The $23,000 includes $20,000 to be given $1,000 at a time at closing on 20 new homes as an incentive for families to build houses here.

The other $3,000 would be for advertising in newspapers in neighboring counties and for brochures, according to an estimate by Donna Bernhardt of Hoch Publishing.

Jim Hefley and Jami Williams, in making the request of the city, said 56 participants at a Marion Chamber of Commerce meeting all volunteered giving various incentives to persons that would build homes in the city.

Williams said all three banks in town said they would waive closing costs and fees for persons who would build new homes under the incentive program. She said there are many vacant lots in town that could be made available if persons who wanted to build would offer the right price.

Hefley and Williams said the housing effort is modeled on a similar plan in Hesston.

Ogden said the Marion decision for Sunday alcohol "unfortunately all came down to all about money" which the two commissioners who voted for it acknowledged is the truth.

Commissioners Jim Crofoot and Max Hayen voted for the sales. Mayor Martin Tice voted against the idea.

Ogden, who administers the Communities in Schools program, said alcohol is the most commonly used drug among America's youth wth 43 percent of Marion County students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 saying they have tried it.

She said that would compare to 22 percent of Marion County students who reported smoking cigarettes, 12 percent who tried marijuana, 9 percent to tried inhalants, and 2 percent who have used methamphetamine.

Ogden said that in Marion County the average child begins drinking alcohol regularly by age 14 compared to age 16 nationally.

Marion County eighth graders report 21 percent of them drinking on one or two occasions in the past month.

Ogden said potency and variety of alcoholic products, family environment shifts to providing more alcohol, and beverage companies' support of athletic events have all caused a shift to increased youth drinking.

Don Vinduska, owner of the liquor store in Marion, said he and his staff have decided not to open on Sundays, but he knows from customers, especially from visitors to the two lakes, that Sunday beer sales would dramatically increase at city grocery and convenience stores.

The sales approval was requested by Casey's General Store.

Laura Legg, manager of Ampride, said her company was neutral on the decision, but will participate because the store is open anyway.

Crofoot, in moving to allow the sales, said he knows of people driving to Strong City for Sunday purchases anyway, and that approvals for sales in other neighboring communities will take trade away from Marion "when businesses are struggling anyway."

City Inspector Marty Fredrickson reported a condemned house at 1018 Denver is "on the ground being hauled away."

He said improvements are still pending on another house at 201 Freeborn to make it liveable, and a public petition has been received that could lead to condemnation of a house at 501 N. Roosevelt.