Letters (Feb. 9, 2011)

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 08 February 2011 15:37

Local support made production possible

 

We want to extend our thanks to the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Association, Hillsboro Com­munity Foundation, USD 410 and other area businesses and individuals for supporting the Jan. 27-30 performances of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Your support made it possible to present a stage version of this significant Pulitzer Prize-winning novel published 50 years ago. The cast and crew valued this opportunity to present this story to five appreciative audiences.

Thank you for your generous assistance.

Judy Harder, Tabor College theater director, on behalf

of the cast and crew

 

Grant will help our families, community

 

The Hillsboro Community Foundation recently awarded a 2011 Hillsboro Area...

Read more: Letters (Feb. 9, 2011)

Letters (Feb. 2, 2011)

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 02 February 2011 01:30

Cutting arts funding not a helpful option

In the Jan. 26 Free Press, Rep. Bob Brookens gave a thoughtful analysis of the state budget situation in regard to cutting the Kansas Arts Commission. He is still researching the question, and I commend him for his efforts to educate himself on the issue.

But the proposal from Gov. Brownback is what I want to focus on. He wants to eliminate the Arts Commission’s budget of $500,000, but toss them a one-year amount of $200,000 to transition to a private non-profit agency. This, in the light of trying to fill the budget gap of $500 million. That’s $500,000,000.

If you do the math, you can see that the Arts Commission budget is only 1/1,000 of the budget shortfall. This isn’t a drop in a...

Read more: Letters (Feb. 2, 2011)

Letters (Jan. 26, 2011)

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 25 January 2011 16:24

Cuts in state aid will hamper rural schools

 

Recently, we were made aware of the governor’s budget proposal. No doubt, our new governor has inherited a very tough budget situation. Former Gov. Parkinson said as much during his duration in office.

Yet, the proposed cuts in base state aid per pupil (BSAPP) were again disheartening for many Kansans especially for those in rural areas. Simply stated, there are three budgets from which schools operate: operational; capital outlay; bond and interest. BSAPP funds our operational budget.

The operational budget contains the “teaching and learning” expenses of our schools. These include the vast majority of employee salaries, classroom supplies, curriculum, utilities, fuel and much of...

Read more: Letters (Jan. 26, 2011)

Letters (Jan. 5, 2011)

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 04 January 2011 15:30

Leaders, why not plan for the best?

 

Doug Kjellin, new city administrator in Marion and economic development director, summed up the problem with economic development in Marion County. He said, “We better plan for the worst and hope for the best.”

Mr. Kjellin, effective change isn’t built on hope. When will we learn to plan for the best? There is so much that can be done to change our economy for the better, especially in a shrinking economy.

Perhaps the best New Year’s resolution our leaders can offer is the commitment to start planning for the best.

Stan Thiessen

Hillsboro

 Emler not worthy of Senate leadership

 

The news of the day is that State Sen. Jay Emler has ascended to majority leader of the Kansas Senate...

Read more: Letters (Jan. 5, 2011)