LIEAP offers help for energy bills for low-income families

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 16 January 2008 15:50

The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services will be accepting applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program from Tuesday, Jan. 22 through Monday, March 31.

LIEAP provides an annual benefit to help qualifying households pay winter heating bills. Individuals with disabilities, elderly persons, and families with children are the primary groups assisted.

An average benefit of $293.43 was provided to 41,269 households in 2007.

“This important program helps those in need maintain safe and warm homes throughout the cold winter months,” said SRS Secretary Don Jordan.

To qualify, applicants must be responsible for direct payment of their heating bills. Income eligibility guidelines are set at 130 percent of...

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Williams resigns eco-devo position

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 09 January 2008 19:55

Jami Williams, Marion economic development director, resigned her position at the Dec. 31 City Council meeting.

The council voted 4-1 to decline her resignation, but Williams will proceed with her plan to step down from her position.

Councilor Bill Holdeman cast the vote to accept her resignation, but said later he “had nothing against her.”

Holdeman said he understood the basis for the resignation was that Williams didn’t receive the highest 2.6 percent pay increase based on evaluation for city employees.

Holdeman said he was against salaried employees getting a pay raise based on something he felt was intended for hourly employees.

“They shouldn’t get the same percentage raise,” he said.

Holdeman said he also felt...

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Schmidt encourages commissioners to move on county-wide rece

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 09 January 2008 19:53

Rollin Schmidt, transfer station director, asked the Marion County Commission Dec. 31, at an end-of-month payday meeting, to proceed with some type of county-wide program for recycling solid waste.

Schmidt said the county could haul recycled plastic, glass, metals and paper to Harvey County, and receive payment of $5 a ton for the materials. He has repeatedly called recycling the most effective way for the county to receive immediate relief on trash disposal costs.

Schmidt said Harvey County would take the materials with the help of Stutzman Refuse Disposal Inc. for selling them.

“We can start now under our own rules, or we can wait until KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment) steps in to tell us how we will do it,”...

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County OKs property insurance proposal

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 09 January 2008 19:41

The Marion County Commission Monday approved paying $98,278 for $9.7 million in insurance coverage for damage replacement value for anything from the swimming dock at the County Lake to the courthouse itself.

Insurance agents Richard Nickel, John Balthrop and Casey Case met for the annual renewal with commissioners on what they said amounted to a 9 percent increase in values.

Nickel said that for the first time, replacement of county ambulances is included in the event they are totaled.

The agents counted 16 claims by the county in the last year.

Tony Rangel with Law Kingdon, Inc., consultant for the county on both upgrading the old jail to meet state fire marshall standards and on planning for a possible new community corrections...

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