Clarifying Hadley
After reading Bob Schibi's letter to the editor in Friday's edition of The Hays Daily News, I felt I needed to respond with following:
First, the Hadley project is not a $10 million project. The current county commissioners passed a resolution to issue public building commission bonds not to exceed $5 million.
Second, there will be seven county departments relocated to this facility, provided the issue passes in the November general election. They are, namely: county clerk, county commission chambers, county treasurer, county appraiser, register of deeds, information technology department and the environmental department, not five departments as mentioned in Mr. Schibi's letter.
Third, I am convinced that Mr. Schibi's main concern about the possible move to the Hadley Center is the money. He stands to lose $18,000 annually. Ellis County currently rents office space from Mr. Schibi, which would end if the county relocates these departments to the existing courthouse.
Finally, I can not speak for the other two commissioners, but should the issue fail in the November general election, I will honor the will of the people and eliminate this project totally. One of the main reasons I have supported this project is for the county offices to remain in the downtown district. Other reasons include creating an additional courtroom, space for a jury room and rooms for attorney-clients, but most of all for the security of the courthouse. What is the cost of a serious accident or loss of a life, due to the lack of security in our courthouse? I want the citizens to know why I support the Hadley project; however, if the issue is defeated we can seek other options in the future.
I hope this clarifies my stand on this issue.
Dennis J. Pfannenstiel
Ellis County Commission, 2nd District
I do not need to view the tape again, as I was there. The public was treated like third class citizens and Dennis knows it. Berens treated everyone like he still thought he was teaching 11 year olds and Dennis just let Lance Russel do his dirty work. Regarding the Follow up Leo question, he was on the board and called people from all districts to come in because he said it was obvious that the commissioners and the board were on a hidden agenda to get in zoning immediately. WEe all came to find out what was going on. It has been a scam from the git go and Dennis knows it. The whole deal stunk to high heaven and the commissioners did not even care that they were pulling an obvious scam. They acted proud of it. Again, I was there.
(Posted by: Paleov)
One question: 9/7/2008
Who is the Leo guy whose name keeps coming up with the anti wind/everything movement. Would that be the same Leo who didn't get his way with the original Octoberfest so he started his own?
(Posted by: Curious)
Final Post: 9/7/2008
You were TOLD Dennis had the same attitude?? You base your comments off of something you were told. That is pretty sad. Judging from some of the editorials I have read from some of these "anit-wind" people, I can only imagine what the zoning board and commissioners had to put up with. Again, a few hundred a majority does not make. By the way, if someone has it on tape, couldn't you have at least listened to it before making your claims based on heresay?
(Posted by: Simpler)
Final post: 9/7/2008
Back at that time the room was set up viewer friendly rather then the way they set it up now to make the room uncomfortable to the people attending. The chairs were full, there was no standing room left and people were backed up into the hall way. Lance Russell actually made the comment, we are going to pass zoning, we are going to do it our way and if you do not like it, get different commissioners. Of course Dennis just sat there with a grin on his face not enough guts to address the hostle crowd that wanted the issue brought to vote. Leo Dortzwieler has it all on tape.This was jusr one of many public meetings in which the public concerns were treated as a joke. I was not there, but I was told the same atmosphere and attitude was expressed by Dennis at the open Hadley meetings. WE all cant wait for the new deal, Glenn Deihl.
(Posted by: paleov)
100: 9/5/2008
Hundreds in the zoning meeting room? Wasn't that big the last time I saw it. Anyway, a few hundred citizens a majority does not make. Do you have actual, documented quotes?
(Posted by: Simpler)
Simpler: 9/5/2008
Apparently you were not at the public zoning meetings which were attended by hundreds of concerned citizens that requested the issue be put to county wide vote. They were told by Pfannenstiel that it was his way no matter what they thought. It was not just a passing word on the street or a few letters. It was the will of the people and he said too bad. Later the citizens find out the only reason for the mad rush to county wide zoning was to let his buddies get windfarms on their ground under Pfannenstiels liberal to no windfarm control. I was there, I saw how the citizens were treated. Quite frankly, I truly wish all the citizens of the county could see how he and his bias board have treated good honest citizens of this county. If people would have witnessed it, they would have run him out of town.
(Posted by: Paleov)
Sad?: 9/4/2008
If everything coming down the pike was put to a vote by the people, would we need to elect commissioners to represent us? Could having commissioners be justified if the commissioners put all major issues on a ballot? The petition is the means by which the people can let the commissioners know the issue needs to be on the ballot. Mr. Pfannenstiel has done a great job for Ellis County. He is no one's puppet. He votes for what is in the best interest of the county as a whole. On the Hadley project, enough people spoke (thus the requirement for a certain number of signatures). He states he will do the will of the people. Could he base the will of the people off of a few comments on the street or by a few telephone calls? I think not. Mr. Pfannenstiel is doing his job.
(Posted by: Simpler)
Sad: 9/4/2008
It would be really sad if this fails just to teach a commissioner a lesson like the last person commented. Let's not lose something that will in the long run be good for our community to teach a lesson. I thought that is what elections were for. If enough people are upset which I doubt then he won't get re-elected. Simple
(Posted by: Simple)
Expansion: 9/3/2008
This commissioner fails to understand that all the people wanted was a right to vote on the issue. He forced them to circulate a petition when he could have put the issue on the ballot to begin with. The same applies to county wide zoning, all the people wanted was a chance to vote on the issue. Look at all the grief this issue has caused in our county. This commissioner says he will respect the will of the people, but he only agreed to do that after the people forced the issue to a vote. His so called zoning has protected no one except his buddies who seem to feel that their neighbors are scum of the earth. He supports putting in committes that are openly bias rather than fair and equal committees. The Haadley expansion will fail because the people want to teach him a lesson. The entire county suffers because these men have a my way or the highway attitude
(Posted by: PaleoV)
Support: 9/3/2008
Great response Mr.Pfannenstiel. Perhaps there are others who are complaining about the Hadley building because it will be an inconvenience for them, they may actually have to get in a vehicle and drive to the new location, instead of the current convenient location. Some people only look at the small picture instead of what's best.
(Posted by: All for Hadley)
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