Interesting thoughts. I'm all for Indian Casinos. Think we should have more of them. (Though they benefit the Indians more than the community - at least the casino does - the tourism couldn't hurt the town, though)

I'd consider some modernization like... getting a contract with Google or something for Free Wifi in your town - (many cities are doing this) or try to attract some new technology; we're at the best time in decades for being on the cusp of something really new - really exciting, and an old town is a great place to invest the time, money and energy into something new. A new retail hub for an on-line distributor, or a new source of energy production - someone needs to make the solar panels that our Energy Secretary is pushing for. Etc.

Moderization is a good thing, and now it a hot time for it.

A deft politician will make the older community in town realize the benefits of it, and how it's not taking anything away from them or their lifestyle, but instead is adding to it.

I teach doctors to use electronic medical records - I know a thing or two about convincing people that change is good.

Sounds good, Jim.

When Diane Feinstein became mayor (after the Milk/Moscone massacre) she let the shipping jobs go across the bay to Oakland, and focused on turning San Francisco's economy to tourism, which payed off for a few decades.

It helped that SF was already a world class destination, but with the scuzzy shipping element moved across the bay (Oakland taking a hit in the process - something they're still recovering from - with help from our past and future gov. Brown!) - but if your town is quaint, and old-fashioned, something could be said for that...

Let me explain - you put in a casino - people come from neighboring communities - you bring in a couple of nicer mid-level hotels (offering them some sort of tax incentive to come) - I'm talking Hampton Inn and the mid-level Marriots - bring those in for the people to stay at while in town, gambling - then put some effort into playing up the "old" - (Dig our cool old-timey diners! Check out the cool old down town! Enjoy our local talent! etc) yet, while still having modern "New" for your tourists - free wifi, chain conviences in a secluded corner of town, etc. The revenue from the tourists will bring in a windfall of cash.

A thought... I don't know - I don't know your town, but I'm spit-balling here based on what I know.

Matthew, yes, good guess, I am in Bonner Springs. Bonner Springs is in Wyandotte County, which is the smallest county in Kansas. Directly to our south is Johnson County, which at one time was one of the wealthiest per capita counties in America.

Michael R - can't speak for all of Kansas, although I suspect there is some exodus occurring elsewhere in the state. Wyandotte County is a working class community and as the younger folks go off to school and graduate, they tend to gravitate to Johnson County for work and living. Frankly, that's because where most of the jobs are.

Mike O - it was not an Indian operation, although that idea was floated as well. The Native claims to this part of Kansas would be tenuous at best.         & nbsp;         & nbsp; I live a short distance from the Kansas Speedway, which was nothing short of an economic savior for Wyandotte County. From the speedway came a baseball team, a huge shopping village, a couple of destination hotels, soon the Kansas City Wizards MLS team, and someone naturally suggested a casino. Kansas has some funny gambling laws, so they found a way to have 4 casinos - one in each corner of the state - owned by the state but operated by a private company. One opened in Dodge City that I believe is operated by Harrah's. Anyway, it was thought a casino would be mutually beneficial to the speedway and vice versa, and in looking for land there was some directly west of the speedway that is just inside Bonner Springs. We passed. onit, and I freely admit I don't know all the reasons. I do know the city fathers, in after-action, mentioned a casino didn't fit the city's image. So they're building a casino literally on turn 2 of the racetrack. It was going to be the Hard Rock but they pulled out, and I can't remember who it is now.

Basically my feeling is that some original thinking might be good for the community. I like Burger King but we should be going after more, and honestly better paying, jobs. That's what will keep people living here and staying here.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. If I run I need to brush up on municipality speak - mill levy, capital improvements, etc.

And remember, Sarah Palin started out as a small-town mayor...

Joe, by that logic so am I.

"By God no Russkies ever invaded Bonner Springs on my watch!"

And for that reason alone, Jim, you've got my vote!

I don't live anywhere near you.... but you still got my vote!

Hey, Jim. Your'e not that far from me. I'm in Topeka.

Also, count me in as saying: Go for it!