Opinion
Public Mind
To The Sun: The mayor and Oswego City Council members held a strategic long range planning session on Nov. 12. The city's meeting was held at a hunting lodge in Cherokee County. I'm sure it was nice. But to hold a city meeting to discuss the promotion of Oswego's businesses and schools at an out of town business that pays taxes to Cherokee County and Columbus' schools sends the wrong message. That meeting should have been held in Oswego. I b...
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Public Mind
To The Sun: In the fall of 2010 the Kansas Public Health Association Inc. and the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund collaborated to make funding for a breastfeeding grant available to public health departments that could include partners who could receive a share of funds. Labette County Health Department worked with Chris Drumm, a certified lactation specialist and an employee of Labette Health. Chris wanted to become an international boa...
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Public Mind
To The Sun: A big shout out for the new sheriff in town! A sincere thank you to Labette County Sheriff Robert Sims and all law enforcements officers who were involved in arresting the thugs in the recent home invasions in such a timely manner. I think as citizens of Labette county we all feel better about these guys being behind bars. Let’s hope our court system will keep them there. — TERRY SMITH, Cherryvale
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What is a Family and Consumer Science Agent?
The mission of Kansas State University Research and Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) is to link education with life experiences to help people improve their lives, their families and their communities. There are five areas of essential life skills that FCS focuses on: Resource management, healthy lifestyle choices, leadership/volunteer development, relationship development and community development. Resource Management: A few to...
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Too bad sign's not working for holidays
From what I understand, Labette Health gave a sign to the city and the city invested about $7,000 tax dollars to install it at the corner of 16th and Main. It was touted as a good deal and would be useful to announce community events, etc. After about two months, I started to think that maybe it was a good deal, but only because it came without an on/off switch. Then, about a week ago, it turned on for a late afternoon announcement. Then it w...
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Ease holiday cash crunch
Most people have times in their life when it seems as if their money has wings. For many, the holiday season, with extra as well as end-of-the-year expenses, is an example, said Carol Young, K-State Research and Extension financial management specialist. The cash crunch can be a challenge, yet also can make the end of the year a good time to review personal financial goals and consider saving and spending priorities for the new year, said You...
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Public Mind
To The Sun: I am sitting here and watching 60 Minutes on TV and had to write something to vent my anger and shame. The show is about children in Florida. In this one county there are 1,100 homeless kids. These kids are living in cars, trucks, in alleys and under bridges. Twenty-five percent of the kids in our U.S.A. are apparently living in poverty. They say they have to hide because they are ashamed to tell their friends at school of their h...
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Healthy holiday eating habits
Dear Reno: How do I stay on track for healthy eating during the holidays? Thank you. — J.P. Holidays are here, and this means good times with family and friends. This also means feasting and lots of food. So, how do you maintain your healthy eating and wellness goals? The temptation to overindulge is always there, but with a little planning you can avoid compromising your health. Make holidays more about people and socializing, not just food...
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Take your 2011 RMD soon to avoid an IRS penalty
By Chad Boaz Associate financial adviser, Ameriprise   If you’re 70½ or older, you’re required to withdraw a minimum amount each year from your IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans. Failure to take your 2011 required minimum distribution (RMD) by Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, may result in a stiff IRS penalty. When to take RMDs You are generally allowed to take penalty-free distributions starting at age 50½. However, by April 1 of the year a...
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Myths, facts about city government
By Fred Gress Parsons City Manager Over the past two months, I have received several comments about future topics for this column and this month’s column is one of them. After a brief discussion with a resident about the current city manager form of government, I realized that many people don’t fully understand how this form of government actually works. So I will attempt to describe our form of government with the help of the International Ci...
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Our View
Hats off to Pai A Parsons High School graduate is climbing the political ladder in Washington, D.C. In case you missed it last month, Ajit Pai is President Obama’s nominee for a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. Pai was a 1990 graduate of PHS and was an outstanding debater. He attended Harvard University and then received his juris doctor degree from the University of Chicago. Pai is a partner in the Litigation Department ...
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Henry to retire this week from FSA
By Kitra Cooper Farm Service Agency More changes are coming to the Labette County FSA. Annetta Henry, program technician for 30 years, is retiring. Her last day in the office will be Friday, and we are hosting a reception for her that afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m. We know we are not the only ones who will miss her hard work and dedication, so plan to stop by and wish her well. The 2012 federal budget is calling for another 12.5 percent reductio...
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Public Mind
Turn negative into positive energy To The Sun: The recent letters to the editor and comments made at Parsons City Commission meetings regarding city government and how it is operating are of great concern to me. Several issues have surfaced: Taxes are too high: Yes, that is true, but as explained on several occasions by the city manager, it is a function of the city’s valuation, which is low. More homes and more industry on the tax rolls are k...
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Let’s be nice
Vetta “Bunny” Stewart, an octogenarian from Parsons, has now been bounced from two Parsons City Commission meetings (Nov. 17 and in August 2010), both after verbal exchanges with Commissioner Greg York. The dealings seem harsh, considering her age, especially since she was physically carried out of the room last week while sitting on her chair. The truth is that city commissioners and members of other public bodies have a right to run a meeti...
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Public Mind two
To The Sun: The Parsons city commissioners work for the people of the city, and it is their job to keep the people informed on what is going on. The city of Parsons seems to be inadequate about informing its citizens of the events of the city or city meetings. I contacted CableOne and asked what it entailed to have the commission meetings played live on a local channel. The cable company’s response was there was already a cable channel provi...
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Public Mind one
To The Sun: Winston Churchill once said, “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” It’s easy to be negative. It’s easy to say something bad, and I would argue that in today’s climate it is easier to be negative than to be positive. The attitude of the vocal minority in Parsons has become quite disturbing to me. This vocal group has some valid concerns and could probably accomplish great things in Parsons if they set their min...
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Public Mind
Give to the Community Clinic To The Sun: During this Thanksgiving season and its spirit of giving and love I want to express my thanks to all associated with the Parsons Community Clinic in an effort to provide a safety net for those who because of economic circumstances are uninsured and who have no other access to regular health care. I thank the Assembly of God congregation for the generous use of their facility. I thank the volunteers, th...
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Perusing Parsons
By Peter King Sun Publisher I lived in Kansas about four years ago, but that was Johnson County, and I guess it could be argued that Johnson County is not the real Kansas. It is certainly a different lifestyle than Parsons. Please notice that I said different, not necessarily better. I really like it here and I have met some really great people; I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world. I had been away for a couple of years, living in t...
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Couple to celebrate 25th anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Luther Gamblian Jr. of Parsons will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary with a reception for family starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, hosted by Jessica Gamblian, Dorinda Gobin and Diana Gamblian. Luther “Butch” Gamblian Jr. and Alice “Jodie” McCready were married Nov. 21, 1986, at the chapel in Parsons Presbyterian Manor by the Revs. Kermit Prince and Fred Gates. The Gamblians enjoy spending time with their children and gra...
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Public Mind
City manager should resign To The Sun: The Parsons city manager should resign immediately. It has been very clear that the city is being managed at a very poor level. To start with, there is a change of orders on almost everything. If a bid is submitted, only that bid should be paid. In Oakwood Cemetery, one person was buried in the wrong plot, and there’s been concern that others may be as well. In October, my relative was excavated and moved...
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