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Blog is a communication tool for city administrator

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Written by Don Ratzlaff Monday, 31 December 2007 00:12

LarryPaineComputerPC135106.JPG Larry Paine has been blogging as a city administrator since 2005, when he was working for the city of Concordia. Don Ratzlaff / Free Press

Sometimes a city official hankers for a direct line of communication with the people he or she serves.

Larry Paine, Hillsboro city administrator, is among a growing number of officials who use personal Internet blogs to reach the public with information about local issues and the way they deal with them.

A blog is a relatively simple Web...

Success follows Tabor College president into retirement

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Written by Don Ratzlaff Thursday, 27 December 2007 03:56

LarryNikkelPC195141.jpg Click here to buy photo Last Friday, Larry Nikkel completed his last week in the office as Tabor College president after some 9 1⁄2 years in that role. “I’ve been blessed with people’s generosity,” Nikkel said of his tenure. Don Ratzlaff / Free Press

He never envisioned himself as being president of Tabor College until its board of directors asked him to step in as interim president in summer 1998.

Now, some 9½ years later, including nearly nine...

Council absorbs initial shock re: electric rates

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Written by Don Ratzlaff Thursday, 27 December 2007 03:36

An adage among do-it-yourselfers says that every home remodeling project is more involved—and ultimately more expensive—than you think it will be at the start.

The Hillsboro City Council is finding that adage to be true about its desire to “remodel” its rate structure for local utilities.

Having frequently identified the need to review its rates for electricity, water, sewer and solid waste, the council got a first glimpse of “reality” in regard to electrical rates during its...

Contest will seek area's biggest loser

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Written by Malinda Just Thursday, 27 December 2007 03:33

ScaleP1020317.jpg You won’t be weighed-in in front of a national audience or worry about being voted off as participants do in the hit TV reality show. But individuals in Marion County will soon have the opportunity to compete in a local “The Biggest Loser” competition.

Local fitness and nutrition specialists Anna Woods, a certified personal trainer, and Jeanne Rziha, Greenhaw Wellness coordinator, will begin the local version of the contest Jan. 8.

“Our biggest goal, I would say, is to help people...

Purple Proud

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Written by Don Ratzlaff Thursday, 27 December 2007 03:28

WadeWiebert.jpg Click here to buy photo Wade Weibert has pushed himself to succeed after leaving Hillsboro High School for Butler County Community College. Now he anticipates the next chapter of his athletic career at Kansas State, the
fulfillment of his dream.

If Wade Weibert dreams in color, you can be sure his imagination has a distinctly purple hue. And within the past month, two of the biggest athletic dreams of this former Hillsboro High School football standout have...