Opinion

OPINION – Tax increase was classic bait and switch

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Todd Stanton, Seward County Commission

As the saga of the greatest tax hike in Seward County history continues courtesy of the Taxing Trio (as they have been dubbed by this paper) much media and social media coverage centers upon troubling facts uncovered by citizen investigators.

But, let's together examine how we ended up here. Perhaps you, too, will view it as one of the greatest cons ever perpetrated upon our citizens. We can name it The Great Bait and Switch.

OPINION – Charlie Kirk and the State of our nation

GUEST COLUMN, Star Parker

The nation is rightly traumatized by the horrible assassination of Charlie Kirk.

The media is filled, also rightly, with give and take trying to understand what can and should be done so that we don't see more of the same.

But unfortunately, much of the expression that I hear is informed by the same misguided sense of right and wrong that brought to fruition the horrible act.

That is — who do we blame?

Homicide is unfortunately not so exceptional in our country. Among industrialized nations, the U.S. homicide rate, hovering around 6 per 100,000, is among the highest.

OPINION – Do we really know which teachers are qualified?

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Starley Craig, Liberal

According to the Leader & Times, USD 480 now has 200 certified teachers and 100 non-certified personnel (teachers) on the staff. Those non-certified teachers include high school students, I assume, since it states USD 480 is planning on helping them with Associate’s degrees after they graduate from high school.

They also have two divisions of non-certified staff. One is composed of people (high school students?) who have no interest in becoming actual teachers, and the other group composed of people who have signed up for a plan to maybe go on with their own educations. They are called “resident Interns, and according to the paper, “are those we’re investing in each other” whatever that means.

OPINION – Retaining healthcare staff a challenge

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Susan Lukwago, Liberal

I am writing a letter in response to Ms. Carolyn Huddleston's letter in the paper Sept. 30, 2025.

Ms. Huddleston, thank you for caring very much about the pay to the staff of Seward County Health Department. Thank you for all the research. Did you come and talk with our Administrator, Brie Greeson as a part of your research? Did you come and talk with any of the staff of the Health Department? It is often helpful to ask questions of the people about whom you are talking, before presenting information about or for them. I say this with respect as a person who is also interested in research and accuracy.

OPINION – John’s gospel: incarnate Word, light of the world

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

Last week was a sort of birds-eye view of the first four books of the New Testament called the gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each offer a unique perspective on the life of Jesus. The quickest and easiest starting point might be to read straight through Mark. But today, we'll focus specifically on the Gospel of John. While we usually think of eternity going forward forever, John introduces Jesus as the eternal Word, reaching back beyond creation itself. And when other gospels begin with His birth or ministry, John delves into the profound meaning of Jesus as God incarnate.