Softball: Red Devils lose heartbreakers
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THE IOLA REGISTER Tuesday, March 11, 2014
CITY COUNCIL
City plucks chicken ordinance By SUSAN LYNN The Iola Register
There’s always Russell Stover Candies. For those hoping to have homegrown Easter eggs, they won’t be coming from Iola backyards. In a narrow vote, Iola city council members nixed an ordinance Monday night that would have permitted Iolans to raise up to five chickens a household. In favor of the ordinance were Nancy Ford, Eugene Myrick, Jon Wells and Steve French. Those opposed were Bev Franklin, Sandy Zornes and Don Becker. And while that would seem to pass the measure, because it was an ordinance Mayor Joel Wicoff could also participate in the vote. Which he did, and voted no, which made the vote 4-4. The measure needed to pass by a majority of the ninemember council. In the case of a tie, the measure fails. Councilman Bob Shaughnessy was absent. While Franklin voted for the measure at earlier meetings, she said she had changed her mind because of responses from her constitu-
ents who are against allowing chicken coops in city limits. “I can’t vote for it now,” she said. For the most part, the vote seems to fall along generational lines. Becker said he thought most of the supporters were youths. Myrick, who works with
current contract. Council members Becker, French and Ford voiced their concern the city’s budget could not support the stipend. French went so far as to ask Sell if he would be willing to perform the duties at no cost. “Would you be willing to work for free?” French asked. Clearly uncomfortable, Sell
“I was supportive of this measure before, but in the ensuing weeks I have heard from many people who don’t want chickens in the city limits. I can’t vote for it now. — Beverly Franklin, Ward 2 representative
the SAFE BASE after-school program, said many of the students have expressed their eagerness to raise chickens and were trying to get their parents involved. RYAN SELL, deputy fire chief and EMS director, was put on the hot seat. Up for discussion was whether to pay Sell an additional $800 a month for duties above and beyond those in his
USD 257
replied he would rather discuss the issue in private. Ford asked, “Should we eliminate the position? It seems we cannot afford it.” Jon Wells and Sandy Zornes, however, were of a mind the temporary agreement — which could be broken at any time with 15 days’ notice — was prudent, “until we get a comprehensive See CITY | Page A6
Angie Linn, curriculum director, tells USD 257 board members how one elementary school could benefit the district. REGISTER/ KAYLA BANZET
All the possibilities By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
The quality and function of a building can have a substantial effect on students and faculty. As USD 257 continues its discussion on whether to ask voters to approve a bond issue, it weighs the pros and cons of having one school campus over the current five individual schools. At Monday’s board meet-
ing Angie Linn, USD 257 curriculum director, showed the board how students and faculty could benefit if the district were to have one elementary school over its current Jefferson, Lincoln and McKinley elementaries. Linn said site licensing costs could be cut significantly if only one building existed. The library circulation system costs the district $800 See SCHOOL | Page A2
USA Pools still in charge in Humboldt By Bob JOHNSON The Iola Register
Brian True, left, and wife Heather, right, visit with Mike and LeAnna Meats during a fundraising event for the True family in Le Roy Saturday. REGISTER/BOB JOHNSON
Amazing support Fundraiser carries the day for Brian True family By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
LE ROY — A fundraiser here Saturday to benefit Brian True and his family brought in $31,000 — with more to come. “We’ve got in donations today and other people have told us they want to help out,” Stacy True, Brian’s sister, told the Register Monday afternoon. A silent auction raised better than $16,000 of which about $15,000 was donated. “It’s amazing how generous people are,” said Stacy True, noting three individuals living in Le Roy while they work a short-term outage at the Wolf Creek nuclear plant handed over a substantial
cash donation. “They don’t know Brian or his family, but wanted to help out.” “I really don’t have the words to say how we feel,” Brian True said in a telephone conversation Monday afternoon. “I’m very humbled by the support,” he said. “We have a lot of friends in Le Roy and the area, but I never dreamed of anything like this. “There were young people just out of high school helping out (at the fundraiser) and older people who came that barely could get in the door.” True is awaiting results of an appeal to his insurance company’s decision not to pay for a third back operation to correct deteriorating
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disks. His ailment reached the point in early December that True had to quit his job at Mid-American Machine, a Le Roy manufacturer. The assistance received will help the family with everyday expenses, including medicine to deal with his back pain. Because of his back problems, True was able to spend only about three hours at the fundraiser. “I’m paying for it today,” he said with a chuckle Monday. “I feel a little bit guilty for all that people have done for us,” True continued. “There are a lot of other people out there who also need help, but I know people wouldn’t have helped if they didn’t want to.
HUMBOLDT — USA Pools will manage Humboldt’s swimming pool again this year. City council members agreed, in a split vote, to USA Pools’ proposal to increase its charge by 3 percent to $47,120. For that the company provides a turn-key operation, including all chemicals. The company noted it anticipated a 12 percent cost increase for pool supplies. Mark Slater and Cindy Hollingsworth, without comment, voted against USA Pools managing the pool for a second straight year. Otis Crawford, a member of the council’s Pool Committee, said he had had “lots of good feedback” about the company’s management during 2013. Sunny Shreeve, the other committee member, said she thought the pool had a good summer last year and that questions she had about lifeguard compensation had been answered. Shreeve said it was her understanding a bonus would be paid lifeguards this year who completed their 2013 duties. Council members took no official position, but none seemed interested in seeing city elections move to fall, which has been proposed in both House and Senate this session. Tucker said the League of Kansas Municipalities was opposed, and that city officials elsewhere he had talked with
“A promise made is a debt unpaid.” — Robert W. Service, writer 75 Cents
were as well. The House would move April city and school elections to November in odd-numbered years while the Senate bill would have them in conjunction with state and federal elections in even-numbered years. The Senate proposal also would make positions partisan, meaning candidates would name party affiliation when they filed. A concern, Tucker said, was that if the Senate bill won approval, vacancies on the council would be filled by party caucus instead of mayoral appointments, as they are in Humboldt. “I think it’s a particularly bad idea in small communities like ours,” said Councilwoman Vada Aikins, adding that “I thought this was dead,” after it went nowhere in the Legislature during 2013. Having all elections in August (primary) and November has been touted as a way to save money. Allen County Clerk Sherrie Riebel has described it as a “nightmare,” with her fear being school and city candidates would be lost on longer ballots including state and federal candidates. IN OTHER BUSINESS:
— Council members recognized police officers Jeff Collins, Wayne Carson, Chad Reeves, Adrian Tubbs and Chief Brian Dillow for having completed training to be certified as emergency medical technicians. Officer Steve MiSee POOLS | Page A6
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