Preparation complete as Christmas nears

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 18 December 2012 14:15

This festive tree ornament symbolizes the preparation families have pursued for this Christmas season. The actual holiday falls on a Tuesday for the first time since 2007. Bargain hunters and procrastinators can check out the Free Press Gift Guide on pages 6A and

7A for gift ideas in local shops and stores.

Read more: Preparation complete as Christmas nears

Holub: Pipeline tax benefit a pipe dream?

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 18 December 2012 14:15

As 2012 comes to a close, Dan Holub, Marion County Commission chairman, is focusing his attention on state-approved tax exemptions and how those exemptions will affect local taxpayers.

For one, a 2006 tax exemption given to businesses for certain personal property items, such as store furnishings, Holub said in a recent interview. The second is the Trans­Canada Keystone Pipe­line and a 10-year exemption on the pipeline itself.

“Every time a large tax exemption is granted, the lost revenue is made up mostly by an increase in property taxes,” Holub said.

“Consequently, the tax exemption in 2006, coupled with the Keystone Pipeline exemption, has cost Marion County $2 million in revenue annually at our current mill levy.”

In...

Read more: Holub: Pipeline tax benefit a pipe dream?

Local woman feted for library work

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 18 December 2012 14:14

Hillsboro resident Krista Priest holds the “Good Apple Award” she received for the work she has done as a librarian in the Wichita public schools. Krista Priest, who lives in Hillsboro but works in Wichita as a librarian at Beech Elementary School, received the Good Apple Award recently from Wichita Public Schools.

“I was very surprised,” she said. “I didn’t know I was nominated for it until I got an e-mail one day from my principal saying I won.”

Winning this prestigious award, she said, was an honor because it requires a nomination of your peers.

 

“The district has a big ceremony and the board of education members and principal recognize you,” she said. “It might not be a big deal in a small district, but in a big district it is a huge deal.”

Priest said there are six districts within Wichita Public Schools and more than 50,000 students—making it...

Read more: Local woman feted for library work

Office fixture

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 18 December 2012 14:03

Donna Dalke pauses at her work station in the Hillsboro School office. She has been a secretary with USD 410 for 34 years, that last 22 at HHS. She plans to retire this month. Even before she graduated from Hillsboro High School, Donna Dalke was working as an office secretary there.

Technically, she was a student aide. But her two years assisting the full-time secretary, Noreen Hein, set the course for a professional career that will end this month, nearly 45 years later.

Dalke is retiring after 34 years as a full-time secretary with Unified School District 410, including the last 22 at Hillsboro High.

After graduating in 1966, Dalke took secretarial courses at Tabor College for a year before accepting a job with the district in 1967.

“I always enjoyed secretary work,” Dalke said about her decision. “Back then it seemed like a female was either a teacher or a secretary or a nurse—and I wasn’t...

Read more: Office fixture