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Opinion
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Written by Staff
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Wednesday, 09 December 2009 09:00 |
Dear editor,
For the last few years I have had the honor to serve on the Miami County Planning and Zoning Board. Most of the cases that come before this board deal with the conflict of individual rights versus the public interest.
While most cases deal with just localized issues, once in a while a more burning case comes before us that involves larger areas of the county and deals with concerns originating in the very amendments to our Constitution (Bill of Rights).
In the latest case before us, one could come up with the sensational title “Rural Water District No. 2 against the people of Miami County.” But would that be fair?
While there is no doubt in my mind that a 150-foot-tall water tower to be built across the street from residential properties will have a negative impact on the values of such properties and the very localized future development of the area in question, one has to also look at the impact for the county and many landowners as a whole.
Once you remove yourself from the building site of the tower and the neighbors within a half-mile range, things start to look very different.
Any of the home and property owners that will be touched by the resulting water pipelines and the expansion of the water district’s distribution lines will reap tremendous benefits by the instant value added to their land and the much increased potential for future development.
In this case, the whole northeastern part of the county and the U.S. Highway 69 corridor will be enhanced for future growth, and the pieces of the puzzle of past investments in road and highway improvements will be brought together for the benefit of all the people of Miami County.
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Opinion
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Written by Brian McCauley
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Wednesday, 25 November 2009 09:00 |
The word “tradition” can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but it seems to carry a special meaning in a small town.
Families can have traditions, sports teams can have traditions, and schools can have traditions, but small-town traditions seem to weave themselves into the fabric of the lives of residents.
So it will be on Friday night, when the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Park Square officially will mark the beginning of the holiday season in Paola.
Every year, on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Paola residents gather on the Square to watch the lights come on and to give their children the priceless opportunity of meeting Santa Claus and telling him what they want for Christmas.
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Opinion
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Written by Staff
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Wednesday, 02 September 2009 08:00 |
Dear editor,
The Miami County Conservation District is embarking on an important project. An assessment of the current conservation needs here in the county is being conducted. We request that your newspaper assist us in communicating with the public and in gaining their support and input. Our conservation district chairman announced the beginning of this process to the Miami County Commission recently in connection with our annual request of operating funds from the county.
The Conservation District is responsible for determining the best use of taxpayer funds that are available to us from both federal and state agencies as well as from the local county government. These funds are used for a variety of programs but all have the common purpose of conserving soil, maintaining water quality and protecting natural resources within the county.
Our planning guidance is provided by the Kansas State Conservation Commission and directs us to confer with landowners, operators and those who work with them. It also states that since the district is a public agency, it should consult with the community as well.
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Opinion
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Written by Staff
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Wednesday, 19 August 2009 08:00 |
Dear Editor,
It has been our extreme pleasure to call Paola “home” for the past week. Since our last visits in 1993 and 1997, we were pleased to see the town has grown, yet retains its small-town appeal, replete with some of the friendliest people known to our fair land. For example, the local postmaster kindly listened to our plight of lost I.D., which had been mailed home to N.C. and sent back to Paola; then, sent an unnamed hero to our relative’s house to deliver this much-needed I.D. on Saturday before we left for Chicago after postal hours because it came in the late delivery slated for Monday. This alone is proof positive that Paola is no ordinary town!
As far as the town is concerned, we were most surprised by the excellent public swimming pool at Wallace Park. Our family thoroughly enjoyed it and want to formally thank the town and taxpayers of Paola for their incredible foresight and generous care of its own citizens and of visitors like our family as well.
We pray God’s provident grace continues to strengthen your town and all who call it home.
Tim, Care, Katie and
Rachel Bowes
Hurdle Mills, N.C.
Dear Editor,
A citizen’s coalition has been formed to stay current on issues of concern by taxpayers in Paola and the growth area. Participation is open to all citizens wanting to promote openness and transparency in our local government. The first agenda item is to televise Paola City Council meetings and work sessions on a DVD and the next day show it on the local Suddenlink Communications cable channel and the city of Paola’s Web site.
We believe that the residents of the city of Paola and those in the growth area would take advantage of the opportunity to view their elected officials working for them. Many surrounding counties already utilize this resource to keep their residents informed in a timely manner. It will also be a valuable teaching tool that would open up learning opportunities in the city’s classrooms.
In a meeting with the city manager, it was asked if the city could buy the camera, tripod and DVDs for less than $500. The city manager told our group that the city didn’t have money in the budget for this. Money donations in any amount are being asked for from the citizens to purchase the camera and equipment. There is a state statute No. 75-4318, Section E, which states that subject to reasonable rules, cameras and recording devices must be allowed at open meetings. The Web site is www.kslegislature.org.
Anyone interested in being involved in the citizens coalition, please attend our next meeting Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Miami County Swan River Museum at 12 E. Peoria. For more information, contact LeAnne Shields, (913) 710-1767.
LeAnne Shields
Paola |
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Opinion
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Written by Staff
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Wednesday, 12 August 2009 08:00 |
Dear editor,
I just returned home from spending several days in Paola for the 13-to-15-year-old state Babe Ruth tournament. I would like to hand out a few compliments for a tremendous effort by many people in Paola.
League president Jody Garrison did an awesome job of preparing during the past year to make sure everything was ready for a state tournament. Paola should be very proud of him for his efforts.
One of the things that made the tournament special was a group of eight to 10 individuals who were involved in the process and continued to work with Jody until the very end. One person cannot put on a great Babe Ruth tournament, and Jody had some great people helping him.
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