Thursday, October 30, 2014
Radio Spot: LWVMRC Teams with Kansas State SGA and Good Neighbor Group for Successful Voter Registration Drive
On Thursday, 9:30 AM, November 6, tune in to KMAN 1350 am for a conversation between News Editor Cathy Dawes, Catherine Hedge, Vice-president of LWVMRC, and others concerning the terrific collaboration with Kansas State resulting in nearly 200 new voters on the registration roles. Ms. Hedge will also share information about LWVMRC's efforts to increase our visibility on the Internet.
Riley County Commission October30, 2014
Joan Strickler, observer
Commissioners
Wells and Lewis present, Wells presiding.
The meeting
was brief and devoted primarily to bid considerations on equipment and a
standby electrical power system expansion for the public works buildings.
County Counselor
Clancy Holeman announced the legislative luncheon will be held in the
Commission office on November 6.
Commissioners and staff will discuss issues affecting County operations.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Riley County Commission October 27, 2014
Joan Strickler, observer
Commissioner
Wells and Lewis present, Boyd absent.
Commissioner Wells presided.
Robbin Cole,
Pawnee Mental Health Services Director, said mental health services
increasingly are viewed more as a medical issue rather than a social services
issue. With the transition of Medicaid
services to the KanCare program a trend is toward serving some persons needing mental
health services through health homes. In
addition to overseeing mental health needs of the person physical health issues
would be considered as well.
One problem
is apparently Kansas is no longer willing to pay for health care
coordinators. Pawnee would be expected
to contract with and pay Big Lakes Developmental Services for managed care
coordination. Big Lakes serves persons
with developmental disabilities, some in group home situations.
Issues the
League might find of concern would be lack of adequate resources for both
Pawnee and Big Lakes as workloads expand and funds are reduced.
Gail
Chalman, clinic nursing supervisor at the Riley County Health Department (RCHD)
urged persons to get their flu shots before peak flu season kicks in around
Thanksgiving time.
Jason Orr,
public health emergency preparedness coordinator (RCHD), announced two
community informational meetings will be held on Ebola. Meetings are scheduled Tuesday, October 28,
from 6:00pm to 7:00pm and Wednesday, October 29, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm. Both will be held at the lecture room of the
Fire Department located at 2000 Denison Ave.
Linda
Redding, also with the RCHD, said a recent “Kids Count” conducted by Kansas
Action for Children indicates only 53% of kindergartners in Riley County are
fully immunized, fewer than areported total of 61.4% in Kansas. In reading proficiency Riley County 5th
graders meet 92.70% of standards compared to 84.91% in Kansas overall.
County Clerk
Rich Vargo reported that, as of noon Saturday, 1455 persons have voted. Some 477 ballots were returned by mail.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Riley County Commission Oct. 20, 2014
Riley County Commission Oct 20, 2014
All commissioners present
In "Commissioners comments" there was a discussion of regulations governing pedestrians walking in the streets. This is against the law when there are sidewalks. If no sidewalks, one must walk facing traffic and try not to walk on the right of way.
The Board of health will meet Monday Oct. 27 to receive the Local Public Health System Assessment Report. They will meet in the Commission Chambers at 7:00 PM.
The Health Dept. will close from 3- 5 p.m. for staff to discuss the the results of the survey and evaluations.
Jason Orr, PublicHealth Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, talked about the Health Dept. preparedness to respond to infectious disease outbreaks including Ebola. There are no confirmed cases of Ebola in Kansas at this time. The department is in frequent contact with the Ks Dept of health and kept informed on the latest information.
County Clerk, Rich Vargo, said that advanced voting has started. So far, 1066 mail-in ballots have been sent out, and 468 advanced ballots cast. Advanced voting continues on the second floor of the Riley County Office Building.
Hours are Mon-Fri, Oct 15-24 from 8:00 - 5:00, Sat.Oct 25 from 8:00-am - noon.
Mon-Fri Oct 27-31 8:00 -7:00 p.m
Sat Nov 1 8:00-noon
Mon. nov 3, 8:00-noon last day to early vote.
Info available at the county website on the election page.
Leon Hobson, Public Works Director, discussed potential concerns on Wildcat Creek Road. Of particular concern are some curves that are perilously close to drop-offs. More traffic is expected on this road since the proposed winery will be opening and wedding receptions and other group activities are planned. Traffic counts were discussed as were guard rails .
Julie Merklin, observer
All commissioners present
In "Commissioners comments" there was a discussion of regulations governing pedestrians walking in the streets. This is against the law when there are sidewalks. If no sidewalks, one must walk facing traffic and try not to walk on the right of way.
The Board of health will meet Monday Oct. 27 to receive the Local Public Health System Assessment Report. They will meet in the Commission Chambers at 7:00 PM.
The Health Dept. will close from 3- 5 p.m. for staff to discuss the the results of the survey and evaluations.
Jason Orr, PublicHealth Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, talked about the Health Dept. preparedness to respond to infectious disease outbreaks including Ebola. There are no confirmed cases of Ebola in Kansas at this time. The department is in frequent contact with the Ks Dept of health and kept informed on the latest information.
County Clerk, Rich Vargo, said that advanced voting has started. So far, 1066 mail-in ballots have been sent out, and 468 advanced ballots cast. Advanced voting continues on the second floor of the Riley County Office Building.
Hours are Mon-Fri, Oct 15-24 from 8:00 - 5:00, Sat.Oct 25 from 8:00-am - noon.
Mon-Fri Oct 27-31 8:00 -7:00 p.m
Sat Nov 1 8:00-noon
Mon. nov 3, 8:00-noon last day to early vote.
Info available at the county website on the election page.
Leon Hobson, Public Works Director, discussed potential concerns on Wildcat Creek Road. Of particular concern are some curves that are perilously close to drop-offs. More traffic is expected on this road since the proposed winery will be opening and wedding receptions and other group activities are planned. Traffic counts were discussed as were guard rails .
Julie Merklin, observer
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
USD 383 Board of Education
Oct. 15, 2014
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer
Carol Adams, Exec. Director of Teaching and Learning, reported on district assessments. Assessments for the Kansas Dept. of Education were done online in spring 2014, and due to significant problems with the online testing (e.g. the system would freeze, individual student information wasn't correct, students couldn't log in), not enough reliable data was collected to share with districts. Ms. Adams also reported that the ACT composite score for MHS students was 23.1, which was above the state average of 22.0.
Keith Noll, Director of Maintenance, reported on athletic field maintenance costs. Now that the playing field at Bishop Stadium is artificial turf (although, there are still other grass areas), less was spent on reseeding, mowing, and painting lines. Mr. Noll was still investigating options for cleaning Bishop Stadium following Friday athletic events.
The board was presented with information for developing options for online student registration and possibly online enrollment. At present, families must fill out forms with the same information on them for each student in the household. Online registration would reduce the repetitiveness of the registration process and would also allow families moving into the district to start the process before they arrive. The initial cost for the online registration program would be approximately $24,000, but the district would likely experience savings in staff time currently spent on inputting handwritten data. Dr. Bob Shannon, Superintendent, said he liked the program but wants to wait and see what happens with state financing. The board planned to revisit the issue in January.
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer
Carol Adams, Exec. Director of Teaching and Learning, reported on district assessments. Assessments for the Kansas Dept. of Education were done online in spring 2014, and due to significant problems with the online testing (e.g. the system would freeze, individual student information wasn't correct, students couldn't log in), not enough reliable data was collected to share with districts. Ms. Adams also reported that the ACT composite score for MHS students was 23.1, which was above the state average of 22.0.
Keith Noll, Director of Maintenance, reported on athletic field maintenance costs. Now that the playing field at Bishop Stadium is artificial turf (although, there are still other grass areas), less was spent on reseeding, mowing, and painting lines. Mr. Noll was still investigating options for cleaning Bishop Stadium following Friday athletic events.
The board was presented with information for developing options for online student registration and possibly online enrollment. At present, families must fill out forms with the same information on them for each student in the household. Online registration would reduce the repetitiveness of the registration process and would also allow families moving into the district to start the process before they arrive. The initial cost for the online registration program would be approximately $24,000, but the district would likely experience savings in staff time currently spent on inputting handwritten data. Dr. Bob Shannon, Superintendent, said he liked the program but wants to wait and see what happens with state financing. The board planned to revisit the issue in January.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Presidents’ Message
You are planning to vote on or before November 4, right? What about your children or grandchildren? Will they vote? A key excuse used by young people is that they don’t have time to do it. Maybe they need to be reminded that they find time in their busy life to do what is really important to them, like watching their favorite shows on television, or texting their friends. Do they really want someone else to make decisions about schools for their children, the air they breathe, or their ability to get medical help when they need it?
These elections are about our jobs, our health, our
communities, our security, and our future.
When we cast our ballot, we are participating in what is most important
to us. Candidates are asking to
represent us. Decisions they make in
office will influence public policy for years to come. Each vote helps decide who gets the job.
Here is information you can share with people who ask you as
a League member for information about where and when to vote, the candidates,
and their positions on important issues.
1. Read the information submitted directly by the candidates
on VOTE411.org.
2. Explore what options we have to vote early or absentee in
our community if we will be away from their polling place on election day. For local information about voting, go to www.rileycountyks.gov .
3. If you do not live in Riley County, enter your address at
VOTE411.org to find the information you need to cast your ballot, including
early and absentee voting options and locations in your state and candidate
information for every voter in America.
Voting allows you to make an impact on critical issues and
policies.
Your vote counts!
Jean Lee
Enell Foerster
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