Commissioners: Defend the people
The election is over and the jail issue is done. Commis?sioners, you had your fair opportunity to present your case at public hearings. At the hearings and at the election, the people said, ?No.?
Commissioner Hein has started up another proposal. Commissioner, it?s over. Sheriff-elect Rob Craft was quoted in the Free Press as saying, ?When I sit down with the commissioners to talk about the jail and how to approach a solution….? To Sheriff-elect Craft let me say: You were elected as sheriff; put yourself into performing your job and do not distract yourself with a done jail issue.
To the commissioners: During the last term, you promoted a casino and $8.6 million jail; you spent money on trips, tours, consultants, lawyers, architects, long-distance calls, secretarial time and letters. It is time to come clean to the people and publish the dollar amounts spent in the county newspapers.
Commissioners, it is time you become defenders of your people and not offenders. When the fire marshals, ADA, ACA, ACLU, or whomever, show up threatening us, the people, with court action or a lawsuit, tell them we regard their threat as extortion and blackmail and they are subject to arrest. Have the sheriff escort them to the nearest county line, tell them we are not responsible for their safety if found again in Marion County.
Some lessons need to be spoken here. Our justice system is wrongly designated to be accountable to the state. How many times have you heard ?pay his debt to society?? Poppycock! Criminals commit acts against persons.
The Bible does not endorse prisons. It says the wrongdoer shall make restitution to whom he wronged in full, plus 20 percent. Murder calls for execution. A killing in self-defense is justified. In the case of forcible rape?but I mean forcible, not two lusty teens in the back seat of a Ford?the court turns the wrongdoer over to the judgment of the father of the offended woman, and the father can do, or not do, whatever punishment he chooses to the wrongdoer.
Commissioners, let?s cut some costs. Put the courthouse on a three-day week: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. All employees, including the county attorney and the judge, work a 24-hour week. This makes them part-time employees?no more salaries; everyone works for hourly pay. The sheriff?s department would remain on 24/7 coverage of the county.
Commissioners, see the people eye to eye on this. You tried to force an $8.6 million debt on the people. Now say this to the people: ?This next year we will spend $8.6 million less and tax the people $8.6 million less.?
Instead of enslaving the people, honor the people, love the people. Be defenders of the people.
Anton Epp
Goessel
Deer hunting: Be sure to wear orange
The regular firearms deer season is upon us, Dec. 3 through Dec. 14, and hunters are eager to take to the field. As with all forms of recreational activities, safety should be the foremost thought for all participants.
Kansas regulation 115-4-4 d (1) was enacted for the safety of those participating in deer hunting during a firearms deer season. This regulation requires all deer hunters and those assisting deer hunters to wear 100 square inches of visible hunter orange on the front upper half of their body and 100 square inches of visible hunter orange on the back upper half of their body. A visible, hunter-orange hat must be worn as well.
This requirement also applies to archery deer hunters during a firearms deer season (muzzleloader-only deer season, early and extended firearms deer season and the regular firearms deer season).
Whether you are just taking a walk in the country or upland bird hunting, everyone is encouraged to wear some type of brightly colored clothing while engaged in outdoor activities. As a general rule for outdoor activities, it?s easier to be seen than heard.
Have a safe outdoor experience.
