Letters to the editor
Casinos could be good for county
To the Editor:
This letter is in response to the one appearing in last week's paper concerning the negative casino/resort issue.
After checking the attendance register for the casino/resort presentation, nowhere was Donald L. Dahl's name listed. If he had attended, perhaps one misunderstanding about the "interstate access" would have been answered. The three super-two highways in this county will sufficiently handle the additional traffic from the interstate highways. This was stated in the original article appearing in this newspaper, as well as at the meeting.
The economic impact certainly would help this county. I have read and heard about the drain of young people from this county. A casino/resort would provide jobs other than "maids, waitresses, card dealers, etc." mentioned in one of the negative letters in another newspaper. What about the accountants, bookkeepers and accounting clerks, chefs for the restaurants, merchandise buyers and sales associates for the retail shops, child-care attendants, hotel management positions, law enforcement officers, etc., etc.? Many of these positions require education beyond high school.
Would not the rental houses be filled and the "for sale" houses sold? Would not the patrons of the casino/resort do some sightseeing, buy gasoline, eat in restaurants, stay in local motels, and shop? Don't forget about the employees of the casino/resort needing gasoline, groceries, and other supplies. The sales tax from these sales coming back to the county and cities would be huge.
This casino/resort will pay personal property and real estate taxes and the amount is not small. With this additional money, perhaps some of the county's future projects could be accomplished sooner.
With a "yes" vote on the casino/resort question, at least Marion County has a chance to improve their economy and reduce the mill levy. To do nothing is to continue to gripe about the high taxes in this county.
Frances Smalley
Marion
Casinos are not the answer
To the Editor:
Thank you to Don Dahl for the information about casinos in Kansas.
Casinos are just one more way for government to build itself up, and it's not even legal! Remember the tobacco lawsuit, the lottery, and the promises of all the benefits, services, and tax reductions that would come from them?
What happened to all that money and the promises that were made to us? Where did it go? Doesn't this prove that it's not about serving us but to benefit the local government and cover for the promises made to themselves? How would a casino be any different?
It would be much better for government to give back to the people their inalienable right to provide and be responsible for themselves.
Jerry Plett
Lincolnville
Support vets, troops with donations
To The Editor:
November is the month when the ladies auxiliary of VFW Post 6958 in Marion try to bring a little added comfort to the hospitalized veterans in our VA hospitals and nursing homes.
At the same time, while the needs of our veterans are being met, we also want to reach out to give added support to our troops since the holidays are coming near and special items can be sent to our soldiers to boost morale.
Anyone and everyone is invited to join the ladies' auxiliary members in supporting our veterans and troops during the month of November. If you wish to donate items, contact the president of LAVFW 6958, Donna Kreutziger at 620-382-2931 or you may deliver your collected items to the post home at 420 W. Santa Fe, Marion, from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday.
We are trying to get donations to Kansas City before Nov. 16, when the next shipment to the troops will be sent.
The wish lists from the VA and soldiers who are now serving in the U.S. Armed Forces are printed below.
For the VA hospitals and nursing homes — toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, bar soap, combs, brushes, bottled water, paperback books, pens, pencils, note pads, large-print playing cards, and games.
Soldiers' requests include snacks and food in small, non-crushable packages, such as Oreos and other cookies, Pringles potato chips, Doritos, Slim Jims beef jerky, Rice Krispie treats, canned pull-top fruit or soup, pudding cups, cheese/peanut butter crackers, individual packages of cereal, breakfast bars.
Small plastic containers of Kool-Aid with sugar, Gatorade with sugar, tea with sugar added.
Word puzzles, cards, travel games, baseballs, Frisbees, magazines.
Non-aerosol shave cream, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, Huggies baby wipes, Kleenex, Skin-So-Soft insect lotion or pump spray (non-aerosol).
Bar soap, small containers of shampoo, body wash, facial creams, cleansers, cocoa butter, lotions (that won't draw insects), sunscreen.
Feminine hygiene products, Chapstick or other lip balm, and hand and body sanitizer.
Thank you for your support to our veterans and our troops.
Donna Kreutziger, president
Ladies Auxiliary VFW 6958
Donate blood
To The Editor:
The need for blood remains constant, while many factors strain the supply. Blood usage continues to rise every year as a large portion of the population ages and medical facilities, such as heart surgery units and cancer centers, improve techniques and technologies. The American Red Cross is continuously working hard to ensure a stable blood supply is available for patients when they need it. If you wait until an emergency to donate, it is too late, as it takes 48 hours to test blood for safety and many may not be available.
We cannot stockpile blood and platelets to get us through tough months; blood only lasts 42 days. Steady, regular donations are needed to help area hospital patients day in and day out. We need 500 blood donors each day in Kansas and northern Oklahoma.
Donating blood is a simple, selfless act that takes about an hour, with the actual donation only taking about seven minutes. Please make donating blood part of your community responsibility. Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. Donating regularly ensures blood is available at a moment's notice when it is needed to save a life.
Our blood drive will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at Marion High School gym. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE for your appointment today.
Most medications are not cause for deferral. It is recommended donors drink plenty of water before and after blood donation.
Erin Richmond
Blood drive chairman
corrections
and clarifications
Rachel Hall was ommitted from the cutline of the picture for Movement Connections' open house in the Oct. 26 issue.
In the photo accompanying the Oct. 26 report on the children's mental health conference held in Hillsboro, the woman on the right, identified incorrectly as Joanne Dahl, is Joanne Wall.
