December 2010 Holiday Letter from Commissioner Wall
One year has come and gone since I last wrote about the current situation of the City of Winfield. It is true that we are still enduring a trying economic period for both this community and this nation. I think this uncertain outlook on the economic side of society will last longer than most people had hoped or thought; challenges are still ahead in 2011 and 2012.
In such trying times, the commission and city employees have done our best to embrace the words of Abraham Lincoln, “I will walk slowly, but never backward.” The City of Winfield, thanks to our professional and dedicated employees, continues to be a place of stability and commitment to providing great facilities and quality service to the citizens of Winfield.
Last year, I told you that we were in hard times, but stable. Today, uncertainty remains, but the commission is approving policy with the future in mind. Individual liberty is being pursued as a standard.
In the last year, this community has:
- Adopted a fiscal 2011budget that collects fewer taxes than the previous year.
- Updated our Graphic Information Systems, which included an update to countywide floodplain mapping.
- Embraced a debt removal philosophy and strategy to position the community for the economic rebound including the approval of the refinancing of five loans and one bond issue—all parts of city debt—which reduced the long term debt and created direct savings of $650,000.00.
- Adopted new environmental storm water management methods and standards.
- Increased efforts to invest in water resource protection and filtration efforts at the Winfield City Lake.
- Seen the continued excellence of a top quality Police Department and the addition of a K-9 Unit.
- Enlisted local lawmakers to work for our local interests—and they have responded.
- Negotiated with USD 465 and supported an effective use for the former Kansas National Guard Armory building.
- Again, seen the Winfield Fire Department host the largest day of fire prevention for children in the state.
- Invested in a new wastewater lift station to serve the community south of the Walnut River.
- Created an environment where more blight is being tackled without more taxpayer dollars.
- Seen the community with Southwestern, USD 465, and the City usher in a new athletic performance stadium.
- Authorized the use of grant money from the federal government for infrastructure improvements at Strother Field.
- Negotiated a place for a Cowley County Commissioner on the Strother Field Commission.
- Approved a Master Plan as presented by Southwestern College, creating a more efficient governing process.
- Approved the strategic survey and economic plan presented by Cowley First.
- Adopted a new Hazard Mitigation Plan with Cowley County.
- Approved or completed major street reconstruction on Main St. between 6th Avenue and the S. Walnut River.
- Continued our ADA update with changes at the Police Department and across the city at intersections.
- Implemented a new Transportation and Street Study.
- Hosted federal levee inspectors and passed with excellence.
No decision can be pleasing for every individual, but instead must be made with the greater good in mind. We are approving policy that places Winfield in an advantageous spot for the future. Society is changing; we will not be the community of the past, we too must adapt. I will continue to do the research, to talk with people in all levels in government, and fight to protect tax dollars, jobs, and the local interests of our citizens with all I have at my disposal.
May God bless this community with continued strength and wisdom through the next decade,
Taggart Wall
Winfield City Commissioner
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Pd. Pol. Adv. by Taggart Wall Campaign Committee, Seth McCaslin, Treasurer