Globe Exchange 5/8/08

    ("Advising group says 'tourism czar' needed for city, county," May 6) "Larry Gerber is somewhat right. We already know this. It is a shame to see how downtown Dodge has declined in the last twenty years."

    (“Advising group says 'tourism czar' needed," May 6) "Dodge City might have paid someone to tell them something they already know, but why? Because it takes an outsider to see the full effect of what is happening to Dodge City's tourism. There is so much potential for Dodge City and in order to capitalize on that, it will take a body of people who are open-minded and make a goal plan and success plan. VISION. A 'tourism czar' is needed in order to make it come together."

    (Advising group says 'tourism czar' needed," May 6) "For as far back as I can remember, studies have been done to assess what needs to be done to revitalize Dodge City. Big bucks are paid, then the study is put in a file somewhere and no one does anything about it.
    "Dodge City is a brand name with historical value and is of interest to many, many people. I hope this time, those who can make a difference will act on the recommendations of the people who have done this study and hire someone with enough moxie to be able to get something done. 'Don't step on my turf,' indeed. Before you know it, there won't be any turf to step on. WORK TOGETHER!"

    ("Advising group says 'tourism czar' needed," May 6) "Dodge City failed to capitalize on its free advertising when 'Gunsmoke' was on the air and could have made it into another Branson. It doesn't matter now whether anyone identifies Dodge City with 'Gunsmoke.' What matters is it is still known worldwide as a ‘wild West’ town.
    "For once, be proud of the heritage of Dodge City ... and capitalize on it. For too many years, the leaders acted ashamed of Dodge City's past and let opportunity after opportunity pass them by. Don't let that happen again. Get with it and go for it! YAHOO!"

    "According to some people, Dodge City is already world-renowned, so why would we need to have a tourism czar? One city commissioner said the younger generation could care less about 'Gunsmoke' and the Western heritage. I agree wholeheartedly. I'm over 50, and I could care less about the Old West.
    "Dodge City needs to get out of its time warp mentality and move on."

"I just wanted to say that Cinco de Mayo down in Wright Park was a great success, and I wanted to thank everybody who put in their efforts to have such a good day and such a good turnout. I know it was a beautiful day.
    "However, late in the day, I looked around and saw all the trash just lying all over Wright Park. It saddened me, and I just wanted to say, 'Shame on all those litterbugs.' They know who they are."

    "The coal plant issue failed last week in the House. This is great news for our air quality and an already depleted Ogallala Aquifer.
    "Yet one of our western Kansas legislators won't accept defeat. This is so embarrassing for our great state. Remember this when he is up for re-election later this year.”

    "Michelle Obama just said on TV that her husband is distancing himself from his former pastor and it's quite painful, but she's proud of him for doing it. Well, baloney. Just because there's a distance in between them doesn't mean he's through with him, though.
    "Wait until he gets in the White House. If he gets in the White House, watch. Old Reverend Wright will probably be right in there too."
   
    "I was just calling to congratulate all of our coaches, from middle school to high school and all around, on their jobs well done this year. Thank you very much."

    "Why don't you guys print what the people call in about instead of censoring or eliminating part of it? People have the right to be heard. So what if it's controversial? It's just one person's opinion. Maybe it'll start others to think too.
    "What you're doing is just short of censorship of freedom of the press."

    "I want to know what's going on in Dodge City. Seems like the city can afford a special events center, but they can't afford to upgrade Central and First streets. Both streets are in bad shape and need to be upgraded. They can afford the special events center, but what about North 14th?
    "It seems like everything in Dodge City is put on the back burner for the events center. And who's going to use it? Christmas parties, Cinco de Mayo. It'll sit there idle, just like the Civic Center does."

    "You know, it constantly amazes me how most people can yell, 'Oh, my God!' in vain after winning a cheap prize or being startled in some non-important way. But yet they'll lay down at night to sleep or sit down to eat a meal and not give thanks to the Lord God on high, who made it all possible."

    "If S.E. Johnson, otherwise known as Johnson & Johnson, can recycle methane gas from a landfill to power their plant, what could Dodge City do with the methane gas being burned off at the waste treatment facility south of Dodge? How much carbon emissions does this one simple facility put into our atmosphere? Surely we could utilize this wasted energy more efficiently for our environment."

    "Dodge City should be very proud of their Civic Center, especially the women's restroom. I was up there recently to the Senior Expo. I was appalled at the shape it was in. Seats on the stools were broken, doors wouldn't latch. They came back and hit you in the face. Then when I went to wash my hands, I had to go to three different soap containers before I could get any soap."

    "Who's responsible for the weeds around the fireplugs, fire hydrants and mail boxes?"

    "I want to thank the beautiful Mexican lady and her child for helping me into the post office Monday, May the 5th. I'm on oxygen. I was having a meltdown of some kind on the steps, and she and her child carried my package in for me, and she helped me in. I do believe there are angels in Dodge City, and I believe she was one of them — and the child."