GUEST COLUMN, Ryan Martin, Seward County

After nine months of vocally opposing any proposed wind farm in the county, I finally had my first, and so far only visit from someone who was adamantly in favor of the turbines.

Much to my surprise, he burst into my office like the Kool-Aid Man, offered no introduction, and immediately referred to me and other opponents of the wind farm as “sorry mother*****s.” Normally, someone addressing me that way in my office would likely be scheduling an emergency dental appointment after picking their teeth up off the floor. But in this instance, I thought, “This is going to be interesting. I’ve got to hear this gentleman out,” so I kindly invited him to sit down.

L&T Publisher Earl Watt

At last night’s Seward County Commission meeting, Commissioner Todd Stanton made several motions, none of which garnered a second.

Commissioner Stanton was asking his fellow commissioners to direct staff to follow the budget they followed on all positions as well as to ask county counsel on an opinion on how the assistant administrator position is being funded.

During the budget discussion on reducing the budget to match the revenue neutral rate, the position of assistant administrator was removed.

But the position still exists, and payroll is still being paid to the tune of around $96,000 per year.

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

Since the Sugar Act of 1764, Committees of Correspondence in the colonies had connected leaders across great distances, allowing them to share critical information, spread ideas, and promote unity against increasingly oppressive British policies. Passage of the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts in 1774 dramatically sped up the process. As the English Parliament appeared determined to strip away fundamental rights, these committees, along with town meetings, evolved into powerful extra-legal governments. Stepping into the vacuum left by diminishing royal authority, they enforced local policies, organized and managed militias, and raised funds for defense.

Non-importation agreements no longer seemed sufficient, especially with British warships blockading ports. So, when royal governors began dissolving citizen assemblies to stop the growing resistance, colonists responded by electing broader provincial congresses that represented a wider segment of the population. These new bodies overwhelmingly called for a Continental Congress to present a united front.

L&T Publisher Earl Watt

Why haven’t you signed up yet?

With less than a week to go before the deadline for candidates to sign up, there is only one name so far for three Seward County Commission seats.

When three commissioners resigned in December, 13 people stepped up to fill the empty slots, and three were selected to finish the last year of the unexpired terms, and whether or not you agree with how those three have served, they deserve our thanks for being willing to serve.

And not just them but the other 10 who also put their name on the list. Each of the three district had choices, and that is critical to a functioning democracy.

After all, if there are no candidates, how do we, the people choose our representatives?

All 13 provided the precinct committee men and women choices.