Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

City attorney calls for investigation of mayor
No one has been willing to comment publicly since Marion City Council met Friday and City Attorney Dan Baldwin determined that an investigation of Mayor Mary Olson was in order. In an official press release Monday, the city stated that Baldwin had asked the Kansas attorney general’s office conduct an investigation regarding allegations that Olson violated a state law that makes it a Class A misdemeanor to commit “an act of maliciously circulating false rumors concerning financial status.”
Atrazine suit filed -- without Hillsboro
The City of Hillsboro is notably absent from the list of plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit regarding the herbicide atrazine in water supplies. Dallas-based law firm Baron and Budd, P.C., filed the lawsuit against Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. and Syngenta AG March 8 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
State may not support disbanding of cooperative
Emotions have been running high for Marion County Special Education Cooperative employees since USD 408 made the decision March 8 to move forward with an interlocal agreement to disband the cooperative. USD 397 Superintendent Jerri Kemble expressed her concerns Thursday at the special education board meeting.
Candidates share desire to get along and look to future
The resounding theme at a candidate forum for Marion City Council and mayoral candidates Sunday afternoon at Marion Senior Center was the call for city council to become more cohesive and have less bickering at meetings. Noticeably absent was current Mayor Mary Olson, who is seeking re-election.
Lions Club pleads for members
It’s a problem plaguing many organizations — dwindling membership. It has become so severe for Marion Lions Club that the five remaining members are considering disbanding the organization.
Social services agencies concerned about the future
Concerns about state funding levels was a prime topic Friday at the Marion County Interagency team meeting in Marion. The state Children’s Initiative Fund provides money for many childhood programs and administers early childhood block grants.
Flaming's of Marion receives award for geothermal energy
Flaming’s Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. was recognized as one of the top geothermal heating dealers in the state of Kansas by Enertech Inc. Feb. 9. Enertech is the maker of GeoComfort equipment and they recognized Flamings as the top GeoComfort dealer in a four-state region. Since 2008, Flaming’s has installed 23 geothermal heating and cooling systems in homes and businesses in Kansas.
Business is increasing in Lincolnville - one store at a time
The addition of two new businesses and expansion of a third in recent months is bringing new life to Lincolnville, a northern Marion County town with a population of approximately 220. Along U.S. 56/77, Key Convenience Store opened in September. Operator Cheryl Key said business from highway traffic has steadily increased. Tables and booths in the store provide places to relax and enjoy sandwiches or snacks.

DEATHS

James McDiffett
James A. “Jim” McDiffett, 84, of Herington, died March 8 at Herington Municipal Hospital. Born Oct. 17, 1925, near Alta Vista, to James A. and Mary (Decker) McDiffett Sr., he graduated from Parkerville High School.
Berneda Moore
Berneda Leota Moore, 94, of Paola, died March 1. Born March 12, 1915, north of Ramona, to G.H. “Hank” and Mary (Poe) Kleopfer, she graduated from Ramona High School in 1934.
Josephine Murray
L. Josephine “Jody” Murray, 83, of Marion, died March 14 at Harry Hynes Hospice in Wichita. Born July 30, 1926, in Canton, Okla., to Homer and Lucy (Hampton) Armstrong, she was a homemaker.
Joan Orme
A memorial service for Joan Orme will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Peabody Bible Church. She died March 9 at Miller’s Merry Manor, Rushville, Ind.
Charles Schmidtberger
Charles Schmidtberger, 74, died March 16, in Wichita. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Marion.

DOCKET

GOVERNMENT

County approves new skid steer
A Bobcat skid steer will be purchased for $30,612 for Marion County Transfer Station after the trade-in of a skid steer currently used at the station. The county will finance it for three years. Marion County banks will be surveyed to find the best interest rate. The skid steer was in the budget under the transfer station’s ability to line item request equipment. The commission approved an amendment to a conditional use permit for Martin Marietta Quarry. Stone excavation, detonation, and other quarry operations need to be a minimum of 100 feet from the edge of a creek near Clear Creek. The distance was amended from 300 feet to 100 feet because pictures showing reclaimed land — previously quarried — 40 feet from the tributary showed no signs of prior mining.

LAWN AND GARDEN

Golf course receives regular maintenance during winter
A lot of work goes into preparing a golf course for the steady stream of players who come when the weather warms. Hillsboro Municipal Golf Course Superintendent Gary Andrews worked on the course’s five mowers all winter. He checked bearings, sharpened blades, tuned up the engines, and changed the oil.
Jones brothers of Marion grow mowing business
About six years ago, brothers Keith, Ryan, Scott, and James Jones of Marion started mowing a few yards in their neighborhood. When they began, they worked with a couple of push mowers, a trimmer, and a broom. But they expanded their business over time to the point that they invested in a pair of large, zero-turn-radius riding mowers. This year, they expect to have about 25 regular clients, 18-year-old Ryan said.

OPINION

Marion proud
I have always had an appreciation for high school athletes. I was never much of an athlete even though I tried to play volleyball and softball. Back in my high school days, athletes didn’t have as many distractions. Oh, there were the usual things like the opposite sex, running around with friends, and working a part-time job. People around my age can remember a time when homework came first, going to the library was a nightly occurrence (if working at a job wasn’t), and teens were expected to be home before 10 p.m. on school nights.
Voters are losers in latest political intrigue
Whatever transgressions Marion’s mayor may or may not have committed, we fear city officials may have done as much damage in how they have handled the situation. The public received its first exposure to the latest political intrigue at the conclusion of a questionably called special meeting and closed-door session Friday, when the city attorney announced there would an investigation of the actions of an elected official. The mayor had earlier indicated that she was the subject.
Random Thoughts
I am reading a very delightful book; it is the story about Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger called, “Highest Duty.” His parents are just delightful too, so it’s no wonder he is so interesting. I know you know that he is the man who landed the plane in the Hudson River. I wonder if any of us have ridden in a plane piloted by him. I wish all pilots were as careful. The flu bug got me in the past week. I was so miserable but it didn’t last long.
Hope in the Heartland
(Editor’s note: This is the ninth in a series leading to Easter.) By LARRY TIMM Pastor, Peabody Bible Church As the soldier surveyed the remaining crowd, his eyes were pulled to a silent group of women who were standing motionless, as though paralyzed by grief and petrified by what they had just witnessed.
Our voice in Topeka
The results are in — at least for now. I’m likely to receive a few more surveys, but here are the overall results for now. Thank you to all who responded — 1,342 so far. As I’ve said, your comments are most helpful and the tallied numbers are next. While this isn’t a voting process but a survey, the survey answers are quite helpful. Through this survey, I’ve learned most of you know we aren’t likely to agree on every issue, but this survey helps me shape policy in Kansas, and I’ve gained many good ideas.
LETTERS:
Donor upset with Mayor's comments, More pipeline politics

PEOPLE

Taxidermy is a learning experience, getting better all the time
Cory Foth of Peabody got into taxidermy the same way he suspects most taxidermists started: He bagged a trophy deer in 1995 and wanted it mounted on his wall. Trying to save some money, he decided to do it himself. He bought some videos and supplies, and soon he had his own mount. He estimates it probably cost him two or three times as much as hiring someone to mount it, he said.
CORRESPONDENTS:
Another Day in the Country, Burdick, Marion Senior Center, Tampa
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 35, 50, 60, 100, 125

SPORTS

Lady Warriors finish second at state
The Marion High School girls basketball team finished as state runner-up after losing, 56-45, to Hays Thomas More Prep Saturday in the 3A championship game in Hutchinson. The score was not indicative of how close the Warriors actually came to overtaking the No. 1 seed. The Warriors tied the score at 33 in the second half and were within 1 point of the Monarchs, 41-40, with 3 minutes and 41 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
The pride of Marion
Marion High School girls basketball coach summed up championship basketball after the Warriors lost, 56-45, to Hays Thomas More Prep on Saturday. “Somebody’s got to feel bad,” he said.
Centre girls set records in basketball
With a record of 8-13, the Lady Cougars didn’t go anywhere in post-season play this year, but Coach Alan Stahlecker reported several records were set for Centre High School girls basketball. The team had the lowest-scoring game ever recorded, 17 against Sunrise Christian Academy.
CHS players receive all-league honors
The 2009-10 members of the Dwight D. Eisenhower All League teams include several Centre High School players. Senior Trevor Troutt and juniors Brian Burhoop and Tanner Brunner were named to the boys first team. Senior Alex Hajek received honorable mention.

Marion County RECORD

The resounding theme at a candidate forum for Marion City Council and mayoral candidates Sunday afternoon at Marion Senior Center was the call for city council to become more cohesive and have less bickering at meetings. Noticeably absent was current Mayor Mary Olson, who is seeking re-election.

It’s a problem plaguing many organizations — dwindling membership. It has become so severe for Marion Lions Club that the five remaining members are considering disbanding the organization.

Concerns about state funding levels was a prime topic Friday at the Marion County Interagency team meeting in Marion. The state Children’s Initiative Fund provides money for many childhood programs and administers early childhood block grants.

James A. “Jim” McDiffett, 84, of Herington, died March 8 at Herington Municipal Hospital. Born Oct. 17, 1925, near Alta Vista, to James A. and Mary (Decker) McDiffett Sr., he graduated from Parkerville High School.

Berneda Leota Moore, 94, of Paola, died March 1. Born March 12, 1915, north of Ramona, to G.H. “Hank” and Mary (Poe) Kleopfer, she graduated from Ramona High School in 1934.

L. Josephine “Jody” Murray, 83, of Marion, died March 14 at Harry Hynes Hospice in Wichita. Born July 30, 1926, in Canton, Okla., to Homer and Lucy (Hampton) Armstrong, she was a homemaker.

A memorial service for Joan Orme will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Peabody Bible Church. She died March 9 at Miller’s Merry Manor, Rushville, Ind.

Charles Schmidtberger, 74, died March 16, in Wichita. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Marion.

LETTERS:

CORRESPONDENTS:

MEMORIES:

Marion High School girls basketball coach summed up championship basketball after the Warriors lost, 56-45, to Hays Thomas More Prep on Saturday. “Somebody’s got to feel bad,” he said.

With a record of 8-13, the Lady Cougars didn’t go anywhere in post-season play this year, but Coach Alan Stahlecker reported several records were set for Centre High School girls basketball. The team had the lowest-scoring game ever recorded, 17 against Sunrise Christian Academy.

The 2009-10 members of the Dwight D. Eisenhower All League teams include several Centre High School players. Senior Trevor Troutt and juniors Brian Burhoop and Tanner Brunner were named to the boys first team. Senior Alex Hajek received honorable mention.