Unfair challenges

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 24 July 2012 13:35

Even under the best of circumstances, county fairs are challenged every year to create an entertainment environment that attracts today’s general public. In a perfect world, effort would be rewarded proportionally with public response, and organizers of the Marion County Fair could expect sellout crowds. Our fair board invests countless hours planning an evening program to rival the level of involvement and interest that 4-H members show for their exhibits and contests.

But it’s not a perfect world. In fact, this year looks to be particularly challenging. The fair will be without a carnival after hosting a terrific one in 2011. Combine that with an extended forecast for unrelenting triple-digit heat, and the entertainment outlook...

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Small businesses make big impact

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 17 July 2012 14:25

We want to congratulate Vogt’s Hometown Market, Golden Heritage Foods and Wendy’s for recently being recognized by the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Each of these businesses should be commended for their role in raising the quality of life in our community.

Few, if any, government programs can match what small local businesses can offer.

These entrepreneurs live and work in Marion County, they support the public schools, the college and local charities and share community concerns along with the rest of us. In addition to what these businesses do for their community, most strive for a high level of business ethics while providing jobs to employees and services for customers.

Small businesses are what make capitalism work...

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Momentary relief

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 10 July 2012 13:54

The break in the current heat wave was a welcomed relief this weekend. On the one hand, dropping from the 100s to the low 90s isn’t exactly a cold front, but any relief provides a psychological boost if nothing else. We’ll take what we can get.

It’s difficult to endure the extreme heat of the past few weeks, then recall memories of the scorcher we experienced last summer, and not wonder about the global picture in regard to climate change. Are we experiencing a lasting threat to our environment resulting from fossil fuel emissions, or is it merely part of an ongoing weather cycle that rises and fades every few decades?

That debate will continue ad nauseum. But in the meantime, we certainly can’t hurt our environment by living...

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Free to speak

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Monday, 02 July 2012 21:08

As we celebrate our American freedoms on this date, we should remind ourselves to embrace the freedoms we claim to be so fundamental to our national character and dear to our hearts. In times of bitter political posturing we’re tempted to be less tolerant of the voices of opposition.

We don’t have to like the political views we hear, whether they originate in the national media or local coffee shop. But freedom of speech means these people have the right to voice them. It also means we are free to voice our disagreement with them—and even better, engage them in respectful dialogue rather than putdowns and intimidation. The approach of French philosopher Voltaire in the 18th century should be the creed for every freedom-cherishing...

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