Why Not Dodge!!

Dodge City Police Docket Book

2010-04-06T16:02:00.008-05:00

After over two and a half years since being found on the web, the Dodge City Police Docket Book, 1878-1882, has been completely scanned and put on-line by the digital library division of Fort Hays State University Forsyth Library. Thanks for massive work by Andrew Weiss, Digital Collections Librarian, and John Ross, Director.

Thanks to FHSU, every page of this rare document is viewable, and protected. The work of Ford County Attorney Terry Malone, the Ford County Sheriff's Office, and the FBI, along with the Ford County Historical Society which started the process of getting back the docket book, is rewarded.

This is in addition to the bonus public relations of having coverage in over 68 newspapers when we first found the police docket book was up for auction -- thanks to an AP article from the Hutchinson News (Kansas) -- the nation has been put on notice that we will make it harder to sell artifacts that belong to Dodge City.

Dodge City Police Docket Book, 1878 - 1882, Public Viewing Dec. 7, 2009

2009-11-02T05:15:00.009-06:00

On December 7, 2009, the City of Dodge City, Kansas will accept the return of the Dodge City Police Docket Book, 1878-1882, a book which contains the escapades of some of the most famous lawmen in the American West. Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and Ed Masterson and many other historical lawmen are chronicled in this court docket.

A public viewing of the docket book will be from 3:00-6:30 pm, Monday, Dec. 7, in Boot Hill Museum's Old House Saloon. A few selected pages of the book carefully scanned by the Southwest Kansas Library System will be enlarged and displayed next to the protected book. Immediately afterward, the book will be presented to the Dodge City Commission at 7:00 pm in City Hall and signed over from the Ford County Sheriff to the City of Dodge City.

The City of Dodge City and the Ford County Historical Society are making arrangements for all the pages of this fragile and important book to be scanned into computer files so that western history researchers all over the world can access the information it contains.

Again, thanks to: Roger Myers, FCHS member, who first saw the auction information on the docket book in 2007 and brought it to my attention; Ford County Attorney and Dodge City Prosecutor Terry Malone; Ford County Sheriff Dean Bush, and investigators; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the United States Attorney’s office, District of Kansas.

Best, George Laughead
President, Ford County Historical Society
Dodge City, KS

Dodge City Police Docket Book: Federal Judge rules: "belongs to Dodge City"

2009-09-30T18:04:00.009-05:00

Just in -- in federal court, Wichita, Kansas, today, a judge has ruled that the City of Dodge City, Kansas is the sole owner of the Dodge City Police Docket Book, 1878-1882.

It could be returned to the City as soon as next week.

Now the Dodge City Commission has to decide whether to scan the docket book, or just put it in a bank safety box. There is no other way to protect it.

Thankfully, a few of the Dodge City Commissioners have already indicated that scanning the Dodge City Police Docket Book is the way to go.

Photograph from Bob Boze Bell's Blog, Oct. 5, 2007

2009-07-26T08:58:00.004-05:00

Video on tourist venues in Dodge City -- well done, actually.

And does show Ford County, KS, unique Mueller-Schmidt House Museum (1881) QT virtual tour as part of it -- the oldest house in Dodge City -- maybe the nicest house museum of the Old West, built by John Mueller, boot maker on Front Street, and cattleman.

For more on John and his family, see: John Mueller, Dodge City pioneer boot maker & cattleman

Thanks to Great History blog and Tom Goodrich

2009-06-21T17:24:00.008-05:00

Tom Goodrich on Bat . . . Bat Masterson

Bat Masterson, one of Dodge City's better known lawmen (and actual citizen, home and land owner, elected official) is the first subject of historian Tom Goodrich's new blog -- the blog also includes a follow-up on the return of the Dodge City Police Docket Book.

Dodge City continues to benefit from our positive actions to protect our unique history -- news coverage on the return of the Dodge City Police Docket Book has been in at least 60 newspapers (including many in other countries), and on over 15 television news shows. Can't beat that for great public relations.

I should point out that there are many history blogs at Great History Blogs, covering every historical age. Take a look.

Dodge City Police Docket Book Found

2009-05-30T09:01:00.016-05:00

Hutchinson News coverage, Dodge City Police Docket Book Found

Thanks to Ford County Historical Society member, Roger Myers, seeing the photograph of the docket book on Bob "Boze" Bell's True West magazine editor's blog, I learned about it being up for auction. Roger made me aware.

I was convinced it was authentic due to Boze Bell thinking so ...Bell is an expert, as is the innocent auction house owner, Brian Lebel, an Arizona resident. They clearly thought it was real.

The photograph also matched anther docket book currently in the Dodge City Engineering offices which we, the Historical Preservation Committee of Dodge City, studied and compared to a print or the blog photograph..

After letting the auction know I wanted to know their source of the docket book, I also then contacted Terry Malone. He was the starting point of the legal process. This was before his was elected Ford county attorney -- he was City of Dodge City prosecutor at the time. After that, the Ford County Sheriff's office, and then the FBI became involved.

The importance for Dodge City and Ford County is that for the first time since the 1950s, history oriented tourists and Old West historians can see pages covering the actual work of Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Ed Masterson, and all the Old West lawmen from about 1878 to 1882.

One suggestion I've made to the city manager is that CFAB funds pay for a state of the art multi-thousand dollar archive exhibit case for the docket book and let it be displayed at Boot Hill Museum. Tourism would benefit greatly. Anyone that studies the Old West would have to come and see it. But the safety and security of the police docket book would be the first issue.

The main point is that I value real history, and when I found out that someone had taken the first hand accounts of Old West Dodge City, it made me mad. It is owned by the citizens of Dodge City and Ford County. I just wanted it back. I also don't want people making easy money from artifacts that belong to the public

Thanks to all involved:

In addition to Ford County Attorney Terry Malone, Ford County Sheriff officials, including Sheriff Dean Bush, and Investigator Mike Albert, and FBI agent Robin Smith were clearly fully involved and successful. I truly appreciate all their efforts. Also to Arlyn Leaming, former Ford County Sheriff Investigations Captain, for early work on the case.

Also, due to coverage in over 68 newspapers when we first found the police docket book was up for auction -- thanks to an AP article from the Hutchinson News -- the nation has been put on notice that we will make it harder to sell artifacts that belong to Dodge City. Big thanks to Hutchnews reporter, Jon Ruhlen, for running with the information I gave him.

Also see:
Dodge City Police Docket Book Coverage

Don Steele's blog: Expert tourism leader reviews Dodge City Master Tourism Plan

2009-05-08T13:00:00.003-05:00

There is no one more expert in tourism for Dodge City than Don Steele. His years of building the Depot Theater company (nee, Boot Hill Repertory Company), and the massive amount of work he planned and pushed over a decade to get the millions of dollars for the renovation of the Santa Fe Depot has no equal in our area -- perhaps the state.

His view of the new Dodge City/Ford County Master Tourism Plan, from Herberling Associates Inc., has to be taken very seriously -- or at least by those that know what has worked. Here's his May 6th blog on the Master Tourism Study:

A shaky plan

So the Tourism Master Plan has been released, and National Tourism Week is coming up soon. Time to step back and look at the state of the tourism industry in Dodge City.
The world in financial crisis, gas prices on the rise again, and now a potential pandemic that has health officials threatening to close the borders and outlaw travel — not the best time to hope for better business at local attractions.
The Master Plan was an idea that had been bandied about for years but nobody could agree on what agency should write it or what it should contain.
In my view, the plan should address everything from redesigning the traffic flow around town to creating a "war chest" and going out in aggressive search of new television, movie and book projects that are set in Dodge City. Disappointingly, the current plan is much more limited in scope...

Please read the rest -- and hope that Don keeps helping us solve our tourism problems. He is the best.

Missing museum addendum: submitted more than once

2009-03-27T14:29:00.009-05:00

Oddly, of all the submitted thoughts, plans, suggestions to Heberling Associates, Inc., the Dodge City Master Tourism Plan consultants -- this one is missing in the Master Tourism Plan final copy (although the draft was not seen by the public for about three months?).

Although the need for a Ford County History Museum is listed in about eight places, the only direct statement about this plan is -- If the Ford County Historical Society is interested in adding a county museum, it would be wise to do a feasibility study and/or a long-range plan to determine appropriate funding strategies, location, and possible partners or cooperative ventures.

Note that no other addendum or section -- from a $18 million agro center to a multi-million dollar new Kansas Heritage Center -- lists this requirement for a feasibility study, nor does this statement stand with the many places in the master tourism study that call for a new museum. (Although the study does echo in many, many places my early suggestions to Heberling Associates -- in fact, every point shows up except the big one -- a plan for a Ford County History Museum. Gee, wish we had seen the draft of the plan.)

Museums in Dodge City & Ford County, Kansas

by George Laughead Jr.

Faced with major archives unseen, major donations ungiven, dropping tourism numbers, high levels of needed capital improvements in current facilities, and on-going operating costs, et al -- I wanted to think out loud (or out web, in this case) about what we might do to work together, solve major problems of finance and support, and grow back to having world-class Western Heritage archive and museum.

For tourism, this would work with the world class dirt race track, softball fields, and the Santa Fe Depot, truly world class of its type. For those that love movies and theatres, the Dodge Theater again fits into that level, and for house museum or Victorian house fans, the Mueller-Schmidt House represents much more than its true Old West heritage, and cattleman builder. Windthorst Church is another venue becoming known around the country, thanks to their work and PBS television. And Fort Dodge is still a living Old West fort. The bridle collection and the DC Roundup Rodeo are both on this list. We start with assets.

Why this matters -- local views are not in line with world interest in the Old West

It has become clear to me in the last few years that local views of the importance of our place in frontier, pioneer, Old West and American West history are not in line with the on-going and large interest that the rest of the world has in our history.
Among the millions of users each year on web sites that I'm involved with, most of the hits continue to be for Old West history. I get tens of thousands of users a month for sites related directly to Dodge City and Ford County, including the WWW-VL: American West history, Old West Kansas, and Dodge City history. There is no lack of interest, even if local viewpoints are not focused on this.

Finance

Fact: Ford County and Dodge City government giving to museums, et al, has been on an emergency basis, or in the case of the Mueller-Schmidt House Museum, a minimum amount to keep the facility open. We must see the combination of Why Not Dodge! money, county and city support, USD support, possible casino funds, coordination with CVB funds, and grants as necessary for the long term growth and protection of our history.
Archives

Fact: Among the collections owned by Boot Hill Museum, the Kansas Heritage Center, the Ford County Historical Society, Trail of Fame Inc., and others, we have a world class pioneer Old West, American West and Great Plains archive potential.

The Ford County Historical Society alone owns much, from business records and hand written notes of Dodge City founder, Robert Wright, to Josephine Earp's journals and an original carbon of Wyatt Earp and John Flood's book, to Dr. C. Robert Haywood's complete history library and research files (FCHS Haywood Collection -- on loan to the Kansas Heritage Center) and the Betty Braddock FCHS Photograph Collection -- the list of important items goes on and on.
The possible combining of all these into one modern facility under the staff of Kansas Heritage (protecting each group's ownership), would make us one of the stops necessary for research for magazine articles, books or movies on almost any topic of the American West, and especially on the Wild West of Dodge City and Southwest Kansas. It would protect all of these for the future.

Boot Hill Museum

Fact: Cost of both being an entertainment/retail tourist attraction and being an archive/museum is a major double burden. Possibility of lifting some of that cost and responsibility may be one answer to allowing Boot Hill to become more focused on different elements of the tourism industry, retail, entertainment, events. Possibilities might include the funding of the archive and curator costs through other funds than those raised by Boot Hill Museum Inc. I suggest that any decision has to keep Boot Hill Museum Inc. clearly involved and of primary importance.

World-class exhibitions

Fact: Drawing all the most important artifacts into one modern designed small museum exhibition area would allow the best presentation of unique historical items, from Old West Wyatt Earp related artifacts to actual coverage of major events from Dust Bowl to hot rods, the WWII air base to the Great Arkansas River Flood, the Santa Fe Depot and Mexican Village -- events of high interest to the world but not covered in any local museum. (And, I believe, still all part of the American West, the Great Plains, the Wild West.)

Future artifact donations

Fact: Donors will open up gates of giving when the right modern and protect exhibition space is available. The donation of the most famous gun in the Old West is on hold, due to the lack of modern secure exhibit space. The Kansas State Historical Society has suggested that their world-class exhibits could come to Dodge City for viewing, given the right space. Time is an issue, too. Some major possible donors are aging, and might give their donation to other states and museums.
Submitted to Heberling Associates Inc., 2007

Dodge City/Ford County, KS, Master Tourism Plan On-line

Dodge City/Ford County Tourism Plan: Major museum section

2009-03-27T12:26:00.016-05:00

That we have a multi-hundred thousand dollar visitor center now is one point -- but that a new Kansas Heritage Center/Ford County History Museum is needed is stated about eight places in the study -- but the submitted suggestion for an actual Ford County History Museums seems missing from the study -- although proposed to Heberling Associates Inc. by several groups involved:

New Dodge City Visitor Center with exhibits

Explore the feasibility of the creation of a Dodge City-Ford County Visitor Center in the downtown cultural corridor. The center, which could share a facility with the expanded Kansas Heritage Center and/or a proposed Ford County Museum, would orient tourists to Dodge City, Ford County, and Southwest Kansas sites and experiences through front-line visitor services as well as interactive orientation kiosks and exhibits describing the region’s history and its cultural, arts, recreational, and environmental sites and attractions.

Use of empty buildings in Dodge City for exhibits

Initiate an assessment, including a market survey, of the Robinson’s complex, or a portion thereof (perhaps removing the 20th century one-story additions), for possible adaptive reuse as a heritage and arts center in the downtown cultural corridor. Uses could include artists’ studio rental space, studio space for workshops and classes (possibly including homes for various kinds of artists’ guilds), opportunities for showcasing large exhibits or exhibits of large pieces, meeting rooms, and a Ford County History Center with a collections storage area.

Use of Ford County Government Center for exhibits

The Roundup could also develop an interpretive exhibit—or series of exhibits—on its own interesting history, either in conjunction with the hall of fame or in another location, such as the lobby of the County Government Center, a Dodge City/Ford County Visitors Center, the Boot Hill Casino and Resort (or all of the above).

New Kansas Heritage Center for exhibits

USD 443 representatives should authorize a feasibility study for the development of an expanded Kansas Heritage Center and determine the best location for such a facility.

Possible sites include the former T.M. Deal Lumber Company at Third and Spruce, the old City Hall and parking lot property on top of Boot Hill between Third and Fifth Avenues on Spruce, the former Robinson’s furniture store, casino land west of town, and the Roundup Rodeo-Fairgrounds neighborhood south of downtown. There has been general agreement thus far that one of the downtown locations would be the most appropriate. Butler National has already generously donated the services of a talented architect who has prepared a very preliminary design concept and floor plan for a new KHC.

The study should also determine whether a new KHC should share a complex or be linked architecturally to a related or complementary organization’s facility, such as a Dodge City-Ford County visitors center, a Ford County Historical Society, the Genealogical Society Library, and/or a joint archival research center made up of the two-dimensional collections perhaps from the KHC, Boot Hill Museum, and County Historical Society.

The Kansas Heritage Center could provide expanded facilities for its existing educational and research service operations as well as gallery space for traveling and temporary exhibits from large to small and on all topics relevant to the history, cultural heritage, environment, and lifeways of the High Plains. It could also include spaces for public meetings and events. The KHC should avoid the temptation to become a museum that collects three-dimensional artifacts.

No actual museum in the study:

But, alas, the submitted and discussed material on an actual modern secure history museum is just not in the Dodge City Tourism Master Plan at all? Could it have been lost by Heberling Associates? Edited out?

Dodge City/Ford County, KS, Master Tourism Plan On-line

Dodge City/Ford County Master Tourism Plan: how to measure success

2009-03-27T12:22:00.008-05:00

Here's the check list that Heberling Associates Inc. say should be used to measure the success of the new Dodge City/Ford County Master Tourism Plan, the new arts & tourism director position and the community putting it all into action.

􀁸 Annual increase in visitation and attendance at events.
􀁸 Broader visitor demographics.
􀁸 Expanded volunteer base.
􀁸 New events and programs.
􀁸 Expanded community participation and support.
􀁸 Expanded casino attendance.
􀁸 Increased corporate, agency, and attraction partnerships and collaborations.
􀁸 Implementation and expansion of cross-marketing between Boot Hill Casino and
Resort and downtown retail and attractions.
􀁸 Expanded donor base.
􀁸 Increased public and private funding.
􀁸 Increased sales and bed tax revenue.
􀁸 Positive and increased gaming revenue.
􀁸 Increased in-kind support for projects and attractions.
􀁸 Increased number of capital projects and infrastructure improvements.
􀁸 New and expanded downtown tourism-related businesses and services.
􀁸 Increased number of tourism-related jobs.
􀁸 More positive visitor feedback.
􀁸 Improvements in visitor/hospitality services.
􀁸 Increased downtown activity.
􀁸 Increase in number of restored and rehabilitated historic buildings.
􀁸 Expanded media coverage.
􀁸 Expanded web presence and feedback.
􀁸 Increased number of positive online comments.
􀁸 Expanded use of appropriate and relevant digital technology and user feedback.

Dodge City/Ford County, KS, Master Tourism Plan On-line

Dodge City/Ford County Master Tourism Plan: $103,000 Answers

2009-03-27T12:18:00.021-05:00

Here's the meat of the Heritage Tourism Plan for Dodge City and Ford County, Kansas -- not Heberling Associates, Inc. fault that it reads almost the same as the study done in early 1990s and in about 2004 -- paid for again -- these are obvious points:

􀁸 To recognize tourism in general as a powerful economic development tool for the community and the region.
􀁸 To enhance visitor satisfaction.
􀁸 To integrate tourism into the social and economic life of the region.
􀁸 To enhance history and the arts as opportunities for heritage tourism and economic development.
􀁸 To promote a sustainable High Plains environment as a significant component of a visitor marketing and promotional plan.
􀁸 To effectively promote and market the region’s unique visitor assets.
􀁸 To create lively and educational experiences for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
􀁸 To enhance the tourism infrastructure.
􀁸 To implement needed wayfinding and informational strategies and an integrated
system of logistical links and connections among visitor venues.
􀁸 To be accessible to a diverse local, national, and global market.
􀁸 To create experiences and the opportunities for discovery about the region and its natural, historic, and cultural setting.

And they add:

A reasonable degree of public funding for attractions in the current economic environment and beyond is a wise investment in regional economic development and an expanded visitor industry.

Dodge City/Ford County, KS, Master Tourism Plan On-line

For Senator Roberts, Senator Brownback: pictorial help, museums versus casinos

2009-02-10T12:19:00.005-06:00

Casino

Museum

or

Museum

Casino

See the difference, Senator Sam and Senator Pat ? Different. Really.

Best, for museums, George

Dodge City Commission: Conflict of Interest Guidance

2008-12-12T07:41:00.004-06:00

Here's an excerpt from the Government Ethics: Markkula Center for Applied Ethics site, one great resource on ethics. Perhaps a discussion might start? Perhaps the City of Dodge City Commissioners might want to improve our local conflict of interest laws before spending millions and millions of dollars? Yours, Uncle George

Conflicts of Interest in Government

These materials were prepared for the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics program in Government Ethics by Senior Fellow Judy Nadler and Communications Director Miriam Schulman. The Center provides training in local government ethics for public officials.

What are conflicts of interest?

Conflicts of interest occur when an officeholder puts his or her personal or financial interest ahead of the public interest. In the simplest terms, the official reaps a monetary or other reward from a decision made in his or her public capacity.

The most common conflicts in local government happen when officeholders face a vote on real property/land use issues that affect their own holdings. Other examples include voting to grant a benefit to a company in which the officeholder owns stock or even to a non-profit organization on whose board the officeholder may sit.

When a conflict of interest is possible, an officeholder is expected to abstain from the discussion and the vote.

What do conflicts of interest have to do with ethics?

Public service is always about protecting the common good, which may be defined as the common conditions that are important to the welfare of everyone-police, fire, parks, libraries, and other services. A public servant must always put the common good ahead of any personal, financial, or political benefit they might receive from a decision about such matters as where to situate a park or who should collect the garbage.

Also, conflicts of interest interfere with the basic ethical principle of fairness-treating everyone the same. A public official should not take unfair advantage of his or her position by voting on a matter that could benefit them at the expense of others.

Finally, conflicts of interest undermine trust. They make the public lose faith in the integrity of governmental decision-making processes.

What ethical dilemmas do conflicts of interest present?

Many times, government officials honestly believe that they are not being unduly influenced by their personal stake in an issue. They may feel, to the contrary, that their interest in the matter gives them special insight into the subject. A city councilmember who ran on a platform of revitalizing the downtown, for example, may feel entirely justified in supporting measures to improve the area, even if part of the benefit of such improvement might go to their own business. They might argue that they understand the problems of a downtown business because they own one. They might claim, further, that their constituents elected them specifically to represent this interest.

But conflict of interest laws prevent such partiality. First, it's almost impossible for individuals to determine whether they are being fair when their self-interest is involved. Also, as the Institute for Local Self-Government puts it, "The law is aimed at the perception, as well as the reality, that a public officials personal interests may influence a decision." Even the appearance of impropriety undermines the public's faith that the process is fair.

Another common misconception about conflicts of interest is that officeholders are absolved of their responsibility merely by being transparent about their stake in the issue. It is not sufficient for government officials to make conflicts public. They must take themselves out of the decision-making process altogether.

This includes discussion and debate as well as actual voting. Abstention is only half the requirement. A public official is also expected to refrain from public pronouncements and private arm twisting on decisions in which he or she has an interest.

Note, also, that the interest may be personal as well as financial. Helping one's fraternal order to obtain rent-free space in a public building is a form of conflict of interest, especially if it improves one's standing in the organization. Being elected president of a community group because of such favors might prove to be in an officeholder's personal and political interest when the next election rolls around. Conversely, public office should not be used to punish one's personal and political enemies. Voting no on your annoying neighbor's reasonable zoning waiver request is another form of putting private ahead of public interest.

Serious problem, Dodge City Conflict of Interest ordinances

2008-11-24T07:01:00.006-06:00

Finally, thanks to Ken Strobel, City of Dodge City Manager and Brad Ralph, City of Dodge City Attorney, the serious issue of non-applicable conflict of interest ordinances on the Dodge City code has a possible answer -- if the Dodge City Commission decides to fix it -- and fixes it before millions and millions of tax dollars are spent on the Events Center and the infrastructure connected with it and the Casino.

According to a reply on my request for a ruling on whether the City of Dodge City conflict of interest ordinances -- see previous post -- apply to ANY city appointed volunteer committees:

City of Dodge City Code, Article 4, Chapter 1, Article 1-404(e):
(e) Conflict of Interest - No elected or appointive city official or employee, whether paid or unpaid, shall engage in any business or transaction or shall have a financial or other personal interest, direct or indirect, which is incompatible with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest or would tend to impair his or her independence of judgment or action in the performance of his or her official duties. Personal as distinguished from financial interest includes an interest arising from blood or marriage relationships or close business or political association. Specific conflicts of interest are enumerated below for the guidance of officials and employees:

Mr. Ralph states:

...There exists no definition within the city code of the term, "city official". However, the fact that this provision contemplates the city official potentially being "appointive" and "unpaid" would lead one to believe that members of city boards are, in fact, included within these provisions....

...it would seem reasonable to contemplate that members of city boards and committees would, in fact, be subject to the conflict of interest provisions found within Article 4 of the city code. However, as I have previously indicated, the code provisions are sometimes vaguely worded and may not be as clear as one would wish.

Now, time to see if Mr. Strobel and Mr. Ralph suggest a definition of "appointed city officials" and if the Dodge City Commissioners decide that ethics and codes that are applicable to city committee members -- all committees -- are wanted by them or not. If the city commissioners do nothing -- ie.,they now know that there are no conflict of interest codes which clearly apply to appointed committees, including CFAB -- then I guess that conflict of interest issues are not important to them -- I would hate to think that they may want there to be no applicable laws.

I don't want to be that negative -- so I look forward to a very fast update of the codes so that they clearly apply. If this issue matters to you, contact the City Commissioners and ask when they may fix this very glaring problem with Dodge City laws.

They can be reached at:

Monte Broeckelman
Email: mbroeckelman@yahoo.com

Jim Sherer
Email: jim.sherer@yahoo.com

E. Kent Smoll, Mayor
Email: ksmoll70@hotmail.com

Rick Sowers, Vice-Mayor
Email: rsowers@starrtech.net

Brian Weber
Email: commissionerweber@gmail.com

Yours, Uncle George

Dodge City, a town with no interest ?

2008-10-17T13:32:00.004-05:00

Currently, a request for a legal ruling on which city committee members of Dodge City are covered by the conflict of interest ordinances is slowly moving through the city attorney's office (or actually, a hired city legal advisor office) -- so it might be useful to first review the current laws -- laws that right now seem to apply to no one at all. Here's the Dodge City laws that should apply -- but, we've been told -- don't since "appointive city official or employee, whether paid or unpaid" was not a term that was defined (and I'm still waiting for a list of city employees that are not paid -- )

Dodge City Municipal Code

(e) Conflict of Interest - No elected or appointive city official or employee, whether paid or unpaid, shall engage in any business or transaction or shall have a financial or other personal interest, direct or indirect, which is incompatible with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest or would tend to impair his or her independence of judgment or action in the performance of his or her official duties. Personal as distinguished from financial interest includes an interest arising from blood or marriage relationships or close business or political association. Specific conflicts of interest are enumerated below
for the guidance of officials and employees:

(1) Incompatible Employment - No elected or appointive city official or employee shall engage in or accept private employment or render services for private interests when such employment or service is incompatible with the proper discharge of his or her official duties or would tend to impair his or her independence of judgment or action in the performance of his or her official duties.

(2) Disclosure of Confidential Information -
No elected or appointive city official or employee, shall, without proper legal authorization, disclose confidential information concerning the property, government or affairs of the city. Nor shall he or she use such information to advance the financial or other private interest of himself, herself or others.

So, the question being asked the City Attorney now is if these laws apply to ANY city committee members at all. Since a couple of the Dodge City commissioners talked much about their ethics during the election, seems to me that if no Dodge City conflict of interest laws apply to anyone, there's not much to talk about concerning ethics in Dodge.

You'll be informed as soon as that nice outside paid lawyer lets us know. Until then, guess that Dodge City has no interests to have conflicts over? Or just no laws concerning what, in most places, would be illegal involvement of appointed city officials making money off of your tax dollars -- and getting to make decisions for their own personal financial gain on how to spend those dollars.

Waiting too, Uncle George

Kansas Casino Awarded Butler National, Dodge City Casino, Ford County Kansas 5-2 decision by Kansas Gaming Casino Review Board

2008-09-26T12:58:00.003-05:00

From the Dodge City Daily Globe, Dodge City casino contract awarded to Butler National: 5 - 2 vote by Kansas Gaming Commission Casino Review Board

Butler gets the contract on a 5-2 vote. Board Chairman Matt All and Jim Bergfalk supported the D.C. Resort proposal. The other members favored Butler.

Next up, a background check.

Even I suggest that the background checks will go well for the local folks financially involved or as representatives. More interesting is how much Why Not Dodge? sales tax money will be used for the infrastructure.

Time for follow-up to great Dodge City Daily Globe article on that $34 million possible tax dollar cost (in twenty or thirty years, it might be paid back -- ) by now new managing editor Mark Vierthaler. Tax payers would be smart to get involved.

Casinos by state of Kansas gaming casino law are to use no tax money at all -- although a court has refused to rule on the use of benefits such as city water/sewer being put in 50 feet away, etc. in locations that would never be used for city property normally. This involves a huge ecological cost, too.

If Dodge City and Ford County citizens require it, cost savings would be massive if the infrastructure cost is shared and shared fairly. Butler publicly promised to pay their fair share -- I hear one third of it being the opening bid... I would go one half.

Kansas Gaming Director Stephen Martino: Higher ethics required for gambling management

2008-07-24T07:07:00.006-05:00

Stephen Martino, Kansas Racing & Gaming Commission Executive Director, gave a speech (with questions taken) to the Dodge City Rotary Club public lunch forum held Wednesday, July 23. The major keynote and theme of the speech was Mr. Martino's clear and serious statements about the ethics rules imposed on the whole KS Gaming commission -- not only can they not have any financial interest,etc., in a Kansas casino, but can't even stay at the future hotels that will part of the Ford County - Dodge City casino when built.

Stephen Martino has been in the position since appointed in 2005 by Governor Sebelius. He is a lawyer, and also founded the Kansas Responsible Gambling Alliance, "a group of state agencies and interest groups involved in responsible gambling promotion and problem gambling treatment."

It will be of interest how local conflict of interest issues affect the casino review board's decision -- Mr. Martino is not on it -- but if his speech is any indication, it wouldn't seem good for any applicant to be anywhere near any ethical or legal issues at all, let along be directly involved in a formal business manner.

The issue will be presented in the brief comment section of the July 31st public hearings in Dodge City for Butler National Services Inc. and Dodge City Gaming Inc.

Whatever the outcome, Mr. Martino was very sincere and serious about the requirement of his agency to hold to a higher ethical standard than even required by law.

Thank you for that, Stephen.

Best, Uncle George
(note: no financial connections to any of the proposals, the land, the land sales, the road construction, the water wells, none, nope.)

Dodge City Resort and Gaming Co. presentation:

2008-07-18T10:21:00.006-05:00

Dodge City Casino Presentation by Dodge City Resort and Gaming Co.

...If Dodge City Resort and Gaming's proposal is selected by the Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board for further development, the casino would be built on 281 acres in the northeast corner of the city by Highway 50. The Western-style casino would consist of 800 gaming machines, 20 gaming tables, conventions and meeting rooms, three rodeo arenas, an RV park and livestock showroom and several buildings reminiscent of Front Street in the 1880s....

...During the first year of operation, the casino developer would pay the state about $13 million in gaming revenues as well as property, local and sales taxes, said Joseph. Of that amount, $1.3 million would be split evenly between the Ford County and Dodge City....

Time that Dodge City and Ford County citizens faced facts -- $1.3 million oh boy -- with need for expanded fire, EMS and police force....... property taxes watch out. We're high anyway. Guess we're going to be higher.

Makes matters even more expensive for the Butler National Services proposal -- way out 2 miles west of town. No fire/EMS near it at all. Will require a new fire station I would bet. Money, money, money. And none of it for you or me. Darn it. Unless you're the winner at the casino. Yup, that one. Or you're the real estate CFAB chair broker for Butler National, if they get it.

Don't bet on that yet, folks. The massive complaints about conflict of interest concerning one CFAB Chair Greg Starks may take up an hour at the July 31st public statement part of the review. Might make a difference, might not.

But given the time delays that could be caused by legal action against the Events Center location, et al, I would suggest that the Kansas state review board (hi, board members) might not want to bet on income for the state of Kansas for a long time if that west location is chosen -- unless one CFAB Chair resigns before the July 31 meeting. Then, no issue.

Best, Uncle George (note: no financial connections to any of the proposals, the land, the land sales, the road construction, the water wells, none, nope.)

Dates for Dodge City/Ford County casino decision - Sept. 18-19

2008-06-09T07:08:00.003-05:00

[Note that "The emphasis throughout the process will remain on doing things in the open." There are and have been conflict of interest issues in the Dodge City decisions -- private gain planned that was clearly not discussed in the open. Since no doubt these conflict of interest issues will come up in the July public hearings in Ford County and involve the city/county CFAB committee chair -- unless Mr. Starks is off of CFAB by then -- wonder how they will play with the state?]

Gaming board's job won't be lit by neon, Hutchinson News, June 9, By Carl Manning

Deciding who will manage the four state-owned and operated casinos in Kansas won't be a task filled with glitz and glamour.

More likely, it'll be filled with non-glitzy topics such as revenue estimates, population projections and targeted markets.

By the end of September, the decisions will have been made by the seven-member Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board on the developers for a single casino each in Cherokee, Ford, Sumner and Wyandotte counties.

It's important for the board to pick the strongest proposals and the ones offering the best deals for the state. But it's just as important to do it in the open, where the public can see what's happening. Gambling automatically raises concerns for many.

Over the years, the gambling industry has worked on its image, promoting its locations as family friendly, touting its amenities, donating to various causes and making "gaming" the industry term of art.

"There is a sleaze factor associated with the gambling industry, and some of that is deserved from years ago, and they've worked hard to change that. But the sleaze factor is still there, which makes transparency even more important," said Joe Aistrup, head of Kansas State University's political science department.

He said that makes it even more important for the board to go out of its way to show that everything is on the up and up.

"They want to make sure people perceive the decision was made on the merits of each bid compared to a decision being made based on somebody lining their back pockets," Aistrup said.

Chairman Matt All, the former chief lawyer for Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, has emphasized the need for doing everything in the open. To him, transparency is the hallmark of success....

The decision about who will operate the casinos in Cherokee and Sumner counties will come Aug. 21-22 and for Wyandotte and Ford counties Sept. 18-19. Between now and then, board members will conduct public hearings, hear sales pitches from prospective casino managers, talk to their consultants and among themselves....

The emphasis throughout the process will remain on doing things in the open.

"If it gets tainted, then you have the first steps of casino gambling going down the wrong path," Aistrup said. "It could lead to some people wanting to reconsider gambling in the state and maybe legislation affecting the casinos."

Ford Co. Dodge City casino plans advance

2008-05-28T04:26:00.002-05:00

[Note that the promised donations to Western tourism venues isn't part of either presentation. Both of these Kansas companies, with local supporters, have made oral statements of a percent or so of their revenues going to help SW Kansas Western heritage tourism. Time will tell.]

Two Ford Co. casino plans advance

Developers' proposals will now move on to second round of the competition,

By Chris Green, Hutchinson News, May 28, 2008

Two developers cleared an initial hurdle Tuesday in their battle for the right to build and manage a state-owned resort casino in Ford County.

The Kansas Lottery Commission voted to endorse contracts with both Olathe's Butler National Service Corp. and Wichita's Dodge City Resort and Gaming Co. to develop a Dodge City casino with a Wild West theme. ...

Wichita attorney Steve Joseph, who leads a bid by Dodge City Resort and Gaming Co., said his group's task is to now persuade the seven-member review board to the merits of its plans.

Joseph's venture includes former Wichita Mayor Bob Knight, state media magnate Larry Steckline and his wide, former Kansas Attorney General Carla Stovall Steckline among its investors.

It plans to spend $20 million to build a temporary casino by spring 2009. It would later develop a $92.3 million permanent gaming site, complete with hotel, restaurants, shops and three rodeo arenas near the northeast corner of Dodge City.

Joseph said his group has the biggest "concept" for southwest Kansas and hopes to make Dodge City an entertainment capital in the model of Branson, Mo.

"If Branson, Missouri, can do it, Dodge City can do it, too," Joseph said.

But Clark Stewart, president and chief executive officer of Butler National, said it's his firm's plans that would be in the best interest of the state and the southwest region.

The project's manager emphasized the company's support from local officials and how the project will help Dodge City's economy and its effort to retain its young people during a presentation to the commission last week.

Butler National, hired by Dodge City's Boot Hill Gaming Inc., plans to build a $92.9 million casino in two phases near U.S. 50 on the city's western edge.

Initially, the company would open a $22.3 million interim gaming site by September 2009. It plans to complete the project, along with a 124-room hotel, restaurants and a spa, by September 2011. ...

FORD COUNTY

Butler National Service Corp.

(Boot Hill Casino and Resort)

State: 22 percent of annual casino revenues plus an additional percentage based on revenues above projections, up to 38 percent.

Ford County: 1.5 percent.

Dodge City: 1.5 percent.

Problem Gambling-Addictions Fund: 2 percent.

Dodge City Resort and Gaming Co.

(Dodge City Casino Resort)

State: 22 percent of annual casino revenues, plus 10 percent of net cash flow when revenues exceed $95 million.

Ford County: 1.5 percent.

Dodge City: 1.5 percent.

Problem Gambling-Addictions Fund: 2 percent.

Dodge City casino: some new plans & visitor numbers

2008-05-21T05:58:00.005-05:00

The Hutchinson News, May 21, has two different views of the tourism impact of the two different casino proposals for Ford County/Dodge City -- neither set of figures seems to match any research done on the Dodge City location -- research that clearly states most gamblers would be coming from within 50-100 miles from Dodge City.

With gas heading for $4.00 a gallon and higher, seems unlikely that either set of figures will be accurate. And, of course, with casinos going up all over Kansas and Oklahoma, I wouldn't want to be planning much on any of these projections. Only the State of Kansas will win in this casino building orgy, and of course, those selling the land, and constructing the buildings.

Developers present plans for new casino, Hutchinson News:

"...Butler National, hired by Dodge City's Boot Hill Gaming Inc., plans to build a $92.9 million casino, called the Boot Hill Casino and Resort...

The developers said the project would employ 654 full-time workers and could, by 2013, draw up to 418,000 annual visitors traveling from more than two hours away...

...The competing project, the Dodge City Casino Resort, ...said the casino would likely draw 1 million people per year [nee', 1 million visits], 250,000 to 300,000 of whom would come from outside the state or from more than 100 miles away. It would employ at least 377 full-time workers...."

[Compare these numbers with the 2007 research quoted often in public by one of the applicants -- before $4.00 gas -- which states:]

"In order to maintain the quality of life of the area, the additional fiscal and economic costs incurred due to a casino would need to be covered by additional governmental revenues...

"Conversely, benefit-cost ratios of 0.75 shows public benefits are only 75 percent of public costs – costs exceed benefits...

"Since gambling has been legalized and made accessible in several states, the range of pathological gamblers has increased to 1.5 to 5 percent in those states..."

"Distance from Casino in miles and
Annual Spending per Person*

0-10 $ 527.64
10-25 $ 234.23
25-50 $ 114.76
50-75 $ 66.97
75-100 $ 32.22
100-125 $ 13.37
125-150 $ 14.36
150-175 $ 8.99
175-200 $ 3.29

*Estimates by Christiansen Capital Advisors, LLC in current dollar value (2007$)

WSU_Impact_Study_on_Expansion

Best, Uncle George

Untangling the Kansas casino legal mess: Dodge City Events Center issue

2008-04-16T07:48:00.003-05:00

Questions that the various Dodge City Daily Globe articles by Mark Vierthaler on the $34 million casino infrastructure costs, forgot to ask, re: public funds paying for casino infrastructure --

From:
Untangling the Kansas casino legal mess, By Rick Alm, The Kansas City Star, April 07, 2008

The question of public financing for state-owned casinos in Kansas is a sticky one. It’s also an odd one considering that state dollars and state manpower will be expended in coming years in the state’s role as casino owner.

That dilemma hasn’t come up yet.

For now, both sides in the battle are lawyered up, and the legal briefs are flying.

A lawsuit financed in part by Topeka-based taxpayer watchdog Americans for Prosperity-Kansas has alleged that all three casino projects proposed for Kansas City, Kan., violate the state casino law’s ban on public financing of casinos.

And from same article:

Kansas’ casino law is clear: “No state or local tax abatement … no revenue bonds, tax increment financing or similar financing shall be used to finance any part of any lottery gaming enterprise or any racetrack gaming facility.

Seems that with the location of our Events Center being decided, without vote, by a member of the private casino applicant Boot Hill Gaming Inc./Butler National -- ie., CFAB Chair Greg Starks -- that the Americans for Prosperity-Kansas will have a field day when public tax money is used to pay for $34 million dollars of infrastructure NOT NEEDED by our Events Center, except that the location was suddenly moved to help the CFAB Chair's private interests. Remember that Mr. Starks, for 10-years, pushed and pulled the Events Center to the center core of the city -- where the costs would be only a fraction of the 2-miles from downtown location that he wants now -- on land he brokered, from a fellow Boot Hill Gaming Inc. board member.

That Starks had to quit the gaming board was at least finally a statement of ethical problems, but of course, after the fact of his profit.

Time for the City/County Commissions to review the location of the public Events Center or state that the cost of at least half or more of the infrastructure must be paid by one of the two casino applicants, when awarded the exclusive multi-year contract by the State of Kansas.

Lawyers are going to love this otherwise.

Signed: Uncle George

1st Annual Legends of McCarty Speedway, May 24 & 25

2008-03-28T16:26:00.002-05:00

Put it on your calender now -- 1st Annual Legends of McCarty Speedway, Dodge City Raceway Park, May 24 & 25

Both nights will feature a program of weekly racers highlighted by the "Boot Hill 1000." Details to follow.

1956 Trophy Dash Champion Race Team, No. 98 Jalopy, McCarty Speedway, Wright Park, Dodge City, KS.

Junior (Cecil) Maupin, Jr. driver, with (from l.) Hank
(Henry) Palmer, car builder; Bud Stanley, chief mechanic; Burney Faulkner and unknown -- the 1933 Ford coupe jalopy racer's first-class crew, rare in 1956. Note matching overalls and bill-less caps, and also infamous McCarty Speedway's tin fence in background.

No deaths were recorded at races on McCarty Speedway, which featured two dirt tracks -- a 1/2-mile track for motorcycles and horses, and a 1/4-mile track for cars. (Photograph courtesy: Roger and Troy Burnett, Dodge City, KS.)

Dodge City Commission Candidates & Casino $34 million infrastructure

2008-03-14T07:29:00.003-05:00

Dodge City Commission Candidate Forum, High Plain Journal conference room, Sat., March 15, 10 a.m.

Suggested by many that this public candidate forum on Saturday will be a great opportunity to ask serious questions about the possible tax payer costs and underwriting of the casino infrastructure through the Special Events Center forced location next to the for-profit privately managed state-owned casino.

It has been noted often that the major forces for this Events Center location were people directly involved (ie., CFAB Chair Greg Starks, although at the time not to the public) with the private casino related Boot Hill Gaming Inc. and thus would gain financially by the tax payers' money. It is illegal under Kansas State laws to have ANY tax money used for the casinos.

Time for potential and current city commissioners to be asked how they plan on paying for the huge increased infrastructure costs for the Events Center by the far out-of-town locations. And how that cost will be passed on to the two possible casinos.

Since the Events Center is budgeted at $30 million dollars and the casinos at over $60 million dollars or more each -- looks like at least 2/3s of the cost should be carried by the casinos, or more, since their needs for sewers (hotels, etc.) are massively different than the Events Center's.

Be sure to go to this forum and be sure to ask very pointed questions. It may be the only time that these candidates have to publicly answer.

Signed: Uncle George

Special Dodge City Commission meeting -- Monday, March 3, 5:30 p.m. -- Casinos, event center

2008-03-01T07:43:00.002-06:00

Looks like anybody wanting to hold on to their tax money better be at this one. Wonder how the casinos will pay for their infrastructure? Wonder where the water will come from? But, hey, with that $34 million infrastructure, we'll have the most expensive $30 million dollar events center in the country. Bonus?

CITY COMMISSION AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING
City Commission Chambers
Monday, March 3, 2008 5:30 p.m.
MEETING #4701

CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
BUSINESS

1. Review and Action on Butler National Memorandum of Understanding
Re: Butler National Casino/Event Center Proposal

2. Review and Action on Global Entertainment Consulting Agreement
Re: Special Event Center

3. Review and Action on Joint Communication Board Agreement Amendments

4. Review and Action on Dodge City Resort & Gaming Casino Endorsement Resolution

ADJOURNMENT

$34 million for casino/event center infrastructure -- a record ? -- money certainly not a problem for an actual county museum

2008-02-20T07:48:00.016-06:00

FORD COUNTY CASINO: Dodge City Could Pay an Estimated $33,340,000, Dodge City Daily Globe, Feb. 19, 2008

First, glad that money is just not an issue for CFAB/Dodge City Commission/Ford County Commission. That is obvious, since it is a fact that they didn't like this number being added up and put in a headline.

This may be a record, right up there with the "Big Dig" -- of potentially $34 million city tax dollars spending on infrastructure for a $30 million events center. How will they divide up the cost so that no tax money goes illegally to the casino? How does that work? Or is it not of interest to CFAB to stay within that law? How does a city file for bankrupt status? Should look that up.

Of interest is the failure by CFAB or the Dodge City Commission to plan ahead on the massive cost of putting the public event center by the casino -- in either location. Somehow, this planning was avoided until this week -- and the figures, as would be expected due to locations, are very, very high. $34 million dollars is the current estimate of the cost for water, sewer, roads for the far west location. And this figure doesn't seem to include a no-doubt necessary EMT/fire station for the west location. Costs would be similar for the east location, it was said.

What is sad is that the $10 million or so needed for an actual Ford County Museum with archive has been ignored as being to expensive by the same CFAB/City/County boards. It is just history -- not the 'fun' of gambling.

That makes it clear where the priorities are -- non-productive gaming wins over protecting history for the future. Perhaps the voters will keep this in mind in questions asked of the candidates for Dodge City Commission this spring.

As one that will not go into the casino (although, due to conventions, I have been in casinos in other states more than a few times -- I don't care if people want to throw their money away -- I just don't like to watch it happening, and don't consider it "entertainment"), the massive cost to Dodge City/Ford County of the casino's need for water, et al, negates the value of having the casino here -- except for those few companies and persons building it, servicing it, et al.

Seems that the cost of the infrastructure needs to carried by the for-profit casinos, not the event center. The location of the event center should be, again, reconsidered. And since the court order makes it necessary to build it before any other use of the Why Not Dodge! money, that location will mean the difference between a few million dollars and $34 million dollars for the tax payers.

Sorry to say, property taxes will be affected no matter what is being said now -- there is not enough sales tax money on-going to cover that huge cost, and build the events center -- and certainly not to get it done for an events center before the agri expo center (when did we vote on that ?) or a water park (again, was that in the vote?), as the judge requires.

Signed: Uncle George

Ford County Casino Proposal from Dodge City Gaming Inc.

2008-01-26T09:00:00.000-06:00

Dodge City Gaming Inc. proposal includes free land for county/city, horse barns, rodeo area, and 3 percent for non-profit tourism venues.

Endorsement Postponed: Commissioners to decide on casino endorsement at later joint city, county meeting, Dodge City Daily Globe, Jan. 23, 2008

Proposal from the Wichita-based Dodge City Gaming Inc. includes free land for the city to build our events center, something not in the current Butler Services proposal. Dodge City Gaming Inc. also welcomes horses, rodeo, the Old West. This means that a second expo center currently under discussion by CFAB would not be necessary, saving millions.

The location suggested by Dodge City Gaming Inc. is on the north east side of Dodge City, north of the highway, near Ave. P, a location that will not require a new fire/emergency building, again saving a lot of dollars for the tax payers of Ford County.

The state of Kansas will have two solid proposals for consideration, and both include money for non-profit venues, Boot Hill, et al. Guess it is a good bet, so to speak, that Ford County and Dodge City can save a lot of money by having the free land for the Events Center -- no doubt Butler can match this offer in the future.

Boot Hill Museum struggles with attendance, Museum has received $775,000 in local sales tax money

2008-01-22T16:32:00.000-06:00

stuggle
"Over the past four years, the Boot Hill Museum has received $775,000 in local sales tax money to keep it afloat, according to figures from City Hall.

"But some local officials wonder what the museum, founded in 1947 as a tribute to the heritage that has made Dodge City known throughout the world as a symbol of the Old West, has done to improve its financial viability....

"The last Kansas Humanities grant Boot Hill has applied for was a 1991 mini-grant for a one-night speaker, according to a Humanities Council database dating back to 1991...."

Boot Hill Museum struggles with attendance, Dodge City Daily Globe, January 20, 2008

It is good to finally see some public figures on Boot Hill Museum's budget -- first time for most of us, including Dodge City Commission. Thanks to Mark Vierthaler, Daily Globe reporter, for getting those facts somehow.

Time for Boot Hill to actually reach out to the community, become transparent in their operation, and get going on fund raising, grant applications, advice gathering from state and national museum professionals in Dodge City -- all normal for every successful museum.

[Important note: the figures on historical attendance have grown and grown over the years -- no actual solid figures exist. Urban legend would indicate a few hundred thousand per year in the 1960s, but the 300,000 figures for later decades are not to be believed, and are not fair to the current management of Boot Hill Museum Inc.]

Signed: Uncle George

Gambling decisions are ‘not for sale’

2008-01-11T06:40:00.000-06:00

Gambling decisions are ‘not for sale,’ leader says, Lawrence Journal-World, Jan. 11, 2008

Stephen Martino, executive director of the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, also says that nothing would be left to chance in the process for choosing precisely which companies will get the exclusive contracts to build, develop and operate such state-sponsored gambling centers.

“This process is not for sale,” Martino said. “It’s going to be squeaky clean.”

And that should be interesting for us all to learn from in Western Kansas, don't you think....

Dodge City Casino: Third applicant - Epic Gaming, Las Vegas

2007-12-29T15:45:00.000-06:00

Update 07 January 2008: Kansas Lottery Commission voted unanimously to deny Ford County Commission's request for extension which would have enabled Epic Gaming's application to be accepted.

Casino developer asks county for extension, Dodge City Daily Globe, Dec. 29

"A developer who missed the deadline to file an application with the Kansas Gaming Commission to build a casino in Ford County is now requesting an extension. The Las Vegas-based company Epic Gaming asked the Ford County Board of Commission on Friday to petition the Gaming Commission for an extension, and the commissioners agreed.

"They had the application physically on the premises, but the Lottery Commission didn't feel like they could receive it because it was shortly after 5 o'clock," said Dave Snapp, a Dodge City attorney representing Epic Gaming. "Of course, we think it's in the best interest of the public that you look at all qualified proposals...."

Surprised that the Ford County Commission could have an unannounced meeting for this approval? Always thought that would take an emergency? Means none of the applicants can be turned down by Ford County/Dodge City Commissions, that's for sure.

And now, really, no Event Center can be built until location of the casino is known -- or we build the smaller version down south by race track. Glad that CFAB is thinking about a more affordable Events Center, something under $10 million or so. Then we won't need the sales tax anymore.

Second Dodge City casino application: Dodge City Resort and Gaming Co

2007-12-27T05:08:00.000-06:00

Lottery receives second Dodge City casino application, Hutchinson News, Dec. 27, 2007

"Dodge City Resort and Gaming Co., based in Wichita, was the second applicant to beat Wednesday's deadline for submitting a Ford County gambling proposal to the Kansas Lottery. It will compete with Butler National Service Corp., of Olathe, for a contract to build and manage the casino for the Lottery.

"The new applicant's president is Steve Joseph, a Wichita attorney who also is representing prospective developers of a Sumner County casino. He said he had caught "green felt fever" and believes Dodge City can develop into a tourism destination like Branson, Mo.

"To me, the best place to do this is Dodge City," Joseph said during a telephone interview. "It's a brand name."

Boot Hill Gaming Inc changing to Boot Hill Gaming Development LLC ?

2007-12-20T07:02:00.000-06:00

Just noted a new corporation listed by State of Kansas, formed in August:

BOOT HILL GAMING DEVELOPMENT, LLC 6195473
Current Mailing Address: 2408 6th Ave., DODGE CITY, KS 67801
Agent: Jeff Thorpe
Formed August 19, 2007
On-line at: http://www.accesskansas.org/srv-corporations/getRecord.do?number=6195473

or about the same week that CFAB Chair Greg Starks left Boot Hill Gaming Inc. -- wonder who is on the board of Boot Hill Gaming Development, LLC?

The State of Kansas doesn't show that on-line, just that Mr. Thorpe is resident agent for the limited liability company. This company's name hasn't been brought up in the meetings about the casino proposal, by the way. It, no doubt, will be.

Dodge City Resort and Gaming Co -- Where does Dodge City Events Center go now ?

2007-12-19T05:09:00.000-06:00

[Given the very public position taken by Ford County Commission and Dodge City Commission members that the Events Center 'should' go by the Casino -- not agreed to by many others, but -- guess nothing can be built until the State of Kansas decide which Casino applicant gets their approval.]

Coalition to submit casino application
By Jon Ruhlen - The Hutchinson News, Dec. 19, 2007

DODGE CITY - The deadline for casino applications in Ford County is fast approaching, but at least one company has announced that it will throw its hat in the ring.

A coalition of Kansas businessmen known as the Dodge City Resort and Gaming Co., headed by Wichita attorney Steve Joseph, has its staffers working overtime through the holidays to prepare a 1,500-page document for submission to the Kansas Lottery Commission.

The deadline for applications is Dec. 26. So far, the only company that has submitted an application to build and operate the casino has been the Olathe-based Butler National Corp., which submitted an application in September.

Joseph said the Dodge City Resort proposal, much like the Butler proposal, will be centered around a Wild West theme. It will likely include a 100-room hotel and ample space for commercial and retail partnerships.

Joseph said the proposal will also be aimed at drawing Western-themed attractions to the region - especially rodeos.

"We don't see why Dodge City shouldn't be the rodeo capital of the world," Joseph said. "Talk about a ready-made brand. It's the West - Dodge City."

Joseph said the company has an option on 280 acres of land on the northeast corner of Dodge City. The property, owned by retired local banker John Harding, is bordered by 112 Road on the west and 113 Road on the east. It extends north from U.S. 50 for one-half mile."

CFAB Meeting, Dec. 20, 5:30 p.m., Dodge City Hall Commission Room

2007-12-18T19:41:00.001-06:00

Community Facilities Advisory Board Agenda, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007 5:30 p.m.

City Hall Commission Chambers

[Note: No groups have been invited to submitted requests for the 15% of the CFAB tax allowed for Western tourism venues (per the Wichita Judge), but Boot Hill is on agenda -- when was an invitation to apply sent out ? Was one ? Why not ?

Also note the mini- events center -- ie., expo center -- being discussed without public meetings and without any action being taken on the Events Center per the Judge's orders]

NEW BUSINESS

Financial Report. Presented by Nannette Pogue, City Clerk

Dodge City Raceway Park: World of Outlaws contract. Presented by Ken Strobel, City Manager

Boot Hill Grant Request. Presented by Lance Nichols, Acting Chair

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Legends Park Improvements. Presented by Paul Lewis, Director of Parks and Recreation

Expo Committee Update. Presented by Ed Elam, Ford County Administrator

Update: meeting date not announced, Long Branch Gaming Co. casino application

2007-12-09T17:26:00.000-06:00

UPDATE: "Dodge City Resort and Gaming Company, the arm of Wichita-based Long Branch Gaming looking to develop in Ford County, may not seek the city and county endorsement before they submit their proposal to the Kansas Gaming Commission." per Dodge City Daily Globe, Dec. 16.

Per the Dodge City Daily Globe, Dec. 8, 2007:
A representative from Long Branch Gaming Company said Thursday afternoon that his company has a proposal ready to present to the two commissions, in an effort to receive an endorsement.

Steve Joseph, Long Branch's representative, said members of the company had met with Ford County Chairman Kim Goodnight, Dodge City Mayor Kent Smoll and City Manager Ken Strobel over the past two weeks, laying out the company's intentions.

This is a Wichita, KS company; Steve Joseph is active in Wichita community events, and businesses.

Of interest, statements that seem to be concerned about this being a 'last minute' presentation -- given the few days notice, and no public comment, for the first applicant, Butler National Services Inc., based in Olathe, KS, and the approval of an unfinished and unread agreement between the city and Butler -- there should be no issue about the weeks involved in this presentation being brought to the Dodge City Commission and Ford County Commission. The first applicant got approved in record speed, for sure.

The state of Kansas will decide the final winner in the casino race. That should be the only issue, now with two legitimate applicants in the gate.

Again, per the Daily Globe:
City commissioners said they would have to handle the new proposal delicately. If the commissions refused the endorsement, it could look as though they were playing favoritism for a local developer. Conversely, if the commissions gave an automatic guarantee, they could be construed as not caring who builds in the area.

Remember that the Mayor and the County Commission Chair were both on the private Boot Hill Gaming Inc. board -- which did not apply. Although the Ford County Chair approved the related Butler National Service (ie.) Gaming Inc. applicant -- the Mayor was not at the meeting -- and both had resigned from the Boot Hill Gaming Inc. board -- it was actually a Dodge City Commission decision legally, due to land suddenly being in the city limits.

And, of course, the Butler National proposal plans on buying land, quickly annexed into Dodge City at the same meeting, from Joe Bogner, Boot Hill Gaming Board member.

(Note that neither applicant is 'local' although Butler used a local spokesman, Jeff Thorpe, at earlier meetings. His business relationship to Butler was not stated.)

[Related: Question: Was Dodge City Commission vote on Friday legal?]

Signed: Uncle George

Dodge City Police Docket book: Coverage grows except in Dodge City

2007-11-27T13:05:00.000-06:00

Thanks again to the Hutchinson (KS) News for their coverage of the missing Dodge City Police Docket. Due to that article and an editorial, coverage around the country has grown -- from Kansas City, Hays and Lawrence to Phoenix and Topeka, in many other Kansas papers, and the High Plains Journal -- and on many blogs, including Tom Goodrich's Wild West Magazine blog.

Guess that proves, at least to me, that the Dodge City brand name is still of value -- these papers normally can't get Dodge City and Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson all in the same AP article.

Oddly, still no local paper coverage -- yet.

Original article by Jon Ruhlen:
Dodge City aims to regain artifact: Historic docket book turns up in Arizona , Hutchinson News

Some of the Associated Press Coverage:

Dodge City seeks to regain artifact
-- Lawrence Journal World
Dodge City seeks to regain old police docket
-- Topeka Capital-Journal
A piece of Dodge City’s storied past has gotten away -- Kansas City Star
Old West ledger turns up at auction -- Arizona Daily Star

Stolen history and help from Hutchinson News

2007-11-19T06:28:00.000-06:00

Thanks to the Hutchison News for coverage of the missing City of Dodge City Police Docket book, found ready to be auctioned in Arizona. The Hutch News article and editorial [Property of Dodge: Historic logbook belongs to the people] have helped move legal action to get back our historical 'gold' and protect it.

Western Tourism is based on having real artifacts and objects. Protecting those items for the future is a responsibility for all of us involved in the history of our unique region.

Sadly, local coverage of our attempt to get back Dodge City's historical document has been missing.

Again, thanks goes to Jon Ruhlen for his professional work . Dodge City aims to regain artifact: Historic docket book turns up in Arizona

Signed, Uncle George

PS: note that many emails were sent over weeks in an attempt to get full cooperation from Mr. Brian Lebel and his auction house to get back the Docket. The private attempts failed prior to the news article and a full press attack. The City Manager was copied on all of these. Some worry that the docket 'went away' due to the news article, but that article was done after all other attempts had failed.

Of interest: Butler folds on Edwardsville casino application

2007-11-14T07:09:00.000-06:00

Thursday, November 1, 2007

"Butler folds on Edwardsville casino application

On Thursday, the Olathe-based company (Bulletin Board: BUKS) asked the city's planning commission to pull its zoning application for a development that could include a casino, according to a city release.

"The request related to a 140-acre site on Riverview Avenue, southwest of Interstates 70 and 435. Butler said Oct. 10 that its proposal for the site could include a casino, hotel, indoor ski slope and other amenities, but that the indoor ski slope was its only interest at that time. ..."

Kansas City Business Journal

CFAB, Thursday, Nov. 1 meeting -- Race Track, 2nd Events Center, Budgets for Tourism Venues

2007-10-30T19:14:00.000-05:00

Community Facilities Advisory Board Agenda
November 1, 2007
5:30 p.m.
City Hall Commission Chambers

ROLL CALL

CONSENT CALENDAR

1. Approval of minutes of September 20, 2007 meeting

NEW BUSINESS

1. Race Track Subcommittee - Proposed Promoter Agreement, report by Ken Strobel, City Manager
2. Race Track Subcommittee - Proposed Capital Improvements for Race Track, report by Ken Strobel, City Manager
3. Southwest Sports Agreement Amendment, report by Ken Strobel, City Manager
4. Capital Improvements for Athletic Fields, report by Paul Lewis, Park & Recreation Director
5. Organizational Funding, report by Nannette Pogue, Director of Finance
6. 2008 Budget Approval, report by Ken Strobel, City Manager and Nannette Pogue, Director of Finance
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Expo Center Sub Committee Update, Ed Elam, Chair
2. Tourism Master Plan Update, Ken Strobel, City Manager
3. Casino Development Update, Ken Strobel, City Manager
4. Dodge Theater Option Update, Ken Strobel, City Manager
ADJOURNMENT

Future use of public tax funds; Why Not Museum!

2007-10-23T07:08:00.000-05:00

Next steps being discussed for sales tax money through CFAB committee, et al., include having a second event center to replace and expand the 4-H type facility as we currently have next to Wright Park, Dodge City, KS -- to be built east of the race track (with Great Western Trail, Rath Trail and Custer Trail head end area protected; other projects no doubt are being thought about by all involved.

Also on the table, supported by a group of good people and groups, is building a world-class small archive and museum exhibit building -- an actual county museum. An archive, of course, that has a very protected, secured and controlled environment. It has to be different than just a display area. It has to be new. The city-owned corner that T.M. Deal Lumber was on -- from Spruce to Vine along 3rd Street, a half block from Boot Hill Museum -- would be one great location.

The exhibit area, by being a controlled and planned area, could benefit from national and state traveling exhibits, keeping costs lower. It would not compete with the very defined area of coverage at Boot Hill Museum. It would allow some of the costs and museum professional burdens of protecting the large collection at Boot Hill that is not on exhibit to be shared -- and their archive to be protected in a current best practice.

It would add coverage with selected areas -- Santa Fe Depot, Fred Harvey, the Mexican Village, Racing, WWI troop movements, Dust Bowl, WWII Army Air Base, Great Arkansas Flood, the beef industry -- perhaps 5 - 6 nice exhibit areas that could add and rotate in these and related very popular history subject areas.

It would benefit from the possible and discussed combination with the wonderful archive and library at the Kansas Heritage Center. The space there limits additional collections. Staff combination would lower the cost to already existing staff position in both Boot Hill Museum and the Kansas Heritage Center. The massive volunteer time of groups and persons already being invested could more easy continue and expand, with professionals at hand.

It would allow the proper storage and protection of boxes of documents now stored, with some in banks. Some of these are among the most unique Old West original documents and research that exist. More outstanding items would more easily be donated to a facility with this level of care being guaranteed to the donors.

Without taking more space, those of us involved in this discussion can assure you that this combination of these archives -- without changes of ownership for the non-profit groups -- into one proper space, along with a few very well done exhibits and national level traveling exhibits -- would become and remain a necessary visit from any serious student or tourist of the American West.

Signed: Uncle George

Dodge City Casino: (Sic et non; Yes and No)

2007-09-30T09:22:00.001-05:00

1) Boot Hill Gaming Inc. is the applicant. (Sic et non; Yes and No)

They seemed to be the applicant until the applicant, Butler National Services Gaming Inc. applied. Now, they aren't in the application at all.

2) Jeff Thorpe speaks for Boot Hill Gaming Inc. (Sic et non; Yes and No)

Mr. Thorpe seemed to speak for Boot Hill Gaming Inc. when he spoke to the Kansas Legislative committee on the casino bill, but now seems to be speaking for Butler National Services Gaming Inc., although never stated in what financial relationship.

3) Boot Hill Museum Inc. will benefit directly from casino. (Sic et non; Yes and No)

Boot Hill Museum Inc., which at the time owned Boot Hill Gaming Inc. which at the time had the Ford Commission Chair and the Dodge City Mayor and the Chair of the CFAB Committee on its board -- a major point in getting the casino bill to re-include Ford County, all the community involved and money to Boot Hill Museum -- but now with a whole different applicant, many board members leaving Boot Hill Gaming Inc. and Boot Hill Museum now just in one of the 22-counties that is to received money from an unnamed to-be-Incorporated non-profit, hard to say.

4) Greg Starks not on CFAB due to conflicts of interest. (Sic et non; Yes and No)

Mr. Starks seems to be both on and off of the committee. Again, what it means and is it legal has not been questioned by any of the City Commission, etc.

Confused ? We know we are. If it didn't deal with $30 million in tax money (that's public money, folks), it would just be amusing. Since it does directly affect your Events Center (ie., Butler didn't want horses near their casino, so no horses ... duh, is this the Old West or what ?)

Stay tuned. [Sic et Non, an early scholastic text whose title translates from Latin as "Yes and No," was written by Peter Abelard. It juxtaposes apparently contradictory quotations from the Church Fathers on many of the traditional topics of Christian theology, circa 1200.]

Question: Was Dodge City Commission vote on Friday legal ?

2007-09-25T16:06:00.000-05:00

Questions have been forwarded about the sudden meeting and vote of support for the Butler National Services Gaming casino proposal by the Dodge City Commission -- we don't know if it was legal -- guess the City Manager/City Attorney thought so -- but....

1) The meeting wasn't announced but a few days ahead of time;

2) The vote was made on an unfinished and unread (Sowers: "I haven't read it") 4-page motion without a number;

3) The annexation of the land involved wasn't yet legal due to the fact that it had not been published, a requirement of Kansas law, so the land wasn't in Dodge City yet, but was still in Ford County.

We don't know. Seems odd, for sure. Leave it up to lawyers later, I guess.

But 1, 2, and 3, are facts. As long as the City of Dodge City is fair to all (or any) other applicants, it shouldn't be an issue -- if Dodge City Commission is unfair -- lawyers will love it.

Butler National Services Gaming: Part Two: Donate Land

2007-09-22T05:43:00.000-05:00

One other question that didn't get ask by the Dodge City commission of Butler National Service (aka, Butler Gaming) -- given that Why Not Dodge tax funds will be used to prepare the land up to fifty feet from the possible casino -- ie., $4-5 million or more to put in roads, water, utilities, et al. -- often the quid pro quo is that the private land is donated to the cities involved.

Why didn't Mr. Sowers or Mr. Lee or Mr. Lembright ask about that ? (Mayor Smoll and Mr. Sherer were not at the meeting, by the way -- seems odd that the meeting couldn't be scheduled with all the commission present, but did avoid the questions about Smoll being on the Boot Hill Gaming board until recently and Sherer being on Boot Hill Museum board, etc.)

Donating the 33 acres (out of 400 Butler said they purchased) to the City of Dodge City for the Event Center would be a great way to 'pay' Butler Casino's share of this millions of dollars for improvements, won't it.

Since the Events Center is to be built years before the casino, I guess that buying that 33 acres from Butler would be much better for their cash flow, so no doubt not an idea that Butler Gaming wanted to talk about. However, the lack of any questions of meaning after the presentation -- is the casino going to be built with 'green' design elements, for example -- or with reduced water usage -- those also went unasked.

And no questions were asked at all about this new unnamed foundation Mr. Thorpe talked about that promises to help 22 counties, etc., and Boot Hill Museum, too. Seems like foundations make fees for managing money. That is a good question, also -- who will make money from this or will it be done volunteer with no fees?

Casino presentation -- need each citizen of SW Ks to come 10 times each year: half Latino

2007-09-21T18:06:00.000-05:00

The over 1,000,000 visits a year to the casino required in the presentation by Butler National Services (ie, Butler National Gaming), means that over half of the visitors will be, of course, Latino. The ethic food area of the casino, it would seem, would be Mexican food. And of course, the 600 part-time and full-time workers -- goes without saying, that most will be speaking Spanish.

But, with no non-Anglo members of the city at the meeting today, this wasn't asked about -- nor was Boot Hill Museum promised anything directly in the presentation -- just a promise that a new, unnamed foundation would take money and distribute it to 22 counties -- no names, no officers, no nothing else official or yet on paper. Even the resolution voted on didn't have a number -- must have been some emergency to have such a fast meeting, huh.

That 90 percent or more of the profit made at the casino will go out of the county was not asked about, either.

There was talk of "high-roller" special rooms -- where people that didn't want to be seen, might gamble -- stars ?

Hey, this is going to be funny. More tomorrow after I stop laughing. By the way, Boot Hill Gaming, although the name was used, doesn't seem to be making the presentation anymore ? Can't be sure what's up with that corporation now.

Joint City/County Meeting, September 21, 2007 5:00 p.m.

2007-09-20T11:05:00.000-05:00

City/County endorsement of Boot Hill Gaming/Butler National Casino Management Application Proposal

Gee, guess no else needs to apply, huh. Wonder if the previous business connections between the city commissioner (Smoll), the county commissioner (Goodnight - on Boot Hill Board, too) and Boot Hill Gaming Inc. might be an issue -- no wait -- they aren't (currently) on that Boot Hill Gaming Board [and it seems that Jeff Thorpe speaks for Butler National Gaming, an out of town business].

That other applicants might have a better offer for the city/county must not be important to the commissioners. If I were another applicant, I would bring a lawyer right away. Should be fun going. Can Smoll and Goodnight even vote on the issue -- but wait, that involves ethics, never mind. And what are we annexing ? Joe Bogner's land [Yes] ? [Update: at Thursday meeting, no word at all about funding from casino to Boot Hill Museum, at least not stated directly?]

AGENDA
Joint City/County Meeting
City Commission Chambers
Friday, September 21, 2007 5:00 p.m.
SPECIAL MEETING

City Approval of Annexation Ordinance No. 3438

NEW BUSINESS

1. City/County endorsement of Boot Hill Gaming/Butler National Casino Management Application Proposal

CFAB Meeting, Thursday, Sept. 20, City Hall, 7 pm

2007-09-19T17:46:00.000-05:00

Update, post meeting:

Boot Hill Gaming was not there [seems the Dodge City Globe reporter didn't hear Thorpe], but rather Jeff Thorpe, for Butler National Gaming -- not sure if he works for them or just has financial interest -- it wasn't made clear how he is Butler spokesman ? Butler wants to build casino maybe sometime next to events center -- that buys land from Butler [there's some capital] -- and then city pays for utilities up to 50 feet from casino -- that will save Butler millions. Also Butler doesn't want horses around so events center won't have horses. Butler should donate land for events center in return for all that savings, but that wasn't brought up.

Boot Hill Museum indicated that they will need $150,000 or so for next year, as they did this year. No action taken. They only have "100-ish" members, and did not talk about membership drives or fund raising, etc., normal for museums that need money.

Butler wants city/county commissions to back them before any other applicants make presentations, cut them off at the pass as it were.

Butler states they will have only 100 hotel rooms (much less than experts recommend), and a number of restaurants, one a buffet, one a (oh-boy) "upscale steak house." And retails stores. Bye-bye downtown Dodge. Bye-bye local restaurants. But then the Supreme Court of Kansas refuses to review that casino case yesterday -- adds months and months to anyone building anything to do with casinos.

CFAB member Ann Torrey even asked -- "what happens if we build the Events center next to a casino that doesn't get built?" Yep, that's a thought, Ann -- and an Events center that now will not have room for horses. So we'll need another events center after the first one and in addition to the civic center -- And that's a lot of money, folks.

Of concern is that Butler has a small profit for the 3-months ending Jan. 31, 2007 http://www.secinfo.com/dFf8.uc.htm --
$190,412 -- how they will be able to build $50 million casino is confusing.

And, yes, it is casino bud joe's land that is to be annexed by city, even before they know which applicant will build casino.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Of interest, given that this is CFAB (sans Greg Starks ?), that Boot Hill and Boot Hill Gaming are both making presentations. Citizens may want to come hear about their $30 million events center in this mix.

Community Facilities Advisory Board Agenda
September 20, 2007
City Hall Commission Chambers

NEW BUSINESS

Financial Report-Nannette Pogue, City Clerk

Status of Boot Hill Museum - Lara Brehm

Tourism Master Plan update - Heberling Assoc. Inc. - Ken Strobel, City Manager/City Attorney

Negotiation with Mike Burkhart update - Dodge Theater and adjacent buildings

Boot Hill Gaming - Jeff Thorpe

CFAB: Dodge City Raceway Park promoter steps down

2007-09-07T14:30:00.000-05:00

Dodge City Raceway Park promoter steps down

"...I was happy to see the successes we had," he said. "I enjoyed working with people down at the track. But I just wasn't the right fit to be a city employee."

City manager and legal counsel Ken Strobel was unavailable for comment Thursday.

__________________________

And CFAB wonders why we worry about them deciding about spending $30 million on an Events Center -- same CFAB chair Greg Starks -- can we say asphalt track -- that made all the earlier decisions. Gee, wonder how much more the track will cost this year ?

Community Facilities Advisory Board (CFAB) Membership

2007-08-31T06:09:00.000-05:00

The Community Facilities Advisory Board was created to develop, plan, coordinate, initiate, oversee and provide advice and recommendations concerning the location, acquisition, construction, completion and operations of the ‘Why Not Dodge’ Projects. The Committee consists of one County Commissioner, one City Commissioner, four at-large members, and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation or his/her designee

Dodge City, KS - Official Website - CFAB

Greg Starks resigns CFAB -- or, not ?

2007-08-24T10:53:00.000-05:00

Greg Starks, rather late, resigns from the CFAB Committee -- or not -- says in the Dodge City Daily Globe "Starks steps down as CFAB head" that he is taking a "temporary leave of absence from the board ?"

I don't remember the "temporary not on the committee" part of the city rules ? Seems you are either on a committee or not. Either the committee has the number of voting members required or not, and the agreement between the city and the county on the Why Not Dodge projects certainly has the number of required members on CFAB in it.

Any one know about rules on this ?

Given the previous major impact of Mr. Starks and Boot Hill Gaming on the possible location of the Events Center (and our $30 million dollars in tax money)-- especially without full disclosure on his legal involvement on the Boot Hill Gaming board -- having a full committee should be the rule. Not just "don't look behind the curtain" style of committee membership.

Let your commission members know that a full CFAB is critical as we start to actually make decisions on how to spend a very large amount of tax money.

Jim Sherer
e-mail address: jim.sherer@yahoo.com
E. Kent Smoll
email address: ksmoll70@hotmail.com
Jim Lembright
email address: jlembright@cox.net
Rick Sowers
email address: rsowers@starrtech.net
Terry Lee
e-mail address: commissionerterrylee@yahoo.com

Update: correction re Kent Smoll & conflict

2007-08-17T15:16:00.000-05:00

A few boards and blogs (not this one) have suggested that Mr. Smoll's client list includes Joe Bogner and Jim Coffin. This is not true. Mr. Smoll is not involved in business with either. It is only fair that this be pointed out.

Updated: Boot Hill Museum -- always a bridemaid, never the bride

2007-08-16T17:33:00.000-05:00

Update: Jeff Thorpe states Butler Gaming applicant (nee, Boot Hill Gaming, Inc.) will include Boot Hill Museum Inc. and an unnamed, being organized, non-profit related to tourism for percentage of profit of the casino. Next update: When applications are made.

Boot Hill Museum cutting Boot Hill Gaming Inc. [See above update] Boot Hill Museum Inc., Boot Hill Gaming Inc. subsidiary looking at split

Several people who served on Boot Hill Gaming's board, including Ford County Commission Chairman Kim Goodnight, Dodge City Mayor Kent Smoll and former City Manager Jeff Pederson, have stepped down to avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest.

Community Facilities Advisory Board Chairman Greg Starks resigned from the Boot Hill Gaming board last month after the CFAB expressed interest in building the special events center alongside the casino.

[Update: Jeff Thorpe has promised that Boot Hill Gaming Inc./Butler Gaming Inc. will apply for casino management, based on guaranteed money to Boot Hill Museum Inc.

Still an issue: that your $30 million in tax money will be sent to the casino -- mini-Civic Center --

Greg Starks resigns Boot Hill Gaming Inc. -- wrong board for him to leave

2007-08-15T15:59:00.000-05:00

At least Mr. Starks has publically quit Boot Hill Gaming Inc. board (per Dodge City Daily Globe) -- but clearly, he should have been made to leave CFAB Board and Chair position. Now that he is done with pushing the much smaller, for the casino's profit, Events Center, he has cleared his plate for the moment.
Starks said Tuesday he felt uncomfortable with his dual roles on the CFAB and the Boot Hill Gaming board, and he wanted to separate himself from that because sales tax money cannot be used for the casino project. "I didn't want anything to be suspect," he said.

But there were some local laws that were overlooked a long, long time. And it is a little late for concerns about "suspect" decisions made by CFAB/Starks/Boot Hill Gaming Inc. -- ie. location of your tax built mini-events center. [Key points in bold.]

Dodge City Municipal Code

(e) Conflict of Interest - No elected or
appointive city official or employee, whether paid or unpaid, shall engage in any business or transaction or shall have a financial or other personal interest, direct or indirect, which is incompatible with the proper
discharge of his or her duties in the public interest or
would tend to impair his or her independence of judgment
or action in the performance of his or her official
duties. Personal as distinguished from financial interest
includes an interest arising from blood or marriage
relationships or close business or political association.
Specific conflicts of interest are enumerated below
for the guidance of officials and employees:

(1) Incompatible Employment - No elected or
appointive city official or employee shall engage in or
accept private employment or render services for private interests when such employment or service is incompatible with the proper discharge of his or her official duties or would tend to impair his or her independence of judgment or action in the performance of his or her official duties.

(2) Disclosure of Confidential Information -
No elected or appointive city official or employee, shall,
without proper legal authorization, disclose confidential
information concerning the property, government or affairs
of the city. Nor shall he or she use such information to
advance the financial or other private interest of
himself, herself or others.

And the lucky winner is -- Budweiser Joe

2007-08-14T12:35:00.000-05:00

As we reported earlier, Casino Budweiser Joe Bogner -- as reported in the Dodge City Daily Globe -- is one lucky guy on that land sale -- why not with all those connections. Hey, he didn't even vote for his own sell/purchase -- something Mr. Starks just doesn't get.

Speaking of just not getting things, seems that some Dodge City Commissioners think you got to make money to have a conflict of interest. As we posted earlier -- no, you do not have to make money -- the potential is enough for conflict under the Kansas Attorney General rulings. (See: Kansas: definition of substantial interest

Which one of the tourism venues cut out of CFAB money by Greg Starks should officially ask the City Manager/City Attorney/ etc. to rule on CFAB Chair/Boot Hill Gaming Inc. Board Member Starks -- whether he can legally vote for anything connected with any potential benefits to the casino, ie., the location of the Events Center.

Contest: Is this first time the Daily Globe noted G. Starks being on Boot Hill Gaming board ?

2007-08-10T12:38:00.001-05:00

From Aug. 10, 2007, Dodge City Daily Globe:

"During the Community Facilities Advisory Board's July meeting, Chairman Greg Starks (an active member of Boot Hill Gaming) and other members showed interest in developing the special events center alongside a state-run casino, which Ford County voters approved June 26.

"Dodge City Commissioner Rick Sowers said aside from the possibility of cross-marketing the events center with the casino, the city could also save money on infrastructure costs if the two are close to each other.

"Sowers said he was optimistic about the future development of the events center with Global as well as possibly working with a casino developer.

"My hope is we can all move forward as a community," Sowers said. "I hope we can finally put all this bitterness and mistrust behind us."
Future undecided: Hotly debated special events center the final piece of the ‘Why Not Dodge?’ puzzle, By Mark Vierthaler

Contest -- is this the first time that the Daily Globe pointed out Mr. Stark's membership in the casino applicant Boot Hill Gaming Inc. ?

How do the groups that will not use a casino meeting room feel about "moving forward"?

New Dodge City manager -- What's going on ... ?

2007-08-08T09:47:00.000-05:00

According to the Dodge City Daily Globe today -- Ken Strobel is now both city manager and city attorney. To bad that Dodge City can't get a trained manager -- but then, also wonder what city commissioners, or their clients, Ken has represented ? Any ?

Really weird all around. And no public hearings at all -- Public -- just keep paying those taxes -- city commission doesn't need your thoughts on change in professional operations of the city -- and I bet that the City Manager is never in trouble legally with the City Attorney -- any takers ? And, of course, what this may mean for casino applicants (outside of Boot Hill Gaming Inc.) getting fair treatment by city is open question -- especially with the Dodge City Mayor and the Ford County Commission chair having both recently resigned from that board ?

Makes your heart warm when good things happen to good people

2007-07-30T14:34:00.000-05:00

Can't name names yet, but it seems that good things have happened, almost out of the blue, to good people, re: land sales for Event/Casino Center.

Stay tuned as we found out what lucky fellow has sold land to the Dodge City/Boot Hill Gaming Inc./CFAB/Ford County Commission -- hard to know which name should come first each time, isn't it ?

Only millions of dollars involved of public money. Hey, nice to see a fellow get a break, huh?

Boot Hill Gaming controls CFAB -- "agreement in concept" ?

2007-07-28T20:38:00.000-05:00

"Boot Hill Gaming currently has an agreement in concept for the option for purchase of lands for a hotel and casino. The 390-acre tract of land is located at the west end of the U.S. 50 bypass.

The Community Facilities Advisory Board has already agreed that an ideal location for the special events center would be next to the casino. The board hopes to work with the casino's management company in the future to make that possible, according to CFAB Chairman Greg Starks."
Dodge City Globe Article

And Boot Hill Gaming Board member Starks -- by the way. Seems that Starks forgets that They is We and We is We We. And that ideal location certainly means that historic Dodge City will not be near the citizens events center.

Move Ford County Courthouse ?

2007-07-28T20:35:00.000-05:00

[Ford County Commission] Heard a presentation by HMN Architects, Inc., the firm in charge of designing the new law enforcement center. The original site plan will be tweaked to move the jail east of its originally planned location, which will allow space for expansion of the jail to the east. In addition, there is the possibility of placing a courthouse to the west, if the county feels moving the courthouse is necessary. -- per the Dodge City Globe Ford County Courthouse Move?

What ? Guess they want the city to move -- your choice -- west or east.

Kansas: Definition of a substantial interest RE: Conflict of interest questions

2007-07-23T07:37:00.000-05:00

February 21, 2002
Opinion No. 2002-01

K.S.A. 75-4301a provides the definition of a substantial interest. It states in pertinent part:

“(a) 'Substantial interest' means any of the following:

. . .

“(4) If an individual or an individual's spouse holds the position of officer, director, associate, partner or proprietor of any business, other than an organization exempt from federal taxation of corporations under section 501(c)(3), (4), (6), (7), (8), (10) or (19) of chapter 26 of the United States code, the individual has a substantial interest in that business, irrespective of the amount of compensation received by the individual or individual's spouse.”

[Blogger Note: Seems that Mr. Starks, by being a director of Boot Hill Gaming Inc., does hold a "substantial interest" -- whether the decisions involving $30 million dollars of tax money is affected by his interest in the private casino group that is wanting a certain placement of the Events Center to benefit the casino is THE question .......]

Let's keep an eye on Global's promises --

2007-07-23T07:04:00.000-05:00

[With all the promises over the years -- let's start keeping an eye on the ball, as it were -- Bold added to important facts stated by Global ... ]

Global Entertainment Corporation Announces New Event Center Development Project for Dodge City, Kansas

May 30, 2007 - Global Entertainment Corporation (AMEX: GEE), announced that on May 10, 2007, an agreement was signed for the development of a multi-purpose events center to be located in Dodge City, Kansas. The development project was approved by the Dodge City and Ford County Commissions. International Coliseums Company (ICC), a Global subsidiary that has completed multiple projects of this nature, will lead the design phase and have oversight responsibility for the construction phase that is expected to begin in December 2007.

Dodge City, situated in the center of America’s Heartland, has a population of approximately 34,000 and boasts with pride its Western heritage. Dodge City and the surrounding area have experienced growth unequaled by any other Eastern [sic Western] Kansas city, which makes the feasibility and long-term success of this project achievable. The area is well known for historical and rodeo events which the new center will easily accommodate with additional events to include concerts, trade shows, family shows, agricultural events and other civic functions. The closest major city is Wichita, roughly 150 miles east of Dodge City.

The new $33.7 million multi-purpose events center is well suited to enhance nearby attractions and allow room for future development. The center will have approximately 4,300 seats, with designated VIP seating and luxury suites as well.

Steven J. Bielewicz, president of Global Properties, said, "It has been a pleasure presenting our plans to the city and county commissions for a multi-purpose events center that will serve Dodge City and the surrounding communities, and provide a new option for a wide range of entertainment and civic events. ICC will now move forward to refine our design to meet the specific requirements of Dodge City. Our Encore division will be engaged in a multi-year agreement to manage the center, which will include staffing and catering. Under Encore, our licensing and advertising division, GEMS, will handle sales and marketing services. Our GetTix subsidiary will provide exclusive ticketing services for all events held at the events center."
Global Entertainment link

Ford County to raise property taxes if sales tax voted out ?

2007-07-19T08:39:00.000-05:00

From The Hutchinson News

Dodge sales tax fight plays out in court, By Jon Ruhlen

The latest chapter in the saga of the "Why Not Dodge?" half-cent sales tax and the beleaguered attempts to build a special events center played out in Ford County District Court on Wednesday.

Jack Dalton, a retired attorney, recently filed a motion requesting that Senior Judge Ronald Innes prohibit Ford County from holding an election that could result in the repeal the county's share of the sales tax, which is supposed to fund the event center.

Innes, who ordered local governments to make construction of the events center a priority a year ago, will now decide the election issue.

Opponents of the events center gathered enough signatures on a petition earlier in the year to prompt the Ford County Commission to schedule a special election for Tuesday.

In light of the pending motion, the commission has postponed the election until the judge issues a ruling.

Dalton and Dodge City legal counsel Ken Strobel argued that a repeal of the Ford County share of the sales tax would violate the contract clause in the U.S. Constitution, which protects individuals' rights to enter into agreements.

In his motion, Dalton argued that allowing the vote would create chaos and confusion for local governments.

"An instrument of democracy (the right to vote) should not be used as a tool for anarchy," Dalton wrote.

Ford County legal counsel Glen Kerbs argued that the repeal itself would not constitute a violation of the contract clause because the county could cover its share pledged for the project through other sources of funding, such as property taxes. [NOTE: this quote, directly from the Hutch News, has been questioned -- see comments attached to this post for that information]

Casino location ? City buys 285 acres

2007-07-15T11:30:00.000-05:00

Dodge City Globe, July 4, 2007
"285 acres purchased by city west of 14th and north of the by-pass" ? Is this correct? Just was clearing out older papers -- darn, didn't read the paper that day.

Any thoughts ? Article link added: Water rights and ground

CFAB Chair a conflict of interests?

2007-07-15T02:24:00.000-05:00

Several private communications with us and careful study of definitions indicates that Mr. Starks' dual positions as chair of the CFAB and board member with Boot Hill Gaming, Inc. may not constitute actual "conflict of interest". However, there is little doubt that it is an ethical indiscretion on Mr. Starks part. We strongly suggest that anyone who shares this opinion privately encourage Mr. Starks to resign
one position or the other in order to save himself and both entities the appearance (if not he fact) of impropriety.

It goes without saying that since Mr. Starks is also a real estate broker, and since both the special events center and casino will require real estate acquisition as a building site, he should additionally refuse himself from any deliberation concerning the location of the new structures as he may have a vested financial interest in the outcome.

Finally, it is significant that the architectural firm hired by the city to
investigate a master plan for these two structures, in context with the rest of our community and in order to provide the most benefit to us, has only this week (for theumpty-umpth time) told the city again that it would be absolute folly to build either structure somewhere other than near the city core.

By our recollection, we now have only about 6 professional studies we have paid for which say the same thing about location of these structures. Several of which suggest that it would be financial suicide for the city to build elsewhere.

We wonder if those who advocate building somewhere on the "fence line" believe they are more erudite and experienced than 6 separate groups of professional planners. What do you think?

One answer to the conflict of interest of Mr. Starks

2007-07-14T19:13:00.000-05:00

"Those with a conflict of interest are expected to recuse themselves from (i.e., abstain from) decisions where such a conflict exists. The imperative for recusal varies depending upon the circumstance and profession, either as common sense ethics, codified ethics, or by statute. For example, if the governing board of a government agency is considering hiring a consulting firm for some task, and one firm being considered has, as a partner, a close relative of one of the board's members, then that board member should not vote on which firm is to be selected. In fact, to minimize any conflict, the board member should not participate in any way in the decision, including discussions."

IE: Mr. Starks should not vote on any decisions affecting the location of the Events Center, which, by his own statement, will affect the location of the casino, which he is an active private board member of one applicant, and intends to benefit financially. Actually, he should be removed by the City Commission/County Commission from the CFAB board, but hey, neither the of the other board members quit their public positions -- they quit their Boot Hill Gaming Inc. Board positions -- at least they read the cards right about That conflict ... 1) wonder if they'll be back on BHG Inc Board; 2) Boot Hill Museum Inc. owns Boot Hill Gaming Inc. (FC Chair on board of Boot Hill) 3) Mayor still has large clients on board of Boot Hill Gaming Inc.

Gee, what a confused mess this is -- let's just hope that the interest of the public is actually being considered by all involved. Not clear to me what the law is on this type of mess, but with millions of dollars involved -- both tax dollars and future private gain -- it is not a small mess. (Would the State of Kansas be smart in not selecting Boot Hill Gaming Inc. due to the potential court issues that other applicants could bring?) I will say that Mr. Thorpe has remained clearer in his goals -- private involvement with public influence but not voting nor on public committees. He wouldn't fall under this question, I would think.

When "they" means "us" and why churches are cut out of meeting center : two centers, actually

2007-07-11T17:16:00.000-05:00

How confusing is it when the chair of the "Why Not Dodge?" CFAB committee is also on the private Boot Hill Gaming Inc. Board -- a for-profit private applicant for the casino management in Dodge City -- or not Dodge City depending on location. (At least the county commission chair and the mayor of Dodge City resigned from the private Boot Hill Gaming Inc.)

Every time CFAB chair Greg Starks said "they" as in "they [Boot Hill Gaming Inc.] said they wanted the events center near the casino" -- he meant "we want the gambling casino near the tax-funded events center" -- but never cleared that up until the end when he was asked if he was still on the Boot Hill Gaming Inc. Board -- "yes" was his answer. "We'll put the events center where we want it and the casino will follow," Greg Starks. No doubt! But which "we" was he speaking for -- Boot Hill Gaming Inc. or the CFAB public position he holds?

Even in large cities, this seems to be a conflict, but -- hey, Dodge never had rules anyway, from the start -- what with the "soiled-doves" & the illegal booze, and the gambling of our Old West history -- a little conflict of interest over a few $ million dollars is nothing in 2007. At least, it didn't matter to anyone on the CFAB Committee or to the City Attorney. Does it make you wonder what else is going down? (At least two other groups are moving to apply for the management of the casino, by the way. Both Kansas based; both experienced at gambling management.)

And the potential agro expo hall being built on the last of the Western Trail -- "we don't need no historic sites," I guess. (Oh, you didn't vote on that -- guess what -- it doesn't seem to matter to CFAB what you voted on -- sales tax money is free money -- right? Endless free money.) So we'll have two centers to support. (What if the county pulls out?)

And about the meetings concerning that agro expo hall -- as Rick Sowers, City of Dodge City Commissioner said, "Am I out of the loop. Did we authorize a meeting?" No, the county did.

Oh yes, and sales tax (circa $350,000) money being used for Ross Blvd. street extension by Legends Park -- hey, its free money, right ?

So, get ready Dodge City -- no meeting rooms will be built in the city owned facility is my bet -- 2 to 1 odds I'll give you -- and if a church or a state group doesn't like meeting at a casino -- hey, go to Garden City.

But it is nice to at least hear Greg Starks being honest about something -- "Yes, I'm still on the Boot Hill Gaming Inc. Board." (Seems odd that the City Attorney is having discussion with one applicant already?)

About all that was done at the CFAB meeting about a location -- it is clear that the "Why Not Dodge?" Events Center will probably not be in Dodge -- at least that question is answered; "No!" -- is what CFAB has said (so far). "Here comes the judge; here comes the judge." We'll await the next development. But it was clear that the city sales tax will pay for the utilities expandsion needed for the events center -- bonus for the casino! (And Dodge City will get cut out of the money from the casino IF it is not in the city limits, as the state law seems to read.)

Oh, and the promised historic venue consultant, or the promised Dodge Theater review -- nothing has been done about those issues at all. Reminder: the consultant was directly connected and included in the motion for "emergency" money to keep Boot Hill Museum open longer. And Ford County still doesn't have an actual county museum, the only county of size in Kansas without one.

[Kansas Attorney General on what a conflict of interest is: "official has an interest not shared in common with the other members of the public. A conflict of interest has also been expressed as contradictory desires tugging the official in opposite directions.(6) A "personal interest" is one type of a conflict of interest.

Because the term "personal interest" is not statutorily defined, we turn to common law and find guidance concerning conflicts of interest within a 1972 Kansas case:

"We, of course, recognize the common law principle that a public officer owes an undivided duty to the public whom he serves and is not permitted to place himself in a position that will subject him to conflicting duties or cause him to act other than for the best interests of the public. If he acquires any interest adverse to those of the public, without a full disclosure it is a betrayal of his trust and a breach of confidence." December 31, 2001 ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION NO. 2001-56}

2007-07-09T21:22:00.000-05:00

CFAB Meeting Wednesday, 4 p.m., City Commission Chamber, City Hall, Dodge City, July 11, 2007 -- Special Meeting to discuss location and funding of Western Tourism Venues [corrected date and time]

Questions to be raised include future status of c. $400,000 for Western tourism venues, Dodge Theater building review, and when the museum consultant agreed to by all venues and included in Boot Hill Museum funding motion, will start.

Additional discussions planned include the issues involved in cross-ownership/membership of Boot Hill Gaming and CFAB, and whether the intend of the 1997 vote was to have the Events Center help downtown Dodge and whether it was voted to have meeting rooms useable by any public group -- clearly something that would not happen if the only meeting rooms were in a casino hotel.

More information to follow on time and place of CFAB meeting.

Moving Right Along now....

2007-07-05T11:49:00.000-05:00

Well, interested readers, much has changed since the last post to this blog! First of all, the CFAB
voted to investigate purchase and restoration of the Dodge Theater from Mike Burkhart with the possibility of using it as a "home away from home" for the famous western singing group "Riders in the Sky". They also voted to pursue a contract up to $80K to bring Dr. Michael Husband here and develop a master tourism plan. These two gestures were, at the time, felt to be a step in the right direction for Dodge City tourism and for downtown revitalization - two subjects which have classically received only lip service from the CFAB and commissions for many years.

A few months later, the CFAB recommended to the joint commissions that Global Entertainment (International Colliseums) be awarded the contract for the Special Event Center. The Commissions approved the recommendation and voted to award the contract. Shortly thereafter, the Ford County Commission put forward a ballot initiative for a 1/2 percent
sales tax increase to pay for a new county jail. This, they intended to follow with a second ballot initiative to repeal the 1/2 percent sales tax voted in back in 1997 to finance the county's share of the "Why Not Dodge" projects including the special events center. Local retired attorney Jack Dalton has, to date, filed an injunction halting that question temporarily.

Then Boot Hill Gaming, Inc. stopped all the presses as they guided a bill through the Kansas Legislature which would allow casino gambling in Dodge City upon approval of the voters of Dodge City and Ford county. A local election followed on June 26, 2007 on that question with the result that the electorate approved a single lottery gaming facility for Ford County and Dodge City.

Boot Hill Gaming, in their election campaign, claimed the casino would:

Increase Tourism
Lower Property Taxes
Compliment Existing Local Businesses
Bring 670 new full-time (FTE) jobs to the area
Bring $18 million in annual pay and benefits to the area
Bring $3.25 million in annual revenue for local county and municipal projects

The slogan on their poster said "Preserving Our Past, Building the Future".

As of this writing, the special events center which we were in such a hurry to vote on is now on hold as are the promises of the CFAB concerning the Dodge Theater and the master tourism plan. Additionally, the city attorney informs us that there will be no organizational funding for tourism non-profits this year as there always has been in the past.

It appears that the gambling initiative has already had huge impact on the community by bringing everything to a grinding halt. What we will now attempt to do with this blog is to track the promises made by the CFAB, the City and County Commissions, and Boot Hill Gaming, Inc.

These people have made some pretty broad and sweeping promises to the community and it behooves someone to provide oversight.

Come back at any time to check on how things are progressing....

Your comments are also welcome via email as long as they are polite and reasonable. We have a "delete" key specially reserved for partisan rants, spam and ignorant raving.

Questions Answered...

2007-01-27T16:35:00.000-06:00

Some folks already have questions which we are happy to answer as follows:

1) Isn't it true that Riders in the Sky coming to Dodge City is just a possibility - that we are only hoping we can attract them? There is a big difference between wanting them to use the Dodge Theater as a home base and having them actually do so!

Glad you asked. The group toured the Dodge Theater on January 12th. They were already excited about the possibility even before they got here. Too Slim (their bass player) sat in a theater seat and commented, "This feels like home"! In fact, they have committed and will start planning their shows in Dodge City as soon as (and if!) the Heritage Development Group is brought under contract. It is, for all intents and purposes, a "done deal".

2) I thought the Special Events Center was supposed to be a "quality of life" addition for the town. That it is expected to lose money. Tourism isn't a quality of life issue. Wasn't this all decided long ago? Why are we going through all of this mess again?

An interesting question. If, as you say, this was "decided long ago", then it must have been done in some smoke filled back room somewhere in violation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act. This is not to say it isn't true, just that if it is, we should all be storming certain governing groups with pitchforks for cutting us out of the decision process in violation of the law. Let's take a look at this...

We (and every community that has experienced a tourism upswing) strongly disagree about the idea that tourism isn't a quality of life issue. Tourism brings money. Money brings prosperity. Prosperity improves your quality of life. Hence, any facility we build which promises to pay for itself and attract new money into the community IS a quality of life issue.
We want to ask you why you would be satisfied with a Special Event Center that gobbles up your tax money when, if we are careful about it, we can have one that actually brings economic prosperity to the community? Why does anyone think that we can only have one or the other, but not both?

3) Who are you? Who are the people involved with this blog?

We are a group of concerned citizens who are doing our level best to keep our leaders informed - to keep them from making poor decisions solely because they are uninformed.

Thank you for your questions and please keep them coming!! We are anxious to make sure that all Dodge City and Ford County residents have good, solid information on this multimillion dollar project in our community. People with good information make good decisions for the future!

A Chance to Make a Difference!!

2007-01-24T11:10:00.000-06:00

Well, by now many of you know that we have a terrific opportunity to capitalize upon our western heritage and inject new life into our economy. Two proposals have been made to the Community Facilities Advisory Board (CFAB) for our new special events center. For the near future, you can expect to read a lot more about the proposals, but we encourage everyone to actively participate in the selection process by providing your ideas (positive ones, please - no counterproductive griping!) to the members of the CFAB and our City and County Commissioners.

Here's how we see the comparison at the moment and we stress that all of this is subject to change as both proposals will be modified over time.

At present we feel that the Heritage Development Group (HDG) presents the best plan for taking advantage of our western heritage, economic viability, event center usage, national & international marketing, and bringing "new" money into town rather than recirculating local money.

There. We've said it. Unless the Global Entertainment Corporation (GEC) extensively modifies it's proposal to include the items above, we will strongly support the HDG proposal.

One of the "cappers" for the HDG's proposal for us is its concept of integrating with existing tourism attractions in Dodge City, including the Boot Hill Museum. Everyone should be aware that their first act (if we approve their proposal) will be to bring the great group "Riders in the Sky" to Dodge City on a near permanent basis. When this group was in Dodge City on January 12th, they visited the Dodge Theater and were blown away by the opportunity that building promises. Their idea is to make Dodge City a sort of home base for "Riders in the Sky". HDG plans to renovate and reopen the Dodge Theater as a home for the group where they are already putting together a live recording from Dodge City as well as a venue for their regular radio shows (National Public Radio series) "Riders Radio Theater".

This is exactly the way Branson, MO got their start. What kind of fools would we have to be to turn down this offer!