A Tale of Two Cities: Omaha versus Wichita

[MoValley John]

In Buffet's case, he believes helping in poor kids and their chances resting with the public schools so they support them. I also believe that I read somewhere that Buffet sent his children to publi. .c schools but I could be wrong on that. Some of Wichita's more wealthy citizens (who support public schools) do some of that, but they obviously lack the resources to do something that big. Another aspect for the city of Wichita, and USD 259, there used to be more wealthy citizens who sent their children to North (Riverside, and further west), East (College HIll), and Southeast (Vickeridge, etc.). Now those more wealthy areas are older with fewer children, as wealthy people are moving west to Maize and Goddard, and east to Andover, and maybe Derby. Other citizens send their children to private schools such as Collegiate, or of the Catholic variety.

I think that I"m correct that the Koch's don't believe in public education so they won't support something similar to Buffet. I like it when Koch spends his money on the community of Wichita but don't think it's fair to expect it.

Again, it's Susan Buffett, not Warren, that invests in public education. Warren will gladly take the pat on the back if you give it to him, but Susan is the philanthropist.

[MoValley John]

This is the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Reserch Center. I get so sick and tired of hearing that Warren is spearheading philanthropy, he isn't. He has family members that do, not him. Sorry to deflect, but the misinformation must stop. Buffett is a class a douchebag.

[MoValley John]

And I just came to report that I logged 25 miles today and have 50 planned for tomorrow. Out of nowhere, I get hit with the LA Times sucking on Buffetts nutsack. It gets old.

[Shox The Revenant]

I'm not in the camp that Koch has to do anymore than what he's already doing here in Wichita. Heck, I'm happy he's kept KOCH HQ here in town employing thousands of people making many them millionaires as well. Omaha also has 70K Council Bluffs, Iowa butting up to it as well, so that doesn't hurt them either.

I've lived in Wichita pretty much all my life and if it's one thing that drives me bat schitt crazy about Wichitans is that they are very self-deprecating bunch I've ever seen. No city pride and embarrassed to reveal they're from the ICT (especially the younger crowd). This low morale perpetuates itself generation after generation and that's why Wichita is slow to progress. Not to mention this city is chalk full of very conservative people who make stupid decisions and or vote down initiatives that would help the city.

Want to bring a casino to downtown Wichita and spice up the downtown area, not to mention bring in tax revenue? Voted it down, because it's a sin to gamble and might attract the nefarious type of folk. Half the population want to keep that eyesore of a blue roofed round building instead of razing it and building a modern expo hall. Wichitans want to feel high brow but they don't want to put their money where their mouth is with necessary tax increases to pay for nice things.

Young people don't want to stay here or come back because from a social perspective, Wichita is boring for single folks. Lastly, our city leadership has stunk for as long as I can remember and have no ambition to do anything. Would I love for Koch to put more money into the city sure, but I don't expect him to. It takes a collective mindset change to elevate this city, not for us to rely on one man.

[Veritas]

David Koch was quite the giver and donated over $1b in NYC.
Charles doesn’t need to obviously, but it sure would be nice for the city and his legacy if he did. It’s his hometown, and the world headquarters of his company. Help make it proud.

[Kel Varnsen]

I think there's a lot to these arguments:

Koch does a lot for Wichita State, but could certainly do more in Wichita.

There are a lot of people besides the Kochs (although I would include them in this category somewhat) who are so adamant against any property tax or sales tax increases that help provide benefits to keep and attract people here. Heck, even getting IBA was a struggle. I'm as small government as it gets, but the closer you get to localities (Federal > regional > state > county > city > neighborhood > family), you have to do a few more things at the collective level. Omaha is way ahead of us in this regard, and it has nothing to do with Buffett.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

I'm not in the camp that Koch has to do anymore than what he's already doing here in Wichita. Heck, I'm happy he's kept KOCH HQ here in town employing thousands of people making many them millionaires as well. Omaha also has 70K Council Bluffs, Iowa butting up to it as well, so that doesn't hurt them either.

I've lived in Wichita pretty much all my life and if it's one thing that drives me bat schitt crazy about Wichitans is that they are very self-deprecating bunch I've ever seen. No city pride and embarrassed to reveal they're from the ICT (especially the younger crowd). This low morale perpetuates itself generation after generation and that's why Wichita is slow to progress. Not to mention this city is chalk full of very conservative people who make stupid decisions and or vote down initiatives that would help the city.

Want to bring a casino to downtown Wichita and spice up the downtown area, not to mention bring in tax revenue? Voted it down, because it's a sin to gamble and might attract the nefarious type of folk. Half the population want to keep that eyesore of a blue roofed round building instead of razing it and building a modern expo hall. Wichitans want to feel high brow but they don't want to put their money where their mouth is with necessary tax increases to pay for nice things.

Young people don't want to stay here or come back because from a social perspective, Wichita is boring for single folks. Lastly, our city leadership has stunk for as long as I can remember and have no ambition to do anything. Would I love for Koch to put more money into the city sure, but I don't expect him to. It takes a collective mindset change to elevate this city, not for us to rely on one man.

Preach it brutha!

[SHOCKvalue]

I'm not in the camp that Koch has to do anymore than what he's already doing here in Wichita. Heck, I'm happy he's kept KOCH HQ here in town employing thousands of people making many them millionaires as well. Omaha also has 70K Council Bluffs, Iowa butting up to it as well, so that doesn't hurt them either.

I've lived in Wichita pretty much all my life and if it's one thing that drives me bat schitt crazy about Wichitans is that they are very self-deprecating bunch I've ever seen. No city pride and embarrassed to reveal they're from the ICT (especially the younger crowd). This low morale perpetuates itself generation after generation and that's why Wichita is slow to progress. Not to mention this city is chalk full of very conservative people who make stupid decisions and or vote down initiatives that would help the city.

Want to bring a casino to downtown Wichita and spice up the downtown area, not to mention bring in tax revenue? Voted it down, because it's a sin to gamble and might attract the nefarious type of folk. Half the population want to keep that eyesore of a blue roofed round building instead of razing it and building a modern expo hall. Wichitans want to feel high brow but they don't want to put their money where their mouth is with necessary tax increases to pay for nice things.

Young people don't want to stay here or come back because from a social perspective, Wichita is boring for single folks. Lastly, our city leadership has stunk for as long as I can remember and have no ambition to do anything. Would I love for Koch to put more money into the city sure, but I don't expect him to. It takes a collective mindset change to elevate this city, not for us to rely on one man.

And ironically... Omaha and NE purposely keep the casinos off of the NE side. Leaves them to Council Bluffs, which is like a bigger version of Haysville or Augusta. CB has been the butt of Omaha metro jokes since like three days after the Mormons put up their tents for their winter layoff back in 1800-whatever.

Casinos are guady sheetholes, so count me in as part of the population that is glad we don't have one downtown, even though I wish greatly for downtown to keep on keeping on with its redevelopment.

Do you know a lot of people that love to spend time at casinos? Honestly, I don't. Retired south side Wichitans sure, but certainly no college-educated gen x-ers or millenials. Not trying to sound like an arse, just reality at least from my perspective.

[wufan]

And ironically... Omaha and NE purposely keep the casinos off of the NE side. Leaves them to Council Bluffs, which is like a bigger version of Haysville or Augusta. CB has been the butt of Omaha metro jokes since like three days after the Mormons put up their tents for their winter layoff back in 1800-whatever.

Casinos are guady sheetholes, so count me in as part of the population that is glad we don't have one downtown, even though I wish greatly for downtown to keep on keeping on with its redevelopment.

Do you know a lot of people that love to spend time at casinos? Honestly, I don't. Retired south side Wichitans sure, but certainly no college-educated gen x-ers or millenials. Not trying to sound like an arse, just reality at least from my perspective.

Casinos are good for occasional entertainment, and are likely to attract the occasional out of towner that doesn’t know what to do when here.

[ABC]

There really weren't any facts to support the thesis that Koch is the reason for Wichita's stagnation. None. The most notable thing to me, if true, is the per capita philanthropy. What does Charles or Koch Industries have to do with that?

[wufan]

There really weren't any facts to support the thesis that Koch is the reason for Wichita's stagnation. None. The most notable thing to me, if true, is the per capita philanthropy. What does Charles or Koch Industries have to do with that?

If he would just give more money away, Wichita’s per capita philanthropy would be higher.

[Veritas]

There really weren't any facts to support the thesis that Koch is the reason for Wichita's stagnation. None. The most notable thing to me, if true, is the per capita philanthropy. What does Charles or Koch Industries have to do with that?

Of course, Koch cannot be blamed for stagnation. I do not see any supporting evidence of Koch trying to flatten Wichita’s economy or growth. However an argument can be made that Koch does little or not enough on community programs that makes Wichita a better place to live. It could be though that CK makes anonymous donations that we don’t hear about. Per capita philanthropy though is pretty low contrasted to Omaha’s thus I suspect Buffetts provide a lot more to Omaha than Koch. Tulsa’s public space was mainly created privately.
I’m hoping we see a Koch performing arts center that is truly a crown jewel in the Midwest if not the country.

Wichita had a lot of momentum prior to Covid. It might take some seed money to bring back civic pride, employment, and new jobs. I hope that CK and others work together to recognize that and kick start that momentum and growth.

As as someone wrote previously, I’m proud Koch Industries HQ is in Wichita. CK seems like a heck of a guy.