Inside: MLK program, legislative update Monday night See A6
Wrestling: Iola sweeps past Erie, Labette County See B1
The Weekender Saturday, January 18, 2014
Godfrey a woman of many roles
By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
LAYERS OF SUPPORT, ‘CIRCLES’ OF HOPE By STEVEN SCHWARTZ The Iola Register
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little bit of support can go a long way, and the Circles of Allen County program is learning that on almost every level. “Having someone else believe in you is incredibly important,” Circles representative Georgia Masterson said, sitting in her Thrive Allen County office. “It’s very powerful,” Wanda Pumphrey, a regional trainer for the program, replied. Pumphrey visited Allen County on Monday, in order to get a better idea of the issues the local program is facing, as well as what it is doing to succeed. There are stories of both. Circles is a program meant to direct people out of poverty through education, resources and support. Those enrolled meet on a weekly basis over several months. The graduates then go on to work with community members — they’re called “allies” — to help promote themselves in the community. “I’m here simply for support,” Pumphrey said. “Circles can be challenging and messy at times.” Masterson is finding these things out firsthand. She recently completed the first-ever session in southeast Kansas, and currently has 12 registered to start the next session — held up by there being no See CIRCLES | Page A4
At top, Circles Leaders and their children meet on Monday evenings at Calvary United Methodist Church. Above, Wanda Pumphrey, the regional trainer for Circles out of Poverty, and Georgia Masterson, right, are heavily involved with the groups. REGISTER/STEVEN SCHWARTZ
Check out CBS’ broadcast about Circles at www.iolaregister.com
People in Iola may not be aware, but they’ve most likely spoken to Kara Godfrey. “City Administrator’s office, this is Kara, how may I help you,” is Godfrey’s routine welcome as she answers phone calls to City of Iola administrative offices. As administrative assistant, Godfrey helps run things from behind the scenes. “This is a place I’ll work until I retire,” Godfrey said, who has worked as the administrative assistant since 2010. “I love that it’s not the same thing every day. I can’t do repetition.” Her duties include answering the phones, organizing Carl Kara Godfrey Slaugh’s, city administra tor, and Corey Schinstock’s, assistant city administrator, calendars, prepare for meetings and keep track of department heads’ schedules. “I do a little bit of everything,” she said. Godfrey said her favorite part of the job is to take care of things for Channel 6, a new responsibility since she took the position. “I get to use the creative side of it and keep it running,” she said of the TV program. But that’s not the only title on her resume. Godfrey has two other full-time jobs, preacher’s wife and being a mother of two. She grew up in Iola and lived in the same house from the time she was born until she was 18. Shortly after graduating from high school she See GODFREY | Page A3
Development is alive and well
Committee works to turn local economy around By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
that and kept the jobs here, rather than having them go to Texas,” where Catalyst is headquartered, McRae said. Toland is no Johnny-come-lately. He spent more than five years in economic development efforts in Washington, D.C., after having been appointed chief of staff of the group by the mayor.
John McRae put a conspicuous feather in David Toland’s and Thrive Allen County’s hat Thursday during a presentation to Iola Rotary. “Competition is incredible” for jobs today, said McRae, president of Iola Industries. The economic IOLA INDUSTRIES When I came here 30 years ago, Iola’s pop- was formed in 1955 by development effort to attract new jobs ulation was 7,500 and it’s what today, 5,800? Iola business and prohas kept pace, McRae That’s a problem that afflicts all rural com- fessional people, with said, because of the the goal of promoting munities; everyone is losing population. Allen County EcoIola and tending to — John McRae, president of Iola Industries its economic developnomic Development Committee which ment needs. Thrive has adopted Since then the Iola into its mission. Industries board has had just three directors: McRae pointed out that about 25 jobs were Dr. A. R. Chambers from the start until 1969; saved in Allen County when the old Haldex Emerson Lynn — “during our epic period,” plant was selected as a manufacturing site for McRae said, when Gates Corporation, Midland Catalyst, formerly 2R Tool in Humboldt. Also, Brake, Herff Jones and Tramec came to town Catalyst is committed to adding 100 new jobs — through 2003; and Mary Kay Heard since. with its move to Iola. See INDUSTRY | Page A4 “David (Toland) and Thrive helped a lot with
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 57
John McRae gave Iola Rotarians an in-depth look at Iola Industries, from its start in 1955 until today, on Thursday. He pointed out the development group has had a significant hand in making Iola’s industrial community being what it is today. REGISTER/BOB
JOHNSON
“Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.” — Voltaire 75 Cents
Hi: 57 Lo: 29 Iola, KS