Opinion

How can we get good candidates to serve when Teslas are on fire?

L&T Publisher Earl Watt

Over the years a lot of people have been in and out of the office that would make great public servants, and I’ve encouraged many of them to run for office.

While many are flattered by the encouragement, there is always one issue that makes them say no.

“It will hurt my business,” they say.

I push further, telling them that if we don’t have good candidates we won’t get the best leadership.

They agree. But the personal risk is too great. If they make a decision that might be best for the community, there will still be about half of the people who won’t like it, and that half will retaliate personally against their private business.

Bougainvillea Poetry

THE POSTSCRIPT, Carrie Classon

After a while, no one wants to look like a tourist.

Experienced travelers will buy a hat in a local store, convinced that having the same head covering will somehow make them less conspicuous. They stray off the main streets and take their meals in the places locals frequent. They leave their fancy backpacks in the hotel and carry only what they need to explore the city. And, most importantly, they don’t take photos.

Cheering on scholars just like our Saints athletes

SAINTS PERSPECTIVE, SCCC President Brad Bennett

Over the past month, I’ve seen more of the highway between the state capitol in Topeka and home than I would prefer. One of my favorite things about being the president of Seward County Community College is the opportunity to connect with students. Showing up to campus events and ceremonies like the recent honor society induction is important and far more than a duty. It’s exciting to see our students succeed.

This spring, that hasn’t always been possible.

Ability to control the weather is nothing new

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Reita Issacs, Liberal

The extreme change of weather has driven me to remain in my warm home instead of enjoying being able to work in my yard again, so I have a new pot of coffee and a plate of fruitloop cookies to get me through this article.

I didn’t have to look through my notes to remember the seriousness of what was occurring worldwide in the atmosphere; and now the situations have magnified to the point I’m going to address it in print with documentation to back it up.

Terminations have negative effect on local USDA offices, rural communities

GUEST COLUMN, Kalee Olson, Policy Manager, Center for Rural Affairs

In recent weeks, action taken by the federal administration has left many individuals wondering about the status of a small-town staple—the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) county office.

In February, the Trump administration laid off USDA staff across the nation by sending unexpected termination notices to probationary employees. This resulted in a loss of dozens of staff that directly serve farmers, ranchers, small business owners, and rural community members. On March 11, after a ruling by the Merit Systems Protection Board, USDA issued a 45-day stay on terminated employees, returning them to paid status. However, questions remain about what the future holds beyond the 45-day mark.