Is the U.S. committed to strong international trade?

Written by John Schlageck / Kansas Farm Bureau Wednesday, 14 November 2007 08:16

Will the United States wind up a second-rate exporting nation or will we grasp the golden ring?

During the next few years, our country will have one of its best opportunities to export agricultural products. World population is expected to double before it levels off again.

What developing nations want most are cereals, meat, milk and eggs. While U.S. meat consumption is hardly rising, it increases about 100,000 tons per year in Japan, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In China, meat consumption has risen an average of 2.3 million tons yearly during the past few years.

The United States has the climate, cropland and know how to supply agricultural products to feed the nations of the hungry world. Our country has the...

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Austin Babcock joins new Dental Care team

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 14 November 2007 08:15

AustinBabcock.jpg Austin Babcock has joined the staff of McPherson and Hillsboro Dental Care as an additional dentist.

Babcock joins Jon Julian and Brian Kynaston as dentists serving both locations.

Babcock was born in Provo, Utah, but grew up outside of Seattle, Wash., the eldest of six children. A 2002 graduate of Brigham Young University, he graduated from Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio, in May 2006.

Upon graduation, Babcock worked in private practice in Denver, Colo., until joining McPherson and Hillsboro Dental Care in August.

Babcock and wife Nicole live in McPherson and have four children: Meg, 6, Andy, 4, Maisie, 2, and Nick, 6.

An appointment with Babcock can be scheduled by calling the Hillsboro office at 947-0050 or the...

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Rhodes on Roads- Road-sign vandalism is illegal

Written by Martin Rhodes Wednesday, 14 November 2007 08:13

Marion County has thousands of signs—from street signs to road-safety signs. The county’s road and bridge department employs one person full-time simply to replace damaged or missing signs.

It is beyond my reasoning why anyone would want to unbolt a stop sign or yield sign from a post and remove it. Perhaps it doesn’t occur to them that doing so could cause a very serious accident, with the loss of life and property. Property can be replaced, but a human life cannot.

The same principle is true for the street signs at each intersection. Suppose someone called the ambulance or the fire department and the responders couldn’t find the street they needed to take because the signs were missing. Even the loss of a few minutes can make a...

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Marion residents ponder scenarios for city's economic future

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 07 November 2007 13:11

Marion residents suggested their city’s future could develop as an “end retirement spot” for baby boomers looking for a nice place to live.

About 70 residents gathered Monday night, Oct. 29, to share ideas for economic development that could be sponsored by the city.

Participants pictured condominiums and patio homes as part of the development picture for living in a small town that is easy to get around in and has a low crime rate.

The participants seemed to agree that the thrust of the city’s development is toward Marion County Lake with eventual annexation of that area. Some suggested that the city’s “valley” vicinity has the potential to provide starter homes for younger people.

Roger Schwab, chairman of the Marion...

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