Marion County RECORD

'Lapse of judgment' results in officer's resignation

After only a couple of months as part of the Marion Police Department, Sarah Alam has resigned from the department. “Her resignation followed the investigation of an off-duty incident,” City Administrator Doug Kjellin wrote in a statement Friday. “Ms. Alam was determined to have committed no crimes, but the incident was a lapse of judgment which, when inevitably magnified by rumor, would have adversely affected Ms. Alam’s effectiveness in our town for some time.”

Chain saw art returning to Chingawassa

As with any long-running celebration, Chingawassa Days in Marion has found quite a few crowd-favorite events over its many years. One event that has consistently garnered attention has been a demonstration of using a chain saw to carve wooden sculptures and an auction selling several such sculptures. The event has been part of Chingawassa Days for many years, but in 2011 organizers were able to give it a local connection, bringing in Rick Sardou of Marion County Lake to give the demonstration and provide sculptures to auction.

Fish farming fills spring hours

Mark Hajek of rural Marion works full-time in Wichita as an electronic engineer, but when he heads for home, particularly in spring, it is likely he has fish farming on his mind. “I enjoy watching the ponds broil when they feed,” Hajek said. “The water just comes alive.”

County clerk to retire

County Clerk Carol Maggard said May 2 that she will not run for reelection to the position she has held almost 16 years. Maggard joined county government as deputy county clerk in 1985. After 11 years in the clerk’s office, she was elected county clerk in 1996. That was the only election Maggard had competition in — from a coworker in the clerk’s office.

Public residency rules vary in county

Although Marion City Council abolished a policy requiring several appointed officials live in or near the city at its April 30 meeting, several comparable cities in the area have more stringent policies than the one Marion eliminated. Although Mayor Mary Olson and council member Todd Heitschmidt expressed concern about eliminating the policy, the council unanimously agreed with City Attorney Keith Collett’s recommendation to abolish the policy and seek to hire the best people, regardless of residency.

Randall Cochran

Randall A. Cochran, 61, of Hillsboro died April 30, 2012, at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. He was born March 5, 1951, in Bentonville, Ark. He married Terry D. Roth on July 16, 1974, in Wichita.

Raymond B. Davidson

Raymond B. Davidson, 92, died at Asbury Park in Newton on May 6, 2012. He was born September 28, 1919, in Walnut to James E. and Mary Etta Boyd Davidson. While he was growing up, the family lived on several farms in southeast Kansas and near Clinton, Okla.

Velma Decker

Velma Decker, 73, of Lehigh died May 7, 2012, in Lehigh. She was born Sept. 19, 1938, in Neodesha to Fred J. and Anna (Ratzlaff) Nightengale. She was a home school teacher and homemaker. She married Ken Decker on Jan. 11, 1959, in Canton. He survives of the home.

Evelyn Ruth Delk

Evelyn Ruth Delk, 93, of Hillsboro died May 1, 2012, at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita. She was born Dec. 19, 1918, in Hillsboro to John W. and Martha (Schroeder) Warkentin. She worked as bookkeeper for Hillsboro Locker.

Betty I. Duerksen

Betty I. Duerksen, 80, of Hillsboro died May 7, 2012, in Hillsboro. She was born Sept. 20, 1931, in Peabody to Bert and Viola (Honn) Fox. She was a restaurateur. She married Clarence Duerksen on June 13, 1950, in Arkansas.

Robert Bob Fenstermacher

Robert “Bob” Fenstermacher, 86, of Hillsboro died May 5, 2012, in Hillsboro. He was born June 5, 1925, in Three Rivers, Mich., to Immanuel and Bertha (Hazzard) Fenstermacher. He was a banker and a pastor.

Knuth W. 'Kutie' Hawkinson

Knuth W. “Kutie” Hawkinson, 83, of Herington died May 4, 2012, at Salina Regional Health Center. He was born April 23, 1929, on a farm near Burdick to Axel W. and Mabel V. (Olson) Lundman Hawkinson. He grew up on a farm between Burdick and Lost Springs and attended Lone Star County School north of Burdick.

Victor Leon Lais

Victor Leon Lais was born on May 15, 1937, at home in Marion, Kan., to Victor Emmanuel Lais and LaVaune Sarah (McKibbin) Lais. Together, Leon and Donella had two daughters, DaLonna (Del) Schroeder, Hesston, and DaNaye Bowyer (partner Ernie Aragon), Newton. Their family would continue to grow with the births of the three granddaughters, Ashley (Garrett) Crider, Erin Schroeder, and Caitlin Bowyer. In 2011, Brently Michael Crider was welcomed into the family as the first great-grandchild.

Julietta Rose Pelz Seiler

Julietta Rose (Pelz) Seiler, 84, of Colwich died May 3, 2012. She was a homemaker. She married James Seiler on April 25, 1949. She was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Colwich and St. Anne Altar Society.

Wesley White Sr.

Wesley C. White Sr., 66, of Woodbine died May 6, 2012, in Salina. He was born Sept. 16, 1945, in Lumberton, N.C., to Murris and Elizabeth (West) White. He served in the U.S. Army until his retirement as a staff sergeant in 1986 at Fort Riley. He later worked in supply on the Army post. He married Goldie F. Wheeler-Morton on Oct. 13, 1970, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She survives of the home.

Accidents reported

Civil cases

County jail

Criminal cases

Deeds

Emergency dispatches

Hillsboro police

Peabody police

Traffic cases

Election filing deadline June 1

The deadline for Marion County residents to file as candidates in county elections is noon June 1. All county government elected positions will be up for election, except for Roger Fleming’s County Commission position representing the First District. Candidates have two options for filing — paying a fee based on the salary of the position or filing a signed petition and a smaller fee. The number of signatures required on a petition varies based on the position and which party’s nomination the candidate is seeking.

Permit process requested for retaining walls

Marion County Planning and zoning director Tonya Richards asked the Marion County Commission on Monday about creating a license for the construction of retaining walls. Walls in several locations at Marion County Park and Lake have created issues. One wall in the Wildin subdivision is leaning and looks like it could fall over at any moment. Other walls off Jerome are located in county road right-of-ways, blocking potential construction. Other retaining walls land on the other side of private property.

County agencies discuss cost with commissioners

Marion County Commissioners began the meeting Monday by setting a time for a pre-budget setting meeting with department heads July 19. Commissioner Randy Dallke said he wants department heads to be honest about what they need.

Conservation cost-share programs available

The Marion County Conservation District has announced a new signup period for water resources and non-point source cost-share practices. Both programs are funded through the Division of Conservation and are administered by the Marion County Conservation District. The water resources program promotes soil and water conservation, and the non-point source program focuses on water quality protection practices.

Public employees should live where they serve

Marion City Council wasn’t wrong April 30 when it voted to abolish a policy requiring certain appointed officials to live close to the city, but they weren’t strictly right either. The question of requiring public employees to live where they serve is a question about priorities, rather than a question of right or wrong. It is a balancing act between hiring the people with the best qualifications for the job and providing an extra level of connection to the people they serve — being in the same boat as the community members affected by decisions.

Accept change with optimism

There are a lot of changes going on around us right now. Some of the people who have lived here for quite a while — ones that I’ve enjoyed getting to know — are preparing to make their homes in other places. We are also expecting a new business to arrive and a couple current businesses to move locations. We are also going to have a new residential area over by the football stadium. This coming week our class of high school seniors will walk wearing caps and gowns across a stage to receive their diplomas. This of course brings with it a significant change in the lives of the students and their parents. In our house, we will be saying goodbye to a 3-year-old and welcoming a 4-year-old as our son celebrates his birthday.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

LEGISTLATIVE UPDATE:

Lincolnville council discusses delinquent bills

The big topic Monday at the Lincolnville City Council meeting was what to do about delinquent sewer bills. The city had switched from having delinquent bills attached to property taxes to seeking redress through the court system.

Burdick church to host vacation Bible school

The Burdick United Methodist Church will host a vacation Bible school at 1 p.m. each day from June 12 to 15. The theme will be “Olympic Games.”

Marion library highlights barbecue recipes

Marion City Library is displaying a selection of barbecue cookbooks to celebrate May as National Barbecue Month and to kick-start the summer outdoor cooking season. These include “Weber’s Way to Grill,” by Jamie Purviance, “Grilling for Dummies,” “Barbecue Bible-Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades,” by Steven Raichlen, “The Barbecue Bible,” by Steven Raichlen, “Dinosaur Bar B Que — An American Roadhouse,” “Taste of Home — Backyard Grilling.” and “The New Grilling Book,” by Better Homes and Gardens.

Tampa gets grant for street signs

The City of Tampa has been awarded a $4,500 grand to purchase and install more than 60 street signs throughout the city, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced Monday. The grant was funded through Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program. The program aims to help finance essential community facilities for public use.

TEEN meeting is May 16

The Technology Excellence in Education Network will hold its regular meeting 6 p.m. May 16 at the Marion District Office at 1010 N. Thorp St., Marion, For questions or information, call Brandi Hendrix at (620) 877-0237.

20th Century Club elects officers

Seventeen 20th Century Club members attended the annual end-of-the-year Spring Brunch at Doyle Creek Corral. Each member present received a potted plant from the hosts and 2012 officers Becky Summerville, Belinda Skiles, Sally Hannaford, Carolan McFarland, and Betty Sanders. The 2012 out-going officers were recognized for their contributions to the club’s yearly activities by president Becky Summerville followed by installation of new officers. The new officers are president Paula Ash, vice president Becky Summerville, secretary Lala Lovelady, treasurer Carolan McFarland, and corresponding secretary Betty Sanders. Each officer received a pink carnation, the clubs’ flower upon installation.

Young farmer looks ahead to ag life

They say the average age of current farmers in the U.S. is around 60, so it is always encouraging to find young people who are interested in a future in agriculture. Brian Burhoop of Burdick is one of those. He graduated from Centre High School in 2011 and is a freshman at Kansas State University, majoring in agricultural economics.

Rosse Case to celebrate 85th birthday

The family of Rosse Case requests a card shower for him in celebration of his 85th birthday on May 17. Cards and well wishes may be sent to him at 802 Denver, Marion KS 66861.

ANNIVERSARY:

CORRESPONDENTS:

MEMORIES:

Valedictorians reach goal

As the school year came to a close at Marion Middle School in May 2008, most students were looking forward to summer vacation. Eighth-graders Annie Whitaker, Beth Nesser, and Taylor Harms were looking much farther down the road — four years. All three had achieved a second consecutive year of straight-A grades, and they wondered how long they could keep it going.

Students collect books for Ethiopia

When Marion Elementary School students Hap Waddell, Larry Zieammermann, and Charlie Nordquist started a book drive in March for Ethiopia Reads, they set what they thought was a lofty goal. “We want to raise at least 1,001 books,” Zieammermann said in March.

CHS students, teachers attend training

Five Centre students and two teachers attended the first ever Kansas Impact Academy on May 2 at Camp Wood near Elmdale. The activities were in conjunction with the Kansas Partnership for Character Education Program Grant. Junior Anna Weber, sophomores Bryanna Svoboda and Kyle Methvin, and freshmen Justin Bina and Nellie Kassebaum were selected to attend the leadership training based upon their character and leadership in the classroom.

CHS athletic/academic banquet is Tuesday

Centre High School will have its 2011-12 Academic/Athletic Banquet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the gymnasium. The banquet provides an opportunity for the faculty and coaches to recognize the accomplishments of student-athletes in this academic year. The banquet will be a potluck supper. Families with last names starting with a letter from A through M are asked to bring a meat dish and dessert, and families with last names N through Z are asked to bring a meat dish and a salad. The school will provide drinks, rolls, and butter. Families should bring their own table service.

Centre FFA holds banquet

At least 153 members and guests attended the Centre High School FFA banquet Thursday. Chapter officers Theo Kassebaum, Carrie Carlson, Ty Simons, Shane Methvin, Makenzie Deines, and Tom Oborny conducted the meeting.

Marion track boys tie for first at Hesston

What does a track team do when their top two point-earners all season long have to withdraw from a meet? For the Marion High School boys’ tracksters, the answer Thursday was simple. Win. Colten Johnson and Jordan Hett weren’t available to contribute all the points they have in previous meets, but the rest of the team picked up the slack and tied Garden Plain for first place in the 11-team Hesston Invitational meet in Hesston.

MHS baseball splits with Hillsboro

The Hillsboro Trojans rolled into Marion on Friday with hopes of claiming two wins to perk up an otherwise lackluster season. The Warriors wanted two wins to bolster their chances of a first-round bye in the upcoming regional tournament. Neither team got what they wanted. Hillsboro stunned Marion with four runs in the first inning of the opening game en route to a 6-2 victory. The Warriors turned the tables in the nightcap by claiming a 6-0 win.

Inconsistency mars MHS softball efforts

Marion High School head softball coach Chad Adkins remarked that the difference between the Warriors and Hillsboro is consistency and experience. “There’s no way to sugar coat it,” Adkins said. “You just can’t come out and play 20 games a year.”

Golfers endure 36-hole marathon

The Marion County Golf Meet, held Friday in Marion and Hillsboro, provided the opportunity for 14 teams to compete in three tournaments while playing only two. All teams played in 18-hole tournaments hosted by Marion High School and Hillsboro High School on their home courses, playing one course in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

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