Aquavision Committee 'thanks' ad draws flak

An advertisement in Friday's edition of The Fort Scott Tribune was intended to thank businesses and individuals that have supported bringing an aquatic center to a vote. However, the ad has caused an uproar among some who say the people and businesses listed do not support the initiative.

Kale Nelson, co-convenor for the Aquavision Committee, said the ad was not intended to convey that the people and businesses listed in the advertisement either support or reject the project.

"It was just thanking those people that helped get the project to a vote," Nelson said.

The ad, which was paid for by the Acquavision Committee, said "The Fort Scott Team would like to recognize the following businesses and individuals for their support." It then lists 48 businesses and individuals. Some of the names listed neither support or oppose the facility. The advertisement only ran once, on Friday, and has since been withdrawn.

On Tuesday, Fort Scott residents will vote "yes" or "no" on a 1-cent sales tax increase over 10 years to fund a combination indoor/outdoor aquatic center projected to cost $6.5 million. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. The only voting place is the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Ave.

Nelson said he would have to look up specifics on some individuals who were listed and who supported bringing it to a vote. He said he didn't have the information in front of him.

Local residents Dola Cress and Kevin Allen, both mentioned in the ad, have been said to be opponents of the initiative, as has Billy Wesbster, owner of the Shirt Shack, a local retail clothing store thanked in the ad.

Neither Cress nor Webster could not be reached for comment.

When asked what he did to help bring the issue to a vote, Allen said, "That's a good question. What did I do?"

Allen said he attended several of the public meetings the committee hosted. He wanted to find out information on the proposal.

"It's almost as if they were trying to deceive the public into believing that I'm for it," Allen said. "I'm neither for or against it. I've been staying neutral on this."

He said the committee may have included his name to get more votes from the east side of town, an area in which he has supporters. He's been fielding numerous calls since the ad was published. He said some are angry, thinking that he would support the initiative and that he's for raising taxes.

Tim Goltra, manager at Gene's IGA, which was listed in the ad, said the store neither supports or opposes the facility. He said the store allowed committee members to distribute brochures about the center inside their store.

Bourbon County and the City of Fort Scott were also included. Both have issued statements saying they neither support nor oppose it. It's their policy not to endorse or oppose any candidate or ballot question. However, they were listed because they jointly contributed money toward a feasibility study on the project, Nelson said.

Some have speculated that the ad may nullify Tuesday's election.

Bryan Kakey, administrator for the Kansas Election Office, said the election can only be nullified by a judge. A complaint would have to be filed and a judge would have to review the complaint and determine if enough cause is justified to void the election. That would take a lot of time, Kakey said.