SPORTS: THE TEAM THAT TIME FORGOT See B1
The Weekender Saturday, March 22, 2014
Iolans join in Statehouse rally
ROTARY
Eradicating polio a Rotary goal By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
People gathered at the Kansas Statehouse on Tuesday to urge lawmakers to expand Medicaid eligibility. Georgia Master, Jackie Chase and Bob Chase attended on Allen County’s behalf, as members of the Rural Health Initiative. DAN BRENNAN/KHI
Medicaid expansion a ‘moral, not political,’ cause By STEVEN SCHWARTZ The Iola Register
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early 200 people descended on the Statehouse Tuesday to voice their support for Medicaid expansion; they came away with equal amounts optimism and discouragement, according to two Iolans. Jackie Chase and Georgia Masterson were two of the representatives in Topeka, both appearing as part of the Rural Health Initiative. The rally was organized by the Kansas Medicaid Access Coalition. “It was enough to get their notice,” Masterson said of the group’s exercise. They had the chance to discuss the topic with Rep. Kent Thompson (who both Masterson
and Chase described as “open-minded” to any expansion decision), and had an appointment to meet with State Senator Caryn Tyson, who failed to show up for their meeting. While both Masterson and Chase described the event as “optimistic,” reality quickly set in. Despite the fact surveys prove Kansans support the expansion, most politicians aren’t keen to align themselves with anything to do with the Affordable Care Act, President Obama’s signature legislation. “Until the governor’s election takes place, it’s probably not going to be something that is acted on,” Masterson said. “They (politicians) don’t want to
“We are leaving the poorest of the poor out there to fend for themselves. I can’t believe we would do this to our most vulnerable.” — Jackie Chase, Rural Health Initiative
Rotary International is within an eyelash of completing its ambitious effort to eradicate polio in the world through funding of vaccine. “We’re down to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria,” Ellis Potter told Iola Rotarians Thursday. The fear of polio struck the heart of every parent until a vaccine was discovered in the 1950s. Eradicating polio became an ongoing project of Rotary clubs throughout the world 25 years ago. “We should have it done very soon,” Ellis said, although he allowed that political blockades have pre- Ellis Potter vented as much headway as the organization would like in the three countries where new cases continue to occur. “The day will come, though, when there is no more polio anywhere in the world,” he said. Polio, also referred to as infantile paralysis, is an infectious disease first recognized in 1840. It attacks the spinal cord, and at its height required “iron lung,” devices to help patients breathe. If they survived, many children were left as cripples. An effective vaccine was developed in the 1950s by Dr. Jonas Salk, which quickly reduced the number of polio cases. When Rotary International adopted its eradication program in 1988, there were 350,000 cases worldwide. By 2012, the last statistics available, that number had dwindled to 223.
See RALLY | Page A3
See POLIO | Page A4
Area forces join to rescue endangered children By STEVEN SCHWARTZ and KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
County Attorney Wade Bowie, left, and Assistant County Attorney Christopher Phelan.
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 102
The law can give a voice to a child in need, in danger or in a state of neglect; but oftentimes the right answer is not always the clearest one. One thing always holds true — when in doubt, the children are top priority. “Handling cases that deal with kids is number one,” Allen County Attorney Wade Bowie said. Child endangerment cases can be some of the most difficult to prosecute, due to certain “gray areas.” Bowie said the cases are always different, and he and Assistant County Attorney Christopher Phelan must examine the facts separate of any prior situation. “Everything we do is fact-dependent and we have to evaluate the facts,” Bowie said. “They’re (law enforcement) always going to err on the side of caution.” Iola Police Chief Jared Warner echoed the sentiment. He said the officers take extra caution with cases involving children, and will do anything in their power to protect them. He said his office has seen 10 cases this year, which is significantly higher than normal. The county attorney’s office has already dealt with 35 cases this year. Of the 35, eight of them are truancy cases, which do not typically result in the child being removed from the home. See CHILDREN | Page A4 Aimeé Daniels is the executive director of CASA for
the southeast Kansas region.
“Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look there.” — Marcus Aurelius 75 Cents
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