Mayors ask county to update aggreement for road funds

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 01 August 2007 09:29

County cities want more for the contributions they make to the county’s road and bridge budget under an outdated 1973 agreement, mayors and representatives told the Marion County Commission Monday.

Commission Chairman Randy Dallke and Commissioner Dan Holub said they would start by looking at state designations for farm-to-city Fishing Access Site (FAS) routes into the cities.

Commissioner Bob Hein was absent from the meeting.

Hillsboro Mayor Delores Dalke noted that designations for these routes, which connect with county roads coming into and out of the city, are out of date with changes since 1973.

For instance, she said, only Ash is designated as an FAS road in Hillsboro while the designation might also belong with streets...

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Holdeman request fails for direct reporting to mayor

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 01 August 2007 09:20

Marion City Council member Bill Holdeman made a motion Monday night as the meeting seemed to be drawing to a close that City Attorney Dan Baldwin be asked to write a resolution for consideration that would require all appointed city employees to report directly to the mayor.

The council had closed a 30-minute executive session for personnel with Police Chief Josh Whitwell, and then followed with department head reports before Holdeman made the motion.

Neither Mayor Mary Olson nor councilors Jerry Kline or Stacey Collett seconded to Holdeman’s motion. Councilor Gene Winkler was absent.

Olson told Holdeman she really didn’t understand his motion, and asked him for clarification.

Holdeman said he has been hearing from police...

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Florence Labor Day cook-off will be joint effort

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 01 August 2007 09:17

This year’s Florence Labor Day BBQ Cook-off will feature a new twist: a combined competi­tion with the “Smokin Behind the Barn” contest in Winfield.

Combing for the first “Route 77 Championship,” the top four teams will divide $1,400 in prize money.

The two-day contest in Winfield contest is set for Friday, Aug. 31, and Saturday, Sept. 1. Florence’s leg of the competition will be Labor Day, Sept. 3.

The winning team will receive a custom-made trophy and a check for $800. The runner-up will win $300, the third-place finisher $200 and the fourth-place team $199.

“We want to offer a great time for the cooks as well as a little additional incentive for teams to check us out in this our first year as a contest,” said Don...

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Relay for Life breaks last year’s fund-raising record

Written by Don Ratzlaff Wednesday, 25 July 2007 06:33

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Luke Siebert, Sharon Andres, Dawn Luna and Marg Sandwell (from left) carried the banner the that led the parade of cancer survivors at the start of the Marion County Relay for Life. The annual event, which began at 7 p.m. Friday at the Tabor College track and ended at 7 a.m. Saturday, raised an estimated $42,500 that included in-kind donations—eclipsing last year’s record. Event chair Peggy Blackman said at the height of activity, about 200 people were participating. As darkness fell, about 1,675 luminaries were lit around the track in celebration of family members and acquaintances who have battled the dreaded disease.