By Jeff Cott

Typically, summer tends to be a little slower time of year in the news business for traditional hometown newspapers. 

I am using that excuse to provide readers with my annual idle thoughts column. It is just my way of sharing some brief thoughts on a variety of events, activities or situations going on in Derby.  

Ultimately you can decide whether you agree or disagree with me – but, of course, I am right!

 

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I watched the 39th Annual High School Shrine Bowl complete with Derby High School linebacker Dillon Call and Coach Brandon Clark who were part of the West squad. Good game, great cause and a special opportunity for the kids. 

I have had the pleasure of talking to some of the Derby players over the years that have been a part of the event. Most of them talk about their experience with the kids at the Shrine Hospital for children, long before they talk about the game. Keep that one going.

 

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What’s the deal with the Derby Days golf tournament put on by the DRC? I learned that there were Hooter’s girls there?!? 

Let me see if I understand this. Derby Days is a family event, with family activities that include things such as Kid Fest, carnival rides, good family music – and Hooter’s girls? 

I think Derby Days might want to look at its mission statement (if it still has one). The DRC, another family oriented organization, has clearly crossed over the line on this one. Sounds like just another reason to scrap Derby Days, as we know it – the DRC golf tournament included.

 

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No question the city of Mulvane is winning with the Kansas Star Casino. They were handed a check just shy of  $900,000 last week. Obviously the city has invested in infrastructure for the casino, but if the volume of gamblers continues, the long-term effects for Mulvane could be huge. 

Has anybody noticed if Derby is gaining from the casino’s existence? Haven’t seen hordes of shoppers or restaurantgoers with money hanging out of their pockets show up in Derby ... yet.      

I guess they left it all at the casino.

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You have just two weeks to get your application in for the Derby Public Schools Board of Education seat that was vacated by Don Parks. Thanks for your service, Don.  

Sure would be nice to see someone fill that seat that has a strong fiscal background first and education second. My guess is they’ll need as many people like that they can find in the next couple of years. I can’t see things changing in Topeka soon.

 

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We recently were selected by McConnell Air Force base to produce and market the 2012 McConnell Air Show event guide. The show is scheduled for the last weekend in September. 

We are changing the guide to a magazine format and increasing the quality. Over 100,000 copies will be distributed at the show.  

The Informer has the ability to control a large part of the content, so we are looking for ideas on what we can put in the guide about Derby that will interest the huge air show crowd. If you have some thoughts let me know – jeff@derbyinformer.com.

 

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If city revenue has to be raised by a tax, it makes sense to throw in the idea of looking at a sales tax. 

Sales taxes have been beneficial when it comes to funding special community enhancement projects. It has been proposed that the city take a look at a sales tax that would help fund general operating expenses with no sunset on the tax. 

I’m putting my yellow flag of caution up on this one. This isn’t a rubber stamp issue and any tax that is unending requires strong and diligent investigation into other alternatives of raising revenue or more. 

Not only is it the easy way out for government, once it is in place, it can be even easier to raise.

 

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We want to hear from you.  Comment on this editorial below or send us a letter to the editor at mail@derbyinformer.com.

 

User Comments

• Ms.

  "How about an upstairs bathroom and more fans in weight room? "

  Posted by Dee M. on Aug. 2, 2012

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