Commissioners continue on four-day work week path

Written by Jerry Engler Tuesday, 15 July 2008 14:49

The Marion County Commis­sion Monday continued to discuss the possibility of putting county workers, and thus the courthouse schedule, on a four-day work week to save energy.

Commission Chairman Bob Hein said he talked to the county clerk of Gove County in Gove, and she told him the four-day week, started there June 1 for the same energy savings, seems to be working very well.

Hein said the clerk told him she would get back to him soon with dollar figures, but can tell the savings are going to be “very significant.”

The commissioners said they believe there is potential for saving in several ways. By working four 10-hour days, they would realize savings in air conditioning and heating bills.

Workers, such as the road and...

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Lehrman to open model-plane exhibit

Written by David Vogel Wednesday, 02 July 2008 10:35

JimLehrmanPlanesP1010013.jpg Jim Lehrman of Goessel displays two of the model planes in his collection. He plans to open an exhibit of model planes in the old family-owned Lehrman Oil Co. building on Goessel’s Main Street.David Vogel /Free Press

Since he was a boy, Jim Lehrman has had a passion for building and flying model airplanes. And he enjoys sharing that passion with the experienced modeler as well as the uninitiated.

In August, Lehrman hopes to share his hobby with the local folks in Goessel.

Growing up in that community, Lehrman was introduced at a young age to the traditional model airplanes made of the balsa wood frame and a light covering.

David Vogel / Free Press. Jim Lehrman has enjoyed model...

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Commissioners discuss how to find tax money for jail

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 02 July 2008 10:18

The Marion County Commission decided Monday to vote in a week on howit would generate tax funds to support bonds for a new jail.

The question on whether to approve this tax for bonds on a new $8.5million community corrections center will come before the countywidevote­­ in the Nov. 4 general election.

In discussions with Tony Rangel and Dennis Smith, architects withLaw/Kingdon Inc. of Wichita, the commissioners seemed to be leaningtoward a 1 percent county sales tax that bond counsel projected wouldgenerate $960,000 annually with $251,113 surplus to meet a $708,887annual bond payment.

David K. Arteberry, the bond counsel with George K. Baum & Co. of Kansas City, said the surplus would be required by the state to be kept in a...

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Kjellin selected as Marion's new economic development director

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 02 July 2008 10:15

Doug Kjellin was unanimously named the new economic development director Monday by the Marion City Council after 25 minutes in executive session.

Kjellin’s selection was the result of a lengthy process by committee and interview to find a successor for Jami Williams.

He is a Marion native, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kjellin, both now deceased, who farmed east of Marion. He said he and his family are living in the city temporarily, but expect to move to the family farm after some home remodeling.

Mayor Mary Olson said Kjellin’s salary will be $46,000 annually, and he was to begin work Tuesday morning.

Marty Fredrickson, building inspector, planning and zoning director, and street superintendent, said a permit for a 1,600...

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