Wrestling: Iola competes at Inside: Anderson County Peter See B1 O’Toole dies See B6
THE IOLA REGISTER Monday, December 16, 2013
DECKING THE HALLS
STATE
Turnover rate high in Brownback cabinet TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback has seen almost half of his 11 permanent Cabinet secretary appointments turn over in the first three years of his tenure. The percentage outpaces that of predecessors Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, and Bill Graves, a Republican, The Topeka Capital-Journal reports. But Brownback spokeswoman Sara Belfry said the turnover isn’t unusual compared to past governors, including Democrat Joan Finney. “It is not unexpected that talented people who served in this administration had other opportunities become available and they decided to pursue other opportunities,” Belfry said. Among the Cabinet leaders to depart are Rob Siedlecki, who was tapped to lead the Kansas Department for Social and Rehabilitation Services. He faced criticism over his reorganization of SRS management and the administration’s pursuit of faith-based social services initiatives. Deb Miller, the lone Democrat in the Cabinet, left her post as secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation at the same time as Siedlecki left his. Karin Brownlee was forced out as secretary of the Kansas Department of Labor in September 2012. Dennis Taylor stepped down as secretary of the Kansas Department of See TURNOVER | Page A5
Taxes due by Friday It’s that time of year again. Allen County Treasurer Darolyn Maley is reminding everyone that taxes are due in full or the first half by Friday to pay without penalty on the costs. Taxes that are mailed must be postmarked by Friday. Interest will be added to taxes that are paid after the due date. Any oil, gas or personal property taxes that are not paid on or before Friday will be due in full. Allen County Courthouse will be closed on Dec. 24 and 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday. The courthouse will be closed on Dec. 31 and the tax department will close at noon on the 31st for endof-year auditing. Customers needing to renew their tags in December must do so before the end of the day on Dec. 30. Trailers and trucks that are registered with a heavy tag will be renewable Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, 2014.
Chuck and Phyllis Gettler’s home south of Garnett is easy to spot from U.S. 169. Lights cover their entire home, capped off with a Santa Claus helicopter above all. Phyllis said her family spends about one month getting decorations ready, and they have been decorating “to that extent” for about five years. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Panel suggest one-year delay of KanCare DD changes By MIKE SHIELDS KHI News Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Council on Disability today sent a letter to federal health officials urging them to postpone for a year consideration of a request by the administration of Gov. Sam Brownback to include long-term services for the developmentally disabled in KanCare. The council, which held two days of hearings last week in Topeka as part of its ongoing study of the ramifications of Medicaid managed care, said Kansas officials need to collaborate more with developmentally disabled (DD) service providers and families before moving forward with their plans. The council also cited concerns over delayed payments and other problems reported with KanCare and said the state should be obliged to
eliminate its existing waiting list for services before being allowed to expand its relatively new managed care initiative. “We think that concerns of the stakeholders and affected individuals and families are so significant that there should be a sufficient time period to review all the concerns that have been articulated,” said council member Gary Blumenthal, a former Kansas legislator now living in Massachusetts. “We recommend a 12-month evaluation.” The council is a federal agency that advises executive branch agencies and Congress on disability policies. But the agencies are not bound by the council’s recommendations. Eyes on Kansas
It is somewhat unusual for the panel, which generally makes broad or more general
Shawn Sullivan, secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services PHIL CAUTHON/KHI policy recommendations, to issue recommendations specific to a state Medicaid plan, but council officials said the national significance of what is happening in Kansas warranted the letter because the
Kansas plan could be taken as a model by other states and needs to be done correctly, if at all. “In a lot of ways, policySee PANEL | Page A5
Make a joyful noise The Iola Middle School strings students play one of three songs during their portion of the Iola Middle School winter concert. The middle school choir, strings, concert band and jazz band performed Friday night at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. The choir and string students are directed by Greta Adams. The band students are under the direction of Matt Kleopfer. Students performed Christmas music and songs they have practiced during the semester. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No.36
“The greatest of faults, I should say, is to be conscious of none.” — Thomas Carlyle 75 Cents
Hi: 57 Lo: 32 Iola, KS