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Fort Scott Police Chief Ron Puterbaugh and FSCC President Clayton Tatro took different approaches in getting feedback from the residents neighboring the armory. The goal of the information gathering was to get the resident's opinion on what they would like to see as a new addition to their neighborhood.
The two different approaches received favorable feedback for both FSPD and FSCC.
FSPD Survey
FSPD officers interviewed 107 residents, located on 23rd Street, Fairway, Meadow Lane, 21st Street, Eddy, and Holbrook Street, in a face-to-face setting. The FSPD did not really ask questions, according to Puterbaugh, the officers sat down with the residents and just listened to their thoughts and concerns.
The result of the interviews proved favorable for the FSPD. Forty-five residents expressed their desire to have the FSPD in the armory while 13 wanted FSCC. A total of 43 residents did not prefer one over the other, three did not want either to fill the vacant building, and three did not want to talk to an officer.
The major concern, according to Puterbaugh, among the residents was the potential for siren noise. He said this concern, although major, is not something residents need to worry about.
"We do not respond, for the most part, from the station with our sirens blaring," he said. "I don't think the siren noise will amount to any more then they are already used to."
The second major concern is an increase in traffic with the patrol cars and citizens reporting to the station. Puterbaugh said there is no way to avoid an increase in traffic.
"No matter what you put in that building there is going to be increased traffic," he said.
FSCC Survey
Tatro personally hand delivered 50 formal surveys to residents living in Country Club Hills and on 23rd Street. The results of the survey prove positive for the college.
"By far, the results we received were overwhelmingly positive in favor of the college receiving the armory," Tatro said. "We were please, not only with the return ... but it seems the community is interested in the college being in the armory."
The first point on the survey was a ranking question in which residents were asked to show on a scale of 1 to 6 (1=Disagree and 6=Agree) whether they agree or disagree with the statement, "I am in favor of Fort Scott Community College acquiring the Fort Scott Armory."
Of the 20 surveys returned, 17 responded with a 6 -- one responded with "6!" -- while one responded with a rank of 2, and two responded with a rank of 1.
The second item was another ranking question in which residents were asked to show on a scale of 1 to 6 whether they would agree or disagree with the statement, "I am in favor of Fort Scott Community College acquiring the Fort Scott Armory rather than the Fort Scott Police Department."
Of the 20 surveys returned, 14 responded with a 6, two responded with a rank of 5, three responded with 1, and one responded with 2.
The resident responding with a 2 added, "From a monetary standpoint, the [FSPD] getting the building will save the tax payers more money in the long run."
One of the residents responding with a 1 added, "I prefer FSCC acquire the Armory but have no problem if the FSPD would acquire."
Residents were then asked to provide their thoughts, both positive and negative, on the "Impact on the Neighborhood from FSCC Acquiring the Armory."
A few of the positive responses included: "Anything FSCC can do to train and educate individuals from the surrounding area ... is a positive for the community." "Rather have students in the area than types of people in the jail." "This would be an extension of the already comfortable relationship of neighborhood with FSCC."
The only negative response was, "My problem with the College is I see how the rodeo group come to the Fair Grounds and leave a terrible mess ... So, if the College had the Armory there would be more space for them to trash."
The final response requested was the Impact on the Community from FSCC Acquiring the Armory." This item on the survey generated the most mixed responses.
Positive responses included: "I think it would be great for the community to allow the JCUO to have the Armory. It would mean less money for the tax payers and everything. We are 100% in favor of FSCC acquiring the Armory." "What is better for FSCC should be better for the community also." "FSCC acquiring the Armory is an opportunity to continue and expand FSCC offerings that support the future of our youth in a way that is less expensive to the community at large. Fire/police protection are essential and therefore other community/tax supported options should be explored for their expansions/services."
Negative responses included: "Student traffic/trucks parked at end of street. Student noise in parking lot near homes. Loss of another business in the downtown-cosmetology. More need with the PD." "The College just completed a 144,000 sq. ft. building and I see no way they can be out of space. There is no reason for the needed consolidation can't be done with existing space." "There would be an increase in traffic and 23rd Street is already congested now."
The results of the two surveys have been presented to the Fort Scott City Commission for consideration. According to Fort Scott City Manager Joe Turner, the commission is in no hurry to make a decision.
Comments
Most definitely, the PD should get the building. I believe that there is really no question about the advantages that it will bring the community. Everyone is pretty much tired of the college wanting everything and keep in mind that we, the taxpayers, will be supporting whatever they get also in the way of taxes. When checking the listing of classes/subjects actually taught in Fort Scott, I did not find anything that would enhance or improve the job skills for either my husband or myself - classes that would actually get you a job are not taught in Fort Scott. I, like many other citizens are just tired of the college and if we clean up the City Commission a little more, maybe, we won't have to put up with this nonsense of the the college wants, the college wants....The PD need the space and this latest ploy saying that the PD could move to the City Hall is nothing but crap being dished out by someone trying to steal the armory for the college. How dare the college consider themselves more deserving than our PD! We lose so many good officers. I have always been impressed in dealing with the PD and feel that their importance and needs in the community should be a priority and so should you. Don't let them snow you again like they have in the past..........
so, the college sent out 50 surveys and only 20 were returned?
Now the college expects you to believe that 20, yes only 20 surveys(actually 20 people) PROVE that the "will of the people" is in favor of the college?
HA HA HA HA!!!!
Of course you can expect them to rebut with(even more)statistics that show the percent returned is far higher than normal and extrapolated out to the community as a whole shows the community overwhelmingly is in favor of the college getting this building. Nothing against the college, it is what they are supposed to do in a situation like this.
http://www.fstribune.com/story/1581287.h...
remember this survey that was done last October regarding community survey results favorable?
I urge you to read it again, and look at the result percentages in my comments section so you can see the unreported statistics. They revealed some interesting information as well.
When is the Police Department going to start getting treated like a REAL meaningful part of this community?
They are now getting treated like Milton in the movie "Office Space" now that city hall suggested they could move into Memorial Hall when(if) city hall moves into a newer building.
Here is a scene from the movie, and if the link doesn't work simply type in Milton stapler on Youtubes website.
Here it is;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSU0RQoyf...
i agree EyesOpen as a Tax Payer I do not want to support the College anymore, when their are other things in Fort Scott that need money or this building. and I believe The PD and needs this. Dispatch needs more room to work instead of being confined in that tiny building. I would like to hear good valid reasoning for the Collge to get this building. And if they some how get it. There will be a bunch of people very angry
Ok, let me understand: Classes like english, math, reading, much less a GED, will not help you get a job? That seems a little harsh. :)
I still agree the PD deserves more space as does the collage. So how much would it cost to restructure the East portion of the old Wal-Mart store for one of these business'e?
From what I understand from past comments for the collage, this space was not for english, math, reading,muchless GED, I was under the impression the collage was wanting to bring the John Deere tractor and Harley Davison motor cycle back into Burbon country.
Gummy2U, I don't think the college is looking into moving the John Deere tractor or Harley Davidson schools back here. Their plans for the armory are to put cosmetology, the trucking school, and the construction trades programs into the bulding. That was the proposal Mr. Taytro presented to the commission a few weeks back. It would be nice if they would have these programs in Fort Scott, but I don't see that happening.
This is the article which expresses the interest of the college in the Armory: http://www.fstribune.com/story/1611142.h... I still can't get over the nerve of Tatro stepping up and trying to take it away from the PD since it is so clear that the PD requires and deserves it. When has the college looked out for the best interest of Fort Scott? Maybe when they put the John Deere and Harley Davidson programs in another county?
like2be_onree, thanks for the Milton link, that's how the PD is being treated. It is amazing how FSCC seemed to twist their figures to show that they deserved it. At least FSPD had the willingness and foresight to speak individually with the area residents. Obviously, both sides wants to show their numbers are the best, but FSPD showed a more realistic, and unbiased survey (Shame on you, Mr Tatro, that was not a valid survey!)
I am not saying the college should or should not get the building, but just to get the story straight...John Deere and Harley Davidson is down in pittsburge because if it wasn't for pitt state, FSCC wouldn't have them. And the college does do alot for Fort Scott and Bourbon County, this is from a couple weeks ago that was in the paper.
"There are 480 students from Bourbon County, 1,192 from other Kansas counties, 242 from out-of-state, and 8 international students."
480 students from Bourbon County? sound like they are serving the area well.
1,192 from other kansas counties? sound like they are keeping kids in Kansas, and not only are those kids going to school here, but they are buying gas and renting house and eating. Just think if we didn't have those kid here how much our taxes would be.
And we don't pay that much taxes on the college, well it might seem like alot but go look at the other colleges county taxes. I have and it is higher then what we are paying.
I think we need to wait and see if the fire station is getting that grant to build on to the police/fire station. because if they are getting it there should be alot of room in there for both departments.
And if the college needs another building, we ought to help them get one, that way we don't have people on here complaining when they go else where.
And as for Mr. Tatro, he is a good guy and done alot of good stuff here....he is a member of the YAT team and helped with the Jason Aldean concert, and pennies for the park, enrollment been going up since he has been here. And things are looking good out to the college, the football team had the best season ever, and they offering more classes for the everyday people just like us. Just look at pitt state, how many class are there that you can stay in the area and work? there not many.
As for the survey that Mr. Tatro did, that was not for the college, that was for the Vision Team. That has nothing to do with the college at all.
Why are my comments being deleted??
My last comment was: Might as well wait for the Cigna building since it will be empty soon from the way things are sounding. There is enough room for FSPD, City Hall, Municipal Courts, and dispatch. There are already meeting rooms, lunch rooms, plenty of parking, and half of the building is below ground level which would be more secure for the dispatching department incase of extrmeme weather like we get here.
"I think we need to wait and see if the fire station is getting that grant to build on to the police/fire station. because if they are getting it there should be alot of room in there for both departments."
Fortscottdude,
The fire department has already been eliminated from this grant due to law enforcement sharing the building. As long as law enforcement is sharing the building with them they will not get a grant.
Fort Scott dude,
You mentioned how many Kansas people the college serves. I appreciate this info, and of course I must ask, do you know how many the police force serves, or how vital their effective presence is to our community?
Be sure to include the entire college,local,area,out of state students,teachers,employees,their families, and even mr tatro, whom I have nothing at all against except maybe his survey methodology and interpetation of statistics.:)
I don't think anybody has to worry about City Hall moving to the armory. The last time serious consideration was given to moving City Hall outside the general downtown area, it went over *very* poorly with anybody and everybody associated with downtown, be it business owners or volunteers who participate downtown. I've got to assume the PD will get this building - the space issue has been a top priority for Chief Puterbaugh since before he was hired. It just makes sense.
fort scott dude
answer me this. lets say hypathetically you had a heart attack and your laying in your house on the floor. Would you rather have a dispatch that can operate much faster and effeciantly then another college building? please ask the people who have been in that same situation and then say the college deserves it more
Since the equipment used by dispatch would be the same, no matter where thay are located, how is it going to make a difference where they send the call from? They could be in the Hawkins bulding, the armory, Memorial Hall or Uniontown and the response time will be the same no matter where the call comes from. It goes to EMS and they respond, not the dispatcher. Maybe they should put EMS in the building, it would be 1/2 mile closer to those folks in town and might save a little time.
Agree Fort Scott Resident. I have "no dog in this hunt" per `se so I really don't have a preference and I am not a decision maker in the process. However the argument over dispatch being faster just because the room they are in might be bigger is getting a little old. Focus on more meaningful data and facts. Scare tactics just don't do it for people.
Oh, you people! Your wit simply amazes me! LOL LOL LOL. Keep me laughing. Please :)
sounds condescending whatsay.
Whats up?
Nick Graham, I agree. It just makes unequivocal sense that the PD gets the building.
Honestly, I can't understand why there is even an issue here. The PD has been needing extra space for a very long time... and as a direct result, the Fire Dept too since the PD was stuffed into a building designed just for the Fire Dept.
Now, the city has a perfectly suitable armory building GIVEN to them and they are seriously considering letting another entity have it and put Fort Scott's Emergency Services on the back burner AGAIN???? Seriously????
I'm not knocking FSCC. They are an asset to this area and should be helped, when feasible. However, I don't believe this is one of those times.
Food for thought.
I read with interest the results of the surveys conducted by the FSPD and FSCC. Also, how different the results seemed to be. The article states the police department called on 107 residents in the area surrounding the Armory and the representative from the college had about half. Was there a particular reason?
Fort Scott is growing with the Liberty, Crooners Lounge, the Stout building and Riverfront project as well as the beautiful Ellis Center. Let's get the Armory thing settled soon and go on with life!
By the way, the survey that the Tribune has on this website regarding the use of the Guard building isn't worth diddly either, as you can vote over and over again if you wait 24 hours between voting.
Hi all. I don't know if I have an exact point to my ramblings but here goes:
Taxes are all relative. No one is not getting taxed. In one way or another we all are... however; stating that "we" (Bourbon Co.) are not paying as much is a stretch. Mill Levy is thrown around too much. The nuts and bolts (to me) lies within the assessed value. Allen and Bourbon counties asssessed values are nearly identical for 2009; however, feel free to compare the values to surrounding counties with community colleges here:
http://www.ksrevenue.org/PVDMap.htm
Last issue: Surveys and "studies" must be looked at scientifically. In research a researcher must control bias' and outliers as much as possible. Within a survey a researcher can get the answer that they want based on the wording of the question. Pro-choice people should come out in a majority "against abortion" if one asks them if they are on a scale of 1-6 against murder; but pro-life people would be "for abortion" if one asks them if they are on a scale of 1-6 against teenage pregnancy. Also, the answers to questions may be different if the minister at your church was asking, or your boss, or a member of the police department. Did everyone who participated in the "study" in the gathering of "data" do so for free on their own time and without any bias? Also, why is it that neither "study" conducted research throughout the county or at least the city. Will FSCC and FSPD only serve those in need within a 1 mile radius of the armory? I don't beilieve the validity of either "study" with this in mind.
Will Allen the city Commissioners were the ones who asked for both the FSCC and FSPD to talk to neighbors who live in the area. Both FSCC and FSPD did what they were asked. It just looks like FSPD worked a little harder at talking with the neighbors.
I do agree that it was not a controlled survey, but both did what was asked and we don't really need to be spending the money it would cost to do the survey anyway. I also agree that this will have an impact on all of Bourbon county, however again the city commissioners only asked both FSCC and FSPD to speak with neighbors in the area. Sounds like both reported their findings and the newspaper reported them as well.
Sorry. I have no prolem with the commision getting opinion from neighborhood residents concerning what to place in the armory. The ultimate decision should include that opinion. I just worry about what kind of precendent that may set for future decisions if the neighborhood opinion is given too strong of voice in the decision making process. "Taxation without representation" is a phrase that comes to mind. Finally, as pointed out in my last statement but eloquently used by Mark Twain "There are 3 kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics".
I live in Country Club Hills and we did not have a survey from Community College. I am home almost all of the time but I was NOT hand delivered a survey, nor was one on the door, mail box or anywhere.
We were surveyed by the police department and we told them we preferred to have the police department there and not the FSCC nor anything else.
My question is, If FSCC Survey was delivered, why was it invisible? I guess I needed to use my invisible ink to fill out the invisible survey that was NOT delivered by an invisible person !!
I dunno,maybe they knew how you'd vote? They only sent out 50, are there more than 50 homes there?
Both were asked to do a poll. When you do a poll nothing says you have to contact everyone. When FOX News does a poll in Kansas, they don't call all Kansans.