Dear Editor,
Mr. Myers has been a member of the city council for seven years and a candidate for Mayor at least four times. His announcement printed in the Tribune on March 3 did not contain a single reference to positive accomplishment for which he was responsible.
Mr. Myers makes the same claims as he has in the past. He alleges that certain individuals influence the current administration in order to insure that we recruit only businesses who pay poverty wages, thus protecting their own cheap labor pool. Mr. Myers owes the citizens of Great Bend proof by providing names and business addresses. In the 1980’s, a little lady named Clara Peller became famous for asking
“Where’s the beef?” If I may paraphrase, we should ask Mr. Myers “Where’s the proof?” If he cannot substantiate these unfounded accusations, he should apologize and resign from the city council.
Mr. Myers cites loss of convenience stores and employment due to the downsizing of Central Kansas Medical Center. To the best of my knowledge, the very first “convenience store” was the Dart In Superette located at 2100 Washington which opened in the early 1970’s. Currently, and if I have correctly counted, we now have at least 12 convenience stores within the city limits. With reference to CKMC, the change in operation did cause a loss of jobs. Interestingly, Mr. Myers never mentioned Great Bend Regional which now employs approximately 310 people and is growing.
The late author Stephen Convey stated “What you do has far greater impact than what you say.” Mr. Myers, you should tell the voters and citizens of Great Bend what you have actually accomplished, founded in fact and not fantasy.
John Maxwell stated: “A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit.” This certainly describes Mayor Allison. In the last few months, consider the positive things that have developed. Fuller Industries, LLC, owned by local investors, purchased Fuller Industries. Great Bend Regional Hospital announced a future expansion. Blizzard Energy and Southerlands are now or will be conducting interviews for employment. Other business additions include Cornerstone Automotive, Up N Rolling Skating Rink, Pappa John’s Pizza, Baskin Robbins and a new multi-screen cinema.
Mayor Allison is a proven leader who has the ability to compromise, to identify real issues and to offer reasonable solutions. He does not try to gain favor by publishing unfounded accusations. Mr. Myers, if you cannot answer a direct question such as “Where’s the Proof” then perhaps you would benefit from considering the following quotation attributed to Abe Lincoln: “He who makes an assertion without knowing whether it is true or false is guilty of falsehood; and the accidental truth of the assertion does not justify or excuse him.”
(Homer, I hope that I have this correct.)
For the benefit of Great Bend and its future, please re-elect Mayor Mike Allison.
Tom Berscheidt