Mental Health praise

This sounds likethings are improving at the Mental Health Center, but the report hasn't been released yet. From public accounts, it appears most of the issue that lead the county commissioners to oust the board and then let the director go was internal, human resources-financial issues. Less so client services. But the general taxpaying public might never know exactly what spurred that drastic action, unless the authorities give a full account.

Pension perks

My story on the odd, some would say unfair, way that state legislators calculate their retirement benefits.

Does seem a bit contradictory at a time when they are preparing to cut back benefits for public employees.

I have to say that Kasha Kelley, who decided not to join KPERS when she was elected, deserves credit sacrificing that perk. The decision might be harder for someone of lessor means, however.

Here is Eagle editorial about the perks.

Pipeline taxes

TransCanada does not plan a second pipeline through Kansas as part of itsKeystone XL project that is all over the news lately. But they are still
trying to get a Kansas property tax exemption on the first one, put into operation last year.

The story of this exemption is a case study in legislation that is not fully vetted, nor understood by lawmakers.

One thing I didn't put in the story is that according to Ed Trimmer, D-Winfield, he said they were told on the House floor that the exemption applied only to natural gas, and that there was no mention of oil and TransCanada. It sailed through a few years ago.

Also, Cowley County Commissioner Gary Wilson said some landowners had problems with TransCanada building the pipeline underneath waterways -- grassy areas that help with drainage, and not rebuilding the waterway back to good condition.

Target shooting

If this was a case of target shooting gone awry, it would be a good time to remind people of safety rules/guidelines for targeting shooting.

Here's what the NRA states its website. Know your target and what is beyond.
Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second.

99 percent

The Occupy Wall Street,or 99 percent movement, or whatever you call it doesn't feel like something that will affect electoral politics in the upcoming cycle, like the tea party did. But it does capture a mood, or feeling that has been festering for years and likely will seep into the direction of public policy. This story in the Eagle provides the raw facts behind some of the alienation and anger about society-government today. The richer are getting richer, in some cases much richer, and the rest just plodding along.

I think its pretty well documented that incomes gaps have grown over the last 30 years. Middle income earners are squeezed more by prices/health insurance and other costs and have not been able to afford the things they used to.

The big time

This incredible promotional opportunity kind of fell into our laps here in Ark City. But it was no accident. Arkansas City has made great strides in recent years and has always been a strong small town with good quality of life.
Getting a five-minute segment on national television, even cable, to boast about the quality of life in Ark City and be able to use the piece as an ongoing marketing tool sounds almost too good to be true.
The $20,000 cost is well worth it - I'll bet the chamber has no problem raising the funds privately. This could be a great business recruitment tool and general image builder for Ark City to south-central Kansas and beyond.
We all know that Ark City has had a reputation for being a blue-collar town with blight problems and contentious politics, but that is slowly changing. Some of the recent success toward community building - hospital, schools, downtown streetscape, burford rennovation - are changing the image toward a place that works together and build a vibrant, strong town.
Could this be a turning point?

The uninsured, continued ...

David- get your facts right. He chose not to be covered by Health Insurance because he felt it was too expensive. He gambled and lost.

I normally don't respond to comments because it can be like sticking your hand in badger hole. But this point above about the man from Joplin is an opportunity to further discuss why universal health care is needed.

This is exactly the problem — the unaffordability of health insurance. The man made just above minimum wage, according to news articles. Depending on how much his employer paid, buying health insurance could mean the difference between owning a car, paying rent, supporting children, etc....

With universal coverage, safety nets are put in place to help this man not have to face such perverse decision.

In 2014, if health reform survives, this man would 1. either be picked up by his employer, who might be eligible for tax credits, or 2. get a direct gov. subsidy to afford premiums on his own. At his level of pay, he might be able to go directly onto Medicaid, depending on his total household income.

To say he gambled and lost might be true, but what a cruel game of craps people are forced to play with their lives.