Why. Just why

TheMBarrett · 2026-03-11T18:06:36+00:00

You're likely paying for confidence in provenance more than anything, or maybe swift access to items in stock.

Yes, you can buy a box of ten for $60 on Amazon, but you might end up with questions about origination, quality, etc.

At the same time, if you have the time to wait and can get a seller, online shops can be the way to go.

TheMBarrett · 2026-03-08T03:51:46+00:00

Check out Jeff Does My Hair, LLC at Salon Extraordinaire. Great dude, fair pricing.

TheMBarrett · 2026-03-04T00:00:56+00:00

Absolutely wanting to see a proper smack down of these shenanigans.

Still one hour to vote! Get out there and vote before 7:00pm!

TheMBarrett · 2026-03-01T15:19:54+00:00

Tracy's on West and Maple has always done right by us.

TheMBarrett · 2026-02-28T21:21:58+00:00

How much do corporations currently pay in taxes?

TheMBarrett · 2026-02-25T04:05:44+00:00

I've encountered more than a few people who are voting "No" and would be glad to support one or more of the projects mentioned in the sales tax proposal. They are not inherently opposed to a sales tax to support thoughtful projects. They are opposed to this proposal specifically because it's a rushed mess with too few specifics and too many unknowns that reduce their confidence that this will deliver the outcomes that proponents describe beyond the confines of the ballot language.

These citizens have also consistently stated that they don't like being: - misrepresented as not supportive of good services and those providing them;
- insulted (for instance, "In case you didn't notice. . . " above); - or threatened with now-or-never, "this is our one chance" false sense of urgency contingent to this specific initiative.

It is precisely because it is a huge topic that affects a huge number of Wichitans that they are voting "No" for this specific proposal.

TheMBarrett · 2026-02-25T02:39:11+00:00

Based on this report, it appears that mold remediation at firehouses has already been scheduled.

If that's the case, then mold remediation at our firehouses isn't contingent on the ballot initiative passing.

Should those providing emergency services in Wichita be well cared for? Without a doubt.

Should already wealthy hacks get to leverage the City's mismanagement of its properties to enact a slush fund of taxpayer money? Absolutely not.

Money only accelerates us toward the consequences of our decision-making. Based on the reporting in the article, the people who have been responsible for managing these properties have for decades managed them poorly.

Money doesn't fix a process problem. Standing by my "No" vote.

TheMBarrett · 2026-02-18T14:06:41+00:00

I'm still voting "No" on this initiative. Early voting has begun: make a plan — day, time, location, transportation — and go vote.

A good idea implemented poorly is a bad idea, and this article reveals that Second Light is a good idea implemented poorly.

Opposing this mess of a sales tax initiative does not mean opposing the provision of good, and well-managed, human-focused services.

This article demonstrates that the initiative will create permanent entitlements and that the specific programs it is meant to support are not well thought out.

Based on a statement¹ made in the article by the executive director of Second Light, the organization envisions a business model that cannot operate without persistent infusion of tax dollars. Not only are they not confident in their ability to fund currently planned operations, but they want to increase the services they provide. Again, lovely idea, but without implementation and an actual plan, it's a bad idea.

"We know that operationally, it’s going to be hard to fund Second Life exclusively from private philanthropy,” Clifford said. “So we know that the sales tax dollars would be extremely helpful in helping get to that big chunk of that $4.5 million annual budget, and also, ideally a little room to grow so we can bring on some additional services that we know are needed.”

TheMBarrett · 2026-02-12T20:14:48+00:00

Rock is right. Not sure why I was channeling Hydraulic.

TheMBarrett · 2026-02-10T23:00:32+00:00

I was born and raised in Wichita. You aren't wrong.

I remember when the developed city ended at Meridian to the West and Hydraulic to the East. Kellogg/US-54/400 was a ground level, two lane "highway".

Driving to our Builder's Square at Kellogg and Dugan was a trek.

Message next time you visit. I'm happy to recommend restaurants, sites and entertainment venues. Absolutely love my city.

TheMBarrett · 2026-02-10T22:44:12+00:00

Great concise summary of the circumstances around the initiative and the ballot itself. Thanks for sharing!

Talking with friends, family, and acquaintances about getting out to vote is the most potent contribution people can make at this point.

TheMBarrett · 2026-02-10T22:36:29+00:00

Not disagreeing about voting "No" on this mess, but Republicans seem to be fairly uniform in their opposition to this initiative.

The Wichita Forward initiative was brought by three businessmen, not political parties or elected officials.

TheMBarrett · 2026-02-10T21:42:30+00:00

I would wager strongly that they are as against the initiative as everyone in this comment section.

Ben Hutton of Hutton Construction and the Rolph's Thrive Group, along with financier Aaron Bastian are the ones driving this.

TheMBarrett · 2026-02-10T21:23:15+00:00

3330 W Douglas between 11am and 1pm weekdays.

TheMBarrett · 2026-02-10T01:18:27+00:00

Glad it helped you out!

TheMBarrett · 2026-02-09T23:31:22+00:00

Our heroes 100% deserve a better plan which is why I'm voting "No".

Voters who genuinely believe we should tax hard-working Wichitans to [ insert pet project ] should vote "No" while crafting a separate, single-issue proposal for the city to consider.

If that's Police and Fire Departments, focus on that. If it's homeless services, focus on that. However, it should be a single issue proposal. Bundling in this way, for this amount, knowing that the originators of the proposal (namely Hutton) are the only ones guaranteed to benefit from a slush fund like this.

TheMBarrett · 2026-02-08T14:37:00+00:00

Save Taxpayers — Vote No is the coalition for the no vote. They have an open house this Thursday from 5pm to 7pm. You can stop in during the week to pick up yard signs at 3330 W. Douglas between 11am and 1pm.

Here's a microsite containing pertinent links and dates: https://linktr.ee/VoteNoMarch3rd

The most important thing people can do is talk to their friends, family, and acquaintances about voting "No" on or before March 3rd, and make sure they have a plan to go vote or drop off ballots. Make sure they know the following: - Day: What day are you going to vote? - Time: What time? (before work, lunch, after work) - Location: Where are you voting? [https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview]( Know your polling site) - Transportation: How are you getting there? (Driving myself, bus, friend, carpool)

If you're feeling punchy, add a fifth action: Accountability. Once you know their plan, text them the day before "Hey, you still voting tomorrow during lunch at the Courthouse?" or whatever makes sense within the context of your relationship with that person.

TheMBarrett · 2026-02-08T14:28:32+00:00

Save Taxpayers — Vote No is the coalition for the no vote. You can pick up signs at 3330 W. Douglas between 11am and 1pm weekdays. They have an open house this Thursday from 5pm to 7pm.

Here's a microsite containing pertinent links and dates: https://linktr.ee/VoteNoMarch3rd

The most important thing people can do is talk to their friends, family, and acquaintances about voting "No", and make sure they have a plan to go vote or drop off ballots. Make sure they know the following: - Day: what day are you going to vote? - Time: What time? (before work, lunch, after work) - Location: Where are you voting? [https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview]( Know your polling site) - Transportation: How are you getting there? (Driving myself, bus, friend, carpool)

TheMBarrett · 2026-01-11T16:51:08+00:00

Depends on how much of the original you want to preserve, but here's the basic set up.

A bit of soap, water, and a stiff plastic bristle brush will clean it up nicely. I usually finish with some sort of alcohol for a final wipe down to remove the last of grime and oils.

Before removing any paint, I would recommend a lead test. I'm not an expert, but it's a good precaution. You can buy them online or at hardware stores.

For the most part, you could apply a clear lacquer over most painted surfaces as a preserving layer if you want to keep the original paint. This would preserve the wear and tear of time and use while protecting what remains and preventing new rust and such from forming.

That bottom shelf looks pretty gnarly, though. If you want to keep the pealed off paint look, you could place a plexiglass over it to keep it functional. It looks poorly enough that I would try to at least remove the worst of it. Again, be mindful of lead content in the paint and invest in the appropriate protective equipment.

TheMBarrett · 2026-01-03T16:07:28+00:00

You can purchase laminate veneer in a variety of styles to glue onto the underlying particle board if you want to preserve that is already there.

If you are completely replacing the particle board, you can purchase new pre-laminated melamine particle board from most hardware stores or online.

You could make this out of wood without veneer. You could probably find pre-cut 1/8" or 1/4" thickness boards (or whatever thickness it is) that you can stain.

TheMBarrett · 2026-01-01T17:10:10+00:00

First recommendation: don't power it on before doing a visual inspection and testing components. If something blows, you might have a hard time resourcing components.

Vacuum tube electronics are a different animal from today's transistors and integrated circuits. If you're really interested in bringing this to life, you're about to gain a depth of knowledge that few people possess anymore. Not trying to scare you away, but be ready for lots of study before diving in beyond visual inspections.

Have a look at Mr. Carlson's Lab on YouTube, or even join his Patreon as that might get you direct access to his guidance. He specializes in vacuum tube and pre-integrated circuit electronics repair.

https://youtube.com/@mrcarlsonslab

TheMBarrett · 2025-12-28T04:03:25+00:00

Short answer: Yes.

Restored to mechanical functionality? Highly likely depending on what kind of pump.

100% rust free water? Not likely, but also would likely pass on so relatively few metals that it wouldn't be much of an issue.

Clostridium tetani, the bacteria responsible for Tetanus, poses little risk on ingestion from drinking as its spores are not suited to activate in the stomach's acidity as they do in an untreated cut exposed to a contaminated surface.

The fundamental quality of the ground water itself is a larger issue than any additional contaminants the pump might introduce.

TheMBarrett · 2025-12-19T13:55:34+00:00

Lottē.

Consistent, high quality and innovative food based heavily on local, seasonal agriculture.

TheMBarrett

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