Sports: Marmaton Valley nabs first win of year See B1
The Weekender Saturday, September 27, 2014
Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Iola EMS passes latest state test By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
A recent state inspection by Iola’s emergency medical service gave the city a perfect score. Iola Fire Chief Tim Thyer told the Register Friday the ambulance service earned a 100 percent rating by a Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services inspector. The annual inspections are held sometime in August or September of each year. “We just never know exactly when,” Thyer said. The unannounced inspection looks at the service from top to bottom: condition of the ambulances, how reports are filed, whether medication and supplies remain up to date, and smaller things, such as all the bulbs on each vehicle are in
Sweet Symphony
The Kansas City Symphony performs at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center in honor of the Center’s 50th anniversary celebration Friday night. In 1964, the Kansas City Philharmonic performed on the same stage as part of the Center’s opening festivities. The 50th celebration continues today with tours of the Bowlus from 9 a.m. to noon, birthday cake in the band room at 6 p.m. and the rededication ceremony and Alumni Variety Show at 7 p.m. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET
working order. “Burned out bulbs have dinged us once or twice before,” Thyer said. “The guys do a good job of making sure everything is working properly.” The inspector also pored over quality assurance documents, Thyer said, by reviewing how EMS reports are filed and reviewed by Dr. Timothy Spears, the city’s EMS medical adviser. The protocols were a source of concern at recent Allen County Commission meetings as commissioners continue to renegotiate the city’s EMS contract. “The inspector told me it had been a while since he’d given a 100 percent grade,” Thyer said. “I think that’s a pretty good ‘attaboy’ for the department. The guys have worked hard to make this possible.”
Iola merchants weigh in on bond issue By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Gordon and Brek Ulrich work side by side all day, every day, at Ulrich Furniture in downtown Iola. In their idle time, they’ll debate pretty much every topic under the sun. In regards to the upcoming vote for new USD 257 schools, they agree to disagree. Gordon, the father, is opposed to building new elementary and high schools, especially if they’re built north of Oregon Road. Brek is in favor. “I understand very much where he’s coming from,” Brek said. “And he understands my point of view.” For Gordon, the plan the district has set forth and the cost involved are too unsettling — and too expensive — to support. “They should’ve done something with the grade schools first,” Gordon said. “Adding
The school bond issue has drawn varied opinions from Iola business owners. The bond vote features a half cent sales and property tax. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN the high school makes it too expensive.” He also is unhappy with the location of the proposed site. (The school district has an option to purchase 95 acres of property on Oregon Road).
“And on top of (raising property taxes), they’re talking about raising the sales tax, and not all of that will go to the school,” Gordon said. Half of the 1/2 of a percent tax will go to schools and the
other half to keep Iola’s infrastructure in good repair. Brek sees his father’s points, but wonders if Iola will ever get new schools. “Opponents say it’s not a good time to build schools
right now,” Brek said. “When is? “There’s not going to be a perfect plan. But these grade schools are in bad shape. My See MERCHANTS | Page A4
SEE, HEAR IOLA
Education a part of Iola’s future By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
Jen Taylor, chairwoman for Yes for Iola Kids Yes, explains the need for new schools at Friday’s See, Hear Iola. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 235
A theme of success and moving toward the future rippled through See, Hear Iola Friday morning. Jen Taylor, chairwoman for Yes for Iola Kids Yes and the commercial speaker for the event, educated the audience on the proposed school bond issue. Taylor is an Iola graduate and attended Iola Middle School, Jefferson and Lincoln Elementary. She has children in the school district and has volunteered at Jefferson for 11 years.
“I’ve helped clean out the basement when ground water and mold appeared,” she said. “I’ve seen one school have iPads and another not because their kids sold more cookie dough.” Taylor said the Nov. 4 bond issue should not be taken lightly. Funds for textbooks and upgrades to technology have been redirected to help maintain district buildings. She showed the audience a chemistry textbook her daughter Abigail uses dating from 1997. Remodeling current buildings “doesn’t solve our problems,” she said. “There would be $698,000 in savings every
“Art is not a handicraft, it is the transmission of feeling the artist has experienced.” — Leo Tolstoy, Russian writer 75 Cents
year if we were to build new. This money could go to paying teachers better, purchasing new textbooks and improving technology.” Iola is one of the lowest-paying districts for teachers. “How can we attract new teachers to our community with low pay and old buildings,” Taylor asked. The cost of a no vote would be sacrificing classroom materials and children’s’ education, she said. “Maintaining what we have is just putting on Band-Aids,” Taylor said. “It’s our responsibility to take care of their See SEE | Page A8
Hi: 83 Lo: 58 Iola, KS