Letters (Week of Feb. 6)

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 06 February 2008 15:59

Bum-rushed bill will hurt state in long run

Last week the Kansas Legislature introduced bills in both houses that if passed will make Kansas the most coal friendly state in the union. The bill is the reaction to KDHE’s denial of a permit to build two 700 mega-watt coal-fired power plants in Holcomb.

The bill will permit the release of several million tons of new emissions in Kansas if the plants are built by Sunflower and co-investors. This project will degrade the air quality for all of Kansas and also will use up billions of gallons of precious ground water while 85 percent of the power is for out-of-state use.

The obvious benefactors of this project are the coal-mine operators in Wyoming, the “clean-air” and “water short”...

Read more: Letters (Week of Feb. 6)

Letters (Week of Jan.16, 2008)

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 16 January 2008 16:25

State’s needs require leadership priorities

The article last week (Jan. 9) giving Rep. Don Dahl’s take on the upcoming Kansas legislative session seems to be setting a low expectation for anything being accomplished other than the typical partisan sniping over taxes.

In the entire article I did not read a reference to any of the many issues that need to be addressed, such as:

Water policy. This paper reported a few weeks ago that Marion County cities that obtain water from the Marion Reservoir may face supply problems in the next five years and the loss of the source in 20 years.

The quality of the water continues to be compromised by siltation from the watershed. This surface-water situation and lowering groundwater...

Read more: Letters (Week of Jan.16, 2008)

Letters (Week of Jan. 9, 2008)

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 09 January 2008 20:40

Trojan Classic a class act in a class place

 

Yesterday I was talking to my husband Joe about the upcoming Trojan Classic. When he said, “It looks like there’s a chance that we (Thomas More Prep) might be playing Hillsboro in the first round,” I asked him what kind of game he was anticipating. He said, “Like always, a well-coached, disciplined, good team.”

My son Drew added, “And it means a packed house.”

Every January we look forward to the Hillsboro tournament. We have come to expect and enjoy seeing great basketball, and we appreciate the hospitality of school officials and community patrons.

I would especially like to thank you for your kindness last January. If you recall, by the time the last game ended on...

Read more: Letters (Week of Jan. 9, 2008)

Letters (Week of Dec. 26, 2007)

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Thursday, 27 December 2007 05:50

United Way to cease operation in county 

During the past several years, Marion County volunteers have attempted to establish a United Way organization to support charitable agencies in the county. During this, county businesses and individual community members have been asked to financially support this effort.

Recently it has become apparent that our county is not willing to provide the support necessary to sustain this agency. It is with extreme regret that the United Way in Marion County board of directors has decided to dissolve the organization effective Dec. 31. Funds remaining with United Way in Marion County will be distributed to those agencies funded during 2007.

The board of directors would like to thank community members...

Read more: Letters (Week of Dec. 26, 2007)