Opinion
Police ‘ride-along’ nothing like a ‘walk-about’
Tim Fairchild Mayor Several weeks ago I went on a “ride-along.” It was an interesting night and nothing like a “walk-about” in the outback. When I arrived we already had an assignment. This involved a potential domestic dispute. The complete event took about an hour. The officer indicated that arbitration at an early stage of potential domestic disagreements helps mitigate future legal intervention. Sometimes the resolution of domestic di...
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Letter to the editor
Having a swimming pool improves quality of life Can your children swim? While many of us take the ability to swim for granted, learning to swim is a vital skill for all ages, especially children. Each year that the City of Chanute goes without a swimming pool, the number of children that have the opportunity to learn to swim decreases. Children from non-swimming households are eight times more likely to be at-risk of drowning. Nine peopl...
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Letter to the editor
Voting yes on sales tax propositions a no-brainer People in this city have spent a lot of years dreaming about new schools, new houses, and expanded healthcare options. Now those dreams are coming true thanks to the citizens of Chanute. What about the dream of a new pool and community recreation center? Some might say, it’s a pipe dream but do you know how easy it can be to make it a reality? On November the 4th, we just have to vote, Y...
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Letter to the editor
Former Chanute residents benefit from blood donors My husband and I were visiting with a friend of ours, Mary Lou Cooper, who is in charge of the Red Cross Blood Drive in Chanute on Oct. 27-28. This reminded us of how important the collection of blood is to me and my husband. Bill grew up in Chanute and attended school there prior to going into the Army. We presently live in Ottawa, but still have friends in Chanute. Bill has a disease c...
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Political vertigo
Rick Qualls First Baptist Church My head is spinning. I suffer political vertigo. The spinning of political commercials, debates, and speeches are dizzying. Spin doctors author political statements with half truths. Media commentators focus on details and petty missteps instead of objective reporting. Most issues are pretty clear: Iraq and Afghanistan, energy, housing, health care, the Wall Street crisis. We may not understand the comp...
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Letter to the editor
Stick together, as people and friends Some people are just too young to remember Herbert Hoover, a republican -- and Franklin D. Roosevelt, a democrat. And, the “Great Depression” as well as the “Dust Bowl.” It seems like every time this country gets into a mess -- it takes a democrat to get us out. However, the blame does not lie on either party. Let’s face it folks -- the blame lies on the present administration under the leadership ...
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Keep unwanted guests out
Krista Harding Extension Agent As the weather cools, it is inevitable that certain outdoor pests are going to try to find their way inside homes. One of the best ways to limit unwanted intrusions of insects or rodents is to deny them entry. It is often easier to prevent entry into a home or building than trying to control them once they are inside. Here are six useful tips for pest proofing. At the base of all exterior doors, install doo...
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Register — and vote
It’s a cliche, but true -- every vote counts. With the presidential election, several local and area races and a number of area special questions on the ballot for the Nov. 4 general election, residents have a chance to let their voices be heard on a wide variety of issues. But if haven’t registered to vote, time is running out -- Oct. 20 is the last day to register to vote before the election. Both the county clerk’s office and the Chanut...
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Letter to the Editor
Chanute is lucky I would like to publicly thank Sam Budreau and Jim McEwen for their service to the City of Chanute while serving as co-interim city managers. Both men willingly took on the extra responsibilities for the day-to-day management of the city while also continuing their ongoing duties as Director of Public Safety and Finance Director, respectively. They handled all these responsibilities efficiently and professionally. Chanute ...
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Letter to the Editor
Sales tax would fund building for all residents As a longtime staff member, recently retired, of the Chanute Recreation I felt drawn to attend the information meeting provided by the Chanute Citizens for Our Future. This was the meeting to give important information regarding the Proposition 1 and Proposition 2 ballot vote on November 4, 2008, regarding a half-cent sales tax for Chanute. The ¼ cent increase would be to provide the building...
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Letter to the editor
Mistaken identity of cat hard on young family To the woman and young girl in the dark blue Ford Focus who took our very friendly, big gray cat from 106 S. Allen on Sunday. We would like him returned. We understand that you believe him to be your cat who has been missing for a year since your move from Wilson Street, but you are mistaken. We adopted him from SEK Humane Society in Pittsburg four years ago and he has become a member of our fa...
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Make time for spiritual growth
Rick Qualls First Baptist Church Are you busy? Silly question! Ask anyone, “How are you doing?” “Busy, busier than ever before!” We just can’t find time for spiritual growth. We want to have affection for people, even for the grouches in our life. Who doesn’t want joy that bubbles up from our soul no matter the circumstances? Serenity and calmness in the face of stormy life would be priceless. How can we develop spiritual spaces in our l...
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Library has a full calendar for October
Susan Willis Library Director The remainder of October promises to be full of fun programs for all ages. While children’s story times for birth through early elementary continue, the adults can choose to attend book discussions and an author visit. Meanwhile, the staff is busy preparing to migrate to a new computer system in early November which will bring wonderful added features for everyone. Our “Women Around the World” discussion se...
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Alzheimer’s is no laughing matter
Lois Carlson Guest Columnist Alzheimer’s Disease is a condition that many people tend to joke about when they can’t remember something or find something. But, when all is said and done, Alzheimer’s disease is a very serious and eventually very debilitating disease. Just what is Alzheimer’s? It is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, and make judgements as well as to communica...
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Nothing’s the matter with Kansas
(This article originally ran in the Wall Street Journal on Saturday.) Bill Wyckoff President of Labette Bank Here in the heart of Kansas, the sky isn’t falling and Chicken Little isn’t running around without a head. Community banks like mine are still making loans and serving the needs of customers. I used to worry about competing in the world of mega “too-big-to-fail” banks. But now I know community banks offer something the monsters ca...
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Letter to the editor
Commentary on K-47, U.S. 169 intersection In reply to the article of Mr. Defenbaugh, it was before the 4-way stop signs at the junction north of Thayer that so many fatal accidents happened there. I remember quite well since my dear friend and neighbor’s car was broad-sided there as she was coming back to Chanute from Tulsa one morning. What a miracle that she wasn’t killed. The big signs on both sides of K-47 read 169 traffic does not st...
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Letter to the editor
Be sure to take a moment to buckle up The most dangerous thing most of us will do today is get into a car or truck to go to work, the store, to school or to run errands. As proof, consider that last year, 416 lives were lost in Kansas traffic crashes. Nearly 23,000 others were injured – many of those suffering permanent, life-changing injuries. On October 10 – Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day – we urge all Kansans to think about the ser...
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Letter to the editor
Put blame in D.C. where blame belongs A recent letter puts the blame for financial woes on the Republicans in D.C. The fact that both houses of Congress have been controlled by the Democrats if conveniently forgotten — Democrats who have not kept their campaign promises too numerous to mention. Historically, power rests with the majority party. As a majority, the Democrats could have had an legislation they wanted. Let’s put blame where blame...
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Letter to the Editor
More stoplights, please? The stoplights at 14th and Santa Fe are a big improvement. Could the old stoplights be installed at Central and Main? The view to the west is blocked much of the time with the increased parking in the 300 block of East Main. Virginia Friederich Chanute
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Letter to the Editor
Palin will make a fine VP Are we to be surprised by the knife job being done on Gov. Sarah Palin, and Sen. McCain for that matter, by the press? Are we to be afraid to vote for this lady because some in the press just can’t handle the fact that she understands the real world of good and evil and she didn’t marry a slick, cheesy weasel to get ahead in politics? She didn’t have a passport until she went to Kuwait to visit Alaskan National G...
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