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THE IOLA REGISTER Thursday, March 13, 2014
Allen Countians speak out against Senate Bill 411 By SUSAN LYNN The Iola Register
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it — unless you’re in government. For local residents Dr. Darrell Monfort, a veterinarian with Red Barn, and Jonet Bland, a retired family consumer science teacher, their role on the Southwind Extension District board is being challenged by a bill before the state Senate. Monfort and Bland represent Allen County on the Extension district board along with Dr. Wes Stone and Jim Smart, a LaHarpe farmer. The board’s role of setting the budget authority for the district is being challenged by state Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-District 12, in Senate Bill 411. In telephone conversations with Bland and
Monfort Wednesday afternoon, neither knew the motivation behind Tyson’s effort to revamp the Extension district structure. Allen, Neosho and Bourbon counties comprise the Southwind District. Each county has four elected board members who serve for two years and are eligible for re-election another two years. Senate Bill 411 would revert budget authority to county commissioners. In an interview with the Fort Scott Tribune, Tyson said the concern is that property taxes could be raised by district boards “with no restrictions.” Bland took exception to the accusation. “We operate very conservatively,” she said. “None of us has any intent of raising property taxes.” See BILL | Page A5
Dr. Darrell Monfort REGISTER FILE PHOTO
New county signs go up each year
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER Kansas Youth Dance Company’s rendition of “Cinderella” will unfold on the Bowlus Fine Arts Center stage Friday and Saturday nights. Above, Mackenzie Weseloh flies across stage during rehearsals Wednesday night, while Gretchen and Sophia Boyers as mice give Cinderella a start in the first act. Jesse Cooper, as Prince Charming, and Cinderella, Zoie Stewart, dance after the glass slipper fits her foot. Tickets are available at the door for $10. REGISTER/BOB JOHNSON
On an eight-year cycle all traffic control signs along Allen County roads are replaced. Bill King, director of Public Works, outlined the county’s sign-replacement policy for commissioners this week, noting the county had certain responsibilities required by the Kansas Department of Transportation. All signs are required to have a high level of prismatic sheeting — meaning they’re reflective and easy to see with the naked eye — with a minimum guaranteed life of 10 years under normal conditions. See SIGNS | Page A5
Legislators in Moran Saturday MORAN — Reps. Kent Thompson and Adam Lusker will discuss what’s going on with the Legislature at the Senior/Community Center here at 9 a.m. Saturday. The event is open to the public. Thompson’s District 9 includes much of Allen County; part of eastern Allen County is in Lusker’s District 2. They will have comments and answer questions.
STATE NEWS
Kansas may limit pre-primary party changes By JOHN HANNA Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators gave final approval Wednesday to a state Republican Party proposal to make it harder for voters to switch parties before primary elections, a move designed to block organized efforts by Democrats or their allies to either help pick weak GOP nominees or to defeat conservative candidates. The Senate passed a bill containing the GOP plan, 27-12, reflecting conservative Republicans’ supermajority in the chamber. The measure heads to conservative Republican Gov. Sam Brown-
back because the House approved the Current law says voters registered measure last year. Brownback has not with a party can switch to another parsaid publicly whether he’ll sign the ty up until two weeks before the pribill. mary. The law T h e allows unafmeasure filiated votIf this is done in even one election, that would proers to choose hibit vot- is one election too many. Stealing elections a party at the ers who are and manipulating elections is not what the polls, and the re g i s t e re d democratic process is all about. bill wouldn’t with one change that. — Sen. Julia Lynn, R-Olathe political The bill comes after party from sw i t ch i n g contentious their affiliations between the June 1 Republican primaries for state Senate candidate-filing deadline and when seats in 2012, which saw conservatives August primary results are certified. oust most — but not all — of the mod-
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 96
“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one.” — Benjamin Franklin 75 Cents
erate GOP incumbents they targeted. In at least two districts, the Kansas National Education Association, the state’s largest teachers’ union, encouraged members to register as Republicans to support moderate GOP incumbents. Some Republican senators also said allowing party switching close to a primary would permit Democrats and their allies to swell the vote totals for the weakest GOP candidate, possibly giving a Democratic nominee a better chance in the November general election. Whatever strategy party-switchSee CHANGES | Page A5
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