A taxing burden

Editorials

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 14 April 2009 13:50

It’s easy to make snide remarks about the number of Obama appointments, including our own governor, who have had to face up publicly to problems with their personal tax returns. In some cases, it’s possible the “mistakes” were intentional attempts to defraud the treasury of its just due. At the same time, it seem ludicrous for politicians to knowingly put themselves under the light of public scrutiny with knowledge of intentional sins.

A more likely culprit is the tax code itself—a complicated, convoluted set of rules, exceptions and forms that even tax professionals misinterpret on a regular basis. On this Tax Day, April 15, can we resolve to work for a kinder, gentler and simpler process so that the average American can...

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Letters (Week of June 6, 2007)

Letter to the Editor

Written by Nicole Suderman Wednesday, 06 June 2007 10:29

Thanks for the school reunion

 

I am a 1953 HHS graduate and want to thank all who were involved in putting together such a great All-High School dinner and program!

I've attended several of these in the past (not for at least two years) and I think it is great to have a "program" such as Mr. Mohn presented. There was still time to mull around and see graduates from other classes, but I liked honoring the "five-year" classes and having the reminders of their accomplishments (because next year, we will be a five-year class).

My husband and I feel very fortunate to have had the public education we received in Hillsboro. For whatever of our teachers who might be reading this, again, our heartfelt...

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Weekend in Washington a good time

Partly Nonsense

Written by Joel Klaassen Tuesday, 24 March 2009 13:49

This past extended weekend, beginning on Wed­nesday, was really a fun time.

We hadn’t been to Washing­ton state to visit son Dan since August 2005, so we were long overdue.

Not wanting to waste time, we decided to fly out of Wichita on the early flight, leaving at 6:45 a.m. which means getting up at 3:45. With gaining two hours you get there mid-morning, which leaves the whole day if you can make it to 11 p.m. Pacific time.

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We hadn’t tried the Park & Ride at Wichita Mid-Continent until this trip. It’s really handy, provides a shuttle to the terminal and saves two bucks a day on parking fees.

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First order of business upon landing in Seattle was to head for a place with seafood chowder. I had the crab chowder, which really...

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Opting for privacy

Editorials

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 07 April 2009 14:06

The natural question when employee reductions occur is, “Who are the people affected?” It’s a question we chose not to answer in our report of the recent budget cuts at Tabor College that included 11 faculty and staff positions. In part we conceded the position the college took on the issue: “Due to privacy concerns, Tabor College will not be releasing nor confirming the names of the affected employees.” At the same time, we are not bound by that position. Particularly in a small town, lost jobs affect our friends, and the reporting of names can stimulate expressions of support and caring.

But even in small town—or perhaps especially in small towns—names tend to feed the gossip grist mill under the guise of caring. Loss...

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