Numbers don't add up

It was interesting to note at the public meeting about Ellis County's proposed purchase of the Hadley building that Dave VanDoren, who seems to be bordering on desperation to sell his building to the taxpayers of Ellis County and who now apparently speaks for Ellis County commissioners Dennis Pfannenstiel, Vernon Berens and Perry Henman, has resorted to outright misrepresentation in order to sell the idea that the Hadley building is the best thing to happen to the taxpayers of Ellis County in the last 50 years.

According to discussions at recent Hays City Commission meetings, it is simply not true that the city of Hays has decided to abandon the Army Reserve Center which, by the way, is owned by the city of Hays, not Ellis County. So we are to believe without question that the city of Hays will simply turn its building over to Ellis County for nothing while the county continues to collect money from its senior citizens mill levy? And we are further to believe without question that there is absolutely no cost to move into the Army Reserve Center? Who is in charge of Ellis County anyway? Have the current Ellis County commissioners abandoned their job and appointed Dave VanDoren as the "de facto county manager"? Is anyone else coming to the same conclusion that I am -- that a new fresh perspective and change is needed in Ellis County?

Another couple of points to consider are that the county offices slated to be moved to the Hadley Center now occupy approximately 10,400 square feet. The Hadley Center building will be approximately 35,000 square feet (that's over a 300 percent increase). Our existing courthouse is 33,500 square feet. Do we need another courthouse building of 35,000 square feet in addition to the courthouse we already have?

Recently, two good quality office buildings sold for approximately $75 and $100 per square foot respectively. The 6,726-square-foot building at 1007 W. 27th sold for $500,000 (that is $74.34 per square foot) and the 10,776-square-foot buildings at 1212 E. 27th sold for $1,075,000 (that is $99.76 per square foot). The cost of the Hadley building will be approximately $150 per square foot, not including finance charges. Do we want to be investing $150 per square foot for office space in a market where good quality office space sells for $100 per square foot (or less)?

If you answered no to these questions, please make a point to sign the petition to put the issuance of bonds for the Hadley building to a public vote. The petition is available for signatures at Field Abstract & Title Co., 1201 Fort St., Hays, and at Ellis County Abstract & Title Co., 110 E. 12th St., Hays.

Robert Schibi

2011 Main Street Terrace