Commentary

By Jerry Marsh

by Lee Hamilton

Before the ins and outs of the 2016 presidential contest become a preoccupation for many of us, it seems a good time to step back and look at the office of the presidency for which so many candidates are vying. The presidency inherited by whoever wins next November will be substantially changed from the position his or her predecessors occupied a few decades ago. The President is now the chief — and sometimes the sole — actor in American government.

We often think of Ellsworth County as an experiment within an experiment. From a state perspective, our county is one of 105 that Gov. Sam Brownback and his followers have converted into a petri dish for their relentless “march to zero” on income taxes. The question, especially in Ellsworth and other rural regions of the state, is — How do we hold the line on property taxes and still maintain necessary services? — as Brownback and company abandon their obligations and push more responsibility to local units of government. Ellsworth’s other, closer-to-home experiment is taking place at the intersection of Kansas Highways 140 and 156. Retail giant Walmart several months ago opened a neighborhood market, a much smaller version of its superstores at Salina and Great Bend. The store here carries groceries and gasoline and also features a pharmacy.

Fair supporters deserve congratulations Dear Editor, Another Ellsworth Co. 4-H Fair has come and gone. I would like to congratulate all of the Midway- Ellsworth 4-H members on the hard work they put into the exhibits that were showcased at the fair. The exhibit building was full of works of art, educational displays, rockets, photos and so much more. The showmen and women at each show displayed great character and represented themselves well. The Faircould not go on without the countless hours and efforts put in by volunteer superintendents, project leaders, club leaders and parents. Thank you to everyone  ho contributed to making the 2015 Soar to New Heights with 4-H Fair a success. The time, efforts and donations made a real impact this week that will last for years to come. THANK YOU! 

To view more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition 

Theresa Kasper of Wilson passed away Monday, July 27, 2015. Wake service is at 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church,  ilson. American politics has long been a ‘comedy of errors’. The comedy currently playing out in the2016 race for the White House may prove to Editor’s Note — Ellsworth County’s representatives in Topeka, Sen. Richard Wilborn and Rep. Steven Johnson, attended Saturday’s legislative forum in Wilson. A week or so  go, the I-R covered a similar event, which was covered extensively in the newspaper, and featured reactions from Rep. Johnson to the session. The following is Sen. Wilborn’s thoughts on the session, his first as our senator.   

To view more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition 

Theresa Kasper of Wilson passed away Monday, July 27, 2015. Wake service is at 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church,  ilson. American politics has long been a ‘comedy of errors’. The comedy currently playing out in the2016 race for the White House may prove to One of the most romantic images of the Old West is that of Texaslonghorn cattle coming into view out of a cloud  f dust. Cowboys “whoop and holler” as they pushthe wild cattle over the open prairie on the way to the end-of-trail cowtown. During the last half of the 19th century Kansas grasslands fed hundreds of thousands of cattle. The scene was an idyllic episode in American history but for one tragic malady that ruined the lives of hundreds of cattlemen. A mysterious disease had been associated with Texas cattle as early as 1814. In 1855 and again in 1858, domestic herds in Missouri began to die when they came into contact with the longhorns.    

Theresa Kasper of Wilson passed away Monday, July 27, 2015. Wake service is at 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church,  ilson. American politics has long been a ‘comedy of errors’. The comedy currently playing out in the2016 race for the White House may prove to be more tiresome than most, but one that voters would do well to give their attention. Before continuing, LeeHamilton’s point in last week’s Indy bears repeating: “there’s no America without democracy, no democracy without politics, and no politics without elected politicians.”It is our job to pay attention even when it hurts.FuneraTTheresa Kasper of Wilson passed away Monday, July 27, 2015. Wake service is at 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at St. Harold “Joe” 

To view more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition