Wit this issue we begin a series of articles about the components of USD 410’s $6.625 million capital-improvement project. The issue will be put to a vote in a bond election on Tuesday, June 5. In addition to local newspaper coverage, board members will be making public presentations about these improvements and the related financial obligations. As soon as dates are confirmed, we will let you know about them. We encourage you to attend at least one of these meetings to be fully informed of the issues.<p>The four components of the project address pertinent needs. The question voters must decide is if they believe the improvements are worth the price tag. It’s important to hear the rationale for the improvements rather than make a hasty judgment.<p>USD 410 patrons have always taken pride in the quality of their schools. It’s up to us to determine if the proposed building improvements ultimately will contribute to the improvement of the overall educational experience. —DR <p>
The community of Hillsboro not only enjoys some of the best water in the entire state, thanks to the recent $3.5 million upgrades made thies past year at the local water-treatment plant, but now it officially has the state’s best water-treatment plant operator running the show.
Morgan Marler recently was named Water Plant Supervisor of the Year by the Kansas Rural Water Association (see story Page 5), which has more than 775 municipal and rural members. We don’t know much about the competition she faced, but having observed her in action, we’re not surprised by the honor. She knows the business of making safe water inside and out. Her input in the recent upgrade project was indispensible.
We were already aware that she has become a frequent source of advice and education for water-plant supervisors around the state. Her knowledge is widely respected and sought.
Generally, Morgan prefers to remain behind the scenes, fulfilling the expectations of her job without public attention and fanfare. We gladly embarrass her this time, at least. She deserves the recognition. And our gratitude. —DR
Americans often wonder whether their vote really makes a difference. Whether it has the impact we’d like isn’t as important as fulfilling our duty to participate in the democratic process. If you don’t vote for public officials, you haven’t earned the right to criticize them either.
Having said that, in no other arena will a vote make more impact than at the local level. For one thing, the electorate is smaller so every vote carries more weight. Even more significant, no other level of government affects you more directly than than the local level. Your mayor and city council are responsible for the streets you drive every day, the utilities that feed your home with energy, and the services your family will need in an emergency.
Spring storms bring the potential for deliverance from drought but also the prospect of devastation.
As we write this, weather forecasters are promising us the probability of rain for almost every day this week, with some severe storms possible. Folks with any grasp of our local agricultural conditions will be praying that the prospect of significant rain comes to fruition. Our producers need it desperately. Though surface moisture has improved from a few of months ago, subsoil moisture is still seriously lagging.
We overemphasize its importance at times, but athletics can put an entire community on the same team.
It’s good to ask ourselves once in a while if we attach too much importance on athletic competition, particularly at the high school level. The answer is probably yes—at least some of us do. At the same time, to witness the positive impact athletic competition and school pride can have on an entire community is to see that the issue is more complex than the critics might suggest.
