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Letters to the editor

Readers outraged by Holub's termination


To the Editor:

I am currently stationed in Iraq defending these people and our country from Arab terrorists. Those are cowards whose ideas have no merit so to get their way they resort to terrorizing people by hiding behind masks, taking cheap shots with hidden bombs, and not caring about who they hurt in the process. The same people that think they are god's (Allah) gift to mankind when in reality they are more like something stuck to the bottom of your shoe after walking through the corral!

After reading the hometown newspaper I am starting to think I am in the wrong country right now. I should be back home in Marion defending my father from verbal terrorists. Same concept as above, except without the bombs!

We call ourselves civilized and THIS place a third world country?

Here in Iraq it's nice to hear any news from back in the States so we like to share our hometown newspapers, but there is no way I am sharing this — embarrassing is too mild a word.

Specialist Molly E. Holub

United States Army


To the Editor:

I just have to say that after reading the front page of the paper this past week, I was very upset about the article about Dan Holub.

We are a town that is TRYING to grow and it's sad that there are people here who don't want it to. Yes, I understand that not everyone agrees with each other. That is what makes the world go around.

What I don't understand is why a man had to lose his job because of what he is trying to do.

We have what we call the Declaration of Independence which gave us the freedom of speech. That's our right as Americans.

However, it is not our right to damage or harm another human being's life because of it. Those of you who took matters into your own hands SHAME ON YOU.

Why was it necessary for you to bully Mr. Holub? Are you happy now? How do you sleep at night? SHAME ON YOU Mr. Stephenson.

So what if people threaten to take their business elsewhere. If a business in Marion provides a good service that the public needs they will come back.

I work in the public and I have seen it happen. I think Mr. Stephenson reacted too soon and made a call that should have not been made so hastily. Did he follow company policy before he let Mr. Holub go? I'm sure not.

All Mr. Holub is doing is trying to improve Marion County. I commend him for that. It's just a shame that he had to lose his job because of it.

Do those of you who threatened to take your business elsewhere realize when you take your money elsewhere it goes to things like casinos and trash dumps and all the things that you are probably against?

Think about that!

Tammy Bradford

Marion

To The Editor:

Thank you, Dan Holub for sticking with your beliefs. You were elected by the majority of the citizens in your district.

Now a few seem to think they can dictate what your supposed to do. Folks, we live in America — not Cuba.

I don't always agree with the elected officials, but to stoop as low as a few people did, I find it very un-American. Maybe next election these people should step forward and put their name on the ballot.

Dan Holub, I salute you.

A voting citizen of the United States of America,

Rocky Hett

Marion

Former commissioner says farewell

To The Editor:

I would like to thank the citizens of Marion for their votes and allowing me to serve them for the past 15 years. I have really enjoyed the experience of helping improve our community. The financial state of the city is in much better condition today than it was when I took office. There are many challenges that still face us to continue to improve our city. I can only hope the new council will continue with the positive progressive actions the previous commission has started.

During my terms there were many changes made, the most critical was the implementation of long-range planning and budgeting. Marion now is in a position to replace needed equipment (like the recently purchased fire truck) and has cash reserves on hand to help offset costs for infrastructure improvements like the planned street project. The city was able to upgrade the water treatment plant and add an additional clear well. We are in the process of adding ozone treatment to the water plant to meet current and future KDHE requirements and the city was able to receive a $500,000 grant (thanks to the city administrator) to partially pay for this improvement, and keep water rates from being increased in the process.

The Batt Industrial Park and the Business Park were purchased and the services installed. We have hired a full-time economic development director and have some positive activity in our Business Park with more announcements coming soon.

I hope the new city council will continue in a positive manner to improve Marion as we have a lot invested in our city.

One thing I learned in this process is the citizens of Marion are concerned about city politics. I hope these citizens will attend council meetings and learn the truth about what is going on within the city and not listen to coffee shop gossip. Don't be quick to brand the new council with titles like "Rubber Stampers," without knowing the facts. The past commission always gave careful consideration to each project and purchase prior to approval. We received information about each project, analyzed it, consulted professionals, and made decisions based on that information.

I wish the new council the very best and look forward to great things continuing in Marion.

Jim Crofoot

Marion

Parents take heed

to underage drinking

To The Editor:

I read the article regarding "why teens drink." I gathered that the committee's purpose was to determine why and how to stop the drinking.

As far as I can see, the committee failed on both accounts. Many were blamed but not the ones actually to blame.

You, parents, are the ones to blame. Adults and also you Christians who "only drink socially." Now before you get your back up like a cat who has its tail stepped on, answer these questions, if you will.

How many of you have a bottle of booze setting beside the milk in your refrigerator?

How many of you have told your kids, "That is not good for you. It's Mom's and mine. When you get older you can drink of it if you want."

How many of you have had parties and your kids have seen adults "having fun?"

How many of you do not give your kids credit enough to know you are drinking?

When parents are asked about the bottle in the refrigerator they usually respond with something like, "Oh, when they taste it they won't do it again."

Get real, folks. Kids are smart enough to have noticed that there were no bottles at the party. Adults were drinking soda with something in it and they will experiment and fix it so it is drinkable.

How do we stop the young from drinking? Acknowledge their intelligence. Young people today are smart. Take the booze out of the refrigerator, out of the house.

You adults have to choose to give up your drinking and set the example for your young. If you are not willing to do this, you will have kids who will drink.

It's your choice and your decision.

Bob Call

Kansas City, Mo.

Animal cruelty

plagues Ramona

To The Editor:

Today is Good Friday, and I am having a hard time seeing the good in it here in Ramona.

For quite some time now, those of us who have been caring for animals that get dropped off here in Ramona, have seen much suffering happen to these animals and even some of our pets.

These animals have stolen the hearts of our children, and in my case, grandchildren. They have become friends to our kids here and I am sure to some of us adults, too.

Now after all winter of seeing these animals come to my place poisoned, injured, and weak, I again see it today, Good Friday.

Just two days ago this white kitten was strong and healthy, playing with my granddaughter on a beautiful spring day. The next day this kitten has a back injury and can only pull herself around with front paws. Her fate is not good.

This time at least it isn't a gunshot through the spine, or poisoning as with at least four others before her.

Each time the suffering is not only with the animal but those of us who really do know that it is our place on earth to care for these animals in need.

I am at a loss for words to explain to a little three-year-old girl that there are some humans who do not have respect for life as I try to teach her to love all living things.

Maybe the person who is doing this here in Ramona can come over and explain his desire to cause such suffering to animals to my grandchild!! I know these poor animals that have died so horribly will go on to heaven, but the one who caused it probably can't say the same. Or maybe the things he does to hurt animals could be waiting for him somewhere along his life's journey.

Connie Smith

Ramona

Former basketball coach expresses opinion

To The Editor:

I am writing to you because I feel it is necessary to express my opinion as the former girls' basketball coach at Centre High School. I truly enjoyed coaching girls' basketball and someday I hope to continue in that capacity somewhere, but for now I must say that even though I don't like what has happened, I do respect the decision of the school board.

I have spent 23 years coaching basketball, compiling a 411-190 record (68.4 percent winning percentage, averaging 17 wins per season). At Centre I have spent the past 14 years compiling a 202-117 record (63.3 percent winning percentage, averaging 15 wins per season). Nineteen of the 23 seasons have been winning seasons for an 83 percent success rate. Eleven of the 14 years at Centre, we finished in the top three in the league.

While at Centre, we have won four regional titles, were runners-up on two other occasions, went to six sub-states, being runners-up on two occasions, won three league tourney titles, the most recent this past season.

In the summer of 1995, I had the honor of coaching a Kansas All-Star group of girls in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. I have coached summer AAU teams as well as worked numerous summer camps around the state.

I have had the honor over the course of 23 years, to have worked with many girls who have gone on to play college ball at all levels of play from juco, NAIA, NCAA Division II, as well as NCAA Division I.

Over the past few seasons we have had 23-28 girls come out for basketball at Centre. This next season, there could be as many as 25. We have had a tremendous turnout of girls' participation, especially for a 1A school. We have had more girls come out than many larger schools than us, and I hope this trend continues. This past season our varsity and junior varsity teams went a combined 33-10 (varsity 17-7 and junior varsity 16-3). Eighteen of those 23 players are returning along with a good group of eighth graders. The outlook for next year looks even more promising than this past year. I feel this group of girls at the varsity level could win 19 or 20 games next year and possibly make a state appearance and I wish them the best of luck. They should have a great deal of experience as a possible nine seniors could be participating.

In the world of coaching you understand you will not please everyone but you try to do the very best you can to bring about success. Obviously there were those who disagreed with what we did and accomplished this past year, thus my time coaching at Centre has ended. I wish the successor well and hope they have better luck pleasing the parents and patrons than I did. I thank the school board for allowing me 14 wonderful years of coaching and to all the girls who have participated and worked so hard over the course of those years.

Greg Wyatt

Lost Springs

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