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THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Plant closings big blow to SEK workforce By RICK DANLEY The Iola Register
COFFEYVILLE — In 1999 Amazon — just a dot-com hopeful at that point — opened its largest distribution center on an industrial access road just north of Coffeyville. It quickly became the city’s largest employer. In late September of this year the company announced the facility will close its doors. The move, which will be finalized in February, will affect about 650 current Amazon employees as well as the many temporary workers the company normally recruits during the holiday season. Southwire Co., a manufacturer of electrical wires and cables, has said it will close in March, erasing an additional 200 jobs. John Deere, also in Coffeyville, announced in August that it was laying off more than three dozen. The Montgomery County Recovery Team estimates the combined closures will result in the loss of $18.6 million in payroll for southeast Kansas employees. State and local officials, fail-
Brian Schapowsky, left, a former Southwire employee of 16 years, and Judy Clemens fill out applications at last month’s job fair. ing to turn Amazon’s head with the largest retention package in Kansas history, have been frenzied in their efforts to forestall the losses that threaten Montgomery County. As a part of that effort, Coffeyville Community College last month hosted the first of two planned job fairs in the
Nellis Hall gymnasium, where affected workers were able to mingle with the roughly 20 Montgomery County employers in attendance. The next fair, on Dec. 18, will be open to employers across See AMAZON | Page A4
ALLEN COUNTY
Commisioners hear requests By RICK DANLEY The Iola Register
According to Paul Sorenson, Santa Claus asked him to stop by Tuesday’s county commission meeting and bring, “all the way from the North Pole,” packets of Christmas candy to each commissioner. Another interested citizen, Dan Strunk, dropped in for less than a minute to “voice his opinion on supporting ACARF.” “I’ve lived in the country for 32 years and since ACARF has been there, we’ve had
no stray animals. Numerous people in the country, they feel the same way. So, I’d like to see some support from the county. I don’t mind my taxes being paid for something like that. I think it’s a really good deal and should be supported. “Well, I’ve been heard,” Strunk said. “Thank you.” Matt Kerr requested permission to place a “gate or fence” on an out-of-the-way road near his property at West Virginia and 2300 St. Commissioners alerted Kerr to the process by which his request would have to be evaluated, but promised to
get the ball rolling as soon as possible. Marsha Storrer is helping to organize her upcoming reunion for the Class of 1970. Wanting to “give back to the community,” Storrer’s class is planning an auction. Proceeds from the auction could be used to purchase benches for the courthouse, Storrer said. Grounds director Ron Holman suggested benches like those being used on the rail-trail would be nice and that he would look into it. County Attorney Alan Weber suggested the reapSee COUNTY | Page A4
An in-depth series looking at Iola and Allen County’s workforce environment
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Brownback targets KPERS, roads to fix budget TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — With Kansas facing a projected $279 million budget shortfall after enacting aggressive tax cuts, Republican Gov. Sam Brownback proposed Tuesday to trim spending and divert funds for highway projects and public pensions to general government programs. The plan, which applies only to the current budget year, avoids reducing aid to the state’s public schools, its Medicaid health care program for the needy, prison operations or state universities. Budget Director Shawn Sullivan outlined the details in interviews and said the administration believes agencies that do face cuts can find efficiencies to avoid hurting any programs. “These first steps are a See BROWNBACK | Page A3
Gas council raises water, sewer rates By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
GAS — Gas residents will pay on the average $5 a month more for water and sewer service in 2015. City council members Tuesday evening approved rate increases for both utilities. Water rates will go up 40 cents per unit for residents living in town and 50 cents per unit for those living outside the city. Sewer rates will increase $1 for the minimum and 25 cents per unit for those outside the
city. Sewer usage is determined by consumption during winter months, when it is lowest. The water rate increase was in response to Iola raising rates it charges Gas by 30 cents per unit. Council members also took into consideration an admonition by their auditor to increase reserves in both utility funds. Sewer rates had not been raised since 1999. Water rates, following those charged by Iola, have been raised several See GAS | Page A4
ACC TRUSTEES
College proceeds with facilities plan By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
Allen Community College trustees heard a proposal Tuesday to move forward with the school’s master plan. This is a multi-project plan to revamp the college’s facilities. Architects, Scott Gales and Andrew Wiechen of Architect One, Topeka, presented projects to be completed next year. Projects include entryways, restrooms, locker rooms and science labs. Down the road is a possible renovation of the student
union. “Many of the walls and entries were built out and aren’t ADA compliant,” Wiechen said. They plan to add doors that will eliminate cold or hot air escaping. The doors will come back in 7 feet, making them flush with the brick line of the building. The restrooms will receive a facelift with new flooring, handlebars, finishes and fixtures. The architects noted that in the locker room there was a lack of privacy. In their redrawn sketches there will See ALLEN | Page A4
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 34
Christmas cheer Lincoln Elementary third graders Piper Aronson, left, Emily Atwell, Carson Keller and Briggs Michael recite their lines during their winter program Tuesday. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” — Vincent Van Gogh 75 Cents
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