Hadley motivation
Dennis Pfannenstiel's letter to the editor defending his position on the TajMaHadley project compels a response -- but not for the reason someone might guess. Clearly Commissioner Pfannenstiel disingenuously continues to deny the true cost of the proposed move of 35 employees from the courthouse by fixating solely on the face amount of the bond issue.
He knows only too well, however, that is not what it will cost once the interest costs, relocation of the senior citizens center and remodeling of the current court house are factored in -- $10 million-plus is the true cost.
But the reason I am writing this letter is his ad hominem attack on Bob Schibi. If it were the first time, I would have ignored his shameless attack on Bob's motives for fighting for rights of taxpayers to vote on the wasteful attempt to spend taxpayer's money. Sadly, it is not. Commissioner Pfannenstiel, through his son, Grant Pfannenstiel, earlier this summer surmised that Bob's actions were based on his current lease agreement with the county. Questioning motives of those who are against this misguided bond issue seems to be the best argument the commission can make in promoting their plan (Commissioner Berens also in private conversation has questioned the motives of Bob and me).
Not one person involved with CORPS has publicly attacked the motives of commissioners on this issue, and that includes Bob Schibi and me. It would have been easy to start a rumor that the county commissioners were in collusion with Dave Van Doren and that we were "convinced" that this was the commissioners "main" motivation. We did not take that low road but instead from the very first open meeting of CORPS, we purposely refrained from any conversations regarding even the merits of the proposed TajMaHadley project -- let alone the character of the commissioners or motives behind their decision. And even now, we refuse to engage in the mudslinging in which the current commissioners seem hell-bent on engaging.
Finally, Commissioner Pfannenstiel queried "What is the cost of serious accident or loss of life, due to lack of security in our courthouse?" The answer: Install metal detectors and other security measures throughout the courthouse, in particular at all the entrances. The cost? A whole lot less than $10 million dollars-plus.
Tom Wasinger
1602 Elm
I don't think anyone is accusing anyone of anything. Or took a shot at anyone's character except your shots at the current commissioners up for re-election with nothing to back them up. You never did list any proof to your claims. You had mentioned we should all get educated. You apparently have all the answers, so educated us. List all the times the commissioners have "hood winked" us. And drop the Hadly thing, it is on the ballot. That is why there is the petition procedure. How many cups have you had today already?
(Posted by: no nonsense here)
enough: 9/18/2008
This is ridicules. The vote will tell us what the people are thinking. If you believe so firmly that everyone thinks this is so bad then why do you need to continue to persuade so hard. It almost looks like you know that people are for it.
(Posted by: Lets just vote)
Reply to no nsense here: 9/18/2008
Your quote: I think the person's question about the candidate was referring to the fact that the paper stated that it was Mr. Schmeidler's campaign treasurer who allegedly torched Mr. Schmeidler's pickup. That just doesn't make sense. What kind of leadership is that? With that type of thinking, would you blame the girl who was raped for wearing a certain top or pants, blame the innocent child in school that was shot by a crazed student or perhaps the innocent by stander that was at the wrong place at the wrong time that was shot in a drive by shooting? I do not know what was going on in the mind of the man that blazed Mr. Schmeidler's pickup and I am certain that you don't either. Your statement concerning Mr. Schmeidler was very, in my humble opinion, small minded. Your quote: Can you educate me with an explanation of why his campaign treasurer would do something like that? Have you ever known someone for a very long time and trusted that person only to find out something about him/her that totally floored you? I am not the jury nor the judge and I refuse to judge a man's character before I learn all the facts and you shouldn't either. Enough said.
(Posted by: Richard)
Reply to Richard: 9/18/2008
I think the person's question about the candidate was referring to the fact that the paper stated that it was Mr. Schmeidler's campaign treasurer who alledgedly torched Mr. Schmeidler's pickup. That just doesn't make sense. Can you educate me with an explantion of why his campaign treasurer would do something like that? What kind of leadership is that. Also, what have you been putting in your coffee. The current commissioners up for re-election have done a wonderful job for our county. Sure, they can't please all the people all of the time, but you have to keep the "greater good" in mind.
(Posted by: no nonsense here)
Dear Richard: 9/17/2008
Please educate me. Just how many times have we all been hood-winked by these two? Please list all the times and be specific. You make quite a claim. Now back it up.
(Posted by: Enough already)
Reply to nonsense and Enough already: 9/17/2008
What does the wind farm have to do with the Hadley Project and the nose thumbing done by Commissioner's Pfannenstiel and Berens????? Sorry, Nonsense and Enough already, but I think it would be wise if you go back and educate yourselves on our local government. I believe you would be surprised (just as I was) on how many times we have all been hood-winked by these two. Not to mention ashamed of how we have let our local government do what they want without questioning its motives. The citizens of Ellis County have finally woke up and smelled the coffee and not a minute too soon. These two commissioners have been patting our heads, telling us to go play, and behave like good little children long enough. I am so tired of all the politically correctiveness in our community, we sure don’t like to ruffle and feathers in our tight little community, now do we? After all, we a good German community and we don’t like to upset the cart. I will take my stand in November and do what I can to get daddy and grandpa booted out to greener pastures. By the way, what does the crime committed against John Schmeidler have to do with the two current commissioners up for re-election other than Mr. Schmeidler is running against Commissioner Berens. From what I have read in the Hays Daily News, Mr, Schmeidler was the VICTIM of arson on his vehicle. Awe the gossip of small town America!
(Posted by: Richard)
Reply to Richard: 9/17/2008
Do you mean we need people like John Schmeidler in a commission seat? If I read right, he can't even keep one of his campaign assistants on board, now why is that! What happened there? Do we really need people like that running our county, I think not. Of course, you must be one of the ANTI-Progress group of most ANTI-county in the state of Kansas. Also one of the BIGGEST NIMBY counties as well. The people who always seem to research and "know the facts" why don't you do the research and find out how many people across our state ask "What is wrong with Ellis County" and believe me, it's not the commisioners they are talking about.
(Posted by: nonsense)
Metal detectors?: 9/17/2008
Shameful article. Just who is shamelss? Besides that, how many additional employees will need to be hired to man the metal detectors? What will the cost be over the next 10, 20, or 2,000 years figuring in their benefits etc (just using the above method of figuring costs). Maybe 10 million isn't so bad. Removing the danger element is the safest way to elminate the problem. Maybe these old men have experience, which is always the best teacher. Now brush your teeth and go to bed. The Hadley project is a moot point. It is on the ballot. Don't you read the paper? Get back to your real cause, the Wind Farm. Do you think the "anit wind" people will have better luck with removing the commissioners than some of the folks did with trying to get coach Keltner removed a few years back? I think I see a trend with these "anit-wind" people.
(Posted by: Enough already)
Time to go!: 7/27/2008
Sometimes when someone has held a position as long as the 2 current commissioners, they tend to take on the "Father Knows Best" attitude; you children don't know what is that is best for you. Yes, we definitely need new commissioners on board to listen to the people of Ellis County. Dennis Pfannenstiel says there are issues that were started while he was in office and he wants to see through to the end. Guess what Dennis, there will always be issues on the table at the time of an election. Sorry, you have shown us what would happen if you continue to stay in office. It is time to say, see ya pops, oh, and take grandpa with you.
(Posted by: Richard)
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.
