Create jobs on who's expense. I am sure that the Complex is not going to be free to the public. Someone has to pay the employees wages. The public is already going to be paying fo the complex. Is that not enough? I am sure there will be fees for different activities or possibly to even get into the damn place. HRC is already here and it is not free to do anything. All activities come wih a fee even for the children involved. You don't think that the new Sports Complex is going to be the same way. We have plenty of things for the youth to do around here. There are numerous baseball/softball fields throughout town, scateboard parks, basketball courts, swimming pools ( that also cost to much), regular city parks, dance studios, etc. So there are plenty of things to do that already cost families money. I am like some of the others that feel the city should take care of its streets,parks, and building that are already in existense.Because quite honestly this town is starting to look ran down and is nowhere near being the town that was voted Great American City back in the 90's.
(Posted by: Sumofdeath)

---

Are you serious? Part 2: 11/5/2008
This is totatally daft!!! GAS IS DOWN BELOW $2 A GALLON... HOW ARE YOU BUILDING OUR TOWN? AND OUR TAXES ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO OTHERS.... YOUR ONLY MAKING YOURSELF LOOK IGNORANT KEEP YOUR THOUGHTS TO YOURSELF INCREASED SALES TAX: 11/5/2008 I live an hour west of Hays and have to unfortunately shop in Hays. Due to the cost of gas increase and your very high taxes, it is cheaper for us to drive to Colby and shop there. Taxes make a big difference in buying vehicles and we look at that from western Kansas. I find now that it is almost cheaper to stay and support our hometown business instead of paying your taxes. I'm glad you got what you voted for but don't expect the out of town people to keep supporting your city. good luck. Come shop west where the taxes are less.
(Posted by: Voice of Reason)

---

Hays In General: 11/5/2008
We have a bunch of old bags that live in this community, I see every other small community dying and becoming ghost towns. It's about time we start funding projects that bring money into our community and support our youth while they grow in Hays and even if they leave they take what most Big city can't offer, a place that is safe and fills like home.
(Posted by: Fed up with Ignorance)

---

Glenn Diehl: 11/5/2008
Way to go, you are the real Deal. We needed you . Congradulations.
(Posted by: Happy Citizen)

---

INCREASED SALES TAX: 11/5/2008
I live an hour west of Hays and have to unfortunately shop in Hays. Due to the cost of gas increase and your very high taxes, it is cheaper for us to drive to Colby and shop there. Taxes make a big difference in buying vehicles and we look at that from western Kansas. I find now that it is almost cheaper to stay and support our hometown business instead of paying your taxes. I'm glad you got what you voted for but don't expect the out of town people to keep supporting your city. good luck. Come shop west where the taxes are less.
(Posted by: tired of building your city)

---

Glenn Diehl: 11/5/2008
I will sleep better knowing Glenn Diehl is looking out for Ellis County citizens!
(Posted by: Relieved!!)

---

Ignorance: 11/5/2008
I can't believe how many ignorant people we have in Hays. Just like many people, I work from paycheck to paycheck!! This sports complex is a bonus to help kids and our community at the same time. If you want our kids to be criminals, drug addicts, etc... don't have things like the sports complex or the HRC, etc... All of you people complaining about this or wind turbines, need to get out of your own little worlds and look at the big picture. Those of you that oppose wind energy are probably mad just because your neighbor will reap some rewards and you won't. All of this is progressive thinking and if things are so bad and you don't like it, then I say get the heck out while the rest of us try to make this a better community and county -- STOP YOUR COMPLAININING!
(Posted by: Not upper class and support)

---

Money: 11/5/2008
Some people, always will come up with a idea on how to spend other peoples money! A sports place isn't going to keep the youth in Hays,People that live in hays, and towns just like it, don't expect much from life! People who want something out of life, say goodbye!
(Posted by: kadiddlehopper)

---

Vernon Berens: 11/5/2008
Congratulations Mr. Berens on another victory!!! I'm sure glad that there are enough people in Ellis County that know what a good job you've done for us and decided to keep you on!!! We surely appreciate you!
(Posted by: Rhonda)

---

Are you serious?: 11/5/2008
This is to HARD WORKING TAX PAYER, and PISSED OFF CITIZEN... You both need to do a little more research, first off to "hard working tax payer", there are so many things wrong with your theroy I can't believe you actually posted it.. HWY40 is county, NOT CITY, and there are only a few areas that could use some TLC, having a sports complex would CREATE MORE JOBS, and maybe even keeps the youth of this town out of drugs (did you ever think of that before you shot it down?), and as for the HRC building have you ever even been in there?????? Most of the time it's so packed there is hardly any room to play what you came to do so you have to reserve an entire gym!!! That's crazy, so we need the sports complex for numerous reasons and nothing is going to happen to HRC, they have so many things going on there it would be a nice reprieve to have some help.... And to you "pissed off citizen", do you think you would be any better?!?!?!? Are you serious? You don't even know what your angry for, the empty buildings in Hays are for the most part "historical" and we should be proud to keep them as it shows we have been around for so long and we will be around a lot longer.. And AGAIN THE HRC IS OVERRUN AND NEEDS HELP!!!!! We should be proud that our city officials care enough about our community to try and better it, this will bring so much business and revenues to our city that we will not even notice the slight tax raise, which is nothing to complain about anyways. IT WILL BE GREAT FOR HAYS!!!! GO SPORTS COMPLEX!!!!
(Posted by: Voice of Reason)

---

Sports Complex: 11/5/2008
I am a former Hays resident living in the KC area. It is hard to believe that so many people are complaining about supporting this sports complex. These are the types of venues that communities should treasure. It will greatly add to the quality of life in Hays and easily pay for itself in just a few years. It will not burden the lower class. In fact most of the revenue generated for this will come from visitors and the middle to upper class. It is recreational facilities such as these that could sway me to move back to Hays and raise a family in the future.
(Posted by: Matt)

---

: 11/5/2008
I suppose everyone is entitled to their own opinion; however, I am in agreement with the sports complex and in disagreement with those that oppose it. What is it ,specifically, that you who oppose it would like to see the money spent on? How is it that the City of Hays IS NOT taking care of our streets or our citizens? What more (or less) do you want from them? I know many many low to middle income families who are very involved in sports and they don't have a problem with this. I would venture to say that the majority of the opposition either does not have children or have children that don't play sports, could care less about sports or have never played sports themselves. We are not asking for a complex that will not benefit the community somehow. The complex will benefit the children of Hays and will also be putting money in business owners pockets as well as the employees. I, myself, am a low to middle income family and have 2 children who will benefit from this opportunity. I have acquaintances that are in retail, the hotel industry or in the food business and they too will reap from this complex. It's about time that the City of Hays actually DOES SOMETHING for the kids of this town. For those that oppose the sports complex and feel the need to complain about it on an online comment box--I encourage you to go to your city commission meetings and voice YOUR opinion just like the Sports Complex Committee did. That is how things get done--not by complaining on the Hays Daily News website. I sincerely encourage each and every person to voice your opinion and make a sincere effort to change what it is that you want changed instead of sitting in the back seat. Change happens when people DO, but obviously nothing happens when we DON'T.
(Posted by: TM)

---

Taxes: 11/5/2008
Has anyone ever seen a break down of what our city and county sales taxes go to? Has anyone seen any of the special interest taxes roll off or have they been replaced with another tax?
(Posted by: David)

---

: 11/5/2008
I am a middle class citizen, and I am ALL FOR the sports complex. To all you who have wrote, "what about the middle class people?" Well Im telling you that not all of us feel the same way you do. I have children, and this is going to be something that benefits them, so why would I not favor that? As for a few of you talking about the HRC building and that it is going to be left empty, you obviously havn't done your research. The HRC bldg houses basketball courts and "indoor" activities, as well as offices... whereas the sports complex will house "outdoor" activites. I wish people would see how bringing this complex to Hays is only going to allow this community to grow, bringing in more hotels, more resturants, more stores. You know what that means....MORE REVENUE....whats wrong with that?
(Posted by: )

---

Learn the Facts: 11/5/2008
Whoever posted that the HRC building would be shut down has not taken much time to educate themselves on the issue. Those are offices and gyms. The HRC will still use those as well as use the existing ball fields. The HRC just needs more fields. Hays has so many people in this town participating that there is a need for more fields. Where on earth did you get the idea that the HRC building would no longer be used. Also to the lady whos daughter said this would elemenate funding for the music building is also misled. First there has been no proposed music building and second these would be totally different things. One is city and the other is USD 489. Again there has been no proposed proforming arts center.
(Posted by: Learn the facts)

---

Proud of Hays: 11/5/2008
I live in Wichita and my children are into various sports. We all benefit from your passing the Sports Complex. Better facilities make ALL of Kansas proud.
(Posted by: Parent from Wichita)

---

We Voted: 11/5/2008
All those who are don't want the sports complex look at the results. You are obviously in the minority. We voted. The public spoke. What else can you ask for. Quit complaining when the majority has spoken.
(Posted by: The public has spoken)

---

SPORTS COMPLEX: 11/5/2008
WHY CANT THE CITY SPEND OUR HARD EARNED MONEY ON THINGS THAT HAYS REALLY NEEDS LIKE FIXING THE STREETS RIGHT NOT JUST A PATCH HERE AND THERE. HWY 40 NEEDS REPAIR REALLY BAD. HOW ABOUT GETTING MORE JOBS HERE IN HAYS. INSTEAD THEY WANT TO WASTE OUR MONEY ON THINGS LIKE THE CORNER OF 13TH AND HALL LITTLE FLAG THING, THE BEAUTIFACATION PROJECT DOWN VINE THAT HAD TO BE REDONE JUST A YEAR LATER CAUSE THE PEOPLE THAT DID IT THE FIRST TIME COULDNT DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME, AND THE BIGGEST WASTE OF OUR TAX PAYERS MONEY THE SPORTS COMPLES!! ONE QUESTION WASNT THAT WHAT THE HRC WAS FOR. YOU KNOW THE BUILDING THAT WAS BUILT FOR THE TEENS TO HAVE SOMEPLACE TO GO AND PLAY SPORTS. WHY DO WE NEED TWO PLACES OR IS THE HRC GOING TO JUST BE LEFT EMPTY AND ANOTHER WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY THAT THE CITY OF HAYS SEEMS TO VERY GOOD AT?
(Posted by: HARD WORKING TAXPAYER)

---

Sports Complex: 11/5/2008
Why are there people in this town that are so affraid to improve this town. Want to be Wichita or K.C.??? I think we all know that will never happen but there is nothing wrong with wanting to improve the quality of life in our town. There is nothing wrong with giving our youth something to be proud of. This makes sense. Putting millions into an old building for the county didn't.
(Posted by: Shawn)

---

Hays Sports Complex: 11/5/2008
I hate to tell everyone that keeps refering to the upper class wealthy people that spent a lot of time and effort to get this things passed was a grassroots effort by a lot of people in this communiyt. Before you go on and on dogging those people take the time to realize that there were a lot of LOWER class people that were working on it as well. Because we understood the importance of this complex and how it is going to effect the community. Something a lot of people just can't realize. You won't even know the difference when you go and pay for something at the store. You probably don't even realize the difference now when you shop at Home Depot and you are paying more taxes out there than across the street at Wal-Mart. Congrats to the community for realizing the importance of this complex that will be a benefit to the lower, middle, and upper class.
(Posted by: THANKS)

---

Sports Complex: 11/5/2008
Way to go Hays! It is a sure sign of progress and vitality to be doing something for the youth. I am proud to be a part of a community that is looking to the future, rather than standing still. What a great place to raise children!
(Posted by: Jill)

---

SPORTS COMPLEX: 11/5/2008
WHAT WE NEED IS FOR THE CITY OF HAYS TO WAKE UP AND SPEND THE MONEY THAT US TAX PAYERS GIVE ON WHAT WE REALLY NEED AND THAT IS TO BETTER OUR STREETS( NOT JUST PATCH HERE AND THERE), REPAIRS TO HWY 40, AND OUR SCHOOLS. WHY DO WE NEED A NEW SPORTS COMPLEX WASNT THAT WHAT HRC WAS FOR. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE HRC WHEN THIS SPORTS COMPLEX IS BUILT? IS IT GOING TO BE ANOTHER EMPTY BUILDING THAT US TAX PAYERS PAID FOR AND ONCE AGAIN OUR MONEY WASTED BY THE CITY OF HAYS BIRD BRAIN IDEAS. I THINK THAT MAYBE WE NEED TO REPLACE THE OFFICALS IN CITY HALL WITH SOME OF US MIDDLE CLASS FOLKS THAT KNOWS HOW AND WHAT THE CITY REALLY NEEDS.
(Posted by: PISSED OFF CITIZEN)

---

Voting for comissioners: 11/5/2008
how come I didn't have any comissioners on my ballot (computer) to vote for? That was the only thing I didn't have on my ballot.
(Posted by: fast freddy)

---

Why?: 11/5/2008
Why are people in Hays so scared of change. There is a reason so many people are moving back east. It is because towns like Hutch, Salina, Lawrence, KC, Wichita, etc... provide greater opportunities for their citizens and their children. If you want "new money" you have to spend money.
(Posted by: )

---

Keeping An Eye On Vernon Berens: 11/4/2008
At least there was one good thing that happened today, we finally have a new face on the County Commission that will be able to keep Vernon Berens in line. Way to go Commissioner Diehl!!!!!!!!!!!
(Posted by: Happy Again)

---

sports complex: 11/4/2008
So happy this has passed for Ellis county. It will bring a lot more money into the county
(Posted by: DeenaKay)

---

Sports Complex: 11/4/2008
Hays and some big wigs in Hays think that it is much more than it is. Not Wichita or KC, or Salina. A joke
(Posted by: BZ)

---

Wind and Sports: 11/4/2008
If we would have allowed the Wind Farm in to our County two years ago, we would have $1MM to go toward the Sports Complex. No new taxes for anybody.
(Posted by: RK)

---

~What a Shame~: 11/4/2008
You know what's a damn shame? The fact that there is more concern about new "attractions" being built then taking care of the community and its citizens.
(Posted by: Brutal Truth)

---

Glenn Diehl - The Real Deal: 11/4/2008
Congrats to Glenn Diehl. He's a good man and the right man for the job!
(Posted by: Callie)

---

Wind and Sports: 11/4/2008
Had this funny County allowed the wind farm in be here two years ago we would already of had $1MM to go toward the sports complex and no one would have paid any new taxes.
(Posted by: RK)

---

sports complex: 11/4/2008
I feel that the idea of this sports complex is preposterous! Like others have posted, the middle-lower class of the community is going to feel the hit the biggest. It is absurd to think that everyone should have to contribute to this idea, when in all actuality, the majority of the community won't even be able to afford it. Agreed, money does talk in Hays, KS. If the wealthy people that are trying to push it so bad think we really need it, then they should be funding it themselves(i.e. RPM Speedway). God knows they're able and willing. I also agree, there are too many ideas in this town trying to turn it in to a replica of Kansas City and Wichita. Anyone should be able to see that a transformation like this is impossible, and the idea is ignorant.
(Posted by: BS)

---

: 11/4/2008
My daughter said that if the sports complex got in that Hays High wouldnot get the building for their musicals. She said they are paying rent for musicals so why bid in the sports complex when School is important and we should of known about that.
(Posted by: )

---

Hey Dan: 11/4/2008
I am only repeating what my friend said.
(Posted by: Tamara)

---

Sports Complex: 11/4/2008
Hey Tamara....wouldn't that actually be penial envy instead of penis envy?
(Posted by: Dan)

---

Sports Complex: 11/4/2008
I agree with Lee. I'd urge everyone to drive to Sterling and take a look at the Sterling Lake. Now why can't Hays have something like that? I'd vote to support that in a second. I voted no to the complex.
(Posted by: John)

---

Congradulations!: 11/4/2008
Congradulations to Glenn Diehl! We know that you will do a fabulous job!
(Posted by: Richard (#1))

---

Duh: 11/4/2008
Lee, if you don't buy anything you won't pay for it! It's a sales tax--mostly paid for by the many people from out of town who shop in Hays on a daily and weekly basis from all over the state--be glad it's a sales tax and not a property tax--relax!!
(Posted by: Ken)

---

county funds: 11/4/2008
Maybe since they're not using bond money for Hadley they'll finally get the bridge on 8th Street repaired. That's why I voted against it!
(Posted by: Anne)

---

sports complex: 11/4/2008
People were misled again. The sports complex will not work in a small city like Hays. I already pay way too much of my income to taxes and now I will have to waste money on this terrible idea.
(Posted by: GP)

---

county commish: 11/4/2008
Dennis is out? Gooooooodbye wind energy and progress for Ellis County
(Posted by: anon)

---

Sports Complex: 11/4/2008
This is a SALES tax! Aside from the residents of Hays helping to fund this, anyone who buys something here will be contributing to it. This is a one time opportunity to do something great for the youth of our community and to bring additional revenue to Hays as well. The athletic facilities in this town are horrific and its about time we get with it and upgrade! Everyone in our community will benefit from this in some way shape or form.
(Posted by: Ducky)

---

Hays Sports Complex: 11/4/2008
Adding sales tax to the city of Hays to fund the Sports Complex will bring money to our community! The people who come to Hays to use our Sports Complex will be paying for it when they shop in our stores, eat at our restaurants, and stay in our hotels. This will also bring money to many local small businesses. The amount of sales tax is minimal and will be very well worth it!
(Posted by: Nicole)

---

Sports Complex: 11/4/2008
I think that the town of Hays has no idea how much revenue the sports complex can bring into the town. If this would have got on the ballot years ago. The sports complex will pay for itself before the tax is even up.
(Posted by: old Hays resident)

---

Envy: 11/4/2008
A co-worker from Nashville TN told me once that Hays has (what she termed) penis envy. They want what bigger towns have even though they don't and never will have the ability to get it. Hays will never be a Wichita or Kansas City (thank God!)yet we want to act like we are and that will be what destroys this town.
(Posted by: Tamara)

---

Sports Complex: 11/4/2008
One would think! Money seems to talk in this town. If you look at who is backing this complex, you would find the upper/middle class, yet the middle to lower class are going to be the one's who will truely feel the hit. The sad part is those are not the people that will be able to afford to use this complex.
(Posted by: Richard (#1))

---

sports complex: 11/4/2008
The way the economy is all over I would think Hays People would be coniderate enough not to add any more taxes to the people of thes city. We are taxed to death now. The people that want the sports complex should be the ones who have to pay for it.
(Posted by: Lee)

---

Subject:
Comment:
Poster: (your name)
Enter text above:

All comments are subject to approval before being posted. Please keep comments constructive and relevant. Opinions certainly can be expressed, but comments that are rude, abusive, slanderous, threatening, sexually oriented, contain profanity or are vulgar will not be tolerated. Comments will not be edited. Any comment that violates the above-listed rules will be deleted.

Discuss this story at MyTown

KABUL (AP) -- Police report an explosion near t ... 11/21/2009;

PERUGIA, Italy (AP) -- Prosecutors request l ... 11/21/2009;

BEIJING (AP) -- Chinese authorities say 11 peop ... 11/20/2009;

KENNETT, Mo. (AP) -- Plea agree reached in case ... 11/20/2009;

GENEVA (AP) -- Spokesman says world's larges ... 11/20/2009;

Venezuela aims to annul patents for antibiotic ... 11/21/2009;

Lawyer: Ex-Air Force nurse sped patients' death ... 11/21/2009;

Suspicious note and package found at Fort Benni ... 11/21/2009;

NEW YORK (AP) -- Minimum and maximum temperatur ... 11/21/2009;

Atlantis astronauts take 2nd spacewalk of missi ... 11/21/2009;

Iran to hold war games to protect nuclear sites ... 11/21/2009;

EPA: Uranium from polluted mine in Nev. wells ... 11/21/2009;

Kansans using tax credit to buy first house E ... 11/21/2009;

Kansans using tax credit to buy first house E ... 11/21/2009;

Kansas class recording state religious history ... 11/21/2009;

Kansas class recording state religious history ... 11/21/2009;

Diet, exercise key to Kan. couple Eds: APNews ... 11/21/2009;

Diet, exercise key to Kan. couple Eds: APNews ... 11/21/2009;

Kan. woman bares her faith through poetry Eds ... 11/21/2009;