Rob, if you're looking back to Sedalia trying to become the Capital (in the 1870s!) or traffic lights on Hwy 50 (1950s!)--few, if any, of those people are still here on earth. I think most people today--including people in leadership positions--understand growth is not just desirable, it's absolutely necessary.
I'm all for learning from past failures, but let's not dwell on them so much we miss current opportunities. In my opinion, if we could be more about "what can I do to help now" and less about "how can I continuously remind everyone just how messed up we are", we'd be better off.
It's not all wine and roses in Columbia. IBM, for one, is having a tough time finding people with the skill set they want.
We need those STEM jobs, but the only way we have a chance at those jobs is to be a place in which individuals who have those skills want to live. I think we're getting better--new apartments downtown, the redeveloped Village Square (on the radio this morning), more entertainment options like Thursday Night Live, the greenway trails and cool stuff like the barge rides are helping.
One thing is certain: constant negativity does not help.
1) There is no support for changing the law at the state level. The 13 communities which currently have a gaming license will very strongly defend the current situation. The bill to change the law would no chance of getting out of committee. No amount of "thinking big" will change this fact. Ask any legislator.
2) Our community has twice rejected gaming. I see many here posting sentiments like "why don't our elected officials listen to the people?". Well, they are. Those who see benefits in gaming have brought it before the electorate multiple times, and have been rejected. Yet another run would yield the same result. I cannot fathom why this dead horse continues to be beaten.
3) I know no one who wants to "keep our town small". Everyone I know wants growth, because it means we are prospering as a community. I like your idea you mentioned on another thread about getting an interstate. That's thinking big, and would have a long-term benefit to Jefferson City.
It's not the same people. New councilpersons, new administrator, and new legislators at the state level. A whole new cast of characters. They didn't fail--we the people, the local electorate, declined. If anyone failed, it was us.
But again--none of this will change. It's wasted effort and breath. Let's focus on something we can accomplish. It's like the ending of Serenity Prayer: "And wisdom to know the difference".
If it were that easy--and if it had support--it would be done. I'd love to have a boat here. But we are both in the minority on this issue. It's a dead horse.
In 2008 MO voters approved Prop A, which restricted the number of casinos to those already built or being built. There is no chance of changing this law. On top of that, JC voters declined pursuing a license--when they were available--twice.
Constantly saying "we missed our boat" won't change any of those facts. We need to face it--a casino is not possible for us right now. If one of the present casinos fail and a license becomes available, it might be worth exploring again.
For the foreseeable future, the question is settled. Why continue to harp on it? I'd rather hear about ideas you have which could see the light of day, and a boat isn't one of them. Let's spend our energies on stuff which is in the realm of possibility, not on stuff which has been rejected twice by local voters and limited by the entire state's electorate.
Now is the perfect time to change that. I recommend the Jefferson City Concert Association. The 399th Army Band is performing May 17 at the Miller Performing Arts Center. It's a free performance.
It's a fundraiser, and is completely funded from tickets to the event itself. There are literally at least a dozen each month in the area. It's no different than the Heart Ball or any other fundraiser.
The class envy and misinformation continuously on exhibit here is astonishing.
I think it's impossible to everywhere all the time. MoDOT has the seventh largest highway system in the nation at over 32,000 miles. They are responsible for over 10,000 bridges and oversee the second and third largest freight hubs in the country. I think it's simple to call 1-888-ASK-MODOT and tell them about a pothole.
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melbrooks 1 week, 5 days ago on Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
Rob, if you're looking back to Sedalia trying to become the Capital (in the 1870s!) or traffic lights on Hwy 50 (1950s!)--few, if any, of those people are still here on earth. I think most people today--including people in leadership positions--understand growth is not just desirable, it's absolutely necessary.
I'm all for learning from past failures, but let's not dwell on them so much we miss current opportunities. In my opinion, if we could be more about "what can I do to help now" and less about "how can I continuously remind everyone just how messed up we are", we'd be better off.
melbrooks 1 week, 5 days ago on Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
It's not all wine and roses in Columbia. IBM, for one, is having a tough time finding people with the skill set they want.
We need those STEM jobs, but the only way we have a chance at those jobs is to be a place in which individuals who have those skills want to live. I think we're getting better--new apartments downtown, the redeveloped Village Square (on the radio this morning), more entertainment options like Thursday Night Live, the greenway trails and cool stuff like the barge rides are helping.
One thing is certain: constant negativity does not help.
melbrooks 1 week, 5 days ago on Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
1) There is no support for changing the law at the state level. The 13 communities which currently have a gaming license will very strongly defend the current situation. The bill to change the law would no chance of getting out of committee. No amount of "thinking big" will change this fact. Ask any legislator.
2) Our community has twice rejected gaming. I see many here posting sentiments like "why don't our elected officials listen to the people?". Well, they are. Those who see benefits in gaming have brought it before the electorate multiple times, and have been rejected. Yet another run would yield the same result. I cannot fathom why this dead horse continues to be beaten.
3) I know no one who wants to "keep our town small". Everyone I know wants growth, because it means we are prospering as a community. I like your idea you mentioned on another thread about getting an interstate. That's thinking big, and would have a long-term benefit to Jefferson City.
melbrooks 1 week, 6 days ago on Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
It's not the same people. New councilpersons, new administrator, and new legislators at the state level. A whole new cast of characters. They didn't fail--we the people, the local electorate, declined. If anyone failed, it was us.
But again--none of this will change. It's wasted effort and breath. Let's focus on something we can accomplish. It's like the ending of Serenity Prayer: "And wisdom to know the difference".
melbrooks 1 week, 6 days ago on Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
If it were that easy--and if it had support--it would be done. I'd love to have a boat here. But we are both in the minority on this issue. It's a dead horse.
melbrooks 1 week, 6 days ago on Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
In 2008 MO voters approved Prop A, which restricted the number of casinos to those already built or being built. There is no chance of changing this law. On top of that, JC voters declined pursuing a license--when they were available--twice.
Constantly saying "we missed our boat" won't change any of those facts. We need to face it--a casino is not possible for us right now. If one of the present casinos fail and a license becomes available, it might be worth exploring again.
For the foreseeable future, the question is settled. Why continue to harp on it? I'd rather hear about ideas you have which could see the light of day, and a boat isn't one of them. Let's spend our energies on stuff which is in the realm of possibility, not on stuff which has been rejected twice by local voters and limited by the entire state's electorate.
melbrooks 1 week, 6 days ago on Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
Now is the perfect time to change that. I recommend the Jefferson City Concert Association. The 399th Army Band is performing May 17 at the Miller Performing Arts Center. It's a free performance.
thejcca.org/
melbrooks 1 week, 6 days ago on Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
"Elitist JC crud" is not about economics.
melbrooks 1 week, 6 days ago on Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism
It's a fundraiser, and is completely funded from tickets to the event itself. There are literally at least a dozen each month in the area. It's no different than the Heart Ball or any other fundraiser.
The class envy and misinformation continuously on exhibit here is astonishing.
melbrooks 2 weeks, 3 days ago on More than 10,000 potholes filled in central Missouri....and counting!
More than 10,000 potholes filled in central Missouri....and counting!
I think it's impossible to everywhere all the time. MoDOT has the seventh largest highway system in the nation at over 32,000 miles. They are responsible for over 10,000 bridges and oversee the second and third largest freight hubs in the country. I think it's simple to call 1-888-ASK-MODOT and tell them about a pothole.