Legislative coffee topics

Education funding was the main topic discussed at Saturday’s legislative coffee event in Washington. That part of the discussion was printed on the front page of this week’s Washington County News. Because my story was much longer than the space allowed, and because I was going to be out of the office on Wednesday, I was unable to place the remainder of the topics in the newspaper, so I have pasted them here.

Other topics discussed were:

• Doug Jenkins, of Washington, asked what was being done to fix the broken public education system. He said humanism and homosexuality is being forced down children’s throats and that we need to get God and prayer back in schools.

Schwartz said this was not an issue they were dealing with on the state level and that it might be a state school board issue.

Taddiken said the State has started asking schools to do more of what parents used to do, including breakfast and after school programs among other things. Taddiken said he didn’t think schools were teaching homosexuality.

Later, Herb Dyck commented on the topic, saying he taught for 36 years and never heard homosexuality addressed and that the advocation of sexual orientation should be none of our business.

Other topics discussed were:

• A House bill that would remove tax exempt status for religious organizations. Taddiken said he has received a lot of calls against that and Schwartz said the bill has no been recommended.

• Dyck asked if drug testing was required for welfare recipients, could anyone receiving state funds be tested? Taddiken said he has put some serious thought into that, but it would be a huge program and he couldn’t fathom how the State could pay for that.

• There were about 460 bills in the Senate this year and a similar number in the House.

• A call-in question requested that there should be a broadening of property taxes for tenant farmers. Schwartz said she didn’t think we needed to add any more on property taxes when they are out of balance already. Taddiken said there has been no serious discussion of increasing property taxes.

• Washington County Commissioner Alison Mueller said she was concerned about HB2630, which says they are supposed to have a mill levy decrease if there is a property tax increase. She said they have not raised the mill levy in two years and don’t plan to again this year, but they do receive increased revenue since property valuations are up.

She thought this was a penalty to growth and that it would affect services.

Mueller said HB2707, which would require property tax increases limited to a percentage, might be a little more palatable.

Schwartz said her most frequent complaint from constituents was about property taxes, but since that is set at the local level, she attended a commissioner meeting a couple years ago. Schwartz said that with the population decline, the responsibility of property taxes falls on fewer people.

Mueller said the state dictates evaluation and that was why valuations went up.

• Rodney Ohlde, of Linn, said the legislature should revisit the appraisal process. He said he built new farming facilities in 2007 and 2008 and the property taxes doubled.

“I don’t mind paying my fair share, but when the taxes double, it means you need to look at it,” said Ohlde.

Schwartz said there was something unique with property tax jumps in her district in Washington and Nemaha County.

• Taddiken said there was a bill on storing natural gas underground, which could have an affect on Northern Natural Gas which has facilities in Clifton. He wanted NNG families to know they’re working to make sur ethe field in Cunningham will not close down.

• In closing, Schwartz said she appreciates people staying in contact with her. And for this year, the over-riding issue was how to get out of this budget situation. “I don’t think it will be any better next year,” said Schwartz.

Martin is Big 12 coach of the year, and has a good backstory

I am not a K-State basketball fan, but I agree that K-State head mens basketball coach Frank Martin should have been named the Big 12 coach of the year. He got that honor today and also received a contract extension and raise from K-State, pretty much doubling his salary.

Turns out he has a pretty good backstory too. Gotta respect the man and his ability.

I was kind of wondering if K-State would give him the raise he deserved. If not, I bet he would’ve been a prime target on many schools’ head coach lists. He might still be a target, but K-State may have given him the raise needed to get him to stay. We’ll see.

Good story on espn.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4973445

Chickens in Washington

I noticed on last month’s Washington City Council minutes that there is some interest in being able to have chickens inside the city limits. Evidently this is currently not allowed? I need to do a little research.

Anyway, would this be of some interest to people or is it something that citizens don’t want to see allowed?

The Salina Journal recently had a front page story on the topic. Evidently Salina citizens can have up to 12 chickens as long as they are housed at least 50 feet from a neighboring residence. In the more dense parts of a city, that setback would limit chicken ownership. In newer developments, there would probably be plenty of space (as long as homeowners associations allow it.)

Nationwide, there is increased interest in chicken ownership for food. Probably partly because of the economy, but there also seems to be a growing interest in knowing where your food comes from.

Some people might think they’d be annoyed by a crowing rooster, but would it be any louder than a barking dog?

Are people wanting chickens for fresh eggs and meat or just as pets?

I hope to do a story on this topic.

(My 11 chicks are growing quickly, by the way. I moved them out to the henhouse on Friday because they were getting too big for their box in the garage. I had to kick the lone guinea out of the henhouse though, because it was pecking at the chicks. It has to fend for itself now.)

Municipal power

I was in Marysville last Thursday to get supplies for our new goats. While there, the power went out in Marysville (and in Frankfort, Blue Rapids and Waterville) and the initial estimate to get it back on was 1.5-2 hours. Talk about bringing commerce to a standstill! Luckily, Orscheln’s could write up my ticket by hand (but I couldn’t go browsing past the front counter.) Taco Bell couldn’t do anything. I can only imagine what was going on at WalMart.

Made me realize how nice it is in Washington to know that the power usually kicks on after 15 minutes because of the power plant (and I told that to the clerk.)

The power ended up coming back on after about half an hour, but it is definitely something we take for granted!

Statewide public smoking ban passed

A statewide public smoking bill that restricts smoking in public places and workplaces including restaurants and bars is headed to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. The Governor has 10 days to sign the bill and has said he would. The law would go into affect on July 1.

Locally, there would no longer be smoking allowed in bars, restaurants, the bowling alley, etc.

I’m working on a story for next week’s paper on this topic, but I’m wondering what you all think of the passage of this bill?

Where was the billiards hall?

I posted this picture in the newspaper this week and wondered if anyone knew where it was located in Washington? It is obviously very old, possibly 100 years ago, so I don’t imagine anyone has personally been there but maybe heard about it?

Dollar General coming to Washington

Dollar General has confirmed they will be opening a store in Washington. A new store will be built on land near the east edge of Washington, along the south side of Highway 36.
No construction timeline was known yet, but things seem to be moving forward quickly.

To save my honor…

Leon is hosting another ping pong tournament at The Horn on Friday, March 12. And while I’m not guaranteeing a win (I’ve seen the talent this area has to offer) I WILL NOT lose in the first round and bygosh I will be a contender!!!
See… the last tournament… I was off… ya know… I couldn’t use my paddle and I hadn’t practiced and I just wasn’t ready. So this time, since I can use my paddle, I want everyone to show up with their A-game, because I am back for vengeance and I WILL restore my honor!!
Throw-down baby!
(For all the serious folks out there, Im just trying to have some fun and hope everyone signs up for the tournament. Give Leon a call to get on the list.)

County Fair entertainment?

There are no confirmations on entertainment for the county fair yet, but Candy Coburn’s name is being splashed across several sites as a potential county fair act.
What do you think?

Best concert ever!

As part of my 365washington150 project, I’m wanting to do a few stories on topics related to our culture or who we are, versus just focusing on local activities. I’m kind of still forming the idea in my head, but to get things rolling, I’m needing to ask a question of music fans.

What is the single best musical concert you’ve ever attended and why was it so amazing? Where was it, how’d you get there, what was the crowd like, etc.?

I’d like this to be from all generations. Anyone attend the Lawrence Welk performance when he came through Washington County? (I know he played in Strawberry once.)

Anyone ever see the Beatles or Elvis Presley live? Michael Jackson or another big name?

I hear stories about big music acts at the Washington County Fair years ago. What is the biggest name you remember?

Any sightings of country music stars during last December’s hunting season?