Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Volunteers to study county jail options
A committee will be created by Marion County Commission to investigate possible plans for a new law enforcement center. Sheriff Rob Craft requested creation of the committee Monday at commission meeting. Craft asked for a committee of approximately 12 people, including law enforcement, county officials, business, and private individuals to consider and propose a plan. A law enforcement center would include a jail, and possible space for dispatch and the sheriff’s department.
Mail carrier retires after 25 years
No sleet or snow or dark of night will keep Jason Commerford from his appointed rounds as a mail carrier — but his feet might. The 25-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service is retiring Friday, after 22 years of walking about 10 miles per day.
Will county finish city street project?
Marion County Commission will be asked to overlay the county’s portion of North Cedar Street and Eisenhower Drive. Todd Heitschmidt, president of Marion Economic Development, Inc., asked Marion City Council Monday for support of a resolution for the street improvements. The City of Marion is planning improvements for portions of North Cedar Street and all of Eisenhower Drive from Main Street to Kellison Street, where the city limits ends.
Recycling talk continues at chamber meeting
It has been talked about for years. Contracts were signed months ago. Will recycling occur anytime soon? According to Marion County Commission Chairman Dan Holub, recycling will begin in the near future.
Marion will host free-flight model airplane contest
Heart of America Free Flight Association will hold its annual meet June 21, at Marion Municipal Airport. Marion tourism professional Margo Yates told Marion City Council Monday the organization of model airplane competitors would be in Marion that weekend which also will tie-in with a bluegrass festival Marion County Lake.
Power play continues: Where will electricity come from?
No matter what, it probably will cost Marion electrical customers more next year. Marion City Council will need to decide — soon — which direction it will go regarding an electrical distribution contract.
Issues are important for USD 408 BOE candidates
Hoch Publishing Company, owner of the Marion County Record¸ Hillsboro Star-Journal, and Peabody Gazette-Bulletin, asked all candidates in Marion County to respond to questions regarding the reason they are seeking election or re-election. USD 408 Board of Education Position Four candidate Keith Collett and Position Six candidate Lyle K. Leppke, both incumbents, declined to respond.
Octogenarian rancher continues to ride the range
For those who know Jackie Hett of rural Marion, they know she is an attractive, active, and vivacious woman who loves her family, nature, and living in the country. What some may not know is she is rather shy when it comes to talking about herself.

DEATHS

Peggy Tajchman
Peggy Ann Tillotson Tajchman was born March 13, 1936, in Leon, Iowa. She died February 20, 2009 in Garland, Texas. Her parents were Ray and Amy Tillotson, both of whom preceded her in death.
Lloyd Pagenkopf
Lloyd H. Pagenkopf, 87, lifelong resident of Lincolnville, died Feb. 11, 2009, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita. He was a farmer.
Benny Metcalfe
Benny L. Metcalfe, 70, of White City, died Feb. 12, 2009, at his home. Born July 4, 1938, at Dunlap, he was the son of Virgil A. and Viola M. (Piper) Metcalfe.
June Starkel
June M. Starkel, 75, died Feb. 21, 2009, at Promise Regional Medical Center of Hutchinson. She was a realtor.

DOCKET

OPINION

We'll hang in there!
Before anyone gets his or her feelings hurt, I want to explain this week’s editorial cartoon (located to the right of this column). Yes, when I first looked at it, I was momentarily offended just as you probably were. But after closer examination, I realized the cartoonist actually was complimenting Marion and other small towns because of our resiliency.
No school consolidations
Last week, I mentioned a number of pending education bills. All were defeated — two on the floor of the House, and one was laid to rest in committee. The legislature decided this was not a time to single-out small schools and starve them into closing. There may be a time Kansas insists that its smallest districts (perhaps those with less than 100 students in the entire district) consolidate. Some districts of various sizes are talking with each other about voluntary consolidation, but the legislature has no current desire to force the issue. Probably the most important legislation proposed to the Judiciary Committee thus far comes from a group dissatisfied with the Kansas Supreme Court, perhaps because of its decision related to school funding. Many conservative legislators are angry that the Court ordered the legislature to adequately fund education. Someone “creating” the problem and sending out fliers about the perceived ill so we can then search for a solution has spent a huge amount of money.
Random Thoughts
Excuse me while I get a cookie. Maybe Al Gore is right. We are warming up. Have you ever watched the reality show on TV, “Jon and Kate Plus 8?” If you haven’t I wish, you would. It is on at 7 p.m. Monday evening, I think. Anyway, this couple has twin daughters, 7 or 8 years of age, and six boys and girls about 3 years old — sextuplets. It is absolutely fascinating to watch them. Cute kids. The parents want to have them experience all kinds of activities. In the last show I watched, they were taking them skiing. They packed each child’s belongings in separate bags and got them on a plane. When they reached Sun Valley, Utah, they stayed in a large lodge and after they were settled, they went skiing. They fell down. They cried. They got up and tried again. Some of them actually did it. The parents had two or three young women helping. Can you imagine such a fete? It showed them getting ready, flying, and landing at the lodge. They brushed their teeth, took them to the bathroom, fed them, and put them to bed. The father was right there — helping in everything.

FARMING CONNECTIONS

Marion native follows in his father's footsteps
Playing football in the mud at Peabody is one of Dave Goertz’s most enjoyable memories from his high school years. Dave, son of the late Cy and L.Dena Goertz, graduated from Marion High School in 1966. He and his family currently live in the sandhills of central Nebraska near Broken Bow, where they own and manage a Hereford seedstock operation.
Trip to Mediterranean enlarges perspective for grain marketer
Terry Vinduska of Marion recently returned from a trip to the Mediterranean as a member of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC). Vinduska is treasurer of the organization, which is the marketing arm of the various grain associations in the U.S. Officers and staff members travel to a different region of the world each year to develop new markets and enhance existing markets.
Deadline approaching for emergency disaster loans
Marion County farmers and ranchers have until March 9 to file applications for emergency disaster loans. According to Jane Armitage, Farm Loan Manager, those needing farm credit as a result of severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes from May 22, 2008 through June 16, 2008, and who think they are eligible for FSA assistance, should make their applications at the Marion County FSA office before the expiration date.
Conservation poster winners recognized at MCCD banquet
At least 179 posters were entered in the 2009 Marion County Conservation District poster contest. Winners were announced Saturday at the district’s annual banquet in Hillsboro. Placing in the kindergarten-first grade category were Kelli Dyck, Hillsboro, first; Alayna Regier, Hillsboro, second; and Devin Gomez, Hillsboro, third.

PEOPLE

CORRESPONDENTS:
Burdick, St. Luke, Senior Center, Tampa
ENGAGEMENTS:
Wise-Vinduska engagement announced
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 35, 50, 60, 100 years ago
WEDDINGS:
Creamer-Foth exchange vows

SCHOOL

MHS wins forensics meet
Marion High School forensics team earned first place Feb. 16 at the Hillsboro High School meet. Alex Eurit won first place in the solo humorous acting division for his performance of “Dirk the Angry Scotsman” by John C. Havens. With the win, Eurit qualified for state championships, Coach Janet Killough said. Sarah Guetersloh placed fourth in the division.

SPORTS

Warriors are seventh at GP regional;three will wrestle at 3-2-1A state meet
Three more are on their way. For the sixth consecutive year, Marion High School is sending multiple wrestlers to this weekend’s state meet at Hays.
MHS boys to play at Hillsboro
After a 71-43 loss Tuesday to Smoky Valley, the Marion High School boys’ basketball team finished as the sixth seed in its home sub-state tournament. The Warriors ended the season 5-15, and have a Tuesday sub-state date on the road at 12-7 Hillsboro. A victory there would ensure MHS at least one more home game because Marion is playing host to the semifinal and championship rounds.
Warrior girls uncertain of sub-state destination
Julia Zeiner, Kayley Heerey, and Lindsay Hett each scored in double figures Tuesday to help Marion High School knock off Smoky Valley, 61-53. The pesky Lady Vikings led Marion at halftime, 31-28, and 42-37 at the end of the third quarter.
CENTRE BASKETBALL:
Boys, Girls
COLUMN:
From the Sidelines

Marion County RECORD

No sleet or snow or dark of night will keep Jason Commerford from his appointed rounds as a mail carrier — but his feet might. The 25-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service is retiring Friday, after 22 years of walking about 10 miles per day.

It has been talked about for years. Contracts were signed months ago. Will recycling occur anytime soon? According to Marion County Commission Chairman Dan Holub, recycling will begin in the near future.

No matter what, it probably will cost Marion electrical customers more next year. Marion City Council will need to decide — soon — which direction it will go regarding an electrical distribution contract.

For those who know Jackie Hett of rural Marion, they know she is an attractive, active, and vivacious woman who loves her family, nature, and living in the country. What some may not know is she is rather shy when it comes to talking about herself.

Peggy Ann Tillotson Tajchman was born March 13, 1936, in Leon, Iowa. She died February 20, 2009 in Garland, Texas. Her parents were Ray and Amy Tillotson, both of whom preceded her in death.

Lloyd H. Pagenkopf, 87, lifelong resident of Lincolnville, died Feb. 11, 2009, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita. He was a farmer.

Benny L. Metcalfe, 70, of White City, died Feb. 12, 2009, at his home. Born July 4, 1938, at Dunlap, he was the son of Virgil A. and Viola M. (Piper) Metcalfe.

June M. Starkel, 75, died Feb. 21, 2009, at Promise Regional Medical Center of Hutchinson. She was a realtor.

CORRESPONDENTS:

ENGAGEMENTS:

MEMORIES:

WEDDINGS:

Three more are on their way. For the sixth consecutive year, Marion High School is sending multiple wrestlers to this weekend’s state meet at Hays.

Julia Zeiner, Kayley Heerey, and Lindsay Hett each scored in double figures Tuesday to help Marion High School knock off Smoky Valley, 61-53. The pesky Lady Vikings led Marion at halftime, 31-28, and 42-37 at the end of the third quarter.

CENTRE BASKETBALL:

COLUMN: