Sports: Humboldt squads fall at Fredonia See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
County commission
Contractor advises on dirt work By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Allen County commissioners learned Tuesday from a local contractor who specializes in dirt work filling the hole created by removal of Allen County Hospital — specifically its basement — can be a complicated procedure. R.J. Helms said compaction requirements required for construction of a new G&W Foods grocery, as well as apartments, should be known precisely to avoid problems down the road. “Are you building a pad for the store or just filling the hole,” queried Helms, adding that engineers who will hold sway over the store’s construction should be involved. City Counselor Alan Weber had prepared a cursory request for proposal document that Helms said needed more information, including specifics about the perimeter of the store. More than 9,000 cubic See COUNTY | Page A4
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Wednesday, January 13, 2016
SEK, Inc. boosts manufacturers’ clout
By SUSAN LYNN The Iola Register
Good employees are not born, they are made. And employers are waking up to the fact that they are to have an integral role in an employee’s development. So says Don Alexander, outgoing president of Southeast Kansas, Inc., a regional economic development organization that had its annual meeting at Miller’s on Madison in Iola Tuesday night. Alexander, 51, is a thirdgeneration owner of Alexander Manufacturing, Parsons. Begun in 1927, the company’s main product is an assortment of steel firewood racks. “We ship all over the world,” Alexander said. But his focus is on southeast Kansas. And specifically, its manufacturing climate. “The number-one challenge for SEK employers is finding qualified employees,” he said. “Manufacturers are begging for applicants,” he said. As a region, southeast Kansas has an unemployment rate of about 5 percent, higher than other parts of the state. But it’s not for a lack of jobs. In Alexander’s opinion, the mismatch comes from a workforce that lacks “soft skills,” including not under-
Trish Carroll, Columbus, left, visits with Don Alexander, Parsons, at Tuesday night’s annual meeting of SEK, Inc., a regional organization that works to boost manufacturing, at Miller’s on Madison. Carroll, general manager of Columbus Telephone Co., is the incoming president of SEK, Inc. Alexander is stepping down as president after two years. REGISTER/SUSAN LYNN standing the importance of consistently showing up for work, not being able to communicate effectively, and, unfortunately, a high rate of substance abuse. And while it may not be a goal of SEK, Inc., to fight the “vicious” cycle of poverty,
Alexander said it’s one the organization cannot ignore if it wants to grow the region’s manufacturing base. “No one is going to come in from the outside and say they are going to fix our problems,” he said. “It’s got to start with us and the attitude
Obama defends legacy
President Barack Obama delivers his final State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday. ABACA PRESS/OLIVIER DOULIERY/TNS
WASHINGTON (AP) — With Americans soon to begin choosing his successor, President Barack Obama is casting his seven divisive years as a time of positive change, implicitly asking voters to replace him with a Democrat who would continue his hard-won policies on health care, climate change and Iran. Addressing a hostile Republican-led Congress and a country plunged in a tumultuous, at times angry presidential campaign, Obama used his final State of the Union address to summon an af-
firmative vision of his administration and for the future. He rebutted critics, naysayers and the GOP White House hopefuls, but also acknowledged his own failure to transform the country’s bitter politics and unite the nation. With a year left in office, he presented that task as more urgent than ever and pleaded with voters to turn away from harsh voices and come together. “Democracy grinds to a halt without a willingness to compromise; or when even basic facts are contested,” Obama said. “Our public life
withers when only the most extreme voices get attention.” Conceding that changing Washington was not the job of one person, Obama called on voters to change the system itself by demanding less money in politics, fairly drawn congressional districts and easier access to voting. “There are a whole lot of folks in this chamber who would like to see more cooperation, a more elevated debate in Washington, but feel trapped by the demands See OBAMA | Page A6
Brownback outlines priorities in State of the State address TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will prevent Planned Parenthood from receiving any funds through its Medicaid program, Gov. Sam Brownback announced Tuesday in a State of the State address that encouraged state legislators to enshrine such a policy into law. The Republican governor also spent part of his speech before a joint session of the GOP-dominated Legislature criticizing Democratic President Barack Obama on national security issues. Brownback said Kansas is prepared “to thwart every action” by the Obama administration to move prisoners being held as terrorism sus-
Gov. Sam Brownback pects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Fort Leavenworth. In addition, Brownback said he favors tightening limits on local property taxes approved last year and putting
Quote of the day Vol. 118, No. 53
them in effect before 2018, as previously planned. He urged lawmakers to design a new formula for funding Kansas’ public schools that includes bonuses for exceptional teachers. Brownback used his speech to outline a broad legislative agenda on multiple issues and announced his action against Planned Parenthood near the end. “We have become the shining city on the hill and the champions for life,” Brownback said in remarks prepared for delivery. Brownback’s 30-minute speech did not mention the issue that could occupy much of the legislative ses-
sion: closing a projected $190 million budget deficit for the fiscal year beginning in July. His administration planned to release budget proposals today. Democrats were quick to note the omission and the unusually strong criticism of a president by a governor in a State of the State address. Veteran Democratic Rep. Tom Sawyer of Wichita, called the speech a “waste of time.” Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, said: “That is a classless performance.” Elise Higgins, a lobbyist See STATE | Page A4
“I have learned that to be with those I like is enough.”
— Walt Whitman
75 Cents
that we — educators, employers, the courts, families — are going to do all we can do.” Breaking the stigma of factory work is a first step, he said. “Young kids hear that See SEK, INC. | Page A4
Gas council
Center to be more accessible By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
GAS — The old Gas school will start filling more of its role as a community center from decisions made by city council members Tuesday evening. At the urging of Pat Spencer, a vocal activist for Gas, the center’s gymnasium will be made available from 8 a.m. to noon weekdays for senior citizens walking. During breaks from school, the gym will be open 1 to 4 p.m. for kids to play basketball or whatever tickles their fancy. On weekends or evenings, if a parent is willing to supervise, they may pick up a key at City Hall for the center and open it for youngsters. For adults of any age who prefer alcoholic beverages at a family reunion, wedding reception or similar event, council members voted to make beer, wine and mixed drinks acceptable. One exception is no kegs of beer will be allowed. Rental will be $50 and a deposit of $50, unless alcohol is involved and then deposit will be $100. Deposits in either case will be refundable if no See GAS | Page A4
Hi: 49 Lo: 30 Iola, KS