New postmasters for Durham, Roxbury

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Thursday, 13 December 2007 02:42

Two Marion County communities will be served by new postmasters appointed by the U.S. Postal Service.

Connie Johnson has been appointed for Durham, and Paula Morgan for Roxbury, both effective Dec. 8.

In their new positions, Johnson and Morgan will be responsible for all customer-service functions, such as retail operations and delivery of mail in their respective communities.

The installation ceremony for Johnson will be at 10 a.m. Jan. 16 at the Durham Post Office lobby, 508 Douglas.

The installation ceremony for Morgan will be at 10 a.m. Jan. 9 at the Roxbury Post Office lobby, 104 N. Main.

Marion council hears free-land request for jail project

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 05 December 2007 14:50

Marion County Commissioners Randy Dallke and Dan Holub came to the Marion City Council meeting Monday to ask for free land in the city industrial park for a projected 75-bed county correctional facility that would house inmates for pay from other areas plus local prisoners.

But they had to leave for more consultations with their architect after suggestions for alternate sites from Mayor Mary Olson and City Administrator David Mayfield.

Dallke said they would be back right away for discussions because a site needs to be chosen by the end of January to finalize plans by the end of August for the November election to seek voter approval for the jail.

The architect from Law/Kingdon Inc. of Wichita had planned the jail on a 6.6-acre tract...

Read more: Marion council hears free-land request for jail project

Commissioners consider contracting for more financial advice

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 05 December 2007 14:49

The annual cost of consultation accounting for Marion County may jump from $28,000 to $40,000.

The increase comes at a time when the Board of Commissioners could also use more financial advice as decisions get more complicated.

Scot Loyd, of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd LLC, suggested to the commission at its Friday payday meeting that it use his firm for financial advice and budgeting only, and allow him to help find another firm to conduct the annual audit.

Loyd said Marion County is the only one among 40 government contracts his company maintains where the budget and the audit are done under the same contract. He’s been doing this since 1986, he said, with only minor increases in cost to the county.

He has to change the amount...

Read more: Commissioners consider contracting for more financial advice

Marion park project reaches first funding goal

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 05 December 2007 14:47

Marion’s Central Park Improvement Committee has reached its first goalby raising $45,000 since Sept. 1 and has ordered the playgroundequipment.

The next goal is to raise the remaining $30,000 by the end of February. Bricks ($50) and stones ($125) for the park are still available for sale to individuals and businesses to help raise the money.

Individuals and businesses can also sponsor one of the extras included in the original proposal. If so, they will be recognized as the sponsor of that piece of equipment.

The committee is looking for sponsors for the following pieces of equipment:

four-piece bug spring toys (includes lady bug, caterpillar, snail and grasshopper), $3,000;

triple chute slide split, $4,000;...

Read more: Marion park project reaches first funding goal